Derechos Humanos / Human Rights

El movimiento sindical y gremial autónomo y clasista y las organizaciones sociales, condenan y rechazan el uso inhumano e inconstitucional de los Cuerpos de Seguridad del Estado y de grupos paramilitares para reprimir las legítimas protestas estudiantiles. Se han utilizado armas de fuego contra manifestantes indefensos, con el terrible saldo de 6 muertos, decenas de heridos y más de 300 presos, algunos de los cuales han denunciado que fueron sometidos a torturas infamantes.

Los trabajadores sabemos que las reivindicaciones del movimiento estudiantil expresan el sentir de la mayoría del pueblo venezolano, quienes a diario están sometidos a la inseguridad, al asalto, a una muerte violenta, al deterioro creciente del poder adquisitivo de sus ingresos, a la escasez de productos básicos, al desabastecimiento generalizado y la precariedad de los más elementales servicios públicos.

La protesta estudiantil es la respuesta a una acción gubernamental errada, que ha empobrecido a la mayoría y enriquecido a unos pocos. 

New York, Sept.4.─ The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has launched a partnership with global encrypted communications firm Silent Circle to protect the private communications of political dissidents, human rights groups, and civil society organizations in at-risk scenarios. As a first step, Washington D.C.-based Silent Circle will be donating hundreds of licenses for Silent Phone, the company's peer-to-peer mobile phone encryption service, to Tibetan groups who come under frequent cyber attacks.

"Whistleblowers, human rights defenders, and exile groups absolutely need this sort of technology to keep their communications out of the hands of governments. It is laudable that Silent Circle has recognized this need and is so generously prepared to publicly declare their commitment to be part of a long-lasting solution," said HRF president Thor Halvorssen.

• Kidnapped in Myanmar on May 28, 2004, illegally convicted on Oct. 12, 2005, of "forming and leading a terrorist organization" and presently in failing health after 9 years of detention, prison and tortures
• His crime was to organize in the US a China Federalist Party, advocating free speech in a multi party system in China

Washington, DC, Jun.30.─ ChinaAid, a non-profit Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China, has redoubled its efforts in championing the case of Christian prisoner of conscience Peng Ming, making the rounds of the nation's capital with Peng's family to draw attention to his illegal conviction and failing health behind bars.

The recent effort was part of ChinaAid's ongoing mission to push for freedom of religion and promote the rule of law in China and to advocate on behalf of all the prisoners of conscience in China's prisons. ChinaAid has for many years been appealing for the release of such political prisoners as Gao Zhisheng, Chen Guangcheng, Alimujiang, Wang Bingzhang, Liu Xiaobo, Guo Quan, Yang Tianshui, Zhu Yufu, Liu Xianbin, Peng Ming, Chen Xi, Chen Wei, Yang Rongli, Ni Yulan, and others while providing humanitarian assistance to their families through various channels.

• More than 200 police officers and government officials in Henan province raided a house church (religious services are often celebrated in private houses to avoid represion), taking more than 50 Christians into custody and detaining eight of them on "criminal" charges.
• That was one year ago ... now their case has gone to court. And, the result was not good –seven were charged with "cult activity" and they all received prison sentences –from the pastor to a few ladies who were making copies of the sermons 

May 30.─ Last year police and government officials raided a house church in Hunan where 54 young people were quietly attending a Bible study class. Suddenly, more than 200 police and government officials surrounded the meeting place and took all the students away, including a mother and her one-year-old infant!

The entire police force of Ye county, officials from the township government, armed police and the fire brigade, and anti-terrorism police were all out in force to execute the police action. Police were also equipped with two water cannons. In addition, the Pingdingshan Public Security Bureau and officers from the police stations of two neighboring townships also assisted in the raid.

The Ye county Public Security Bureau has repeatedly refused to produce the legally required paperwork to the family of the detainees.