Archives: Endorsements

“50 Years of IRRI is Enough!” statement

Endorsed  the   “50 Years of IRRI is Enough!” statement; initiated by the Asian Peasant Coalition (APC).

As IRRI will celebrate its 50th anniversary, hunger increases worldwide and that another rice crisis would be possible. IRRI played a critical role in the so-called development and expansion of a model of agriculture yet farmer’s remains poor and further suffers at the expense of transnational corporations (TNCs) reaping for big profits. After 50 years of IRRI, with great poverty and food crisis as rampant as ever in Asia , IRRI failed its promise “to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure that rice production is environmentally sustainable”. APC appeals to the farmers and farmer’s advocates across the globe to support their call, “Enough of IRRI and Enough of its Imperialist control in Asian agriculture!!’

11 July 2009

•             December 2008:

a)            Signed the “Climate: stop the Europe meltdown” petition. While the world’s attention is elsewhere, the global negotiations to tackle the climate crisis are reaching a crunch point. A bold EU climate package is critical to the global climate negotiations. Europe must honour their promise to increase binding, carbon-cutting commitments to at least 30% by 2020 if a global deal is reached; and provide leadership in the United Nations talks to deliver a powerful new global agreement. December 5, 2008.

b)            Endorsed the “All Pakistan Trade Union Federation (APTUF)” Appeal. This appeal states that the people of all over Pakistan are able to peacefully overcome the problems they confront but a prerequisite is the end of all foreign intervention in the affairs of Pakistan, and of all military aggression. To overcome the problems, the people of Pakistan need peace. That is why the APTUF congress, convinced that it is acting as a responsible trade union for the good of its members, of the working class, launch this solemn appeal addressed to all.Peace in Pakistan! No foreign intervention! The workers of Pakistan need and want peace. Peace needs the action of the working class. December 4, 2008.

•             October 2008:

a)            Signed the Beijing declaration. It is an initial response from individuals, social movements and non-governmental Organisations in support of a transitional programme for radical economic transformation. October 18, 2008

b)            Signed the “US Troops Out of Mindanao; Genuine Self-Determination for Moros Now” petition by STOP THE WAR! COALITION- PHILIPPINES. The United States’ involvement in the war in Mindanao can no longer be denied. This petition calls for immediate withdrawal of US troops from all of Mindanao and that no US troops be involved in any operations. Likewise the petition calls for the Philippine military to desist from further military offensives, that it immediately pulls out its troops from the region, and that it returns to the negotiating table. Furthermore, this petition opposes the arming of civilians by the Philippine government and demands the immediate disbandment of militias and private armies, 4 October 2008

•             September 2008:

a)            Signed the global petition urging Italy, France and Canada to keep their aid commitments to the poor. That week, world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. All focus was to be on a multi billion dollar bailouts of financial institutions and the real untold scandal — global poverty — risks being forgotten. France, Canada, and Italy were threatening to slash their development aid budgets and break their promise to assign a mere 0.7 % of national income to the world’s poorest. If these countries retract on commitments, others may follow. 25 September 2008

b)            Joined the International Anti Occupation Network in the “Le Feyt Declaration: Peace in Iraq is an option”. It’s an appeal to all peace loving people in the world to work to support the Iraqi people and its resistance. The future of peace, democracy and progress in Iraq, the region and the world depends on this, 16 September 2008.

c)            Signed the “Free Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Teresa Kok and Others Held Under the Internal Security Act” petition to Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, to act immediately to set free Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Teresa Kok who are were being held in detention without the right of due process under the Internal Security Act (ISA). The petition also called for the release of the HINDRAF Five and others imprisoned under the ISA, 15 September 2008

d)            Signed the “Reject The Draconian DNA Identification Bill 2008” petition to Y.B. Dato’ Seri Syed Hamid bin Syed Jaafar Albar, Minister of Home Affairs Malaysia. This bill gives excessive powers to the Malaysian police and the Minister of Home Affairs over the use of a person’s DNA in criminal offences. The Bill also violates the principles of natural justice and human rights. In fact, the Bill does not outline safeguards or measures in protecting the fundamental rights of people while in custody. There is a fear that DNA evidence can be manipulated for political purposes, 15 September 2008

•             August 2008:

a)            Joined the Global Handshake, bringing the world one person at a time closer to Beijing. A message of principled dialogue and friendship. As the Beijing Olympics begin, the world looks on with mixed emotions. This is a moment which should bring us closer together, and Chinese citizens deserve their excitement — but the Chinese government still has not opened meaningful dialogue on Tibet, or changed its stance on Burma, Darfur and other pressing issues. The handshake began in London, passed hand to hand by thousands — now the handshake has gone online, and is criss-crossing the globe on its way to Beijing. JUST joined the online handshake . All of us can join, Chinese and non-Chinese, and it comes with a promise: to hold ALL our governments accountable where they fall short, in Tibet, Iraq, Burma or beyond. The message is to be delivered before the closing ceremonies. 8 August 2008.

•             July 2008:

a)            Endorsed the Appeal for the Establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations, organized by the Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, 8 July 2008.

b)          Sent e-mail to US Senator Joseph Lieberman and Representatives Elliot Engel and Mark Pence, calling for them to cancel their upcoming speaking engagements with and dissociate themselves from the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and its founder, Pastor John Hagee, as a protest for the latter’s offensive preaching, which describe, among others, that Hitler did God’s work, that gays and lesbians caused Hurricane Katrina, that Roman Catholicism is a “false cult system”, that “those who live by the Qur’an have a scriptural mandate to kill Christians and Jews… it teaches that very clearly” as well as his advocacy for war with Iran and against a just settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace, Council on American-Islamic Relations and Just Foreign Policy, 12 July 2008.

•             June 2008:

a)            Sent letter to the Iraqi Embassy urging action against the decision of Iraqi Oil Minister to transfer 8 trade union activists from the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions (IFOU) from their workplaces to regions in Baghdad known for its worsening security situation and high level of sectarian killings, initiated by Naftana (UK Support Committee for the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions), 12 June 2008.

b)            Sent e-mail to the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation to endorse appeal to the next President of the United States, calling for US leadership for a nuclear-weapons free world, 21 June 2008.

c)            Signed the emergency campaign, “Save Zimbabwe from Mugabe”, calling for an emergency summit of Southern African countries to broker a legitimate government in Zimbabwe and end the campaign of terror that Robert Mugabe had unleashed, initiated by Avaaz.org, 26 June 2008.

•             May 2008:

a)            Sent letter to the Prime Minister of Malaysia to endorse petition calling for governments attending the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions (19-30 May 2008) in Dublin, Ireland, to negotiate and adopt a treaty to ban cluster bombs and provide all necessary assistance to affected communities and victims, initiated by Avaaz.org, 27 May 2008.

•             April 2008:

a)            Endorsed the letter of protest against the repression of Mahallah workers and the Egyptian democracy movement by the Mubarak regime in Egypt, following their demand for an increase to the minimum wage, 17 April 2008.

b)            Signed the petition, “Support Jimmy Carter: US Needs to Talk to Hamas”, to Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain, asking them to support former US President Jimmy Carter and support talks with Hamas, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and co-sponsored by A Just Foreign Policy, 18 April, 2008.

c)            Endorsed the signature campaign for the protection of the Madhu Shrine in Mannar, Sri Lanka, which is under serious military threat, 23 April 2008.

d)            Signed the petition, “The Conspiracy to Divide Bolivia Must Be Denounced” to express support for the government of Evo Morales Ayma, for his policies for change and for the sovereign constituent process of the Bolivian people, initiated by Support Bolivia, http://www.todosconbolivia.org, 29 April 2008.

•             March 2008:

a)            Endorsed the petition, “Provide Iraqi Refugees Humanitarian Aid” following reports by the BBC and other media that Iraqi refugees are suffering greatly in Syria. It was reported that girls were being exploited into prostitution in order to survive. The petition called for the UN Refugee Council to urgently address the plight of Iraqi refugees in Syria and to offer them immediate humanitarian assistance so that victims do not resort to desperate measures to survive. The petition was initiated by Mercy Mankind (www.mercymankind.org) and was signed on 1 March 2008.

b)            Signed the petition, “End the Siege of Gaza: Ceasefire Now”, calling on the international community to help end the blockade of Gaza and reach a ceasefire, initiated by Avaaz.org, March 4, 2008.

c)            Signed the petition, “Stand with Tibet – Support the Dalai Lama”, calling for China’s President Hu Jintao to engage in peaceful dialogue with the Dalai Lama in the wake of protests against the Chinese government in Tibet, initiated by Avaaz.org, March 28, 2008.

•             February 2008:

a)            Sent letter to Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, expressing deep concern over the communal violence that engulfed the district of Khandamal in Orissa since the eve of Christmas, in which the victims have been Christians, and calling for the protection of the rights of Christian minorities in Orissa, in particular; to protect the rights, lives and properties of Christians in Orissa; to provide immediate relief and adequate compensation to the victims as per ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) Article 2.3.1; and to ensure peace and harmony in the State so that people may live without fear and freely practice their faith, 1 February 2008.

b)            Sent letters to the Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Israel, urging them to authorize without further hindrance the entry into the Gaza Strip of the humanitarian goods carried in the convoy of Saturday, 26 January 2008, and held up near the Gaza Strip border ever since then, 2 February 2008.

c)            Endorsed Noam Chomsky’s Statement supporting the vigil on March 6 in support of victims of paramilitary violence and abuse in Colombia on behalf of JUST, organized by Colombian Support Network, 20 February 2008.

d)            Signed Appeal: To next President of the United States : US Leadership for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World, organized by the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF), 21 February 2008.

•             December 2007:

a)            Signed the petition, “Stop the Climate-wrecking at Bali”, initiated by Avaaz.org, 13 December 2007.

b)            Signed the petition, “Save the Climate: Virtual March on Bali” to participate in a virtual citizen’s “march” online, demanding national delegates at the UN’s Bali summit on climate change to work towards a new binding climate treaty, organized by Avaaz.org, 5 December 2007

•             November 2007:

a)            Signed the petition “End the Emergency in Pakistan”, calling on all nations to press General Musharraf to end martial law and hold elections on time, initiated by Avaaz.org, 7 November 2007.

b)            Sent letters to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, General Press Office of the Israeli Prime Minister and the President of Egypt (through the Embassy of Egypt in Kuala Lumpur) endorsing an appeal by 50 Israeli peace activists to the President of Egypt to open the Rafah Crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to facilitate the free movement of persons and goods, and thus break the blockade imposed by the Israeli government which has created a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, 7 November 2007.

•             August 2007:

a)            Signed the petition on ‘Taliban leaders: Free the Hostages’ initiated by Avaaz.org, 4 August 2007.

b)            Sent message for Sadako Peace Day 2007, 4 August 2007.

•             July 2007:

a)            Sent letter of concern to the Rector of Chulalongkorn University, Thailand regarding the disciplinary charges against the pro-democracy academic Associate Professor Giles Ji Ungpakorn, 2 July 2007.

b)            Signed the online petition opposing Tony Blair as Middle East Envoy, 3 July 2007.

c)            Issued a statement in support of Professor Norman Finkelstein and Professor Mehrene Larudee who have been denied tenure by DePaul University, USA, 6 July 2007.

d)            Sent letter of protest to the Editors of USA Today for failing to carry Ms. Alison Weir’s notice on a monumental factual error that the newspaper had committed in relation to the USS Liberty tragedy of 8 June 1967, 6 July 2007.

•             June 2007:

a)            Endorsed the statement about “freedom of faith” in Islam initiated by Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq from Upper Iowa University, USA, 5 June 2007.

b)            Endorsed an open letter requesting for re-opening investigations into the weapons utilized by the Israeli Defence Forces in the war in Lebanon and in the attack on Gaza (both in 2006), 14 June 2007.

•             May 2007:

a)            Signed the petition supporting the call from the Global Anti-War Movement opposing Nicolas Sarkozy as President of France, 1 May 2007.

b)            Signed the petition on “Standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people in 1948-Occupied Palestine”, 4 May 2007.

c)            Endorsed all peaceful activities undertaken by various groups all over the world on mass action in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, 9 May 2007.

d)            Signed the petition calling for justice from the US government for nuclear survivors in the Marshalls Islands, initiated by Rev. Kathryn Schreiber, 9 May 2007.

e)            Signed the petition on “Justice for Nuclear Survivors” received from petitions@earth.car2.com , 10 May 2007.

f)             Sent Letter of protest to all members of the United Nations Security Council criticizing them for the lack of responsibility shown on the occupation of Somalia by Ethiopian troops initiated by Citizens International, 21 May 2007.

g)            Endorsed the open letter to the Rolling Stones regarding their planned concert in Israel, initiated by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, 25 May 2007.

•             April 2007:

a)            Appealed to the King, the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Royal Thai Police to drop all charges of lese majeste against Sulak Sivaraksa before 5 May 2007- 7 April 2007.

b)            Supported the birth of the “Civil Society Times”, a Korean weekly – 13 April 2007.

c)            Endorsed ’98 to 98′ campaign in conjunction with 98 meeting in Germany in early June, 2007, organized by the Block 98 network.

d)            Signed the petition on “Sack Paul Wolfowitz” initiated by some individuals from the Avaaz team, 15 April 2007.

e)            Signed a declaration demanding the US government to charge Luis Posada Carriles, for all the crimes he had committed in Cuba and Venezuela or attend the request for his extradition to Venezuela, 18 April 2007.

f)             Sent a letter of protest to the Prime Minister of Japan for attempting to modify and revise Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution with the eventual aim of allowing the Japanese to play a more interventionist role in regional and global military conflicts, 20 April 2007.

g)            Endorsed the declaration in support of the 10 points demand of the workers through MTUC in conjunction with May Day celebration, 21 April 2007.

h)            Endorsed the “Hands off Iraqi Oil campaign” over the plan by oil companies, and the US and UK governments to secure long term control over Iraq’s oil, 25 April 2007.

•             March 2007:

a)            Supported an Appeal for Solidarity in the Fight for Freedom of Expression and Demonstration in South Korea requested by the Korean Action against Dispatch of Troops to Iraq – 6 March 2007.

b)            Endorsed the struggle of the Philippines people to defend human rights and to create a just and peaceful society called by Peace for Life, Philippines – 10 March 2007.

c)            Endorsed the Charter on Local Democracy and Governance for Local Authorities in Malaysia initiated by the All Petaling Jaya Pro-Action Committee (APPAC) – 15 March 2007.

d)            Endorsed the petition: Demand an Immediate International Criminal Tribunal for Israel! Requested by Creating A Sustainable Future (HR Team) – 16 March 2007.

e)            Endorsed A Protest March and Rally Against War and Injustice held in Italy on 17 March 2007

f)             Endorsed the “No Dal Molin” petition -against the new military base at dal Molin, Vicenza, Italy circulated by PetitionOnline.com – 21 March 2007.

g)            Signed the Petition to Demilitarise the World initiated by the Human Rights Team Creating a Sustainable Future (CASF) – 22 March 2007.

h)            Commended Hartford Courant for publishing an article by Bessy Reyna entitled ‘The Voice of a Martyr’, eulogizing Rachel Corrie who was killed by Israeli forces in Refah, Gaza in 2003 – 23 March 2007.

i)             Supported the Appeal from the International Conference for ‘Abandonment of US Hostile Policy Towards the DPR Korea’ held in Pyongyang on 17 February 2007 – 29 March 2007.

•             February 2007:

a)            Signed the petition on “Hanging the womb of Iraq: STOP THE EXECUTIONS!” (the imminent summary execution of three Iraqi women) initiated by a group of concerned individuals headed by Hana Albayaty – 17 February 2007.

b)            Signed the solidarity declaration for Franco Turigliatto initiated by Global Peace Movement – 27 February 2007.

c)            Signed the Peace Advertisement to get the American troops out of Iraq called by Rabbi Michael Lerner – 28 February 2007.

•             January 2007:

a)            Petition letter to the Prime Minister Malaysia on 3 January 2007: To stop the US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement discussion immediately.

b)            Signed endorsement on 11 January 2007: In solidarity with Avaaz.org Team in calling on the US Congress to block George Bush?s escalation in Iraq, and demand a real plan to end the war.

• December 2006:

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• February 2006:

• January 2006:

a) Endorsed appeal on Iran and Nuclear Weapons initiated by Mayors for Peace, Abolition ? 2000 Global Council, 14 January 2006.

•            16 JUST members endorsed the Global Call to Action against the Military Occupation of Iraq initiated by Nobel Peace and Literature Laureates, Cindy Sheehan and other peace and human-rights activists and religious leaders.

•             Joined appeal made by scores of other activists and intellectuals for the immediate release of the four peace activists from the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) kidnapped in Iraq on November 26 initiated by Project Solidarite Irak, 8 December 2005.

•             Endorsed the Kempen Tandatangan Pekerja Kilang & Kesatuan Sekerja Peringkat Nasional initiated by Gabungan Pekerja Kilang & Kesatuan Sekerja (GPKK) and Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT) on 13 October.

•             Endorsed the call for support for the Palestinian mass mobilization against Sharon’s presence at the UN initiated by Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign – outreach, 22 September 2005.

•             Supported the call for the abolition of Public Order and Prevention of Crime Ordinance 1969 (POPO) on 27 August 2005, initiated by Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM).

•             In solidarity with Ms Cindy Sheehan and the movement that has grown around her plea to the President of the United States to meet her face to face to explain why he went to war in Iraq, 20 August 2005. Request for endorsement from United for Peace & Justice.

•             Endorsed the 2005 International Commission of Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity Committed by the Bush Administration of the United States, 5 August 2005 initiated by Not in Our Name.

•             Endorsed the nomination of the Hibakusha/Hidankyo Organisation for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005, 2 July 2005.

•             Endorsed the call for ‘Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel’ initiated by Occupied Palestine and Golan Heights Advocacy Initiative (OPGAI) and Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), 21 June 2005;

•             Endorsed Joint NGO Statement on ‘Stop Water Privatization in Malaysia’, 10 June 2005;

•             Endorsed the Memorandum on Gender Discrimination against MAS Flight Stewardess, 8 June 2005;

•             Endorsed the call for the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Royal Malaysia Police, 8 June 2005;

•             Endorsed a letter initiated by 50 Years is Enough: US Network for Global Economic Justice on 25 May 2005 concerning the appointment of Dr Paul Wolfowitz, as the President of the World Bank.

•             Endorsed appeal against the deportation from Malaysia of a permanent resident of Indonesian origin, Abdul Mutalib on 30 April 2005;

•             On 30 April 2005, JUST endorsed the call for an international conference in support of the Iraqi Resistance on October 1 and 2, 2005

•             Comment sent to IMADR expressing disappointment over the decision of the Supreme Court of Japan in dismissing the special appeal in the Sayama case, 19 March 2005.

•             Endorsed statement by Sisters in Islam on ‘The State has no role in Policing Morality’, 11 March 2005

•             Written a letter to the Presidente De La Republica Colombia urging for a thorough investigation on the massacre of seven persons associated with the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado by the Colombian Army, 10 March 2005.

•             Supported the campaign for the registration of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), 10 March 2005.

•             Endorsed the upcoming World Peace Forum schedule for Vancover in June 2006 on 9 March 2005.

•             Endorsed 6 point appeal by the Gabungan Pekerja Kilang & Kesatuan Sekerja (GPKK) on minimum wage, bonus, working hours, Worker’s Fund, maternity leave and every factory to have a Kesatuan Sekerja on 14 January 2005.

•             Endorsed a letter initiated by Korea Peace Forum addressed to the President George Bush, opposing the proliferation of nuclear weapons throughout the world and propagating a nuclear-free Korean peninsula conducive to attaining peace on 5 January 2005.

•             Written a letter to the Editor, The Guardian, UK on the closing of accounts for ‘Palestinian Aid Groups’ on 4 January 2005