Urgent action for human rights in the
Congo! On August 31st, Sigrid Johnson was appointed Canada's
new Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). KAIROS
is asking for your help to encourage the new Ambassador to support
political processes in the DRC that include further democratic
development and a commitment to the rule of law.
Break in at KAIROS’ Colombian
partner JUSTAPAZ - Sensitive human rights documentation stolen;
staff and network at risk (27 June 2007) KAIROS is extremely
concerned about the security and safety of our Colombian church
partner, Justapaz, following an apparently politically motivated
robbery in the early morning of Thursday, June 14, 2007. Two computers
were stolen; these contain information on highly sensitive human
rights cases including the database from a significant project
documenting the threats, attacks, and killings of Christian leaders
at the hands of both paramilitary and rebel armed groups.
Canada Must Adopt Recommendations
to Regulate Mining Companies Overseas (28 May 2007) This year,
the KAIROS campaign has focussed on the creation of binding legislation
to ensure that Canadian companies --particularly in the mining
and oil and gas sectors-- respect the environment and uphold human
rights and community consensus when operating overseas. Currently,
a group of KAIROS partners from Africa, Asia and Latin America
is in Ottawa to speak with MPs and government officials about
the urgent need for such legislation.
2006 Actions
Tell Canada to
stop voting against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples (7 December 2006)
For the second time in six months Canada has ignored the majority
of parliamentarians, Aboriginal peoples and human rights advocates,
and voted against an international human rights instrument designed
to promote and protect Indigenous peoples’ rights. Make
your voice heard!
Update on the situation in
Gaza and the West Bank (July 21, 2006) We thank those who
contacted their MP on this urgent situation, and ask everyone
to consider taking a moment to phone or send a letter to their
MPs and to Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay, informing
him of your concerns related to the alarming developments in the
Middle East. Please remind him that it is now more urgent than
ever for the Canadian government to re-state Canada’s commitment
to a negotiated settlement to the Israel-Palestinian conflict
and the upholding and defending of international law.
A Call from our partners to press
for diplomatic solution to the current crisis in Palestine and
Israel (30 June 2006) We just received the following update
on the current crisis in Gaza from the Department of Services
to Palestinian Refugees, a long-time KAIROS partner in the West
Bank and Gaza. DSPR partners the world over are urged to press
their governments to push for a diplomatic solution to resolve
this episode of violence. A diplomatic solution would spare the
life of the kidnapped Israeli soldier and countless civilian lives.
It would also preserve what is left of the Palestinian infrastructure.
Concern about the use of excessive
force against striking teachers in Oaxaca, Mexico. (28 June
2006) KAIROS is extremely concerned about the use of excessive
force by police against striking teachers in Oaxaca, Mexico. Teachers
continue to occupy the central square in Oaxaca, demanding better
wages and working conditions. We fear an escalation in police
violence and human rights abuses. Take action now to help prevent
this.
Support the Mexican community
of Cerro de San Pedro in their struggle against a Canadian-run
mine (28 April 2006) The Mexican community of Cerro de San
Pedro has been struggling for ten years to stop an open-pit cyanide-leach
gold mine owned by Canadian company Metallica Resources Inc. Mexican
courts have ruled in favour of this UNESCO World Heritage- nominated
community, located in a fragile semi-desert. Yet the mining operation
continues, and so community members have been forced to peacefully
block mining equipment. However, they were met with a violent
response.
2005 Actions
Help stop the killing
of human rights defenders in the Philippines. (25 October
2005) Philippine partners are appealing to global partners like
KAIROS to help convince the government of the Philippines to stop
the senseless killings of church people, human rights advocates,
journalists, and political activists. Almost 100 activists, religious
leaders, human rights defenders and trade union leaders have been
killed since the beginning of this year. KAIROS partners believe
that the military is responsible for these atrocities.
Join
the call for debt cancellation NOW! (April 2005): Tell the
Prime Minister AGAIN to push for debt cancellation at July’s
G8 Summit. Debt is killing people—see the accompanying story
from Zambia.
Aceh urgent action: After the tsunami:
Peace, human rights and effective aid needed in Aceh, Indonesia
(20 January 2005): Indonesia’s northernmost province of
Aceh was the area hardest hit by the earthquake and resulting
tsunamis of December 26. Yet Aceh was already facing a crisis
before the tsunami hit. Thousands of civilians have been killed
and many others tortured, abducted, and displaced in a long-running
military suppression of a separatist group.
Protester shot dead at mine
site on indigenous land, Guatemala (January 2005) For over
40 days, local communities in Guatemala have been resisting the
Canadian/US Glamis Gold Mining Company. On January 8th Guatemalan
authorities indicated that they were prepared to call in the military
to get the mining equipment past protesters.
Sanctuary is not
the problem: Appeal process for refugees needed (3 August
2004): Immigration Minister Judy Sgro’s recent statement
that the churches should cease offering sanctuary to refused refugee
claimants has caused great concern amongst the churches and civil
society. The problem is not sanctuary, but flaws in the refugee
determination system, especially the government’s continued
failure to implement the appeal process.
Urgent Appeal for Action on conflict
in Darfur, Sudan (May 2004): Given the increasing level of
violence in Sudan, and the fear of more killings unless something
is done, KAIROS is issuing this appeal for Canadian officials
to act. Please consider sending a letter to your Member of Parliament,
with copies to Prime Minister Paul Martin.
Appeal
to prevent the adoption of Bill C-7, the Public Safety Act
(March 2004): In response to the tragic events of September 11,
2001, the Government of Canada quickly introduced anti-terrorism
legislation as part of its “security agenda”. In December
of 2001, Bill C-36 (The Anti-Terrorism Act) was adopted, which
later proved to threaten civil liberties, decrease privacy, and
justify the targeting of Arabs and Muslims as “terrorists”.
Canada negotiating Central American
free trade deal in secret: During the week of February 16-20
2004, Canadian trade negotiators will continue to hammer out a
free trade agreement with several Central American nations. They
will do this in effective secrecy.
Colombian Partner Ricardo Esquivia
(January 2004): KAIROS is gravely concerned about the imminent
threat to the freedom and human rights of our partner Ricardo
Esquivia Ballestas, a church leader, pacifist and social activist
well known both in Colombia and here in Canada.
2003 Archived Actions
Abduction and Murder of Esperanza
Amaris Miranda, Colombia (23 October 2003): KAIROS is seriously
concerned for the safety of the members of our partner, the Organización
Femenina Popular (OFP), Popular Women's Organization, following
the murder of one of its members in the city of Barrancabermeja,
Santander department. For background on the OFP, please see the
urgent action of Feb 11, 2003
KAIROS Partner Detained
in Aceh, Indonesia (7 July 2003): On June 19, Nuraini, volunteer
coordinator of KAIROS' partner organisation KONTRAS Aceh, was
arrested, beaten, and imprisoned for several days.
Kimy Pernia: Presente!
(5 June 2003): June 2 marked the second anniversary of the forced
disappearance of Kimy Pernia, a highly respected indigenous leader
from Colombia.
Refugees in Canada Need
Your Support - Act Now! (21 February 2003): The lack of an
appeal process in Canada’s refugee determination system
has been consistently identified by Canadian refugee rights groups
as a serious flaw in the system that puts refugees at risk.
Support the Popular Women’s
Organization of Colombia! (11 February 2003): KAIROS is gravely
concerned about new threats directed against members of the Popular
Women’s Organization (OFP), a key partner of both the human
rights and global partnerships programs of KAIROS.
El Salvador Health
Care Workers Threatened (28 January 2003): KAIROS is deeply
concerned about death threats made against striking doctors and
health care workers in El Salvador. The strike, which has been
ongoing since September 19 of last year, aims to block government
efforts to privatize health care in El Salvador.
2002 Archived Actions
International Human Rights
Day Actions (10 December 2002): KAIROS invites all of its
members and supporters to mark this year's International Human
Rights Day (December 10th) by sending a message of concern to
authorities in various parts of the world about urgent human rights
situations which require action:
Climate Change Action Alert
(26 November 2002): In September, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
announced that Parliament would vote on ratification of the Kyoto
Protocol by the end of 2002.
Delay of Refugee Appeal
Process Puts Lives at Risk (7 May 2002): In a surprise move,
the Minister of Immigration, Denis Coderre, announced that he
intends to delay the implementation of the long awaited and long
overdue right to appeal a negative refugee decision.
Don't Cut and Run... Eliminate
Sweatshop Abuses in Lesotho (6 March 2002: KAIROS is extremely
concerned over the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) lack of interest
in investigating documented labour rights abuses at an HBC supply
factory in Lesotho.
Digna Ochoa Assassinated
in Mexico (29 October 2001): It is with immense sadness and
indignation that KAIROS learned of the assassination of Mexican
human rights lawyer Digna Ochoa y Plácido at her office
in Mexico City on Friday, October 19, 2001.
East Timor - A New Country
Burdened by the Past (30 August 2001): The international community
has allowed Indonesia the opportunity to try those responsible
for the human rights abuses in East Timor. Two years later, no
one has been brought to trial. As was the case throughout 24 years
of Indonesian occupation, East Timor is again denied justice...
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