STAND UP UNITED – AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS
As national football teams fight it out at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, another team is lined up to fight for human rights.
The 11 members of Stand Up United defender human rights around the world. They have a common goal – equality, dignity and justice for all.
Whatever human rights they defend, Stand Up United is sure to face strong opposition. But with your support they can win.
Be a champion of human rights: take action and support Stand Up United!
Amnesty International is calling on its activists and other members of the public to support the 11 human rights defenders by taking action on the different human rights themes.
Amnesty International is asking activists to support HLC’s work by sending letters to the Serbian Minister of Interior, calling him to stop obstruction of the justice system in Serbia.
The eleven Human Rights Defenders are:
Mukhmed Gazdiev (Russia)
Mukhmed Gazdiev from the Russian Republic of Ingushetia is till searching for his son who has not been seen since he was reportedly abducted in 2007. Mukhmed Gazdiev campaigns relentlessly to raise awareness of alleged involvement of security forces in disappearances.
Nataša Kandić (Serbia)
Nataša Kandić is a Serbian lawyer and human rights activist. She continues to challenge impunity for war crimes committed by Serbian military, police and paramilitary forces during the wars during the break-up of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Dhondup Wangchen (China & Tibet)
Dhondup Wangchen has been detained by Chinese police since 2008. He is in prison for making the documentary, “Leaving Fear Behind” highlighting Tibetans’ views on human rights in Tibet.
Shadi Sadr (Iran)
Shadi Sadr is a lawyer from Iran who has successfully had the convictions of several women sentenced to death overturned. She is also a journalist and activist campaigning for women’s rights. The picture shown in the banner, for example, was taken when she was still in Iran during a rally over four years ago calling for an end to legal discrimination against women in Iran.
Haj Sami Sadeq (Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories)
Haj Sami Sadeq is a Palestinian community activist in Aqaba village in the West Bank, occupied by Israel. As head of the village council, Haj Sami Sadeq continues to face many challenges resulting from restrictions on construction by Palestinians.
Amina Janua (Pakistan)
Amina Janua is from Pakistan. Her husband is believed to have been held in government custody since he disappeared in 2005. Determined to find out what happened, she tirelessly petitions the government to reveal the whereabouts of hundreds who have disappeared.
Joel Nana (Cameroon)
Joel Nana, born in Cameroon, West Africa, campaigns for the right to health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people across the African continent including Senegal, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa.
Father Alejandro Solalinde (Mexico)
Father Alejandro Solalinde from Mexico has dedicated his life to providing a haven for migrants. His solidarity with migrants has provoked attacks and harassment from xenophobic members of local communities, criminal gangs and local officials.
Claudia Lema (Peru)
Claudia Lema works to reduce the number of women who die needlessly in childbirth in Indigenous communities in Peru. She is firmly committed to supporting women to pressure the government to make health care services meet their needs..
‘P’ (Anonymous) (South Africa)
P is a community activist who challenges negative attitudes towards women in a neglected and impoverished rural area in South Africa. She also provides practical support to women experiencing domestic violence or living with HIV.
Wilter Nyabate (Kenya)
Wilter Nyabate lives in Soweto East, Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum. She has two children and is the sole breadwinner in her house, yet still works to expose the intolerable conditions her community is forced to live with.
