Srilanka

Crisis In Sri Lanka, Crackdown In Iran, Recovery In The Congo Headline Amnesty International Winter 06 Magazine

Experts to Discuss These and Other Human Rights Topics at Media Breakfast Briefing
12/5/2006 11:22:00 AM

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor

Contact: Amnesty Interntaional USA Press Office, 202-544-0200 ext. 302

News Advisory:
Though Iraq, Darfur and the Israel-Palestinian conflict rightfully garner much attention, numerous crises are occurring while generating much less notice. Amnesty International (AIUSA) features three such countries -- Sri Lanka, Iran and the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- in the just-released Winter 06 Amnesty International magazine and they will be the focus of a breakfast briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. at the National Press Club.

Zahir Janmohamed, AIUSA advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa, will discuss topics raised in the exclusive AI magazine interview with Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi, including the bleak human rights situation in Iran and a vibrant underground movement for reform. He will cover other Iranian human rights abuses, such as the increase in executions and the persecution of religious minorities. Mona Dave, AIUSA advocacy associate, will address the escalating pattern of killings and reprisal killings in Sri Lanka, following the virtual breakdown of the cease-fire agreement between the government and rebel separatists. The magazine's cover story examines a "killing match" that has claimed thousands of lives in recent months and displaced hundreds of thousands more -- yet garnered little international attention. Lynn Fredriksson, AIUSA advocacy director for Africa, will address efforts of the Congolese to rebuild their lives and their communities -- as well as international efforts to assist them -- after a devastating war that claimed an estimated 4 million lives in four years.

WHO: Amnesty International Experts on Iran, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sri Lanka

WHAT: Media Briefing

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m.

WHERE: Zenger Room, National Press Club
For an advance copy of the Winter 06 issue of Amnesty International magazine or to R.S.V.P. for the briefing, contact Clay Westrope at AIUSA, 202-544-0200 ext. 312 or cwestrope@aiusa.org.

USnewswire