[amc] CPT press release
- From: laura and garland <lauralarue@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: amc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:16:51 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
Garland is sharing the statement CPT wrote that will be published in the local
newspaper in Iraq. They are taking a public stand to stop the violence against
those who participated in the recent protests who are now targeted.
Christian Peacemaker Teams
PO Box 6508, Chicago IL 60680, tel.773-277-0253, fax 773-277-0291, email
peacemakers@xxxxxxx
Press release; for immediate release
Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) is an international human rights organization
present in Iraq since 2002, first in Baghdad then relocating to Sulimaniya in
2006.
We have visited with several persons who have been assaulted in recent months.
All of these individuals actively participated in the protest that was
forcefully dispersed on Apr 19. We also know of the report published in
Hawlati that a list may have been generated to identify specific persons who
will also be assaulted in the future because of their involvement in the
protest. We have been told that future assaults may be physical and they may
also be designed to slander and discredit the social reputations of persons.
We know that some of the people who were closely related to the protest believe
their lives are in danger because of these past actions. Because the persons
responsible for the past assaults have not been brought to justice, future
assaults are more likely to occur.
We urge all government and civil officials to use the influence of your
leadership to condemn the past assaults and to discourage future assaults
directed toward persons who were a part of the recent protest. We are not
alone in our concern for the safety of these persons. Both Human Rights Watch
and Amnesty International are following closely the events that are unfolding
since the protest was terminated.
Leaders in the KRG have worked very hard and effectively to present Iraqi
Kurdistan as a safe and democratic region. However more assaults on persons
involved in the recent protest will further injure this reputation and make the
recovery of it extremely difficult. If the KRG desires to be an active and
influential member of the international community then the right of their
population to speak freely and to receive answers to their informed questions
about the provisions of their government must be preserved.
Respectfully,
CPT Iraq
CPT has offices in Chicago, USA, and Toronto, Canada, and is dedicated to the
work of reducing violence and repairing relationships damaged by injury and
suffering. CPT believes promoting the human rights of everyone is as important
as promoting the human rights of anyone. CPT works to develop inclusive
community across all boundaries of culture, race, religion, tribe, and nation.
CPT is registered with the Ministry of Planning as an International NGO
entitled to operate in the Kurdistan Region.
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Austin Mennonite Church, (512) 926-3121 www.mennochurch.org
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