Newsletter
Amnesty International USA Group 48
In This Issue . . .
1 Central America RAN:
Honduras
2 Ask Oregon Senators to
Co-Sponsor Congo Conflict
Minerals Act of 2009 (S. 891)
3 China RAN URGENT
ACTION: Imminent
Execution - Tang Yanan
5 Central Africa RAN: Urge
Equatorial Guinea to End
Detention and Ratify
Convention on Enforced
Disappearance
7 Third mass killing of
Colombia’s Awá Indigenous
Peoples in 2009
AIUSA-Group 48
http://aipdx.org
503-227-1878
Next Meeting:
Friday September 11th
First Unitarian Church
1011 SW 12th Ave
7:00pm informal
gathering
7:30pm meeting starts
NewsLetter Designed
By Michelle Whitlock
MichelleWhitlock.com
Central America RAN: Honduras
By Marylou Noble, Central America RAN Coordinator
A delegation from Amnesty Interna-
tional visited Honduras from 28 July
–1 August 2009 to investigate reports of
human rights violations following the
military-backed coup d’etat on 28 June.
The delegation held meetings with rep-
resentatives from across a wide range
of civil society and visited persons in
detention and several people receiving
medical treatment in hospitals. Where
requested, the identity of those inter-
viewed has been withheld for their own
safety.
Concerns about human rights in Hon-
duras have intensified since the demo-
cratically elected President José Manuel
Zelaya Rosales was forced from power
on 28 June 2009 and expelled from the
09.09
José A. Warletta Stock.Xchng
country by a military backed group of
politicians led by Roberto Micheletti,
former leader of the National Con-
gress. The military backed coup has left
Hondurans extremely polarized and a
sense of insecurity pervades daily life
as curfews are repeatedly and arbitrarily
imposed and peaceful demonstrations
repressed.
As protests increase and spread
throughout the country, Honduran
citizens are increasingly exposed to
violations of their fundamental rights
Amnesty International is concerned that
those wishing to participate in peaceful
protests against the de facto government
risk being physically attacked or being »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter September 2009 Pg 2

arbitrarily detained. Amnesty International is also concerned Police and military commanding officers must immediately
that female protestors are particularly vulnerable and that implement processes to prevent violence, abuse and use of
some women and girls taking part in the demonstrations are excessive force. The Attorney General’s Office has an obliga-
reportedly suffering gender based violence and abuse at the tion to actively investigate all reports of abuse, ill-treatment
hands of police officers. and torture and ensure that those responsible are brought to
justice. Amnesty International urges the Office of the Special
Amnesty International is further concerned at the threats and Prosecutor for Human Rights to pursue such complaints and
physical attacks carried out by police and military personnel calls on the police and military authorities to cooperate fully
against media workers who are legitimately carrying out their with the investigations.
important work covering events in Honduras. Intimidation of
human rights defenders, increased restrictions on the ability Amnesty International strongly urges the international com-
of human rights defenders to move freely around the coun- munity to intensify efforts to find a solution to the political
try and the erratic imposition of curfews are frustrating the crisis in order to prevent the spiral into a human rights emer-
capacity of civil society to monitor human rights violations gency in Honduras.
across the country and limiting the essential and legitimate
work of human rights defenders.

Ask Oregon Senators to Co-Sponsor Congo Conflict Minerals Act of 2009

(S. 891)
longer be able to claim that they are unable to trace the origin
of the metals used in their products.
mike gieson Stock.Xchng

Call, write or email Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Ron

Warfare in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) contin-
ues to cause thousands of deaths, rapes, and displacements
of civilians. Armed groups finance their fighting through the
sale of coltan (columbite-tantalite) and other minerals, used
in cell phones and other high-tech devices. Through our
purchase of these devices, we indirectly finance the violence
in DRC. The Congo Conflict Minerals Act (S. 891) would re-
quire annual disclosure to the Securities and Exchange Com-
mission of activities involving columbite-tantalite, cassiterite
and wolframite from the DRC. Manufacturers and sellers of
cell phones, computers and other electronic devices would no
Wyden asking them to co-sponsor the Congo Conflict Miner-
als Act of 2009 (S. 891). The following sample letter can be
used or edited for your use.
Sample Letter
Dear Senator
As a supporter of Amnesty International, I am writing to urge
that you support the Congo Conflict Minerals Act (S. 891)
and consider co-sponsoring the Act if you are not doing so
already.
Warfare in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) contin-
ues to cause thousands of deaths, rapes, and displacements
of civilians. Armed groups finance their fighting through the
sale of coltan (columbite-tantalite), cassiterite (tin ore), wol-
framite (tungsten oil) and other minerals, used in cell phones
and other high-tech devices. Through our purchase of these
devices, we unintentionally finance the violence in DRC.
The Congo Conflict Minerals Act (S. 891) would require
annual disclosure to the Securities and Exchange Commis- »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter September 2009 Pg 3
sion of activities involving columbite-tantalite, cassiterite and
wolframite from the DRC. Manufacturers and sellers of cell
phones, computers and other electronic devices would no
longer be able to claim that they are unable to trace the origin
of the metals used in their products.
Ending the vast human suffering in the DRC will require
other measures. Impunity for war crimes will be needed, as
will reform of the security services. But passage of S. 891
would be an important first step. I urge you to support it.
Respectfully,
your name and address
Contact Information
Senator Jeff Merkley
107 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
China RAN URGENT ACTION UA 226/09: Imminent Execution - Tang Yanan
Ti Marner Stock.Xchng
The Anhui Provincial High People’s Court rejected Tang
Yanan’s appeal against the death penalty on 12 August. China’s
Supreme People’s Court in Beijing, is reviewing his sentence.
Tang Yanan could be executed within days if it upholds the
sentence.
After what appears to have been an unfair trial the Bozhou
City Intermediate People’s Court in Anhui province, con-
victed Tang Yanan on 11 December 2008, of “fraudulent rais-
ing of public funds”. According to the Chinese press, he and
approximately 20 other co-defendants illegally obtained 970
Phone: (202) 224-3753
Web Form: merkley.senate.gov/contact/
Portland Office:
121 SW Salmon Street, Suite 1400, Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 326-3386
Fax: (503) 326-2900
Senator Ron Wyden
223 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5244
Web Form: wyden.senate.gov/contact/
Portland Office:
1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 585, Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 326-7525
million Yuan in public funds (approximately US$142 million)
between 2004 and 2007. The money was for a deer breeding
center to cull deer antlers which could be used in Chinese
herbal medicines. They managed to attract nearly 50,000
investors from more than 110 districts and counties in seven
provinces by offering investors high profit returns.
The Chinese press reported that Tang Yanan admitted his
guilt. However, during the appeal hearing he withdrew his
confession saying that he confessed under torture. Despite
this, Anhui Provincial People’s High Court upheld the guilty
verdict. At the same time, the appeal court reduced the sen-
tence of several co-defendants who were sentenced to various
terms from three years’ to 15 years’ imprisonment. It is
unclear whether Tang Yanan has access to his family or legal
representation of his own choice.
There are concerns with the consistency in the application
of economic criminal charges in China. Earlier in 2009, Du
Yimin, a businesswoman who was executed on 5 August, was
also found guilty of “fraudulent raising of public funds.” Both
her defense and Tang Yanan’s argued that they should have
been convicted of the lesser offense of “illegally collecting
public deposits,” which carries a maximum sentence of 10 »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter September 2009 Pg 4

years’ imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 Yuan (US$73,000) to torture or other ill-treatment while in custody.
because their intent had not been to commit fraud but to ◌◌Urging the National People’s Congress to introduce a legal
genuinely invest funds in legitimate enterprises. procedure for clemency;
Background Information ◌◌Urging the authorities to establish an immediate moratori-
The death penalty is applicable for 68 offenses in China, in- um on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty,
cluding non-violent ones. China executes more people every as provided by UN General Assembly resolution 62/149, of 18
year than any other country in the world. Amnesty Interna- December 2007.
tional estimated that China carried out at least 1,718 execu-
Appeals To
tions and sentenced 7,003 people to death in 2008. These
figures represent a minimum - real figures are undoubtedly President of the Supreme People’s Court
much higher. A US-based NGO that is focused on advancing WANG Shengjun Yuanzhang
human rights in China, the Dui Hua Foundation, estimates Zuigao Renmin Fayuan
that between 5,000 and 6,000 people were executed that year, 27 Dongjiaomin Xiang
based on figures obtained from local officials. The official Beijingshi 100745
statistics on death sentences and executions are classified as PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA »
state secrets.
In January 2007, the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) review AIUSA Group 48 Contact Information
for all death sentences, which had been scrapped in 1982,
was restored. All death sentences are now reviewed by the Group Coordinator OR State Death
SPC, which has the power to approve, revise or remand death Joanne Lau Penalty Abolition
sentences. Chinese authorities have reported a drop in execu- 971-221-5450 Coordinator
jlau@easystreet.net Terrie Rodello
tions since the SPC resumed this review. Nevertheless, the 503-246-6836
application of the death penalty remains shrouded in secrecy Concert Tabling
Will Ware trodello@igc.org
in China, and statistics on death sentences and executions are 503-227-5225 Central America RAN
classified as state secrets. Without access to such information ww_ware@yahoo.com Marylou Noble
it is impossible to make a full and informed analysis of death Newsletter Editor 503-245-6923
penalty developments in China, or to say if there has been a Dan Webb marylou_noble@
503-253-3491 yahoo.com
reduction in its use.
danielw2@earthlink.net Dignity Campaign
No one who is sentenced to death in China receives a fair Treasurer Janie Whitlock
360-859-3050
trial in accordance with international human rights standards. Janan Stoll
janie.whitlock@gmail.com
Many have had confessions accepted despite saying in court 503-282-8834
jjjn4now@aol.com Guantanamo cases
that these were extracted under torture; have had to prove & Darfur
Legislative
themselves innocent, rather than be proven guilty; and have Coordinator Jane Kristof
had limited access to legal counsel. Dan Johnson kristofj@pdx.edu
503-310-4540 Marty Fromer
Recommended Action subtlet@hotmail.com 503-227-1878
martyfromer@gmail.com
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible: Central Africa RAN
◌◌Urging the authorities not to execute Tang Yanan; Terrie Rodello Indonesia RAN
503-246-6836 Max White
◌◌ Calling on the authorities to ensure that Tang Yanan has trodello@igc.org 503-292-8168
access to his family and legal representation of his choosing maxw33@comcast.net
and urging the authorities to guarantee that he is not subject
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter September 2009 Pg 5

Fax: 011 86 10 65292345 Copies To

Salutation: Dear President Ambassador Wen Zhong Zhou
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
Director of the Anhui Provincial Department of Justice 2300 Connecticut Ave. NW
SUN Jianxin Tingzhang Washington DC 20008
Anhuisheng Sifating Fax: 1 202 328-2582
335 Huaihailu Email: chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn
Hefeishi 230001
Anhuisheng PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending ap-
Salutation: Dear Director peals after 8 October 2009.

Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Postage Rates

People’s Congress Within the United States:
WU Bangguo Weiyuanzhang $0.28 - Postcards
Quanguo Renda Changwu Weiyuanhui Bangongting $0.44 - Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
23 Xijiaominhang, Xichengqu, Beijingshi 100805 To China:
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA $0.98 - Postcards
Fax: 011 86 10 63097934 $0.98 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz)
Salutation: Dear Chairman

Central Africa RAN: Urge Equatorial Guinea to End Detention and Ratify Convention on Enforced
Disappearance
to acknowledge these abductions or detentions, despite the
fact that some victims are known to be held incommunicado
Mike Munchel Stock.Xchng

in secret cells in either Black Beach prison in Malabo or in

Bata prison.
Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and Felipe Esono Ntumu
“Pancho” are three individuals who were allegedly abducted by
Nigerian security personnel in 2005 and are held in incom-
municado detention in Equatorial Guinea:
The Case of Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and Felipe
Esono Ntumu “Pancho”
In April 19, 2005, Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and
Felipe Esono Ntumu “Pancho”, former army officers, were
A mnesty International is campaigning for countries to on their way to Benin to seek political asylum. But they were
ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All arrested them in Lagos, Nigeria by Nigerian security person-
Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Over the past 10 years, nel. They were held incommunicado until June in prisons
Equatorial Guinean security personnel have allegedly ab- in Lagos and Abuja, before being reportedly handed over to
ducted several exiled political opponents of the government Equatorial Guinean security officers. The three men were
of Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial Guinean authorities refuse then taken to Black Beach prison in Malabo, where they have »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter September 2009 Pg 6

been held incommunicado in a secret cell in cruel, inhuman incommunicado detention, ratify the International Conven-
and degrading conditions. For instance, they are reported to tion for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disap-
be held in shackles day and night and until July 2006, they pearance to prevent enforced disappearance.
were also permanently handcuffed.
List of authorities
Florencio Elá Bibang does not appear to have been tortured. Vice Prime Minister in charge of human rights
However, Antimo Edú and Felipe Esono were reportedly Sr Don Salomón Nguema Owono
tortured while on the plane that took them from Abuja to Vice Primer Ministro 2º. Encargado de derechos humanos
Malabo and they did not receive treatment for the injuries Gabinete del Vice Primer Ministro
sustained. Antimo Edú’s left hand was broken and is still very Palacio del Gobierno
painful. He is unable to hold things with that hand. Malabo
Guinea Ecuatorial
The three men were held without charge until the day of their
Fax: 011 240 09 3313 / 8259
trials, by military courts. Florencio Elá Bibang and Antimo
Edú were tried in their absence in September 2005 together Minister of Justice
with some 70 others, and convicted of plotting to overthrow Sr Don Salvador Ondó Ncumu Oye
the government in October 2004. The authorities claimed that Ministro de Justicia y Culto
they were out of the country at the time of the trial when in Ministerio de justicia y Culto
fact they were believed to be held in Black Beach prison in Apartado de Correos No. 459
Malabo. Each was sentenced to 30 years’ prison terms. The Malabo
trial did not comply with international standards for fair trials. República de Guinea Ecuatorial
Fax: 011 240 09 2126
Antimo Edú was not tried together with Florencio Elá and
Felipe Esono. Instead, he was secretly tried in November Copies to
2006 by a military court in Malabo, charged with attempting Ambassador Purification Angue Ondo
against the security of the state and sentenced to 14 years in Embassy of Equatorial Guinea
prison. He had no lawyer and had not been informed of his 2020 16th Street, NW,
trial or charges before the trial. He was simply taken from his Washington DC 20009
cell suddenly one morning and taken to the military barracks Telephone: (202) 518-5700
where he was tried. Fax: (202) 518-5252
The Equatorial Guinean authorities refuse to acknowledge (202)-296-4195
the detention of the three men, despite the fact that they are Email: info@equatorialguinea.com
known to be held in Black Beach prison. In November 2008, Sample Letter
the UN special Rapporteur on Torture visited Equatorial Dear [Salutation]
Guinea and was able to visit prisons and detention centers A member of Amnesty International, I am writing to ask your
and to speak to most prisoners. However, the authorities assistance with two important requests.
denied him access to Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and
Felipe Esono “Pancho”. My first request is for information about Florencio Elá Bibang,
Antimo Edú and Felipe Esono, who were arrested in April
Action Request 2005 and reportedly abducted from Nigeria by Equatorial
Please write polite letters to the following authorities in Guinean agents. They have been held in detention without
Equatorial Guinea asking them to reveal the whereabouts of access to family friends or lawyers since 2005. I seek your
Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and Felipe Esono end their assistance in obtaining information about their fate, where-
abouts and health. »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter September 2009 Pg 7
Their incommunicado detention must end. Prolonged solitary
confinement may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or torture that is forbidden by Article 7 of the In-
ternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by
Equatorial Guinea in September 1987. In addition, Equatorial
Guinea law (Law 6/2006 of November 2, 2006 on the Preven-
tion and Prohibition of Torture) forbids torture and cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment.
I urge you to use the influence of your office to ensure that
an independent investigation is conducted into their disap-
pearance and the results of this investigation are made public.
Those responsible must be brought to justice.
These men must be allowed access to their families and
lawyers. The conditions of their detention must meet interna-
tional law and standards for the treatment of prisoners, which
does not include torture or ill-treatment. Please provide
information about their health and if they have access to ap-
propriate medical treatment whenever needed.
My second request is about the ratification of the Interna-
tional Convention for the Protection of All Persons from
Enforced Disappearance. The enforced disappearance of
Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and Felipe Esono is against
international agreements. The Convention was adopted
by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2006 (A/
Third mass killing of Colombia’s Awá Indigenous Peoples in 2009
Roque Corona Stock.Xchng
RES/61/177) to help prevent enforced disappearances, es-
tablish the truth about this crime, punish the perpetrators,
and provide reparations to the victims and their families. As
countless people continue to be forcibly disappeared through-
out the world, the rapid implementation of the Convention
and its ratification in all countries must be a priority for the
international community.
Therefore, I urge you to ensure that your government:
Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All
Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The ratification of the
Convention would represent a strong signal that your gov-
ernment is committed to ending this gravest human rights
violation.
Make the declarations required under Articles 31 and 32 of
the Convention, thus recognizing the authority of the Com-
mittee on Enforced Disappearances to consider complaints
from individuals and states parties; and
Take the necessary steps to implement the Convention in
your country soon after ratification.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters and
look forward to your response.
Regards,
The killing of 12 Indigenous Peoples in Colombia, including
four children, is a consequence of the failure of the authorities
to heed warnings that unless measures were taken to protect
the community, more attacks would take place, said Amnesty
International on Thursday.
“Yesterday, the Awá Indigenous Peoples were victims of the
third mass killing in less than one year,” said Susan Lee,
Americas Programme Director for Amnesty International.
“How many more have to die before the government acts to
protect these communities?”
Unidentified gunmen entered the Indigenous reservation of
Gran Rosario in the south-western department of Nariño on »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter September 2009 Pg 8
Wednesday and killed 12 people thought to be members of
the same family, including four children.
Amongst the Indigenous Peoples killed was Tulia García, who
had received a series of death threats after the killing of her
husband Gonzalo Rodríguez Guanga in May. She had de-
nounced the killing saying she believed the Colombian Army
was responsible.
Over 50 members of the Awá communities of Nariño have
been killed since September 2008 by guerrillas, the security
forces and their paramilitary allies, who are contesting con-
trol of the region.
The latest killings follow a series of attacks against the Awá
community. According to the National Indigenous Orga-
nization of Colombia (ONIC), on 11 February 2009 the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas
Revolucionarias de Colombia, FARC) guerrilla group killed
10 Awá in the department of Nariño. This followed the killing
AIUSA group 48 Newsletter September 2009
of 17 Awá on 4 February, also reportedly carried out by the
FARC.
These attacks come after a spate of death threats made by
army-backed paramilitary against the indigenous organiza-
tion Awá Indigenous Union, (Unidad Indígena para el Pueblo
Awá) UNIPA.
“The killing of the Awá people demonstrates once again that it
is the civilian population that bears the brunt of the conflict
and that protection of the civilian population in areas of con-
flict is not given due priority by the Colombian Government,”
said Susan Lee.
Amnesty International warned that it is still not clear what
action the Colombian Government is taking to protect the
Awá community from further attacks while it welcomed
the announcement made by the Colombian authorities on
Wednesday, committing State investigative bodies to advance
criminal investigations into the killings.
Postage