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Posts Tagged ‘Human Rights’

Message of thanks from Kiana Firouz

June 18th, 2010

Kiana Firouz has been granted aslyum! The 27-year old actress and lesbian activist was facing deportation back to Iran, where she would have been at risk of torture and death due to her sexuality. 1,942 of us wrote to Theresa May telling her that this must be stopped.

We have shown that we can make change happen when we work together. Here is a message from Kiana thanking everyone who helped make sure she could stay in safety in the UK:

Dear All,

I would like to thank you for all of your support, comments and messages. Your support and your kind letters create enormous hope and courage for all of those who are discriminated for their beliefs and sexual orientation in Iran and all over the world.

I am just an example of an Iranian lesbian who has suffered from injustice and discrimination in a religious country. There are thousands of Iranian LGBT who are suffering and getting tortured by their families and the society for their sexual orientation inside Iran. I also believe that those who are outside of Iran are facing so many difficulties as well.

I hope this opens further opportunity and movement towards an open society in Iran for everyone, regardless of their sexual preferences. I also hope to see a day that the injustices, torture and death penalties that homosexuals face in Iran are stopped.

Kind regards,
Kiana Firouz

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Kiana Firouz granted leave to remain!

June 16th, 2010

Those of us who wrote to Theresa May about Kiana Firouz’s case should start celebrating, as she has just found out she can remain in safety in the UK! This shows what a difference people-power can make!

The 27-year old actress and lesbian activist faced deportation back to Iran, where she would have been at risk of torture and death as a result of her sexuality. 1,942 of us wrote to Theresa May telling her that this must be stopped.

Together we have shown that we will not sit back in cases like this where asylum seekers are at risk because of their sexuality.

38 Degrees has also teamed up with Still Human, Still Here to tell the government to give asylum seekers permission to work. Please get involved here: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/Permission-To-Work

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Sudan 365: update

January 25th, 2010

In early January, 38 Degrees members joined in with ‘Speak up for Sudan’ to tell the Government to protect civilians in Sudan.
With only one year left until a referendum that will shape the future of Africa’s largest country there is a real opportunity to help the people of Sudan build a peaceful and more prosperous future, in which basic human rights are guaranteed. But without adequate preparation, the upcoming national elections and referendum could re-ignite conflict between the north and the south of the country. To the west of the country, the humanitarian situation in Darfur remains bad.
By the end of last week, hundreds of people had sent letters and e-mails to their MPs. The Beat for Peace video has been watched over 100,000 times and several campaigners have uploaded their own responses. Drumming protesters also gathered outside Downing Street to send a message to the Prime Minister about Sudan.
The government have responded to building pressure on Sudan, announcing £54 million aid package for Sudan on 6th January. Gordon Brown also issued a statement urging everyone in Sudan to increase their efforts to secure a peaceful future. He said that the international community would support Sudan’s leaders to ensure that peace and not conflict would be Sudan’s future.
We’re planning to keep up the pressure for the UK government to play its part in protecting human rights and promoting peace in Sudan and around the world.In early January, 38 Degrees members joined in with ‘Speak up for Sudan’ to tell the Government to protect civilians in Sudan.

In early January, 38 Degrees members joined in with ‘Speak up for Sudan’ to tell the Government to protect civilians in Sudan.

With only one year left until a referendum that will shape the future of Africa’s largest country there is a real opportunity to help the people of Sudan build a peaceful and more prosperous future, in which basic human rights are guaranteed. But without adequate preparation, the upcoming national elections and referendum could re-ignite conflict between the north and the south of the country. To the west of the country, the humanitarian situation in Darfur remains bad.

By the end of last week, hundreds of people had sent letters and e-mails to their MPs. The Beat for Peace video has been watched over 100,000 times and several campaigners have uploaded their own responses. Drumming protesters also gathered outside Downing Street to send a message to the Prime Minister about Sudan.

The government have responded to building pressure on Sudan, announcing £54 million aid package for Sudan on 6th January. Gordon Brown also issued a statement urging everyone in Sudan to increase their efforts to secure a peaceful future. He said that the international community would support Sudan’s leaders to ensure that peace and not conflict would be Sudan’s future.

We’re planning to keep up the pressure for the UK government to play its part in protecting human rights and promoting peace in Sudan and around the world.

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What should we do in 2010?

December 22nd, 2009

A seasonal postbox

A seasonal postbox

It’s been quite a year. I’ve been so inspired to see so many people getting involved with 38 Degrees since we launched in June. In the last 6 months 60,000 of us have taken action a huge 177,695 times. It’s fantastic to see that people right across the country have joined in our movement – see our action map here

We’ve been working hard on issues from climate change to cleaning up politics, from tackling poverty and sticking up for public services to speaking up for human rights and civil liberties.

But this is just the beginning. What do you think we should be working on next year? How do you think we should campaign in the election? Are there issues you really think we should campaign on? Let us know in the comments below.

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