"She talked to soldiers' mothers trying to find their sons' corpses in military morgues where mangled bodies lay unnamed and unclaimed—the result of the Russian army's unique mixture of callousness and incompetence. And she talked to Chechens whose friends and relatives had disappeared into the notorious “filtration camps” to suffer torture, mutilation, rape and death."
This excerpt from an obituary for investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya was found in the October 12th, 2006 edition of The Economist, published just five days after her murder. She had recieved death threats many times before, yet always refused to back down from the work for which she ultimately gave her life. In fact, the day she was killed, she was due to turn in an article on the corruption and violence of the warlords who were at that time ruling Chechnya.
However, today -the fifth anniversary of this courageous woman's murder- little progress has been made towards the protection of journalists and other human rights activists in Russia. On the contrary, there have been numerous abductions, beatings, and murders of human rights activists, yet only two cases have been solved: the murders of lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova. This is absolutely unacceptable, as the voices of those who fight relentlessly for human rights are, in fact, the voices of liberty, and of humanity itself.
"Unless and until such critical voices receive the recognition and protection they need – and are entitled to – Russia will not get the civil society it needs," said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty's Europe and Central Asia deputy program director. "In its place," he continued, "corruption, the abuse of power and human rights violations will continue to flourish."
So, in the memory of Anna Politkovskaya, and of all others who have given their lives fighting to put an end to human rights violations, Amnesty strives to continue their work. According to an Amnesty International press release from today, October 7th, 2011, "in the coming year, Amnesty International activists will continue to campaign for full and impartial investigations in to attacks against human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists in Russia. Activists will urge the Russian authorities to ensure that human rights defenders can work freely and without fear of harassment."
Amnesty International is strong because of you. Our 3 million members give us a voice against those who would hide the atrocities that people like Politkovskaya dedicate their lives to exposing. Click here to become a member, and become a voice for those who are silenced.
For more information on our work and other ways to become involved, please visit the AIUSA website.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Iranian Filmmakers Imprisoned
Six individuals, the filmmakers and producers of a documentary, were arrested on September 17th. These five documentary directors (Hadi Afarideh, Shahnam Bazdar, Naser Saffarian, Mohsen Shahrnazdar, and Mojtaba Mir Tahmasb) along with producer and distributor (Katayoun Shahabi), are alleged to have"provided BBC Persian with information, films and secret reports to paint a black picture of Iran and Iranians."
Their arrests follow the release of a documentary they created, about the life of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The film was broadcasted on BBC Persian, and was widly viewed across the nation.
The recent months have witnessed a growing attempt to silence those in the Iranian film industry, with arrests of actors, directors, and producers.
Since January of 2010, it has been declared illegal for any Iranian citizen to be in contact with over 60 foreign institutions, including media outlets such as the BBC, and some human rights organizations. However, despite this and the outright banning of satellite dishes, the BBC's satellite transmission of the program was jammed inside Iran.
This new attempt by Iranian officials to supress speech and ideals that counter those of the government itself is only one part of the growing problem in this and other nations. Amnesty International promotes the release of all people imprisoned because of who they are or what they believe.
For more information about our campaigns, please click here!
Their arrests follow the release of a documentary they created, about the life of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The film was broadcasted on BBC Persian, and was widly viewed across the nation.
The recent months have witnessed a growing attempt to silence those in the Iranian film industry, with arrests of actors, directors, and producers.
Since January of 2010, it has been declared illegal for any Iranian citizen to be in contact with over 60 foreign institutions, including media outlets such as the BBC, and some human rights organizations. However, despite this and the outright banning of satellite dishes, the BBC's satellite transmission of the program was jammed inside Iran.
This new attempt by Iranian officials to supress speech and ideals that counter those of the government itself is only one part of the growing problem in this and other nations. Amnesty International promotes the release of all people imprisoned because of who they are or what they believe.
For more information about our campaigns, please click here!
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