embracing her daughters

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. James Picconatto, with the 148th Fighter Wing Security Forces, embraces his daughters in Duluth, Minn., May 13, 2010, following a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia. (DoD photo by Master Sgt. Jason W. Rolfe, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Iraqi Girl Scouts

Iraqi Girl Scouts learn about bugs from an entomologist in Baghdad, Iraq, May 8, 2010. The program is run by Iraqi special forces, U.S. service members and civilian volunteers who aim at teaching fundamental skills to Iraqi children. (DoD photo by Spc. Venessa Hernandez, U.S. Army/Released)

Another Letter from Amnesty to save Reggie

Missouri may have wrongfully executed someone at least once before1. And now Reggie Clemons stands to lose his life even though the case against him has uncovered more questions than answers. Demand justice in the case of Reggie Clemons - don't let him be executed!

Dear Rector, In April 1991 in St. Louis, Missouri, two young white women plunged from a bridge into the Mississippi River. Three African American youths, who may well be innocent, are paying for the crime - all sentenced to death. One man has been executed, one had his sentence reduced to life imprisonment and the third, Reggie Clemons, sits on death row right now, at risk of execution. The case against Reggie is one with no physical evidence, two highly questionable witnesses - both of whom were initially charged with the crime - and a trail of alleged police coercion, misconduct from lawyers on both sides of the case, and racial inequities so sharp that a growing number of human and civil rights supporters, including actor, Danny Glover2, are taking notice and calling for immediate justice. Help us stop the injustice and stop the execution of Reggie Clemons.  Earlier this week, we released an unflinching, new report3 that exposes the long list of the errors and gaping holes in Reggie's case. At the beginning of the list is the alleged police brutality against Reggie and other suspects during interrogation that resulted in a lawsuit and $150,000 settlement, but was not enough to halt criminal proceedings. Reggie's trial was just as flawed. The brazen conduct of an overzealous prosecutor, all too common in death penalty cases which are highly politicized, raised a number of red flags. Four federal judges even agreed that the prosecutor's conduct was "abusive and boorish". Furthermore, Reggie's own lawyer was later suspended from practicing law following numerous complaints. His co-counsel had a full-time job in another state when she represented Reggie. If that wasn't enough, our report also uncovers the "stacked" jury, which did not come close to representing the racial composition of St. Louis - blacks were disproportionately dismissed during jury selection. When you add up all of these factors, you begin to see how outrageous it is that Reggie is still sitting on death row after 17 years. Tell Missouri's Governor to stop the injustice and stop the execution of Reggie Clemons. Reggie's case contains an overwhelming number of factors commonly found in cases of wrongful conviction, where people who once sat on death row were later set free because they were found to be innocent: Inadequate legal representation Police and prosecutorial misconduct Perjured testimony Racial bias In many ways, it is also reminiscent of the Troy Davis case - a man trapped on death row despite the fact that the case against him has completely fallen apart. Just as our support has made all the difference in the world for Troy - most recently helping to grant him a new hearing4, where he will finally be able to present evidence that may prove his innocence - we can generate the same momentum for Reggie, but we must act quickly. Send an email to Missouri's Governor and demand that he stop the execution of Reggie Clemons before it is too late. Thank you for taking action to protect human rights. Brian Evans Death Penalty Abolition Campaign Amnesty International USA  Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter

A small pollution containment chamber

A small pollution containment chamber, known as the "top hat," is lowered into the Gulf of Mexico May 11, 2010, by the motor vessel Viking Poseidon. The chamber is being used in an attempt to contain the oil spill caused by the explosion of the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon. (DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Kelley, U.S. Coast Guard/Released)

Amnesty International Urges Saudi King to Halt Execution of Sudanese Man Sentenced for "Sorcery"

New York : Amnesty International today called on King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to intervene to halt the possibly imminent execution of a Sudanese man who was given the death sentence for “sorcery."

Abdul Hamid Bin Hussain Bin Moustafa al-Fakki, who was sentenced to death by a Madina court on March 27, 2007, was accused of producing a spell that would lead to the reconciliation of his client’s divorced parents. The "spell" involved nine pieces of paper with codes written on them with saffron.
Very little is known about his trial proceedings as they were held in secret. It is also not known if his execution has been scheduled, but it is considered likely to be imminent, given the time that has elapsed.

“Abdul Hamid al-Fakki appears to have been convicted solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and religion,” said Philip Luther, deputy director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa program.

“We are calling on King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia not to let this or other executions go ahead.”

Abdul Hamid Bin Hussain Bin Moustafa al-Fakki was arrested on December 8, 2005 in the city of Madina by the Mutawa’een (religious police).  He was accused of practicing sorcery after being entrapped by the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV).

It is not clear why the authorities targeted him. A man working for the CPVPV approached Abdul Hamid and asked him to produce a spell that would lead to the man’s father separating from his second wife and returning to his first wife, the man’s mother.

Abdul Hamid apparently accepted to do this in exchange for 6,000 Saudi Arabian riyals (approximately US $1,600).

He delivered his work, consisting of nine pieces of paper with codes written on them with saffron, and was promptly arrested, questioned and beaten.
Background

The crime of “sorcery” is not defined in Saudi Arabian law but has been used to punish people for the legitimate exercise of their human rights, including the rights to freedom of conscience, religion, belief and expression.

The Saudi Arabian authorities arrested scores of people for “sorcery” in 2009, and have arrested over 20 more this year. Often arrests are carried out by the Mutawa’een, which uses entrapment to secure charges not only of “sorcery” but also of other offenses such as khilwa (being in the company of members of the opposite sex who are not close relatives).

The last known execution for “sorcery” was that of Egyptian national Mustafa Ibrahim, on November 2, 2007. Saudi Arabia applies the death penalty for a wide range of offenses, including some with no deadly consequences, such as sorcery. Court proceedings fall far short of international standards for fair trial.  Defendants are rarely allowed formal representation by a lawyer, and in many cases are not informed of the progress of legal proceedings against them.

They may be convicted solely on the basis of confessions obtained under duress or deception. Prisoners in Saudi Arabia may be put to death without a scheduled date for execution being made known to them or their families. Since the beginning of 2010, at least 11 people have been executed. 

President Hamid Karzai & Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, left, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton address attendees in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the State Department in Washington, D.C., May 11, 2010, during a conference concerning Afghanistan. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy/Released)

Listening the Heartbeat

Nicolas Gonzalez, a Uruguayan soldier assigned to the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti, listens to an infant's heartbeat during a medical readiness training exercise in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 12, 2010. Uruguayan soldiers are assisting U.S. Navy personnel and Haitian doctors in providing Haitian residents with immediate, basic health care. Patients will be offered health care from doctors, dentists and optometrists during the 10-day exercise :DoD photo by Pvt.Samantha D.Hall,U.S.Army/Released

Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training

U.S. Marines from the landing force participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei 2010 get into position on Binturan Beach in Brunei May 7, 2010, as the Bruneian air force provides air support during an amphibious landing exercise. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and to enhance force readiness. (DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Kowshon Ye, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

Clean up their neighborhoods

 U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky., help residents in Clarksville, Tenn., clean up their neighborhoods May 7, 2010, after several storms caused severe flooding in the area. (DoD photo by Troy Langenburg, U.S. Army/Released)

An Iraqi soldier kisses a student

An Iraqi soldier kisses a student on her cake-covered cheek during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a school in Nasiriyah, Iraq, May 3, 2010. U.S. Soldiers from Bravo Troop, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armor Division attended the ceremony along with members of the Rashaad Sub-district Council. The school will support five villages and house more than 75 students. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew D. Leistikow, U.S. Navy/Released)

Dismounted patrol

U.S. Soldiers conduct a dismounted patrol to a mosque in the village of Bidak in Logar, Afghanistan, May 9, 2010. The Soldiers, who are assigned to the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, are visiting the village to conduct security checks. (DoD photo by Spc. De'Yonte Mosley, U.S. Army/Released)

Spirit

Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Pollock II, second from left, passes the basketball to Air Force Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro, right, during practice at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 10, 2010. Pollock and Del Toro are members of the Air Force team participating in the inaugural Warrior Games. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios

A father and daughter cheer

Army Staff Sgt. Omar Riojas, a medic stationed at Fort Carson, Colo., and his 4-year-old daughter, Nevaeh, cheer on some 200 wounded warriors and disabled veterans during the opening ceremony of the inaugural Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 10, 2010. The Warrior Game athletes are competing in paralympic-style events May 10-14. Riojas is a volunteer who works with Army athletes. 






DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden 

A mother and daughter cheer

A mother and daughter cheer on some 200 competitors at the opening ceremony of the inaugural Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 10, 2010. Wounded warriors and disabled veterans are competing in Paralympic-style events May 10-14. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden 

We’re back, again--People's World

Dear Rector,

 

As you probably noticed, the People's World website was unavailable since last Wednesday, due to circumstances beyond our control. Verizon, which apparently has a monopoly on Internet lines in our area, has been doing work in the neighborhood and in the process accidentally cut off Internet access for a number of users, including us. Unfortunately, it took a while for them to get the problem corrected.

 

So much for the superior know-how and efficiency of the private sector! And we don't mean the Verizon workers, our union brothers and sisters. This is obviously a management problem.

 

Over the last several days we met with Verizon representatives and pressed them to get the problem corrected. We also contacted some public officials, and had mapped plans for more of that. Rest assured, we will be keeping a close eye on this situation, and we're also going to be working to prevent such disruptions in the future.

 

And one big plus has been our People's World Facebook page. While we were battling to get our website back up, we were also able to post many of our latest stories on our Facebook page, and many of our readers took advantage of our invitation to visit the page - you do not have to be a Facebook member to read our stories there.

 

(If you are a Facebook member, going forward, if you are not yet a fan of People's World, you may want to join our more than 1,800 fans, so you can get all our stories delivered in your news feed - it's a handy way to keep up.)

 

We are glad to be back online, and thank you for your patience and support.

 

Now, on to the news of the day!

 

Fraternity of Martin Luther King Jr. to boycott Arizona
by: Pepe Lozano 

Celebrating the end of World War II in Russia

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. John M. Bird, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, and Capt. Rudy Lupton, commanding officer of USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), carry flowers to lay at the Battle Glory of the Russian Federation Pacific Fleet Memorial in Vladivostok, Russia, May 8, 2010. The two officers are participating in ceremonies as part of the celebration of the 65th anniversary of Victory Day, a Russian national holiday celebrating the end of World War II. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cynthia Griggs, U.S. Navy/Released)

A photo from Russia

U.S. Navy Logistics Specialist Seaman Sergio Torres, a Sailor aboard the 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), draws pictures with a child at the Vladivostok children's cancer ward in Vladivostok, Russia, May 7, 2010. Blue Ridge Sailors will be engaged in a number of community outreach events in Vladivostok and will march with members of the Russian military during a parade to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Victory Day, a national holiday in Russia. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brian A. Stone, U.S. Navy/Released)

Eating bread with Afghan boys

U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, left, the commander of U.S. Central Command, eats bread with Afghan boys outside a bakery in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, April 30, 2010. Petraeus is touring the area with Gen. Stanley McCrystal, the commander of International Security Assistance Force, Maj. Gen. Nick Carter, the commander of Regional Command - South, and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Lorie Jewell, U.S. Army/Released)

Pollution containment chamber

Crewmen aboard the motor vessel Joe Griffith guide a pollution containment chamber onto the deck as the ship prepares to depart Wild Well Control’s facilities in Port Fourchon, La., May 5, 2010. The chamber is designed to cap the oil discharge that was released following the explosion of the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon April 20, 2010. Wild Well Control is a company that provides oil-well disaster relief and related engineering services. 








(DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Kelley, U.S. Coast Guard/Released)