Stand against Poverty - TAKE ACTION

Marking International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - 17th October 2008

People living in poverty are far too frequently excluded from discussions about how to improve their lives, says Amnesty International, to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The vicious cycle of poverty and human rights abuse can only be broken if people living in poverty are able to speak out and be heard. Amnesty urges governments to adopt policies that enable people living in poverty to be part of decision-making, as well as better analysing how human rights violations drive and deepen poverty.

Widney Brown, Amnesty International's Director of International Law and Policy, said: "A key focus of this year's International Day is ensuring that people living in poverty are at the centre of discussions about solutions. Too often decisions are made in which the people whose lives are most impacted are not even consulted, which makes the eradication of poverty ultimately less possible.

"States need to dismantle barriers which obstruct people's access to education, health care, food, clean water and sanitation. They must also address discrimination against people who endure human rights violations and who have the least access to justice, including indigenous people, women, children and people with disabilities," she said.

On International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, thousands of Amnesty International supporters will take part in worldwide protests.

In New Zealand...

Amnesty International will have a stall at the "Stand Against  Poverty" event, as part of a global United Nations initiative. It will feature speeches by New Zealand politicians, a soup kitchen (with soup being served by politicians!), anti-poverty pledge and live band. The event will be MC’d by Kapiti Coast radio host, Phil Costello.
Speakers (and soup servers) include: Keith Locke (Greens), Charles Chauval and Annette King (Labour) and Stephen Franks (National)
When: Friday 17th October, from 11:30am
Where: Civic Square, Wellington


For a link to the international Stand Against Poverty website click here

TAKE ACTION!

Rita Mahato is a 30-year-old health counsellor with the Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) in Nepal. In June 2007 she was threatened with rape and death when her office in Siraha district was attacked by men from her community who objected to WOREC’s work to defend the rights of women and dalits. When staff went outside to confront the group, bricks were thrown at them before the attackers fled. The police have failed to initiate any investigation into the incident.

WOREC investigates and documents cases of sexual violence against women, and provides legal and other support to victims. Staff face discrimination in their communities and are frequently threatened during the course of their crucial work.

Please write to (or email) Nepalese authorities -  Click here to download a suggested letter. 

WRITE TO:
Hem Bahadur Gurung
Inspector General of Police
Police Headquarters
GPO Box 407, Naxal
Kathmandu, Nepal

Email: info@nepalpolice.gov.np

Salutation: Dear Inspector General