Canadian man imprisoned for 11 years in Ethiopia returns to Toronto

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Canadian man imprisoned for 11 years in Ethiopia returns to Toronto"

Transcription

1 Canadian man imprisoned for 11 years in Ethiopia returns to Toronto Bashir Makhtal s conviction in Ethiopia has been widely criticized by human rights groups CBC News Posted: Apr 21, 2018 Bashir Makhtal landed at Pearson International airport in Toronto on Saturday after spending more than 11 years in an Ethopian prison. (Courtesy of Amnesty International) A Canadian citizen imprisoned in Ethiopia for more than 11 years has returned to Toronto after a gruelling campaign by his family and an international human rights groups to free him. Bashir Makhtal was sentenced to life in prison in 2009 after he was arrested by Ethiopian authorities for his alleged involvement in an independence movement. Amnesty International

2 called the charges against him blatantly unfair and said he was denied due process throughout his imprisonment. This day has been so long in coming, we hardly are able to believe it is true, said Said Maktal, Bashir s cousin, in a statement released by Amnesty International on Saturday. Said, who now lives in Hamilton, was instrumental in bringing public scrutiny to his cousin s case over the years. Ethiopia sentences Canadian to life Sydney man urges Ottawa to do more to get cousin out of Ethiopian jail Makhtal was released from a Addis Ababa prison on April 18. According to Lorne Waldman, a prominent immigration lawyer in Toronto who helped in the effort to have Makhtal freed, the charges against him were unfounded. I think from the beginning I was convinced that Bashir was innocent. Based upon the evidence that I saw, there was no evidence to suggest that he was in any way involved in any illegal activities, Waldman told CBC News. Family targeted Makhtal s grandfather was reportedly a member of the Ogaden National Liberation Front, a separatist group made up of ethnic Somalis within Ethiopia who want independence from Ethiopia. Ethiopian authorities accused Makhtal of being a member himself. Makhtal was on a business trip in Somalia in December 2006 when Ethiopian troops invaded the country. He attempted to flee to Kenya, but was intercepted and unlawfully sent to Addis Ababa in He has been in prison ever since.

3 Makhtal s family and friends greeted him in Toronto. Some of his extended family was forced to flee Ethopia in the wake of his arrest. (Courtesy of Amnesty International) During his detention, he was denied medical care for a number of significant health issues. Ethiopian authorities also targeted his extended family, forcing some 12 relatives to flee to a refugee camp in Kenya. Gloria Nafziger, a rights campaigner with Amnesty International, said the ordeal has taken a tremendous and incalculable toll on the family. Until only recently, it wasn t clear Makhtal would ever walk out of a prison a free man. It s one of those moments that you just dream about and you don t ever believe is actually going to become real, Nafziger said. She was among a small group of family and friends who waited for Makhtal to walk through the arrivals gate at Pearson International airport on Saturday. A free man back in Canada reunited with his family, how can you not cry when you see that happen? It s just one of the most wonderful days.

4 Bashir Makhtal was on a business trip in Somalia in 2006 when he was arrested by invading Ethiopian troops. In 2009, he was sentenced to life in prison on terrorism charges that have been summarily criticized by human rights observors. (Toronto Star/Canadian Press) Long push for freedom Makhtal first came to Canada as a refugee in 1991 and became a citizen three years after. Despite his ties to Canada, the federal government struggled to gain traction in the push for his release. These cases where people are detained abroad are extremely difficult because there s only a limited number of things that governments can do and that the lawyers and advisers can do, Waldman said. According to Nafziger, the Canadian government was working for years to negotiate Makhtal s release. An access to information request by The Canadian Press in 2009 found hundreds of pages

5 of records revealing the government s frustrated efforts to assist him. Said Maktal led the campaign to have his cousin freed from prison in Ethiopia. (Wendy Martin/CBC) There were constant efforts being made, said Nafziger. They would raise it in diplomatic meetings with the Ethiopian government constantly There s been, in the last few years, a really high-profile attention being paid. A change of government in Addis Ababa also contributed to Makhtal s release, Waldman explained. I think perhaps maybe the cumulative effect of all these years of pressure by the family, by the lawyers, by the government of Canada, they finally just decided it was a big irritant to Canadian-Ethiopian relations and it was time to let him go. Makhtal will take a few days to settle in with his family before making a public statement, Waldman said. His cousin Said expressed gratitude on his behalf in Amnesty International s statement. We send our thanks to everyone who signed a petition, wrote a letter or came to a public event about Bashir s case, he said.

6 With files from Lorenda Reddekopp, Carly Thomas and The Canadian Press CBC s Journalistic Standards and Practices

UPR Submission Ethiopia April 2009

UPR Submission Ethiopia April 2009 UPR Submission Ethiopia April 2009 Ethiopia s human rights record has deteriorated sharply in recent years, marked by a harsh intolerance for independent civil society activity, criticism of government

More information

Ethiopia. Freedom of Assembly JANUARY 2017

Ethiopia. Freedom of Assembly JANUARY 2017 JANUARY 2017 COUNTRY SUMMARY Ethiopia Large-scale and unprecedented protests swept through Ethiopia s largest region of Oromia beginning in November 2015, and in the Amhara region from July 2016. Ethiopian

More information

Ethiopian Oromo refugees face bribes, harassment in Kenya

Ethiopian Oromo refugees face bribes, harassment in Kenya Ethiopian Oromo refugees face bribes, harassment in Kenya Charlie Ensor/IRIN A freelance journalist, focusing on humanitarian and development issues NAIROBI, 12 January 2018 Ethiopian Oromo refugees fleeing

More information

Be an enduring voice 3

Be an enduring voice 3 LET PROTECTING BE YOUR LEGACY HUMAN RIGHTS TO THE WORLD Be an enduring voice 3 AI_16_Legacy_BrochA_ST85555_Final.indd 1 How can those of us who are passionate about freedom and justice for all help to

More information

Ethiopia BACKGROUND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Ethiopia BACKGROUND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Ethiopia Head of state Girma Wolde-Giorgis Head of government Meles Zenawi Death penalty retentionist Population 84.7 million Life expectancy 59.3 years Under-5 mortality 04.4 per 1,000 Adult literacy

More information

CAT/C/48/D/414/2010. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. United Nations

CAT/C/48/D/414/2010. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. United Nations United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr.: General 6 July 2012 CAT/C/48/D/414/2010 Original: English Committee against Torture Communication

More information

Uzbekistan Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

Uzbekistan Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review Public amnesty international Uzbekistan Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review Third session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council 1-12 December 2008 AI Index: EUR 62/004/2008] Amnesty

More information

Trump's travel ban on Muslims leads to widespread protests, legal action

Trump's travel ban on Muslims leads to widespread protests, legal action Trump's travel ban on Muslims leads to widespread protests, legal action By Los Angeles Times, adapted by Newsela staff on 02.01.17 Word Count 871 Hundreds of people protest President Donald Trump's travel

More information

Were You Incarcerated in a Provincial Jail Between May 30, 2009 and November 27, 2017?

Were You Incarcerated in a Provincial Jail Between May 30, 2009 and November 27, 2017? Were You Incarcerated in a Provincial Jail Between May 30, 2009 and November 27, 2017? If YES, A Class Action May Affect Your Rights. A Court authorized this notice. You are not being sued. You could be

More information

Key Words: Oromo, Ogaden, racial discrimination, minority rights, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, torture.

Key Words: Oromo, Ogaden, racial discrimination, minority rights, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, torture. (UNPO) Key Words: Oromo, Ogaden, racial discrimination, minority rights, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, torture. 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Oromo and Ogaden 1. Introduction The Oromo are an

More information

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION European Parliament 2014-2019 Plenary sitting B8-0374/2017 16.5.2017 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the

More information

Ethiopia Submission to the 46 th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights

Ethiopia Submission to the 46 th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights 2 November 2009 Public amnesty international Ethiopia Submission to the 46 th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights Amnesty International November 2009 Ethiopia: Amnesty

More information

trials of political detainees

trials of political detainees IRAN @Unfair trials of political detainees Amnesty International remains concerned about unfair trial procedures in political cases in the Islamic Republic of Iran and has repeatedly expressed these concerns

More information

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MEDIA BRIEFING

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MEDIA BRIEFING AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MEDIA BRIEFING AI index: AFR 52/002/2012 21 February 2012 UK conference on Somalia must prioritize the protection of civilians and human rights On 23 February 2012, the UK government

More information

a n n ua l r e po r t

a n n ua l r e po r t ETHIOP I A observatory for the protection of human rights defenders a n n ua l r e po r t 2 0 1 1 In 2010 and until April 2011, drastic restrictions continued to affect the activities of civil society

More information

Somalia. Somalia s armed conflict, abuses by all warring parties, and a new humanitarian crisis continue to take a devastating toll on civilians.

Somalia. Somalia s armed conflict, abuses by all warring parties, and a new humanitarian crisis continue to take a devastating toll on civilians. JANUARY 2018 COUNTRY SUMMARY Somalia Somalia s armed conflict, abuses by all warring parties, and a new humanitarian crisis continue to take a devastating toll on civilians. Hundreds of civilians were

More information

Refugee Protection Situation Report (No.6/2017) Period: 1 st June 30 th June, 2017 Date: 28 th July, 2017

Refugee Protection Situation Report (No.6/2017) Period: 1 st June 30 th June, 2017 Date: 28 th July, 2017 Refugee Protection Situation Report (No.6/2017) Period: 1 st June 30 th June, 2017 Date: 28 th July, 2017 Operational Context Kenya is a month away from the general elections scheduled on the 8 th of August,

More information

Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its sixty-ninth session (22 April 1 May 2014)

Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its sixty-ninth session (22 April 1 May 2014) United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 21 July 2014 A/HRC/WGAD/2014/3 Original: English Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention GE.14-09136 (E) *1409136* Opinions adopted by

More information

JANUARY 2018 COUNTRY SUMMARY. Ethiopia

JANUARY 2018 COUNTRY SUMMARY. Ethiopia JANUARY 2018 COUNTRY SUMMARY Ethiopia Ethiopia made little progress in 2017 on much-needed human rights reforms. Instead, it used a prolonged state of emergency, security force abuses, and repressive laws

More information

Behold: Section 34 (1) (f) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which has been in force since 2001.

Behold: Section 34 (1) (f) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which has been in force since 2001. News / Canada In Canada s immigration law, anyone can be a terrorist It s called section 34 (1) (f) of Canada s main immigration law, and it likely would have kept Nelson Mandela himself out of this country.

More information

Ethiopia and Eritrea: Cease-fire and human rights

Ethiopia and Eritrea: Cease-fire and human rights Public Statement 7 July 2000 AI Index AFR 04/001/2000 - News Service Nr. 133 Ethiopia and Eritrea: Cease-fire and human rights Human rights issues have again come to the fore after a preliminary cease-fire

More information

United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Eritrea

United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Eritrea United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Eritrea Submission of Jubilee Campaign USA, Inc. April 14, 2009 9689-C Main Street Fairfax, VA 22031 T: +1 (703) 503-0791 F: +1 (703) 503-0792

More information

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE 136/93

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE 136/93 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE 136/93 TO: PRESS OFFICERS AI INDEX: NWS 11/136/93 FROM: IS PRESS OFFICE DISTR: SC/PO DATE: 19 OCTOBER 1993 NO OF WORDS: 1944 NEWS SERVICE ITEMS: EXTERNAL - ALGERIA, INDIA,

More information

Hard Lessons & Useful Strategies to Help Uyghur Refugees. Alim A. Seytoff, Esq. Director Uyghur Human Rights Project Washington, DC

Hard Lessons & Useful Strategies to Help Uyghur Refugees. Alim A. Seytoff, Esq. Director Uyghur Human Rights Project Washington, DC Hard Lessons & Useful Strategies to Help Uyghur Refugees Alim A. Seytoff, Esq. Director Uyghur Human Rights Project Washington, DC!" Hard Lessons! Lessons are many as we have heard the history and personal

More information

RMF Uganda Representatives Attend IGAD Consultative Meeting on Global Fund TB/HIV Grant Implementation

RMF Uganda Representatives Attend IGAD Consultative Meeting on Global Fund TB/HIV Grant Implementation RMF Uganda Representatives Attend IGAD Consultative Meeting on Global Fund TB/HIV Grant Implementation January 14, 2017 By Dr. Robert Baluku and Dr. Alex Tezita Overview On Wednesday, December 7 th, 2016,

More information

Refugee Protection Situation Report Volume 2, Issue No.11 of 2018 Period: 1 st October 31 st October Date: 15 th November, 2018

Refugee Protection Situation Report Volume 2, Issue No.11 of 2018 Period: 1 st October 31 st October Date: 15 th November, 2018 Refugee Protection Situation Report Volume 2, Issue No.11 of 2018 Period: 1 st October 31 st October Date: 15 th November, 2018 Introduction This report focuses on refugees and asylum seekers protection

More information

AFGHANISTAN. Reports of torture, ill-treatment and extrajudicial execution of prisoners, late April - early May 1992

AFGHANISTAN. Reports of torture, ill-treatment and extrajudicial execution of prisoners, late April - early May 1992 AFGHANISTAN Reports of torture, ill-treatment and extrajudicial execution of prisoners, late April - early May 1992 Recent political developments On 16 April 1992, former president Najibullah was replaced

More information

Guideline for Asylum Seekers: Refugee Status Determination in Israel

Guideline for Asylum Seekers: Refugee Status Determination in Israel Guideline for Asylum Seekers: Refugee Status Determination in Israel JULY 2013 Guideline for Asylum Seekers: Refugee Status Determination in Israel For more information and advice on specific cases you

More information

They took me away Women s experiences of immigration detention in the UK. By Sarah Cutler and Sophia Ceneda, BID and Asylum Aid, August 2004

They took me away Women s experiences of immigration detention in the UK. By Sarah Cutler and Sophia Ceneda, BID and Asylum Aid, August 2004 They took me away Women s experiences of immigration detention in the UK By Sarah Cutler and Sophia Ceneda, BID and Asylum Aid, August 2004 REPORT SUMMARY This report of research by Bail for Immigration

More information

International Organization

International Organization International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2014 National SAH Conference Halifax IOM is an Inter Governmental Organization (IGO) with 155 member states. A further 11 states hold observer status, as

More information

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL JOINT PUBLIC STATEMENT

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL JOINT PUBLIC STATEMENT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL JOINT PUBLIC STATEMENT Index: MDE 29/5189/2016 21 November 2016 Morocco: Convictions Based on Tainted Confessions Frenchmen Had Disavowed Statements Prepared in Arabic (Tunis) Moroccan

More information

Ethiopia Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

Ethiopia Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 13 April 2009 Public amnesty international Ethiopia Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review Sixth session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council November-December 2009 AI Index: AFR

More information

North America and the Caribbean

North America and the Caribbean Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados British overseas territories (Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Montserrat) Canada Dominica Dominican Republic French

More information

Global Detention Project Submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Global Detention Project Submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Global Detention Project Submission to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Pre-sessional Working Group for the 69th session (24-28 July 2017) Saudi Arabia Geneva, June 2017

More information

Evacuation operations from Yemen

Evacuation operations from Yemen No. 02 November 2016 Somali family leaving from Djibouti to be resettled in the United States. IOM staff at the international airport of Djibouti prior to migrants departure. IOM 2016 Evacuation operations

More information

Refugee Protection Situation Report Volume 2, Issue No.9 of 2018 Period: 1 st August 31 st August Date: 17 th September, 2018

Refugee Protection Situation Report Volume 2, Issue No.9 of 2018 Period: 1 st August 31 st August Date: 17 th September, 2018 Refugee Protection Situation Report Volume 2, Issue No.9 of 2018 Period: 1 st August 31 st August Date: 17 th September, 2018 Introduction This report focuses on refugees and asylum seekers protection

More information

The continued miserably suffering of Eritrean peoples

The continued miserably suffering of Eritrean peoples By: Mr. Humed Huley Kongsvinger Norway May 18, 2010 The continued miserably suffering of Eritrean peoples Email: While the State of Eritrea celebrates its 19 th year of independence on 24 th May and the

More information

SOMALIA. Abuses in Government Controlled Areas JANUARY 2013

SOMALIA. Abuses in Government Controlled Areas JANUARY 2013 JANUARY 2013 COUNTRY SUMMARY SOMALIA Somalia s long-running armed conflict continues to leave civilians dead, wounded, and displaced in large numbers. Although the Islamist armed group al-shabaab lost

More information

CAT/C/49/D/406/2009. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. United Nations

CAT/C/49/D/406/2009. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. United Nations United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CAT/C/49/D/406/2009 Distr.: General 28 January 2013 Original: English Committee against Torture Communication

More information

amnesty international Ethiopia:

amnesty international Ethiopia: Public amnesty international Ethiopia: Comments on Draft Charities and Societies Proclamation June 2008 AI Index: AFR 25/005/2008 INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT, 1 EASTON STREET, LONDON WC1X 0DW, UNITED KINGDOM

More information

SOUTH Human Rights Violations: Kim Sam-sok and Kim Un-ju

SOUTH Human Rights Violations: Kim Sam-sok and Kim Un-ju SOUTH KOREA @Recent Human Rights Violations: Kim Sam-sok and Kim Un-ju Amnesty International is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Kim Sam-sok, sentenced to seven years' imprisonment

More information

Handout 5.1 Key provisions of international and regional instruments

Handout 5.1 Key provisions of international and regional instruments Key provisions of international and regional instruments A. Lawful arrest and detention Article 9 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Everyone has the right to liberty and security

More information

UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review 19 th UPR session: April - May 2014

UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review 19 th UPR session: April - May 2014 Paris, 16 September 2013 UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review 19 th UPR session: April - May 2014 Contribution from Reporters Without Borders, an NGO with special consultative status, on the

More information

Community Options Required

Community Options Required Community Options Required It is important to understand that the context in which many women are increasingly being criminalized is one of poverty, racism, addiction, lack of supports and violence against

More information

Refugee Experiences: Stories from Bhutan, Burma, Eritrea, Iraq, and Somalia

Refugee Experiences: Stories from Bhutan, Burma, Eritrea, Iraq, and Somalia : Stories from Bhutan, Burma, Eritrea, Iraq, and Somalia The following pages contain stories told through the lens of individual refugees from Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Somalia, and Iraq. These

More information

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE 163/93

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE 163/93 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE 163/93 TO: PRESS OFFICERS AI INDEX: NWS 11/163/93 FROM: IS PRESS OFFICE DISTR: SC/PO DATE: 8 DECEMBER 1993 NO OF WORDS: 1535 NEWS SERVICE ITEMS: EXTERNAL - BAHRAIN, BHUTAN

More information

GEO system need to be filled to ensure the highest profit. Families are not given prior notice of such moves.

GEO system need to be filled to ensure the highest profit. Families are not given prior notice of such moves. June 22, 2018 The federal government is incarcerating thousands of immigrants in the GEO detention facility in Aurora Colorado without cause for months or years while they wait to have a hearing in their

More information

Eritrea. In September, Eritrea acceded to the United Nations Convention against Torture.

Eritrea. In September, Eritrea acceded to the United Nations Convention against Torture. JANUARY 2015 COUNTRY SUMMARY Eritrea Eritrea s dismal human rights situation, exacerbated by indefinite military conscription, is causing thousands of Eritreans to flee their country every month. In early

More information

Self-defence: What's acceptable under Canadian law?

Self-defence: What's acceptable under Canadian law? Self-defence: What's acceptable under Canadian law? Lawyers explain how to protect yourself under the Canadian Criminal code Andrew Pinsent, CBC News May 12, 2012 The Supreme Court of Canada is seen in

More information

January 24, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6. Dear Mr.

January 24, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6. Dear Mr. January 24, 2014 The Anglican Church of Canada / L Eglise anglicane du Canada The Primate s Office 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2 Tel: (416) 924-9192 * Fax: (416) 924-0211 Email: primate@national.anglican.ca

More information

Repeal Safe Third Country Agreement with U.S., say immigration lawyers

Repeal Safe Third Country Agreement with U.S., say immigration lawyers The Current Transcript for February 10, 2017 CBC Radio Host: Laura Lynch STORIES FROM THIS EPISODE http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-feb-10-2017-the-current-1.3974434/february-10-2017-full-episode-transcript-1.3977363#segment1

More information

Eritrea. Suppression of Free Expression

Eritrea. Suppression of Free Expression January 2008 country summary Eritrea The government of President Isayas Afeworki continues to maintain its totalitarian grip on the country. Arbitrary arrests and detention without trial are common. Prisoners

More information

Balanced Refugee Reform Act

Balanced Refugee Reform Act Balanced Refugee Reform Act Presentation by John Butt, Manager, Program Design, Asylum Policy and Program Development Refugees Branch, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Purpose The purpose of this technical

More information

Law 12 Substantive Assignments Reading Booklet

Law 12 Substantive Assignments Reading Booklet Law 12 Substantive Assignments Reading Booklet Reading # 1: Police and the Law Training and Qualifications Police officers have to go through both physical and academic training to become members of the

More information

English as a Second Language Podcast ESL Podcast Legal Problems

English as a Second Language Podcast   ESL Podcast Legal Problems GLOSSARY to be arrested to be taken to jail, usually by the police, for breaking the law * The police arrested two women for robbing a bank. to be charged to be blamed or held responsible for committing

More information

Bill C-23, Preclearance Act, 2016

Bill C-23, Preclearance Act, 2016 Bill C-23, Preclearance Act, 2016 CANADIAN BAR ASSOCIATION IMMIGRATION LAW, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND COMMODITY TAX SECTIONS March 2017 500-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5S8 tel/tél : 613.237.2925

More information

1 LEARNING ABOUT OUR HUMAN RIGHTS LESSON PLAN: LOCKED UP LEARNING ABOUT OUR HUMAN RIGHTS LESSON PLAN LOCKED UP

1 LEARNING ABOUT OUR HUMAN RIGHTS LESSON PLAN: LOCKED UP LEARNING ABOUT OUR HUMAN RIGHTS LESSON PLAN LOCKED UP 1 LEARNING ABOUT OUR HUMAN RIGHTS LESSON PLAN LOCKED UP 2 HUMAN RIGHTS INTRODUCTION ABOUT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people who take injustice

More information

Iran: Nasrin Sotoudeh 'among freed political prisoners'

Iran: Nasrin Sotoudeh 'among freed political prisoners' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24151298 18 September 2013 Last updated at 20:43 GMT Iran: Nasrin Sotoudeh 'among freed political prisoners' Iran is reported to have freed at least 11 political

More information

CCPA Analysis Of Bill C-36 An Act To Combat Terrorism

CCPA Analysis Of Bill C-36 An Act To Combat Terrorism research analysis solutions CCPA Analysis Of Bill C-36 An Act To Combat Terrorism INTRODUCTION The Canadian government has a responsibility to protect Canadians from actual and potential human rights abuses

More information

AMBASSADOR THOMAS R. PICKERING DECEMBER 9, 2010 Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties of the House Committee on the

AMBASSADOR THOMAS R. PICKERING DECEMBER 9, 2010 Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties of the House Committee on the AMBASSADOR THOMAS R. PICKERING DECEMBER 9, 2010 Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties of the House Committee on the Judiciary Hearing on Civil Liberties and National Security

More information

T.D. (represented by counsel, Tarig Hassan)

T.D. (represented by counsel, Tarig Hassan) United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CAT/C/46/D/375/2009 Distr.: Restricted* 7 July 2011 English Original: French Committee against Torture

More information

Refugee Protection Situation Report (No.5/2017) Period: 1 st May 31 st May, 2017 Date: 15 th June, 2017

Refugee Protection Situation Report (No.5/2017) Period: 1 st May 31 st May, 2017 Date: 15 th June, 2017 Refugee Protection Situation Report (No.5/2017) Period: 1 st May 31 st May, 2017 Date: 15 th June, 2017 Operational Context The Dadaab closure extension ended at the end of May, 2017. There has been no

More information

NO ONE IS FREE UNTIL ALL ARE FREE: LET US NOT STOP OUR EFFORTS UNTIL ALL OUR POLITICAL PRISONERS ARE FREE!

NO ONE IS FREE UNTIL ALL ARE FREE: LET US NOT STOP OUR EFFORTS UNTIL ALL OUR POLITICAL PRISONERS ARE FREE! February 24, 2018 NO ONE IS FREE UNTIL ALL ARE FREE: LET US NOT STOP OUR EFFORTS UNTIL ALL OUR POLITICAL PRISONERS ARE FREE! Whether or not we Ethiopians can work together until all our remaining political

More information

Ethiopian Refugees in Egypt

Ethiopian Refugees in Egypt To UNHCR main office To UNHCR regional office in Egypt To human right watch Amnesty international main office To Ethiopian Communities & organizations in Diaspora To NGOs & CBOs in Egypt Dears We the Ethiopian

More information

The law does not require imprisonment. The law favors release.

The law does not require imprisonment. The law favors release. TABLE OF CONTENTS p. 2 Background pp. 3 4 Frequently Asked Questions p. 5 Discussion Leader Instructions pp. 6 10 Images and Quotes for Discussion p. 11 Invitation to Action Families Held Captive, a film

More information

FCJ Refugee Centre. Walking with Uprooted People. How to provide support clients detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

FCJ Refugee Centre. Walking with Uprooted People. How to provide support clients detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act How to provide support clients detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act INTRODUCTION This document has 2 sections: the first section is an explanation of what happens at the Toronto Immigration

More information

Safeguarding Equality

Safeguarding Equality Safeguarding Equality For many Americans, the 9/11 attacks brought to mind memories of the U.S. response to Japan s attack on Pearl Harbor 60 years earlier. Following that assault, the government forced

More information

United States Court of Appeals

United States Court of Appeals In the United States Court of Appeals For the Seventh Circuit Nos. 15 1834, 15 3874, 16 1303 S.A.B., Petitioner, v. DANA J. BOENTE, Acting Attorney General of the United States, Respondent. Petitions for

More information

Migrant smuggling and human rights - notes from the field

Migrant smuggling and human rights - notes from the field Australian National University College of Law From the SelectedWorks of Fiona David 2010 Migrant smuggling and human rights - notes from the field Fiona M David, Ms Available at: https://works.bepress.com/fiona_david/12/

More information

INSTRUCTOR VERSION. Persecution and displacement: Sheltering LGBTI refugees (Nairobi, Kenya)

INSTRUCTOR VERSION. Persecution and displacement: Sheltering LGBTI refugees (Nairobi, Kenya) INSTRUCTOR VERSION Persecution and displacement: Sheltering LGBTI refugees (Nairobi, Kenya) Learning Objectives 1) Learn about the scale of refugee problems and the issues involved in protecting refugees.

More information

Weekly newscast June 27 th, 2014

Weekly newscast June 27 th, 2014 Learning English with CBC Edmonton Weekly newscast June 27 th, 2014 Lessons prepared by Barbara Edmondson & Justine Light Objectives of the weekly newscast lesson - to develop listening skills at the CLB

More information

UNITED STATES OF to protect Haitian refugees

UNITED STATES OF to protect Haitian refugees UNITED STATES OF AMERICA @Failure to protect Haitian refugees Tens of thousands of Haitians have fled Haiti since October 1991 when a violent military coup which ousted the elected President, Jean-Bertrand

More information

Congressional-Executive Commission on China

Congressional-Executive Commission on China Congressional-Executive Commission on China Testimony of Patrick Griffith 1, Program Attorney for Freedom Now and Co-International Pro Bono Legal Counsel to Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xia. December 12, 2012 Good

More information

Ethiopia: Gross Violations of Human Rights and an intractable conflict. June 19, 2014

Ethiopia: Gross Violations of Human Rights and an intractable conflict. June 19, 2014 June 19, 2014 Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) 26 th Session of United Nations Human Rights Council Geneva, Palais des Nations, Presented By :Garoma B. Wakessa : Executive Director of

More information

Open Letter to the President of the People s Republic of China

Open Letter to the President of the People s Republic of China AI INDEX: ASA 17/50/99 News Service 181/99Ref.: TG ASA 17/99/03 Open Letter to the President of the People s Republic of China His Excellency Jiang Zemin Office of the President Beijing People s Republic

More information

Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eightieth session, November 2017

Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eightieth session, November 2017 Advance Edited Version Distr.: General 15 December 2017 A/HRC/WGAD/2017/82 Original: English Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary

More information

SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Bill C-6: An Act to Amend the Citizenship Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act March 2017 The BC

More information

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF NEW ZEALAND CA169/04

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF NEW ZEALAND CA169/04 IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF NEW ZEALAND CA169/04 BETWEEN AND TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND LIMITED Appellant ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF NEW ZEALAND Respondent Hearing: 9 September 2004 Coram: McGrath J Hammond J William

More information

To Permanent Representatives of Members and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council Geneva, 8 September 2016

To Permanent Representatives of Members and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council Geneva, 8 September 2016 To Permanent Representatives of Members and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council Geneva, 8 September 2016 RE: Addressing the escalating human rights crisis in Ethiopia Your Excellency, The undersigned

More information

United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Ethiopia

United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Ethiopia United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Ethiopia Submission of Jubilee Campaign USA, Inc. April 14, 2009 9689-C Main Street Fairfax, VA 22031 T: +1 (703) 503-0791 F: +1 (703) 503-0792

More information

South Sudan JANUARY 2018

South Sudan JANUARY 2018 JANUARY 2018 COUNTRY SUMMARY South Sudan In 2017, South Sudan s civil war entered its fourth year, spreading across the country with new fighting in Greater Upper Nile, Western Bahr al Ghazal, and the

More information

ETHIOPIA: COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT CHARITIES AND SOCIETIES PROCLAMATION

ETHIOPIA: COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT CHARITIES AND SOCIETIES PROCLAMATION ETHIOPIA: COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT CHARITIES AND SOCIETIES PROCLAMATION Amnesty International Publications First published in 2008 by Amnesty International Publications International Secretariat Peter Benenson

More information

Undocumented immigrants in jail: Who gets deported?

Undocumented immigrants in jail: Who gets deported? Undocumented immigrants in jail: Who gets deported? While federal policy focuses on serious offenders, data show hundreds flagged for deportation for minor infractions By Dave Harmon AMERICAN-STATESMAN

More information

1 September 2009 Public. Amnesty International. Qatar. Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

1 September 2009 Public. Amnesty International. Qatar. Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 1 September 2009 Public amnesty international Qatar Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review Seventh session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council February 2010 AI Index: MDE 22/001/2009

More information

T H E I N T E R N A T I O N A L L Y O N M O D E L U N I T E D N A T I O N S R E S E A R C H R E P O R T

T H E I N T E R N A T I O N A L L Y O N M O D E L U N I T E D N A T I O N S R E S E A R C H R E P O R T NOTE: THE DATE IS THE 1 ST OF APRIL, 1936 FORUM: Historical Security Council ISSUE: The Invasion of Abyssinia STUDENT OFFICER: Helen MBA-ALLO and Sandrine PUSCH INTRODUCTION Please keep in mind that the

More information

2.2 Labour Unrest. The Winnipeg General Strike

2.2 Labour Unrest. The Winnipeg General Strike 2.2 Labour Unrest The Winnipeg General Strike After WWI! Wartime industries shutting down! Women now found pressure to resume their roles in the household After WWI Jobs were hard to find Many war veterans

More information

Opinion adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its sixty-ninth session (22 April-1 May 2014)

Opinion adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its sixty-ninth session (22 April-1 May 2014) United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 15 July 2014 A/HRC/WGAD/2014/5 Original: English Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention GE.14-08401 (E) *1408401* Opinion adopted by the

More information

The Saga of the SEMG and Eritrea Saturday, 14 October :08 - Last Updated Saturday, 14 October :15

The Saga of the SEMG and Eritrea Saturday, 14 October :08 - Last Updated Saturday, 14 October :15 It is that time again. The annual ritual at the United Nations where the Somalia Eritrea Monitoring Group (SEMG) presents its findings, and Ethiopia and its handlers find way to prolong the SEMG s mandate,

More information

THE NEED TO PROTECT RULE OF LAW: A RESPONSE TO BILL C-24

THE NEED TO PROTECT RULE OF LAW: A RESPONSE TO BILL C-24 POLICY BRIEF May 2014 THE NEED TO PROTECT RULE OF LAW: A RESPONSE TO BILL C-24 Andrew S. Thompson Andrew S. Thompson is an adjunct assistant professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo,

More information

CCLA recommends that such concrete measures include the following:

CCLA recommends that such concrete measures include the following: Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, Equality Program Director, CCLA 1 Submissions to the Toronto Police Services Board Meeting Nov 18, 2013 Re: 1. Police and Community Engagement Review (PACER Report), Toronto Police

More information

Migrant Caravan and the People Seeking Asylum

Migrant Caravan and the People Seeking Asylum LESSON PLAN Migrant Caravan and the People Seeking Asylum Compelling Question: Why are people traveling on a caravan and what are their hopes? Grade Level Time Common Core Standards K-2 3-5 MS HS 50 Minutes

More information

CANADIAN CENTRE FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE

CANADIAN CENTRE FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE Report on Canada s Compliance with the Human Rights instruments For the Occasion of the February 2009 Periodic Review of Canada Introduction The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) is a non-governmental

More information

Sudanese Demonstration in Cairo: Different Stands and Different Opinions. Presented by. Assad Khalid Salih The American University in Cairo

Sudanese Demonstration in Cairo: Different Stands and Different Opinions. Presented by. Assad Khalid Salih The American University in Cairo Sudanese Demonstration in Cairo: Different Stands and Different Opinions Presented by Assad Khalid Salih The American University in Cairo as part of the panel discussion Sudanese Refugee Protest in Cairo:

More information

Le Président The President

Le Président The President Le Président The President H.E. Ali Bongo President of the Republic of Gabon Office of the President of the Republic of Gabon BP 546 Libreville GABON Brussels, 19 December 2016 Re: Concerns regarding the

More information

Decision adopted by the Committee at its forty-eighth session, 7 May to 1 June 2012

Decision adopted by the Committee at its forty-eighth session, 7 May to 1 June 2012 United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CAT/C/48/D/343/2008 Distr.: General 4 July 2012 English Original: English/French Committee against

More information

Department of Labour Briefing to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee: Immigration Amendment Bill

Department of Labour Briefing to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee: Immigration Amendment Bill In Confidence 31 May 2012 12/02668 Department of Labour Briefing to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee: Immigration Amendment Bill Executive Summary 1. The Immigration Amendment Bill (the

More information

Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its seventy-eighth session, April 2017

Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its seventy-eighth session, April 2017 Advance Edited Version Distr.: General 6 July 2017 A/HRC/WGAD/2017/32 Original: English Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

More information

New refugee system one year on 9 December 2013

New refugee system one year on 9 December 2013 CONSEIL CANADIEN POUR LES RÉFUGIÉS CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES New refugee system one year on 9 December 2013 On December 15, 2012, major changes to Canada s refugee determination system were implemented.

More information

REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT IMMIGRATION ACT: MONITORING AND DETENTION

REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT IMMIGRATION ACT: MONITORING AND DETENTION REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT IMMIGRATION ACT: MONITORING AND DETENTION Statement of the Public Policy Objective To develop a modern monitoring and detention system that manages risk while ensuring the rights

More information

Security Council The question of Somalia and the spread of terrorism into Africa. Sarp Çelikel

Security Council The question of Somalia and the spread of terrorism into Africa. Sarp Çelikel Security Council The question of Somalia and the spread of terrorism into Africa. Sarp Çelikel Overview Since the downfall of the Federal Republic of Somalia s dictatorial regime under president Siad Barre

More information