women in london

June’s issue contains a number of reports including:

This month we’re focusing on Colombia, with three actions in support of women human rights defenders who have been attacked and threatened in an attempt to stop them carrying out their vital work.

The internal armed conflict in Colombia which began more than 40 years ago, has led to the systematic violation of human rights and international humanitarian law by the warring parties. Those implicated in human rights violations and abuses, especially high-ranking military officers and paramilitary and guerrilla leaders, have enjoyed almost total impunity and have rarely been brought to justice.

Please join us this month in support of Colombian women and don’t forget to visit our website for regular updates.

Take Action:

Colombia: Human rights defenders at risk Paramilitaries have threatened to kill members of seven human rights organisations and trade unions. Send a letter

Colombia: Threat against indigenous rights organisation Aída Quilcué, leader of an indigenous organisation, received a death threat against her 12-year-old daughter on 11 May. Her husband was fatally injured in December 2008. Take action

Colombia: Protect the rights of women in conflict situations UN Resolution 1325, which was made to protect the human rights of women and girls in conflict related situations, is desperately needed in Colombia Take action

Iran: Death Penalty/Stoning 7 women and 2 men have been sentenced to be stoned to death for the “crime” of “adultery while being married”. Take action

Events

Iranian summer – Human Rights Action Centre (24 June – 26 August)

Five films about women in Iran will be screening in a unique summer season, starting with the Stoning of Soraya M on 24 June. WAN will be presenting The Circle on 26 August with a discussion and Q&A.

Book launch – Human Rights Action Centre (1 July)

Comedian Shappi Khorsandi will be reading extracts from her new book about her childhood as a new arrival in England, and take questions from the audience.

For more about WAN see their directory listing at: wan.htm