Call for release of detainees worldwide
A group of Amnesty International activists spent Sunday writing letters calling for the release of political detainees.
|||Durban - A group of six Amnesty International activists spent a rainy day on Sunday writing to presidents and ministers around the world, calling for the release of political detainees, journalists and student protesters.
The activists, from the Durban branch of Amnesty International, were writing the letters to authorities in the USA, Uzbekistan, Greece, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma, Malaysia, El Salvador, Syria and Mexico.
In Malaysia, cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, better known as “Zunar”, was arrested 16 years ago for committing “anti-State affairs” and not given a fair trial.
In a letter to prime minister Najib Razak, the activists said: “Drop all charges against Zunar. Zunar was only peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. We urge you to ensure Zunar and those working with him are not subjected to any form of restrictions or harassment in connection to their peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression”.
The group called on the attorney-general of the state of Louisiana in the USA to release Albert Woodfox, who had been placed under solitary confinement for more than 41 years.
“It must ensure only prisoners who are a severe, continuing threat, whose behaviour cannot be managed in less restrictive settings, are held in these units,” they wrote.
Woodfox was arrested in the 1970s for stabbing a man to death and is the last member of the “Angola 3” still being held.
Turning to the DRC, the group called for the release of opposition party members and those arrested for their political views in a letter to President Joseph Kabila.
Daily News
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