Newsletter

Amnesty International USA Group 48

04.09
In This Issue . . .
1 Activist Feng Zhenghu

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victim of enforced
disappearance
2 A Call for Congo
3 Justice for Colonel
Paul Ndokayi
5 Human rights activist
attacked in Russia

AIUSA-Group 48
http://aipdx.org
503-227-1878
Next Meeting:
Friday April 10th
First Unitarian Church
1011 SW 12th Ave
7:00pm informal China: Activist Feng Zhenghu victim of enforced
gathering disappearance
Amnesty International Press Release March, 23 2009
7:30pm meeting starts
The Chinese government should im- authorities should immediately allow
mediately reveal the whereabouts of him to meet his family and lawyers; he
prominent human rights defender Feng should either be released immediately
Zhenghu, whose detention by security or charged with a recognizable crime.”
forces in Beijing on 15 February ago has
just come to light. In the 40 days that he Feng Zhenghu was detained in Beijing
has been held by the authorities, neither by seven Shanghai police as he was ac-
his whereabouts or the charges against companying a victim of forced eviction
him have been made public. to a meeting with a lawyer. The police
forced him into a car outside the Guobin
NewsLetter Designed
“Feng is a victim of enforced disappear- Hotel near Buwai Dajie. Feng Zhengfu
By Michelle Whitlock
ance and as such is particularly vulner- was taken back to Shanghai on 16 Febru-
MichelleWhitlock.com
able to torture and ill-treatment,” said ary. He was able to call his brother on
Roseann Rife, Amnesty International’s the telephone on the way to Shanghai
Asia-Pacific Deputy Director. “Chinese but has not been heard from since. »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter April 2009 Pg 2

Feng Zhenghu’s family went to a police station near their Zhenghu and ensure they are not being subjected to any
home in Shanghai on 20 February and asked for his where- forms of torture or ill-treatment at the hands of state agencies
abouts but was given no answer. On 12 March, nearly one or non-state actors.”
month after Feng Zhengfu was taken away, Shanghai internal Background
security police (guobao) requested his wife’s cooperation Feng Zhenghu, 54, was the director of the China Enterprise
to prevent him from meeting or helping petitioners in the Research Centre which published articles in 1989 as the army
future. The internal security police officers accepted his started to enter Beijing predicting a possible crackdown on
family’s request to send some clothes to him. However, in the pro-democratic movement. After that, Feng Zhenghu was
violation of China’s Criminal Procedure Law, they refused to questioned and ordered to leave the research centre.
inform the family of Feng Zhenghu’s whereabouts and what
charges he was facing. In 2001, he was convicted of “illegal business activity” and
sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. Since his release in
“It is a disgrace that Chinese law enforcement agencies disobey 2004, he has been writing economic critiques, focusing on
the law in such a blatant manner,” said Roseann Rife. “Accord- the malpractice of the local government and forced evictions.
ing to Chinese legal procedure Feng Zhenghu should have Many Shanghai petitioners who suffered consequences of the
access to a lawyer and his family should know where and why economic development approached Feng Zhenghu and asked
he is detained.” for his help to seek justice. He documented their cases and
Feng Zhenghu’s abduction follows the detention of human helped them find lawyers to lodge lawsuits.
rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who has not been heard from Gao Zhisheng was convicted of “inciting subversion, after a
since 4 February, when he was taken away from his Shaanxi closed trial, and sentenced to a three-year prison sentence,
home by more than 10 security agents. His family fled China suspended for five years as well as a one year subsequent
earlier this year because of the continued harassment and deprivation of political rights in December 2006. He has been
intense surveillance the entire family was experiencing. kept under constant surveillance since he was sentenced, in
“Given the horrible torture that Gao Zhisheng experienced a manner that goes far beyond what is allowed in Chinese
during his previous detention in 2007, he may be in grave Criminal Law for those serving suspended sentences and has
danger now,” said Roseann Rife. “The Chinese authorities been forcibly removed from his home at least twice during
should reveal the whereabouts of Gao Zhisheng and Feng this period and placed under detention where he has experi-
enced ill-treatment and torture.

A Call for Congo
By Sherry Harbert March 16, 2009
Among all the human rights violations that occur around
the world, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may
hold some of the worst. The atrocities are so overwhelming
that words alone cannot describe the depth of what is hap-
pening. The images can be so graphic that they are largely
ignored by the media and public. Such atrocities cannot con-
tinue, so members of the Congolese Community of Oregon
and the Portland Chapter of Amnesty International have
From Left: Vincent Chirimwami, Maguy Masikini and
combined forces to launch a public outreach campaign. »
Jeremie Ruvunangiza
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter April 2009 Pg 3
Founders of the Voices for Congo organization spoke before
a packed audience on March 13, to offer their concerns, their
hopes and their voices to ending the horrors in the DRC.
They each conveyed a stark reality that many Americans find
surprising. The demand for cell phones, laptop computers,
gaming devices and other hi-tech gadgets is what is fueling
the continuation of the atrocities in the DRC.
Vincent Chirimwami, Maguy Masikini and Jeremie Ruvunan-
giza told of the devastating consequences of minerals trade in
their country. Chirimwami asked the audience whether after
six million dead, “does it truly count?”
The DRC counts for 80 percent of the coltan in the world.
The mineral is key to the electrical capacitors of hi-tech
components. With such vast resources, neighboring countries
and the world market demands are fueled by the political
unrest in the country. The mining of the mineral is usually
performed in dangerous conditions. But it is the money and
power that drives smugglers, militias and other groups to
even more grave acts. The horrific rapes of women in the
Justice for Colonel Paul Ndokayi
Central African RAN Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
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country are some of the most brutal in the world. Those who
survive suffer lifelong physical and mental effects.
Few organizations have been documenting the severe abuses
that has occurred in the DRC over the last decade. Amnesty
International and the United Nations are working to keep
attention on the events happening in the DRC, especially in
East Congo where the use of rape as a tool of war takes on an
entirely new meaning.
Some of the graphic images Masikini showed to the audi-
ence drew unanimous gasps. Yet, she contends, it happens
so frequently that most women wish for death over survival.
Masikini said that hospitals are overrun with new cases. The
medical community is ill-equipped to handle the overwhelm-
ing numbers.
The Congolese Community of Oregon hopes to raise aware-
ness about the atrocities and work for a political solution.
Ruvunangiza said the U.S. is key to bringing about change. It
cannot happen soon enough.
C olonel Ndokayi was arrested on November 27, 2006 in
Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC). Detained at the Special Services Police (DRGS) head-
quarters for about a month, he was tortured and subjected
to other forms of serious ill-treatment. Held at the Kinshasa
Penitentiary and Re-education Center (CPRK), he has not
been tried or given the chance to challenge his detention. He
is denied medical treatment for serious injuries suffered dur-
ing his torture.
Background
Colonel Paul Ndokayi is from the Equateur province of Con-
go, the province of origin of Jean Pierre Bemba, the leader of
the opposition party, the Movement for the Liberation of the
Congo (Mouvement pour la Liberation du Congo, MLC). He
has served in the army since 1972, and was head of a program
to demobilize former militias in the northeastern Ituri district
and reintegrate them into the national army, the FARDC
(Force Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo). »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter April 2009 Pg 4

While on leave in Kinshasa on November 27, 2006, he was ◌◌Ask that Colonel Ndokayi be given immediate access ad-
surrounded by a group of Rapid Intervention Police (PIR), equate medical care.
who forced him into a vehicle and took him to the PIR deten-
tion center. The next day, he was interviewed by a colonel ◌◌ Request an independent investigation into the allegations
from the PIR who beat him, calling him 'a brother of (Jean- that he was tortured and ill-treated, and for those responsible
Pierre) Bemba'. The colonel then returned with five police of- to be brought to justice.
ficers, handcuffed him, took him outside, and again beat him. ◌◌Urge that Colonel Ndokayi be tried in accordance with
Later that day, Colonel Ndokayi was transferred to Kin- international fair trial standards or be freed immediately.
Mazière, the headquarters of the Special Services Police
WRITE TO
(DRGS) in Kinshasa. On November 29, he was removed from
the cell, beaten and tortured for five hours: almost, as his law- Head of State
yer put it, 'to the point of death'. He was tied and his ankles Son Excellence Joseph Kabila
chained. Made to lie on the floor, he was beaten with belts, President de la Republique
truncheons and sticks and kicked in the head. He was also Presidence de la Republique
stabbed in the foot with a knife. He eventually lost conscious- Palais de la Nation
ness and had to be revived by his torturers. A piece of wood Avenue de Lemera
was then forced between his fingers and his hand was struck, Kinshasa-Gombe »
breaking his hand in several places.
AIUSA Group 48 Contact Information
After around a month in DRGS detention, he was transferred
to the CPRK, the central prison in the capital. In July 2007, he
and several other former army officers from Equateur prov- Group Coordinator Legislative
ince were charged with 'terrorism', although it is not known Joanne Lau Coordinator
when any legal proceedings will take place. He spent a month 971-221-5450 Dan Johnson
jlau@easystreet.net 503-310-4540
unable to leave his cell, was denied access to visitors, and had
subtlet@hotmail.com
limited contact with his lawyer. Though he is now permitted Phone Guy & Darfur
to receive visitors, Colonel Ndokayi has never been brought Marty Fromer Central Africa RAN
before any judicial authority, and he has been denied the right 503-227-1878 OR State Death
martyfromer@gmail.com Penalty Coordinator
to challenge the legality of his arrest and detention.
Terrie Rodello
Concert Tabling 503-246-6836
When Amnesty International (AI) delegates met Colonel
Will Ware trodello@igc.org
Ndokayi in prison in June 2007, he was suffering from pain 503-227-5225
across his body and poor mobility in his arms and hands. He ww_ware@yahoo.com Central America RAN
complained of pain and bleeding from his ears, and had dif- Marylou Noble
Newsletter Editor 503-245-6923
ficulty hearing. At no stage during his detention or in prison
Dan Webb marylou_noble@
has he been given medical care for the serious injuries he 503-253-3491 yahoo.com
sustained during torture. danielw2@earthlink.net
Indonesia RAN
Action Request Treasurer Max White
Please write a polite letter to the following government of- Janan Stoll 503-292-8168
ficials on behalf of Colonel Ndokayi and in your letter: 503-282-8834 maxw33@comcast.net
jjjn4now@aol.com
◌◌ Express concerns over Colonel Ndokayi’s health following
his torture.
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter April 2009 Pg 5

Sample Letter
REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO I am writing to express my deep concern for the health of
(DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO) Colonel Paul Ndokayi who is currently held in detention at
E-mail: presipp@yahoo.fr the Kinshasa Penitentiary and Re-education Center. I un-
Salutation: Dear President Kabila/Son Excellence derstand that he was tortured in November 2006 while held
Monsieur le President at the headquarters of the “Special Services” police in Kin-
Mazière in Kinshasa and has not yet been given access to
Minister of Justice and Human Rights
appropriate treatment for his serious injuries.
Mr Mutombo Bakafwa Nsenda
Ministre de la Justice et Droits Humains I urge you to grant Colonel Ndokayi immediate access to ad-
Ministère de la Justice equate medical care and to launch a thorough and indepen-
228 Avenue de Lemera dent investigation into his reported torture and ill-treatment
BP 3137 in order to bring those responsible to justice.
Kinshasa-Gombe,
REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO I am particularly concerned that Colonel Ndokayi has never
(DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO) been brought before a judicial authority and has been denied
Email min_droitshumains@yahoo.fr the right to challenge the legality of his arrest and detention.
Salutation Cher ministre / Dear Minister I call on you to give Colonel Ndokayi a fair trial in accor-
dance with international standards or free him immediately.
SEND COPIES TO
Ambassador Faida Mitifu Thank you for giving this important matter your attention. I
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo look forward to hearing from you.
1800 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20009

Human rights activist attacked in Russia

April 1, 2009
A prominent Russian human rights activist who has long
been critical of the government was assaulted near his Mos-
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cow home on Tuesday. Amnesty International has called on

the Russian authorities to fully investigate the incident and
bring those responsible to justice.
Lev Ponomarev, 67, was attacked by three men late on 31
March, according to For Human Rights, the non-governmen-
tal organization that he heads. He was thrown to the ground
and kicked and beaten.
“Far too many abuses against human rights and civil society
activists, lawyers and journalists have gone unpunished and
perpetrators believe they can act with total impunity,” said
Nicola Duckworth, Europe and Central Asia Program Director. »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter April 2009 Pg 6
“President Dmitry Medvedev and the Russian government
must speak out clearly against the increasing climate of intol-
erance towards human rights defenders and send a message
that such abuses, whether by private individuals or by state
officials, will not be tolerated.
“The continuing silence in view of the many recent threats and
attacks will be equivalent to condoning such crimes.”
Lev Ponomarev has been speaking out against a wide range of
human rights violations in the Russian Federation for decades.
More recently, he has been very critical of the authorities’
handling of the case of the oil company Yukos. A new trial of
former head of Yukos, Mikhail Khodorkovskii, and his associ-
ate, Platon Lebedev, started on 3 March in Moscow.
Just prior to the attack, Lev Ponomarev had met with Sabine
Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, the Rapporteur of the Parlia-
AIUSA group 48 Newsletter April 2009
mentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, regarding allega-
tions of politically-motivated abuses of the criminal justice
system in connection with this trial.
Lev Ponomarev has also criticized the Russian penal system
repeatedly. At a press conference in June 2008, during which
he described ill-treatment of detainees in penal colonies, he
was attacked by a group of young people, allegedly acting on
behalf of a Russian parliamentarian.
The young men threw eggs at Lev Ponomarev and another
human rights defender, Ludmilla Alekseeva, the head of the
Moscow Helsinki Group.
At the end of 2008, Lev Ponomarev told his family that he
believed he was under surveillance.
Postage