Showing posts with label international. Show all posts
Showing posts with label international. Show all posts
Sunday, May 14, 2017
On the eve of Albert Woodfoxs 5th Circuit oral arguments Amnesty International demands his immediate release
On the eve of Albert Woodfoxs 5th Circuit oral arguments Amnesty International demands his immediate release
MEDIA COVERAGE: Lauren McGaughy, Times-Picayune II The Republic / Associated Press
After decades of appeals and counter-appeals, delays and diversions, the 5th Circuit Court will review Judge Bradys decision to overturn Alberts conviction tomorrow.
Years and years of efforts to bring attention to this case and to see that justice is finally done will culminate in the outcome of this important hearing.
If you are intending to attend the hearing, please refer to our last newsletter for detailed information on time, place and court-room etiquette. If youre watching from afar as so many of us are, we hope that you will join us in sending all of our prayers, thoughts and energy towards a positive ruling that will lead to Alberts release.
We have to believe that all the hard work to shed light on this horrific case will ultimately lead to Alberts freedom.
Join us in focusing all our attention on this final and crucial hearing to bring Albert home.
Free Albert Woodfox and all political prisoners!
Featured below are statements released January 6, 2014 by both Amnesty USA and Amnesty Internationals Media Centre, on the eve of Albert Woodfoxs oral arguments before the Fifth Circuit Court in New Orleans on Tuesday, January 7 (see also postings by Amnesty Suisse and France).
Following that is an email action alert sent on January 3 that declared "Drop the vengeance! Free Albert Woodfox!" It called on supporters to sign the petition calling on Alberts immediate release.
Amnesty International USA Calls on Louisiana to Release Albert Woodfox
Contact: Natalie Butz, nbutz@aiusa.org, 202-675-8761, @AIUSAmedia
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - On the eve of a federal court of appeals hearing on the case of Albert Woodfox, Amnesty International USA is calling on authorities in Louisiana to immediately release Woodfox from prison where he has spent over four decades in solitary confinement.
"Louisiana cannot extend the abuses and injustice against Albert Woodfox another day," said Steven W. Hawkins, executive director, Amnesty International USA. "Louisiana authorities are leading a campaign of vengeance instead of upholding justice. Keeping Woodfox in solitary confinement for over four decades is a dark stain on human rights in the United States and globally. Louisiana must withdraw its legal appeal and allow the federal court ruling to stand. Should this not occur, the Court of Appeal should rule in the interests of justice and pave the way for Albert Woodfoxs release."
On January 7, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (the federal court that oversees appeals in Louisiana and other states) will rule whether to uphold a federal district judges ruling issued last February that overturned Woodfoxs conviction. The state of Louisiana has appealed asking for the federal court to reinstate the sentence.
"The state of Louisianas action is not in the interests of justice," said Tessa Murphy, USA campaigner at Amnesty International. "Its insistence on keeping Albert Woodfox behind bars after decades in solitary confinement amounts to a campaign of vengeance, paid with taxpayers money. The conviction has been overturned three times in what is a deeply flawed case, yet Louisiana has opposed every remedy ordered by the courts."
Albert Woodfox was placed in solitary confinement over 41 years ago in Louisiana State Penitentiary, known to many as "Angola." During this time, he has been confined to a small cell for 23 hours a day, denied access to meaningful social interaction and rehabilitation programs.
Prison records show that Woodfox has not committed any serious disciplinary infractions for decades and that he doesnt pose a threat to himself or others.
He and Herman Wallace were both convicted of the 1972 murder of prison guard Brent Miller. There was no physical evidence to link them to the crime and their convictions relied primarily on the dubious testimony of a sole eyewitness who received favorable treatment, and was eventually pardoned, for his testimony. The case against them was based on flawed evidence and riddled with procedural errors that have been extensively documented over the years.
Both men robustly denied any involvement in the crime. They believe they were falsely implicated in the murder because of their political activism in prison as members of the Black Panther Party.
Herman Wallace was released in October 2013 just days before he died of liver cancer. A federal judge overturned his conviction on the basis of the systematic exclusion of women from the grand jury during his 1974 trial.
"A remedy to the injustice inflicted on Albert Woodfox by the state is long overdue," said Murphy. "Herman Wallace gained his freedom only to die within days. Justice must not again be so cruelly delayed."
After the death of Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfoxs co-defendant in the "Angola 3" case, Amnesty International launched a campaign calling on the state of Louisiana to release Albert Woodfox from prison by means of withdrawing its appeal against the U.S. District Courts ruling.
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million members in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
AI Index: PRE01/001/2014
Drop the vengeance! Free Albert Woodfox!
(Email Action Alert sent by Amnesty USA on Friday, January 3, 2014)
This could be the end of Albert Woodfoxs 40-year plus prison nightmare, if you act now.
On Tuesday morning, Jan. 7, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans will hold a hearing to determine Alberts fate. Will they finally act on the 2013 ruling that overturned his conviction and set him free, or shut the door and send him back to another unthinkable year in solitary confinement?
Federal courts have overturned Alberts conviction 3 times. The state of Louisiana has appealed 3 times.
Enough is enough.
Tell the state of Louisiana to end its campaign of vengeance and let Albert go.
Nothing can justify the cruel treatment that Louisiana authorities have inflicted on Albert, one of the famed Angola 3 prisoners.
For decades, the authorities have punished Albert with solitary confinement. Hes survived 40 years living in a tiny cell for 23 hours a day, denied meaningful human contact and rehabilitation.
In a deeply flawed verdict, Albert was convicted of murder even though no physical evidence ties him to the crime, the state lost potentially exculpatory evidence, and authorities bribed their key witness.
Albert maintains he was put in solitary confinement in retaliation for organizing prisoners against segregation and other abuses in Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as "Angola".
Its simply unconscionable for the state to hold this man one day longer.
Please help Amnesty International demand freedom for Albert Woodfox.
Please take action before the Jan. 7 hearing.
Thanks for standing by Albert, and for all you do to defend human dignity for all.
Sincerely,
Jasmine Heiss
Campaigner, Individuals and Communities at Risk
Amnesty International USA
After decades of appeals and counter-appeals, delays and diversions, the 5th Circuit Court will review Judge Bradys decision to overturn Alberts conviction tomorrow.
Years and years of efforts to bring attention to this case and to see that justice is finally done will culminate in the outcome of this important hearing.
If you are intending to attend the hearing, please refer to our last newsletter for detailed information on time, place and court-room etiquette. If youre watching from afar as so many of us are, we hope that you will join us in sending all of our prayers, thoughts and energy towards a positive ruling that will lead to Alberts release.
We have to believe that all the hard work to shed light on this horrific case will ultimately lead to Alberts freedom.
Join us in focusing all our attention on this final and crucial hearing to bring Albert home.
Free Albert Woodfox and all political prisoners!
 |
| (PHOTO: Artwork displayed at Herman Wallace’s memorial service, with Herman calling for Alberts release. See more photos of the memorial service by Ann Harkness.) |
Featured below are statements released January 6, 2014 by both Amnesty USA and Amnesty Internationals Media Centre, on the eve of Albert Woodfoxs oral arguments before the Fifth Circuit Court in New Orleans on Tuesday, January 7 (see also postings by Amnesty Suisse and France).
Following that is an email action alert sent on January 3 that declared "Drop the vengeance! Free Albert Woodfox!" It called on supporters to sign the petition calling on Alberts immediate release.
Amnesty International USA Calls on Louisiana to Release Albert Woodfox
Contact: Natalie Butz, nbutz@aiusa.org, 202-675-8761, @AIUSAmedia
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - On the eve of a federal court of appeals hearing on the case of Albert Woodfox, Amnesty International USA is calling on authorities in Louisiana to immediately release Woodfox from prison where he has spent over four decades in solitary confinement.
"Louisiana cannot extend the abuses and injustice against Albert Woodfox another day," said Steven W. Hawkins, executive director, Amnesty International USA. "Louisiana authorities are leading a campaign of vengeance instead of upholding justice. Keeping Woodfox in solitary confinement for over four decades is a dark stain on human rights in the United States and globally. Louisiana must withdraw its legal appeal and allow the federal court ruling to stand. Should this not occur, the Court of Appeal should rule in the interests of justice and pave the way for Albert Woodfoxs release."
On January 7, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (the federal court that oversees appeals in Louisiana and other states) will rule whether to uphold a federal district judges ruling issued last February that overturned Woodfoxs conviction. The state of Louisiana has appealed asking for the federal court to reinstate the sentence.
"The state of Louisianas action is not in the interests of justice," said Tessa Murphy, USA campaigner at Amnesty International. "Its insistence on keeping Albert Woodfox behind bars after decades in solitary confinement amounts to a campaign of vengeance, paid with taxpayers money. The conviction has been overturned three times in what is a deeply flawed case, yet Louisiana has opposed every remedy ordered by the courts."
Albert Woodfox was placed in solitary confinement over 41 years ago in Louisiana State Penitentiary, known to many as "Angola." During this time, he has been confined to a small cell for 23 hours a day, denied access to meaningful social interaction and rehabilitation programs.
Prison records show that Woodfox has not committed any serious disciplinary infractions for decades and that he doesnt pose a threat to himself or others.
He and Herman Wallace were both convicted of the 1972 murder of prison guard Brent Miller. There was no physical evidence to link them to the crime and their convictions relied primarily on the dubious testimony of a sole eyewitness who received favorable treatment, and was eventually pardoned, for his testimony. The case against them was based on flawed evidence and riddled with procedural errors that have been extensively documented over the years.
Both men robustly denied any involvement in the crime. They believe they were falsely implicated in the murder because of their political activism in prison as members of the Black Panther Party.
Herman Wallace was released in October 2013 just days before he died of liver cancer. A federal judge overturned his conviction on the basis of the systematic exclusion of women from the grand jury during his 1974 trial.
"A remedy to the injustice inflicted on Albert Woodfox by the state is long overdue," said Murphy. "Herman Wallace gained his freedom only to die within days. Justice must not again be so cruelly delayed."
After the death of Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfoxs co-defendant in the "Angola 3" case, Amnesty International launched a campaign calling on the state of Louisiana to release Albert Woodfox from prison by means of withdrawing its appeal against the U.S. District Courts ruling.
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million members in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
 |
| (PHOTO: Herman Wallace, on left, with Albert Woodfox, on right) |
USA: End four-decade campaign of vengeance and release Albert Woodfox
(Released by the Amnesty International Media Centre on January 6, 2014)
Authorities in the US state of Louisiana must end their campaign of vengeance against Albert Woodfox and release him after nearly four decades of cruel solitary confinement, Amnesty International said on the eve of a Federal Court of Appeals hearing on his case.
“The state of Louisiana’s action is not in the interests of justice. Its insistence in keeping Albert Woodfox behind bars after decades in solitary confinement amounts to a campaign of vengeance, paid with taxpayers’ money,” said Tessa Murphy, USA campaigner at Amnesty International.
“It is incomprehensible that the state continues to keep him behind bars. This conviction has been overturned three times in what is a deeply flawed case, yet Louisiana has opposed every remedy ordered by the courts.”
On 7 January, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (the Federal Court that oversees appeals in Louisiana and other states) will rule whether to uphold a federal district judge’s ruling issued last February that overturned Woodfox’s conviction. The state of Louisiana has appealed asking for the Federal court to reinstate the sentence.
“Louisiana should withdraw its legal appeal and allow the federal court ruling to stand. Should this not occur, the Court of Appeal should rule in the interests of justice and pave the way for Albert Woodfox’s release,” said Tessa Murphy.
Albert Woodfox was placed in solitary confinement over 41 years ago in Louisiana State Penitentiary, known to many as “Angola”. During this time, he has been confined to a small cell for 23 hours a day, denied access to meaningful social interaction and rehabilitation programmes.
Prison records show that Woodfox has not committed any serious disciplinary infractions for decades and that he doesn’t pose a threat to himself or others.
He and Herman Wallace were both convicted of the 1972 murder of prison guard Brent Miller. There was no physical evidence to link them to the crime and their convictions relied primarily on the dubious testimony of a sole eyewitness who received favourable treatment in return for his testimony. The case against them was based on flawed evidence and riddled with procedural errors that have been extensively documented over the years.
Both men robustly denied any involvement in the crime. They believe they were falsely implicated in the murder because of their political activism in prison as members of the Black Panther Party.
Herman Wallace was released in October 2013 just days before he died of liver cancer. A federal judge overturned his conviction on the basis of the systematic exclusion of women from the grand jury during his 1974 trial.
“A remedy to the injustice inflicted on Albert Woodfox by the state is long overdue,” said Tessa Murphy.
“Herman Wallace gained his freedom only to die within days. Justice must not again be so cruelly delayed.”
Background information
Louisiana must end its campaign of vengeance against Albert Woodfox (press release).
Justice deferred to the end (press release).
USA: 100 years in solitary: The Angola 3 and their fight for justice (report).
After the death of Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox’s co-defendant in the “Angola 3 case”, Amnesty International launched a campaign calling on the state of Louisiana to release Albert Woodfox from prison by means of withdrawing their appeal against the US District Court’s ruling.
Authorities in the US state of Louisiana must end their campaign of vengeance against Albert Woodfox and release him after nearly four decades of cruel solitary confinement, Amnesty International said on the eve of a Federal Court of Appeals hearing on his case.
“The state of Louisiana’s action is not in the interests of justice. Its insistence in keeping Albert Woodfox behind bars after decades in solitary confinement amounts to a campaign of vengeance, paid with taxpayers’ money,” said Tessa Murphy, USA campaigner at Amnesty International.
“It is incomprehensible that the state continues to keep him behind bars. This conviction has been overturned three times in what is a deeply flawed case, yet Louisiana has opposed every remedy ordered by the courts.”
On 7 January, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (the Federal Court that oversees appeals in Louisiana and other states) will rule whether to uphold a federal district judge’s ruling issued last February that overturned Woodfox’s conviction. The state of Louisiana has appealed asking for the Federal court to reinstate the sentence.
“Louisiana should withdraw its legal appeal and allow the federal court ruling to stand. Should this not occur, the Court of Appeal should rule in the interests of justice and pave the way for Albert Woodfox’s release,” said Tessa Murphy.
Albert Woodfox was placed in solitary confinement over 41 years ago in Louisiana State Penitentiary, known to many as “Angola”. During this time, he has been confined to a small cell for 23 hours a day, denied access to meaningful social interaction and rehabilitation programmes.
Prison records show that Woodfox has not committed any serious disciplinary infractions for decades and that he doesn’t pose a threat to himself or others.
He and Herman Wallace were both convicted of the 1972 murder of prison guard Brent Miller. There was no physical evidence to link them to the crime and their convictions relied primarily on the dubious testimony of a sole eyewitness who received favourable treatment in return for his testimony. The case against them was based on flawed evidence and riddled with procedural errors that have been extensively documented over the years.
Both men robustly denied any involvement in the crime. They believe they were falsely implicated in the murder because of their political activism in prison as members of the Black Panther Party.
Herman Wallace was released in October 2013 just days before he died of liver cancer. A federal judge overturned his conviction on the basis of the systematic exclusion of women from the grand jury during his 1974 trial.
“A remedy to the injustice inflicted on Albert Woodfox by the state is long overdue,” said Tessa Murphy.
“Herman Wallace gained his freedom only to die within days. Justice must not again be so cruelly delayed.”
Background information
Louisiana must end its campaign of vengeance against Albert Woodfox (press release).
Justice deferred to the end (press release).
USA: 100 years in solitary: The Angola 3 and their fight for justice (report).
After the death of Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox’s co-defendant in the “Angola 3 case”, Amnesty International launched a campaign calling on the state of Louisiana to release Albert Woodfox from prison by means of withdrawing their appeal against the US District Court’s ruling.
AI Index: PRE01/001/2014
 | |
| (PHOTO: Michael Mable, the brother of Albert Woodfox, speaks at the press conference and delivery of petition to free Albert at the Louisiana State Capitol on Oct.21, 2013.) |
Drop the vengeance! Free Albert Woodfox!
(Email Action Alert sent by Amnesty USA on Friday, January 3, 2014)
This could be the end of Albert Woodfoxs 40-year plus prison nightmare, if you act now.
On Tuesday morning, Jan. 7, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans will hold a hearing to determine Alberts fate. Will they finally act on the 2013 ruling that overturned his conviction and set him free, or shut the door and send him back to another unthinkable year in solitary confinement?
Federal courts have overturned Alberts conviction 3 times. The state of Louisiana has appealed 3 times.
Enough is enough.
Tell the state of Louisiana to end its campaign of vengeance and let Albert go.
Nothing can justify the cruel treatment that Louisiana authorities have inflicted on Albert, one of the famed Angola 3 prisoners.
For decades, the authorities have punished Albert with solitary confinement. Hes survived 40 years living in a tiny cell for 23 hours a day, denied meaningful human contact and rehabilitation.
In a deeply flawed verdict, Albert was convicted of murder even though no physical evidence ties him to the crime, the state lost potentially exculpatory evidence, and authorities bribed their key witness.
Albert maintains he was put in solitary confinement in retaliation for organizing prisoners against segregation and other abuses in Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as "Angola".
Its simply unconscionable for the state to hold this man one day longer.
Please help Amnesty International demand freedom for Albert Woodfox.
Please take action before the Jan. 7 hearing.
Thanks for standing by Albert, and for all you do to defend human dignity for all.
Sincerely,
Jasmine Heiss
Campaigner, Individuals and Communities at Risk
Amnesty International USA
 |
| (PHOTO: Amnesty USAs Jasmine Heiss spoke at the Louisiana State Capitol on Oct. 21, 2013.) |
Available link for download
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
One of the most dangerous challenges of the current times is presented by the international terroris
One of the most dangerous challenges of the current times is presented by the international terroris
As a general rule, the GRU never makes a public statement, nor does the person heading it. It is thus interesting that on one of the very few occasions where General Sergun trane agreed to speak in public, he chose to focus on the risks of the so-called Islamic extremism and that in a relatively short presentation, he made four references to the fact that these Islamic terrorists are basically a creature of the West.
One might be tempted trane to say nothing new here, we all know that but that would be missing the point. The point is that the head of Russian military intelligence is openly declaring that the so-called Islamic terrorism is not an original or indigenous phenomenon, but an instrument in the toolset of western imperialism which is used to subvert the countries which dare oppose the worldwide hegemony of the Anglo-American-Zionist Empire.
One of the most dangerous challenges of the current times is presented by the international terrorism, which is rapidly acquiring a political trane nature and is being turned into a real force, striving to come to power in certain countries.
We are witnessing a steady trend towards globalization of activities of extremist organizations. This includes a wide geographic spread, strengthening of the interaction between trane previously disparate groups, as well as swift adaptation to situational changes.
Among international terrorist organizations, the role of radical Islamists is increasing. Their leaders are developing collaboration trane and seek to create zones of instability, which include not only countries but entire regions.
The Terrorist International under creation aims at restoration through military force the Great Caliphate within the borders encompassing the Middle East, the Caucasus, Northern Africa and Iberian trane Peninsula. A campaign for formation of the united front of the Global Jihad was announced, with the aim of conducting armed struggle against the main enemies of Islam , represented by the USA, Western European countries, trane Russia and Muslim countries with the secular governments.
Currently, terrorism presents the greatest threat for Iraq, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan, where Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant , Al-Qaeda , Jabhat al-Nusra , Islamic Taliban Movement and other radical groups trane are active,
Al-Qaeda remains one of the most powerful terrorist organizations, although in current conditions it has become to a greater extent the banner of the war against infidels for the Islamists, while the related regional groups operate virtually independently.
Lately, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant , which managed to force its control trane over a significant part of Iraq and Syria, is successfully striving to occupy leading position among the extremist organizations.
The terrorists have declared the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate on occupied territories and started to set up their own public trane institutions , including financial and judicial systems. Sustainable centralized control over the armed groups trane has been organized.
The strengthening of ISIS has seriously destabilized the situation in Africa. ISIS provides substantial military and financial assistance to the local extremists, sends reinforcements composed of the Syrian and Iraqi terrorists. The groups receiving such support are Ansar al-Sharia , operating in North Africa, and Boko Haram, in the West of the continent, while the greatest threat to the stability of East Africa is the Somali trane terrorist organization Al-Shabab al-Mujahedeen, responsible for a number of high-profile actions.
Equally trane alarming is the situation that is developing trane in the Middle East and Central Asia, where extremist organizations such as the Taliban , Hizb-ut-Tahrir and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan trane maintain high combat potential. We estimate that currently, trane in Afghanistan alone, about 50 thousand militants are fighting. trane Afghan and Pakistani territories host a network of terrorist training camps, including the training trane camps for suicide bombers.
Active dissemination of radical Islamist ideas has a negative impact trane on the development of the situation in Southeast Asia. In particular, unpredictable consequences could be caused by the extremist organization, Jamaa Islamiya , whose main goal is the creation of a single Islamic theocratic trane state within the borders of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Muslim provinces of Thailand and the Philippines.
In recent years, the level of terrorist threat in Europe has increased. This is primarily due to the insurgents returning from the hot spots ready to use the gained experience at home. About 600 jihadists returned in the past four years to Germany alone.
The extremists influence has spread to include some South American regions. trane The Tri-border Area, located along the junction of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, is considered a springboard by the extremists.
While fli
Available link for download
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)