Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America

Below are two urgent actions you can take to promote human rights in Latin America. One calls on the Colombian government to take immediate action to protect indigenous peoples, especially the Awá who have suffered recent massacres. The second urges Senator Burris, a member of a key Committee that will shape our nation's defense bill in the coming weeks, to support releasing the names of SOA/WHINSEC graduates and instructors.

Urgent Action #1

On August 26, 2009, 12 Awá indigenous peoples, including four children, were massacred in the indigenous reserve Gran Rosario in Tumaco, Nariño. CRLN and its partner group, the US Office on Colombia, are asking you to call on the Colombian Government to immediately investigate this situation, prosecute those responsible and institute an effective protection program for the remaining members of this highly vulnerable community.

For more information, and to sign the automated letter that will be sent by the USOC, go to http://www.usofficeoncolombia.com/ and click on the "Urgent Action" button.

Urgent Action #2

On June 25, 2009 the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to support the McGovern-Sestak-Bishop-Lewis Amendment, which would force the Pentagon to release the names of SOA/WHINSEC graduates and instructors. This amendment to FY 2010 Defense Authorization Bill is now being sent to a Joint House-Senate Conference Committee, in charge of debating this amendment. The Committee's approval will send the proposed amendment to the Senate for a vote. Senator Burris was recently appointed to this Conference Committee.

CRLN urges Senator Burris to support the McGovern Amendment as part of the final draft of the Defense Authorization Bill. For a list of the 224 Representatives who supported this amendment, click here: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll454.xml.

Call Senator Burris this week and tell him to support this amendment and promote transparency within the SOA/WHINSEC. To reach Senator Burris' office, call 202-224-2854. Ask to speak to Cynthia Dorsey, the foreign policy aide. If she is unavailable, leave the following message on her voicemail:

"Hello, my name is ___________ and I live in __________ (city/state). I am calling to urge Senator Burris to support the McGovern-Sestak-Bishop Lewis Amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. This amendment would release the names of SOA/WHINSEC graduates and instructors, which are crucial to research and legislative efforts to close the school. Since many past graduates from SOA have been proven human rights abusers, it is important that the U.S. government commit itself to transparency and the priority of human rights. Can I count on Senator Burris to support this important amendment? Please let me know."

Thank you all for your actions and commitment to human rights.