From: contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info
Subject: Medical Alert
Date: Fri,  3 Jul 2009 17:12:03 -0700 (PDT)


Medical Alert

I received a disturbing call from Leonard today. As we know, Leonard has had a scare with prostate cancer. He is now having blood in his urine and he desperately needs to have an oncologist examine him. A general practitioner operating in the prison system is not sufficient; he needs to be seen by a specialist.

Your support with letters and phone calls to the proper officials is greatly needed at this time. The urgency is due to his previous scare of cancer. Only a specialist can determine the state of his health. According to his medical he is supposed to receive an exam every three months, but according to Leonard he has only been seen once a year. How can this be? As everyone knows one examination can give you warning, anyone who has had a prognosis or scare with prostate cancer, you need to see an oncologist and be examined regularly.

He has never received proper medical attentions for his medical problems, unless this problem is addressed by his supporters he will not get this matter taken care of. As we found when he did not have his diabetic supplies last year, until the outcry was so great. Then they could not deny him.

Please ask the warden at Lewisburg Prison to give Leonard Peltier the proper medical attention he has the right to.

Warden Bledsoe ~ Warden for Lewisburg Prison
The prison number is: (570) 523-1251
Fax:  570-522-7745
E-mail address: LEW/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV

Lets get him the treatment he deserves.

Kari Ann
Assistant Coordinator
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
contact@whoisleonardpeltier.info

www.workers.org/2009/us/leonard_peltier_0709/

Leonard Peltier demands his freedom

By Judy Greenspan
San Francisco
Published Jul 2, 2009


A press conference and vigil were held at the downtown federal building June 26 to support Leonard Peltier and his upcoming parole effort on July 28. Supporters are being asked to write letters on behalf of Peltier, a leader of the American Indian Movement and one of the longest-held political prisoners in the U.S.

 
Supporters of Leonard Peltier rally in front of San Francisco Federal Building. (Kathy Peltier, center) - WW photo: Judy Greenspan


The press conference marked the 34th anniversary of the attack by FBI agents and other police on Oglala-Lakota Native American activists on Pine Ridge Reservation. On June 26, 1975, two FBI agents were shot and killed during a shoot-out and Peltier was charged with their murders. Despite the absence of eyewitnesses and any evidence proving Peltier's involvement in the shootings, this Native American leader was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison.

The press conference was attended by Peltier's daughter, Kathy Peltier, who urged everyone to continue to support her father's parole bid for freedom. Tony Gonzales and Sampson Wolfe, two local Native American leaders of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, also spoke.

A short statement by Peltier was read at the press conference, which stated in part: "I am not a philosopher or poet or a singer or any of those things that particularly inspire people, but the one thing that I am is the evidence that this country lied when they said there was justice for all. I am the evidence that the attitude, the powers that be still hold us in a grip.

"They hold us in an emotional grip. They hold us in a poverty grip. They hold us in a cultural deprivation grip. And we as a people are the evidence that this country fails to keep its treaties, this country fails to keep its word. This country has failed to follow its own Constitution - the treaty between the people and the government. We are that evidence." Peltier's full statement can be read at http://freepeltiernow.blogspot.com/2009.

KOLA Note: or on this blog here

During his more than 33 years of incarceration, Peltier has continued to speak out in support of Native peoples' rights. He has won international acclaim and support for his tireless activism on behalf of human rights for Indigenous peoples. Peltier is an internationally acclaimed writer and artist. In 2004, Leonard Peltier ran for U.S. president on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket.

Letters supporting Peltier's parole effort should be addressed to the U.S. Parole Commission, 5550 Friendship Blvd., Suite 420, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7286. Your letter must reference Peltier's prison number, 20815-7286.

Free Leonard Peltier!


____
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Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:16:33 -0400
From: "Luis Morago - Avaaz.org" avaaz@avaaz.org
Subject: Nuclear weapons: the only solution


Dear friends,


The only real solution to the proliferation crisis is the elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide. Sign the petition calling for global zero and bring a powerful democratic voice to the US-Russia summit next week::

Whether in the Korean peninsula, in unstable Pakistan, or in the volatile Middle East, the risk of military or terrorist nuclear attacks is escalating daily. Yet one of the most real chances to rid the world of nuclear weapons is happening and will be won or lost far from the headlines.

Next week in Moscow, Presidents Medvedev and Obama could make history by agreeing to reduce their nuclear arsenals and set the world´s course towards a nuclear-free world. A group of highly influential figures (1) called Global Zero has presented a four-step plan to achieve that goal and, though it seems incredible, they are successfully persuading the nuclear powers that the world is more secure without nukes.

What's needed now is a massive surge of people power urging the US and Russia to take these bold steps to achieve global zero. Click below to sign the petition and help deliver a deafening call to action. Global Zero leaders will hand it over to Presidents Obama and Medvedev:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/time_to_global_zero

For decades the disarmament movement has sought to rid the planet of nuclear weapons. During the Cold War, the efforts of citizens across the world played a key role in curbing the nuclear arms race, helping prevent nuclear war. But all too often their goal has been regarded as utopian and improbable.

Now, an alliance of the sound advice of security experts and the democratic force of citizens worldwide has a realistic possibility of achieving this goal.

Last April, Obama and Medvedev said they were committed to a world free of nuclear weapons. But it will require a massive concerted effort to press them to turn rhetoric into action.

In the face of a deepening crisis, the summit next week is a tremendous opportunity for human progress. Let's pile on the pressure to seize it.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/time_to_global_zero


With hope,
Luis, Alice, Ricken, Pascal, Paula, Graziela, Paul, Brett, Milena, Ben, Margaret, Raluca, Alice W, Raj and the whole Avaaz team.


(1) Global Zero includes former heads of state, such as Jimmy Carter and Mikhail Gorbachev, former foreign and defence ministers, national security advisors, and former top military commanders. More information at: http://www.globalzero.org/en/about-campaign


Sources:

* IAEA Chief Warns Of Possible New Wave Of Nuclear Proliferation - www.avaaz.org/nuclear_proliferation
* Global Zero offers plan to eliminate nukes by 2030, AP, 29 June 2009: www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gSWX9EdJu8HH4xpD5AdAlSCkR_ewD994J2Q00  * Putin Talks of Giving Up Nukes, The Moscow Times, 11 june 2009: www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1010/42/378483.htm 
* Alert level raised on North Korea, BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8071175.stm 
* Scrapping nuclear arms is now realpolitik. Six security experts urge America and Russia to act today: www.avaaz.org/the_times_nukes 

Full Global Zero Action Plan available at:
www.globalzero.org/en/global-zero-press-release-june-29 

--------------------------
ABOUT AVAAZ Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in Ottawa, London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Buenos Aires, and Geneva. Call us at: +1 888 922 8229 or +55 21 2509 0368
Click here to learn more about our largest campaigns.
To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to info@avaaz.org. You can also call us at +1-888-922-8229 (US) or +55 21 2509 0368 (Brazil) If you have technical problems, please go to http://www.avaaz.org

www.survival-international.org/news/4706

"Business as usual": Peru approves massive oil project just days after "Amazon's Tiananmen"

Survival International
30 June 2009

 
Crossed spears left by uncontacted Indians in the region where Perenco is working. copyright Marek Wolodzko/Survival


Peru's government has given the green light to an Anglo-French company to drill for oil in the Amazon, just thirteen days after more than 30 people died in protests against the exploitation of the rainforest.

The project, located on land inhabited by two tribes of uncontacted Indians, is believed to be Peru's biggest oil discovery in thirty years. The company, Perenco, a major gas supplier to the UK, has in the past denied any uncontacted Indians live there.

Until recently, Perenco had been blocked from entering the area by local indigenous protesters. With help from Peru's armed forces, the company managed to break through the blockade on at least one occasion. 

High-ranking figures in Peru's government hope that Perenco's project will transform the Peruvian economy. While protests against the company were taking place, Perenco's chairman, Francois Perrodo, an Oxford University polo blue and scion of one of the wealthiest families in France, met Peru's President Garcia in Lima and pledged to invest $2bn in the project.

The government's green light comes just days after protests elsewhere in northern Peru were violently broken up by police, leading to the deaths of both police officers and indigenous protesters. The exact numbers are still unknown. Survival has issued an eyewitness account of the violence.

Perenco intends to build new platforms and wells involving airlifting in, amongst other things, 42,000 sacks of cement. It admits that "contamination of soil", "contamination of water" and the flight of game and birds are possible consequences of its work. All these are essential to the survival of the uncontacted Indians who live there. More seriously, the Indians face the very real threat of contagion from diseases to which they have no immunity.

Survival's Director, Stephen Corry, said today, "Anyone who hoped that the dreadful violence of the past few weeks might have made Peru's government act with a bit more sensitivity towards the indigenous people of the Amazon will be really dismayed at this news. The timing couldn't be worse - the government is trying to present a more friendly image in public, but as far as the oil companies are concerned, it looks like business as usual."

For more information please contact Miriam Ross at Survival International on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or (+44) (0)7504 543 367 or email mr@survival-international.org


Act now to help the Uncontacted Indians
Your efforts are crucial in defending the Uncontacted Tribes. Writing a letter to the Peruvian government can make a real difference.

--sample letter--

S.E. Alan Garcia
Presidente de la República del Perú
Palacio de Gobierno
Plaza de Armas
Lima 1
Peru

[Date]

Your Exellency,

I am extremely concerned about the future of uncontacted tribes in Peru. They are exceedingly vulnerable to outsiders' diseases and they make it clear they want to be left alone. They have the right to live on their lands and to remain in isolation. These rights have been recognised by international law.

I strongly urge the Peruvian government to protect uncontacted tribes by removing all loggers from their land, by stopping the entry of any other outsiders, and by prohibiting any form of natural resource extraction on their territories.

I also call on your government to set up an emergency medical plan in case of contact between the uncontacted Indians and outsiders, and conform to international law by recognising the tribes as the rightful owners of their land. At present these tribes are at huge risk and could well be wiped out.

Yours sincerely,
[your full name & address]

--end sample letter--

____
copyright Survival International, 2009

www.survival-international.org/news/4712

Peru Government prepares to investigate 'Amazon's Tiananmen'

Survival International
30 June 2009


 
A wounded protester is beaten by police, Bagua, Peru - copyright Marijke Deleu and Thomas Quirynen


Peru's government is gearing up to investigate the tragic violence in the Amazon last month that left more than 30 people dead, over a hundred injured, and many still missing.

A government committee has ten days to choose the investigating team, which will be led by members of the Catholic Church and is being created after a recommendation by the UN's Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya. Peru's prime minister, Yehude Simon, has said that the team will include representatives from all sectors of society to avoid any accusations of bias.

The preparations are being made after continuing speculation about events in Bagua, northern Peru, where the violence took place. A high-ranking police officer recently suggested that soldiers from the Peruvian army escaped from their barracks to fight on the indigenous protesters' side, but these claims have been dismissed by an Armed Forces spokesman.

Meanwhile, a Peruvian judge has rejected charges brought against Alberto Pizango, the leader of Peru's national Amazon Indian organisation, AIDESEP, and four other AIDESEP leaders. The charges are likely to be re-filed. Pizango has had to flee the country and is currently a political exile in Nicaragua.


How you can help
Please write a letter to President Garcia to express your concern.

--sample letter--

S. E. Alan Garcia
Presidente de la República del Perú
Palacio de Gobierno
Plaza de Armas
Lima 1
Peru

[Date]

Dear President Garcia,

I am deeply disturbed at the violence in northern Peru that has resulted in so many deaths.

As you know, the indigenous communities of the Peruvian Amazon have been protesting peacefully for months at the way their lands have been opened up to oil and gas companies without their consent.

Under both Peruvian and international law, the Indian peoples of the Amazon have the right to the ownership of their traditional lands, and development should not take place there without their consent.

Your government, however, has ridden roughshod over this right.

Your demonization of the well-respected Indian organisation AIDESEP and its leader, together with your calling the Indians "barbaric", "ignorant" and "savages", is counter-productive and will surely simply exacerbate an already inflamed situation.

I urge you to suspend the activities of oil and gas companies in the Amazon until your government agrees to peaceful negotiations with the Indians' representatives. Furthermore, there must be an independent and impartial enquiry into the tragic events of June 5th.

Yours sincerely,
[Your full name & address]

--end sample letter--

____
copyright Survival International, 2009

London, England

Friday June 26th, 2009

www.indigenousportal.com/Urgent/URGENT-ACTION-Extra-Judicial-Killing-by-the-Military-Forces-at-Shuvalong-in-Rangamati-Bangladesh.html

URGENT ACTION:
Extra-Judicial Killing by the Military Forces at Shuvalong in Rangamati, Bangladesh

Sunday, 28 June 2009
By PCJSS (Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti)
Kalyanpur, Rangamati-450000, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh



Introduction

On 26 June 2009 an innocent Jumma youth was shot dead by the military forces of Shuvalong camp of 6 Bengal led by Major Jakir/Manjur in Shuvalong, 30 kms off the district town, under Barkal upazila in Rangamati district.


Description of Incident

Mr. Tarun Kusum Chakma (30), s/o Gunadhar Chakma was a permanent resident of Bhushanchara of Harina union under Barkal upazila (sub-district) in Rangamati district, but stayed at Moitreenagar under Rangamati municipality with his family. He was an innocent youth and used to earning by day labour or by collection of forest products for family survival. Couple of days ago, he went to Shuvalong area for earnings. It is mentionable that he was active supporter of PCJSS for implementation of the CHT Accord.

On 26 June Friday was a market day of Shuvalong Bazaar. Like other villagers, he also went to Shuvalong bazzar for marketing. However, a group of members of UPDF, an anti-accord terrorist organisation, with the help of Mintu Bikash Chakma (who is familiar as Bhumihin Mintu), caught Tarun Kusum Chakam while he got down Shuvalong Bazaar from a steamer at around 9.30 am. Then he was handed over to Shuvalong camp authority after heavily torture labeling him as miscreant. However, camp authority released him found nothing after interrogation.

Again, UPDF men tried to catch him when he reached at Bazaar after getting release from army custody. Having no alternative to safe his life, he tried to escape from UPDF attack and jumped over the lake (Kaptai Lake) near Shuvalong forest outpost. At that time, a group of army led by Major Manjur of 6 Bengal and a group of UPDF men ran after him by two separate boats when he was swimming for escaping. But the army shot him when he came to land near Dhanmia shrine. He sustained bullet injuries on his leg and scrotum. The military forces led by Major Manjur started to torture brutally. At a stage, the neck of Tarun Kasum was broken. There were several wounded on his body.

Army personnel arrested another Jumma youth named Elen Chakma from the spot. UPDF claimed him as member of the UPDF who went to spot to help army to catch so-called miscreants.

However, the army authority of Shuvalong camp make several fabricated news in order to conceal their misdeed which were published on several national and local dailies and aired on electronic media. The army firstly made propaganda that a dozen of armed miscreants led by Tarun Kusum Chakma proceeded toward Suvalong Bazar to commit sabotage activities. Being informed, army challenged them when the armed miscreants reached at the place near Dhanmia shrine at about 11.00 am. At one stage, the miscreants started fleeing the scene by firing gunshots at army. The army also retaliated by firing bullets, leaving Tarun Kusum Chakma dead on the spot.

The army made second story that clash between two rival groups took place near Shuvalong bazaar. Being informed, the army rushed there and recovered dead body of Tarun Kusum Chakma from the spot.

The army made another third story that the miscreants led by Tarun Kusum Chakma made armed attack on a group of regular patrolling party of the military forces when they (army) reached Dhanmia shrine. Even, army firstly named Tarun Kusum as Jagadish Chakma.

These stories were fully fabricated and motivated. The people who came to market witnessed that he was caught by UPDF men and handed over to army. Victim's younger brother Palash Chakma said that he was not involved with any terrorist activity. He was fully innocent.

It is also worth mentioning that Elen Chakma, who was arrested during the incident, was claimed as member of the UPDF in a press release by Shantidev Chakma, chief of Rangamati district. Shantidev mentioned that Elen went there to help army to catch the victim and the army mistakenly arrested him. This statement of UPDF proved that UPDF men also involved with this heinous killing.

The dead body was brought in Rangamati sadar hospital for post mortem in the evening on 26 June. The dead body was handed over to victim's elder sister and younger brother afternoon on 27 June.


Action Needed

This incident is a violation of inherent rights to life, which was ensured by the Constitution of Bangladesh and international legal instruments ratified by Bangladesh. However, military forces deployed in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) continued to be responsible for extra-judicial killings and for custodial killings since long time.

The CHT Accord signed between Government of Bangladesh and Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) on 2 December 1997 stipulates for demilitarization of the CHT region. However, the army was entrusted responsibility to combat law and order situation by imposing de facto military rule "Operation Uttoron" in 2001. Consequently, the military forces continue having the negative attitude toward CHT and indigenous Jumma people. The military forces are also against the withdrawal of temporary camps from CHT though CHT Accord provides to do the same. With this view, they once again has taken up the programme of operation in CHT and highlighting it in the news media widely so that they can thwart the government to have any camp withdrawn or closed down at this moment.

Though Awami League-led present grand alliance government assured in its election manifesto that it would implement the CHT Accord fully and stop extra-judicial killing in the country. However, extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrest, frequently checking, conducting military operation through out the CHT, helping Bengali settlers in occupying indigenous Jumma people's land and expansion of cluster villages of Bengali settlers by the military forces continued unabated in CHT. Killing of Tarun Kusum Chakma was a result of military atrocities in CHT.

With this backdrop, letter should be sent to Government of Bangladesh raising following demands-

(1) to conduct judicial inquiry of the extra-judicial killing of Tarun Kusum Chakma;

(2) To punish the military personnel responsible for the heinous killing including Major Manjur;

(3) To provide compensation to the family of the victim;

(4) To withdraw all temporary camps of army, Ansar, APBN and VDPs including de facto military rule "Operation Uttoron" as per CHT Accord soon;

(5) To implement the CHT Accord in letter and spirit.



Please write to:
* Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Honourable Prime Minister, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Prime Minister's Office, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Fax : +880 2 8113243 / 3244 / 1015 / 1490, Email: Info@pmo.gov.bd; E-mail: pm@pmo.gov.bd or psecy@pmo.gov.bd

* Mr. Mohammad Ruhul Amin, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, Supreme Court Building, Ramna, Dhaka-1000, BANGLADESH, Fax: +880 2 956 5058, Tel: +880 2 956 2792

* Dr. Dipu Moni, Honorable Minister, Foreign Ministry, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Fax: +880 2 9558566, Tel: +880 2 956-2852

* Ms. Sahara Khatun, Honorable Minister, Ministry Home Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, BANGLADESH, Fax: +88-02-7160405, 88-02-7164788 (O), Tel:+88-02-7169069 (O)

* Mr. Dipankar Talukdar MP, Honorable State Minister, CHT Affairs Ministry, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, BANGLADESH, Tel: +880-2- 7161774, E-mail: mochtadh@bttb.net

* Ms. Sajeda Chowdhury, Convenor of CHT Accord Implementation Committee and Deputy Leader of Jatiya Sangsad, Sangsad Bhabab, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh

* Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, Chairman, CHT Regional Council, Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts, BANGLADESH, Tel: +88-0351-63381, Fax: 0351-63278, E-mail: chtrc@yahoo.com

* Mr. Promod Mankin, MP and Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on CHT Affairs Ministry, Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Dhaka

* Justice (Rtd) Amirul Kabir Chowdhury, Chairman, Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission, House # 6/3, Block # D, Lalmatia, Dhaka, BANGLADESH, Tel: +88 02 9137724

* General Md Abdul Mubeen, Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army, Army Headquarters, Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka, BANGLADESH, Fax: +880 2 875 4455, Tel: +880 2 987 0011, E-mail: itdte@army.mil.bd

* Mr. Nur Mohammad, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bangladesh Police, Police Headquarters', Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000, BANGLADESH, Fax: +880 2 956 3362 / 956 3363, Tel: +880 2 956 2054 / 717 6451 / 717 6677, E-mail: ig@police.gov.bd

--
PCJSS
(Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti)
Kalyanpur, Rangamati-450000, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
Tel+Fax: +880-351-61248
E-mail: pcjss.org@gmail.com and pcjss@hotmail.com
Website: http://pcjss-cht.org