This month we bring you news from Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay and Ecuador.

  • Peru – Amnesty is bringing two Human Rights Defenders to the UK and you may book here to join them at the Human Rights Action Centre on 11 November evening and you can sign a petition.
  • Colombia – Amnesty has issued a new Urgent Action demanding that the authorities investigate the attacks on Fundación Nydia Erika Bautista.
  • ArgentinaJoel Paredes is in this year’s Write For Rights campaign, you can sign an online petition
  • Argentina – Amnesty has issued a new report Muted: The impact of digital violence against women journalists.
  • Venezuela – Amnesty welcomes the two-year extension of the UN’s Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela.
  • Chile – On the 5th anniversary of the protests, Amnesty demands reparations for victims of the protests and reform of the Carabineros
  • Brazil – As the trial of the killers of Marielle Franco begins, Amnesty demands that the master minds behind the killings be apprehended.
  • Paraguay – Amnesty has issued an updated Urgent Action aimed at stopping the enactment of a bill that endangers work for human rights in Paraguay.
  • Ecuador – Amnesty issued a briefing setting out its concerns about the decline in human rights protections under the current administration

PERU

Peruvian community activists seeking justice

Two Peruvian Human Rights Defenders will visit the UK from 10-13 November to raise international pressure in the search for justice for those who were killed or seriously injured during the repression of protests in Peru in 2022-2023. Yovana Mendoza Huarancca, Vice-President of the Ayacucho Victims Association, and Mario Iquita Chambi, Representative of the Juliaca Victims Association, will be speak at an event that we are organising at the Human Rights Action Centre on 11 November from 6pm to 8pm.  Space will be limited to a maximum attendance of 40.  You can book here. Their programme includes a meeting at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and an event at Parliament.  You can still sign our petition here.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has found that the policy of forced sterilisation in Peru, which took place during the 1990s, amounted to sex-based violence and intersectional discrimination, particularly against Indigenous, rural, and economically disadvantaged women.  The decision was a response to a joint complaint filed by five victims who were forcibly sterilised between 1996 and 1997 as part of the State-led birth control policy. [click to continue…]

Write for Rights (W4R) is Amnesty International’s annual campaign, sending greetings cards to prisoners of conscience, their families and other human rights defenders around the world. Since W4R started in 2001, millions of people have taken part, helping to change the lives of those whose human rights have been taken away. Over the past 20 years, more than 56 million actions have been taken and over 100 people featured in the campaign have seen positive outcomes in their cases.

You can download the Campaign Booklet and get links to online actions (when they appear) on the AIUK site.

Argentina: Joel Paredes

Blinded by Police During a Peaceful Protest


Twenty-nine-year-old ceramicist Víctor Joel Rodrigo Paredes lives in Humahuaca, a small town in Jujuy, a northern Argentine province. In June 2023 the local government pushed through changes to the province’s constitution, including restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly, as well as measures that may cause damage to the environment, and risk violating Indigenous Peoples’ land rights. The changes were approved without consultation with Indigenous Peoples or the wider population.

Jujuy is a province rich in lithium, a metal known as “white gold” due to its worldwide demand for the creation of batteries. Argentine authorities want to expand lithium exports. But people who live on the land, like Joel and his family, have serious doubts. Although not Indigenous himself, Joel sympathized greatly and was concerned for the future of his children who would grow up on the land. In support, on the evening of 30 June 2023, Joel joined a protest in Humahuaca square. Alongside hundreds of peaceful demonstrators, Joel played a “bombo” drum with his band while the City Council discussed the changes in a nearby building. For Joel: “Our musical instruments are our weapons.”

In the early hours of 1 July, the police arrived at the square and started recklessly firing rubber bullets into the crowd. Joel was hit in his right eye. The injury required surgery, but doctors could not save his sight and Joel is now permanently blind in his right eye. Joel is also left with debilitating nerve pain that impacts his daily life.

Joel filed an official complaint about the incident. The investigation is being handled by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. So far, no progress has been made in the investigation. No one has been held accountable for what happened to Joel and the other protesters.

Send your messages of support to show Joel and his family that they are not alone.

Víctor Joel Rodrigo Paredes (Joel)
C/o Amnesty International Argentina
Santos Dumont 3429, 2nd floor
Buenos Aires
Argentina 1427

Language Spanish, English
Pronouns He/him

Suggested message

Stay strong Joel, we are fighting for justice.

¡Mantente fuerte Joel, estamos luchando por que se haga justicia!

Can I Send a religious card or message?  No
Send an Amnesty card or mention Amnesty?  Yes
Include my name and address? Yes
In solidarity messages avoid references to Joel’s eye injury.

 

Creative solidarity ideas
• Draw musical instruments (especially the bass drum) and/or ceramics to represent Joel’s love of music and pottery.
• Share your hobbies and passions, especially if they relate to pottery.

Send an appeal letter
Urge the attorney general to bring those responsible for Joel Paredes’s injuries, and all other violations against protesters, to justice in accordance with  international law and standards. Emphasise the urgent need for justice and reparation for Joel and other victims of police violence in Jujuy. Sample Letter

Write to:-

Dr Sergio E. Lello Sánchez
Attorney General of the Public
Prosecutor’s Office
Sarmiento 427
4600 San Salvador de Jujuy
Argentina

email:-  slello@mpajujuy.gob.ar
Salutation Dear Sir

With both letters and emails, please CC (or write directly to) the  Ambassador in London.
Her Excellency Mrs Mariana Edith Plaza
Ambassador of Argentina
The Embassy of the Argentine Republic
65 Brook Street
London W1K 4AH
ambassadors-office@argentine-embassy-uk.org

Joel Parades

Europe Newsletter October 2024

October 17, 2024

Dear Amnesty Activists and supporters Please take urgent action to stop Eritrean asylum-seekers being deported to Eritrea, where they would face torture and imprisonment. Here is a sample letter. Please also look at our Write for Rights case from Türkiye. After the last elections in Poland the government changed, but there are no improvements for refugees […]

Read the full article →

Group Newsletter October 2024

October 11, 2024

Welcome to the latest newsletter. Our next meeting  is on Thursday 7th November 2024, 7.30pm – 9.00pm at Moordown Community Centre. We will catch up on campaigns, letter writing, and finalize planning for… Friday 15th November  8pm Yes, its back. Get ready for an evening packed with trivia, fun and friendly competition!  Test your knowledge on a broad […]

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South America Newsletter October 2024

October 6, 2024

AIUK SOUTH AMERICA TEAM OCTOBER 2024 NEWSLETTER Dear Friends This month we bring you news from Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Peru.  Highlights are: Regional: Amnesty has called on seven South American Presidents to strengthen action to reduce the risk of wildfires after recent record fires had a devasting impact on indigenous territories […]

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Jamnesty September 2024

September 11, 2024

Thanks to everyone who supported our Jamnesty at Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar last Saturday. We raised a fantastic £1300. Unfortunately persistent rain curtailed performances outside, and made for a slow start, but soon the Cellar Bar filled up. And we sold lots of cake! Many thanks to Nic, Connie, Geoff and all the staff […]

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Pierina Nochetti Video

September 11, 2024

This is a translation (by technology, rather than human);- “Well, my name is Pierina Nochetti.  Two years ago I was accused of asking “Where is Tehuel”,  a young trans man who disappeared. I am a municipal worker, and the municipality of Necochea are the ones accusing me of being the writer of this graffiti. I […]

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Urgent Action Argentina

September 10, 2024

A new Urgent Action for Argentina has been published. It’s not yet on the AIUK website, so please follow the link below to take action. President Javier Milei vetoed a bill that had been passed by Congress to improve pensions for older people. This was to adjust for the large loss of purchasing power they have suffered […]

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Please write to your Member of Parliament

September 7, 2024

Apologies to those living in Christchurch, but most of you are still getting used to having a new MP.  And, hopefully, one with a much more progressive outlook than the person they replaced. As an Amnesty International supporter you can help. Let your MP know you want them to commit to supporting and defending human rights […]

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South America Newsletter September 2024

September 5, 2024

Dear Friends, This month we bring you news from Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Argentina.  Highlights are: Colombia: The UN’s Working Group on Business and Human Rights has found that ‘Colombia suffers from long-standing structural problems that have led to serious human rights violations’ Brazil:  Amnesty International has launched a petition to urge […]

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