You're helping keep people safe in Turkey

I got this from Amnesty International:

You're helping keep people safe in Turkey

	THANK YOU
	Peaceful protesters in Taksim Square. Photo credit Anna Shea. Read eyewitness account from Istanbul as the news broke by Amnesty Canada's Legal Coordinator Anna Shea
	Your support helps Amnesty to: Protect protesters from excessive use of force by police Stand up for the rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expressionin Turkey and around the world Insist on prompt, independent and impartial investigations into excessive use of police force Call world attention to wrongful detention of protesters. Continue to help change the world, now and for years to come. Make a contribution now to help Amnesty make a stand for human rights Or call 1-800-AMNESTY (1-800-266-3789)

Dear Tracy,

Thanks to people like you, Turkey knows that the world is watching, when tear gas and water cannons are pointed at their own citizens.

More than 10,000 Canadians like you and hundreds of thousands more Amnesty International supporters around the world have taken action to protect freedom of expression and ensure the safety of peaceful protesters.

Thank you for being a part of this timely and essential response!

But our work continues.

Since Turkey's security forces unleashed a disproportionate and unwarranted response to peaceful protests in Istanbul's Taksim Square two months ago, 4,900 protesters have been taken into custody, thousands more have been injured, and seven people – six protesters and a police officer – have been killed. 

There has been abusive treatment and prosecution of journalists covering the protests. 

At least four Turkish journalists have been arrested, two Canadian journalists, Derek Stoffel and Saša Petricic, were detained, and several photographers have had their photos forcibly deleted.

Authorities have also used tear gas and water cannons on cameramen. Fines and publication bans have been imposed upon media outlets for their coverage of the protests. Also of deep concern is Prime Minister Erdogan’s request that Facebook and Twitter hand over private user data to the government, as well as the arrests of 25 people detained on accusations of using social media to spread false information about the protests and police response.

These actions by the Turkish government violate the basic human right to free expression.

You are helping us communicate this directly to Turkish authorities overseas, as well as here in Canada through our direct communication to the Turkish Ambassador. You've helped us publish dozens of press release, video reports, blogs and public statements to call attention to specific human right violations commited by authorities in Turkey and to raise concerns about the safety and well-being of those detained following police actions.

Your support is helping us get at the truth by interviewing victims of police violence and the families of those detained, and by meeting with lawyers, journalists and officials.

With your help, next month we will publish a report that documents the use of abusive force including use of tear gas, water cannons and plastic bullets, police violence including beatings, arbitrary detentions and prosecutions, and repression against those publicizing and supporting and supporting the protests.

With your help, whenever governments like Turkey's abuse the fundamental rights of their own people, Amnesty International will be there to push back with a powerful showing of solidarity and defence of human rights.

Please consider making a contribution to this essential work, or joining as a regular sustaining supporter if you're not already.

Whether or not you're able to donate today, please accept my warmest gratitude for your willingness to speak out in a timely way.

My colleague, Anna Shea, who was in Istanbul by sheer chance when the violence unfolded in Taksim Square will tell you how feelings of dread and isolation can turn to hope when you learn that members of Amnesty International are paying attention and are speaking out to protect you from harm.

Thank you.

Sincerely,


Alex Neve
Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada
More than 30,000 Canadians choose to support Amnesty International as a sustaining monthly donor. It's during these moments of crisis that people at risk of human rights abuse rely so much on human rights supporters like you who are willing - and may be able - to back Amnesty's human rights work with regular, sustaining financial support. If you're not a sustaining financial supporter of Amnesty International, please make a decision today to join us.