[Yhjusticenet] Fw: On your marks ... get set for the Beijing Olympics

[Emmy Henry]

Amnesty.ca | Keep the Promise China
For all you activists who know there is no rest for the wary!
Emmy.

       
     
            July 25, 2008

            In 14 days the Beijing Olympic Games begin and the eyes of the world will be on China.

            Thank you again for taking action to improve human rights in China. 

            Whether or not you're interested in the Games themselves, you can appreciate the tremendous opportunity we all have this summer to initiate positive, long-term improvement in China's human rights record. 

            We've been working hard to prepare for the Olympics, and look forward to you joining us. Here's a great place to start: 

            On your marks ... get set for the Beijing Olympics by taking Amnesty International's Olympics Quiz. 

             Nine questions reveal why Amnesty International believes that Beijing 2008 is an unprecedented opportunity to advance human rights in China. 


              Take the Olympics Quiz 



            Good News: 1157 people released in Tibet
            A day after Amnesty International published a report urging the Chinese government to provide information about more than 1,000 people who had been detained during the protests last March in Tibet and remained unaccounted for, China announced the release of 1,157 people. Amnesty continues to call for information about the trials of the 116 people still in custody in Tibet.

            Good News: apparent drop in use of death penalty
            Since the Supreme People's Court restored the review of all death sentences in January 2007, there has been an apparent reduction in the number of executions in China. Official figures, however, remain a state secret.




            Amnesty members send a message to the Chinese Ambassador
            Amnesty International members participated in an event at the Chinese Embassy in Canada on July 13 to urge the Chinese government to "Keep the Promise" to protect and promote human rights.  Thank you to all those who came out to show their support for human rights in China! 

             Awaken the athlete in you
            Between August 8 and 24, plan to wear Amnesty International's Olympics sweatbands & bib, and run, walk, bike or rollerblade on your own or with friends to raise awareness and funds for Amnesty's work to improve human rights in China. 

            Register to Run for Rights


            Join the Debate: New web page asks, what legacy can we expect?
            Can we truly expect a human rights legacy from the Olympic Games?
            Join the debate

            As excitement about Beijing 2008 grows in the media and for the athletes, we hope you as an Amnesty International supporter will continue to be part of the global effort to press the Chinese government to leave a human rights legacy that we all can celebrate. 
             
            Sincerely,

            LindsayMossman 

            Lindsay Mossman,
            Campaigner, Keep the Promise China 
            Amnesty International, Canadian Section
              


            p.s. At the end of the Olympics Quiz, you will have an opportunity to take action on behalf of three courageous human rights defenders in China who need some of the world's attention right now.

                 Ding Zilin - a retired professor who lost her son during the Tiananmen massacre 
                 Hu Jia - an environmentalists and AIDS activist imprisoned for speaking out against AIDS cover-up 
                 Shi Tao - a poet and journalist imprisoned for sending an email 


           

            Read Amnesty's Olympics blog: 100 Days of Action 

              "By allowing Beijing to host the Games you will help the development of human rights"
              - Liu Jingmin, Beijing 2008 Olympics Games Bid Committee

            A promise kept - an Olympics gold for all people in China- would be a China that: 

             · Stops using the death penalty

             · Respects the rights of human rights defenders  

             · Ensures fair trials and ends the practice of detention without trial 

             · Stops censorship and ensures internet freedom 


            This is Amnesty International's campaign for the Beijing Olympics. 

            Thank you for being a part of it. 



            Coming next week ...
            Start gathering your thoughts. Next week, Amnesty will publish a new web site where you will be able to share your Olympic Dream for human rights. We hope to gather thousands of voices so Canadians can send more than just our best athletes to Beijing. 


            Coming in two weeks ...
            Amnesty International will be asking you to consider making a financial contribution to our long-term, dedicated work for human rights in China - work that will continue long after the closing of the Games. If you are already a regular, generous donor to Amnesty, thank you! We rely almost exclusively on the many small and large gifts of individual supporters like you who value Amnesty International's independent, impartial voice for human rights.







             
           
     
      Amnesty International Canadian Section (English Speaking) 
      www.amnesty.ca
      1-800-AMNESTY (266-3789) or direct: 613-744-7667 Email: members at amnesty.ca


     
     

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