January, 08 2009, 12:36pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Josefina Salomon, press officer, P: +44 207 413 5562, M: +44 7778 472 116,
jsalomon@amnesty.org
USA: Guantanamo Anniversary - Amnesty International's Events Across the World
In the context of the 7th anniversary of the first transfers of detainees to the US detention centre in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Amnesty International's members across the world will be challenging US President-elect Barack Obama to undertake concrete human rights reforms in his first 100 days in office.
INTERNATIONAL
In the context of the 7th anniversary of the first transfers of detainees to the US detention centre in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Amnesty International's members across the world will be challenging US President-elect Barack Obama to undertake concrete human rights reforms in his first 100 days in office. The recommendations include: to announce details of the plan for the closure of the detention centre at Guantanamo Bay; to issue a Presidential order banning torture as defined under international law; and to ensure an independent commission to investigate abuses committed by the US government in its "war on terror" is set up.
Amnesty International events include:
Vina del Mar, Chile
What: Activists will be wearing orange jumpsuits and read poems written by Guantanamo detainees.
When: Saturday 10 January 19:00 (Local Time).
Where: Vina del Mar, 1598 Jorge Montt street (near Monument of Larraguibel)
Contact: Virginie Houdmont, T: +56 2 2355945.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
What: Slovenian actors will be reading poems written by Guantanamo detainees.
When: Saturday 10 January, 11:00 (Local Time).
Where: Ljubljana (main square - Presernov trg)
Contact: Metka Naglic, T:+386 1 426 93 77
Helsinki , Finland
What: Amnesty International's activists will build a Guantanamo cell. A number of activists will come out of the cell one by one representing detainees. Signatures collected at the event will be sent to President-elect Obama.
When: Saturday 10 January, 12:00 (Local Time).
Where: Centre of Helsinki at Lasipalatsi on Simonkatu
Contact: Susanna Mehtonen, T +358 09 5860 4443 susanna.mehtonen@amnesty.fi
Ankara, Turkey
What: Street demonstration in Ankara with Amnesty International's activists wearing orange jumpsuits.
When: Sunday 11 January, 12:00 (Local Time).
Where: Yuksel Cad. Insan Haklari Heykeli Onu, Kizilay, Ankara.
Contact: Avi Haligua - avi@amnesty.org.tr, +90 533 921 10 12.
Madrid, Spain
What: Demonstration with activists wearing white masks
When: Sunday 11 January, 11:00 am (Local Time).
Where: US Embassy, Madrid
Contact: Esteban Beltran, Director of AI Spain, 00346707993102
Brussels, Belgium
What: Demonstration, including replica of Guantanamo cage. Orange suits filled with balloons will be released into the air.
When: Sunday 11 January, 11:00 am (Local Time).
Where: US Embassy, Brussels, Avenue des Arts, at the intersection with Rue Guimard.
Contact: Francoise Dieryck T:+32 497 02 81 13; Lore Van Welden T:+32 486 75 55 10
Copenhagen, Denmark
What: 600 people will gather near the US Embassy in Copenhagen. They will be wearing orange boiler suits and masks with pictures of some of those still held in Guantanamo. Some will be in chains. Everyone will walk to the Embassy where we former Guantanamo detainee Murat Kurnaz will collect the masks and deliver them to the Embassy.
When: Sunday 11 January, 14:00 (Local Time).
Where: Event will start at Osterport Station and end at the US Embassy, Dag Hammerskjolds alle.
Contact: Ole Hoff Lund, T:+45 26 83 81 84.
Montreal, Canada
What: Demonstration to US Embassy (1155 rue St-Alexandre).
When: Sunday 11 January, 11:00 (Local Time).
Where: Philips Square in Montreal, Quebec
Contact: Anne Ste-Marie, T: +1 514 268 4983.
For more information on these and other events or to organize an interview with one of Amnesty International's experts, please contact:
Josefina Salomon, press officer, P: +44 207 413 5562, M: +44 7778 472 116, jsalomon@amnesty.org
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. Our supporters are outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world - so we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity. We have more than 2.2 million members and subscribers in more than 150 countries and regions and we coordinate this support to act for justice on a wide range of issues.
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