Becoming Media-Savvy

Hi everyone,

Today Matthew and I were interviewed by CBS news. They were primarily
interested in our reaction to the ambush killings of the Baptist
missionaries several hours north of here last night. [Sad, and
unfortunately preventable--in both the irresponsibility of their actions
and using a conspicuously flashy vehicle]. But hopefully, we steered the
conversation around to the reason we were at the Human Rights Solidarity
Week event today. Let me know if you see it. I don't know whether it's
the morning show or evening news.

Below, here is my statement to the press which I gave at the event today.
Al-Arabiyah filmed it, so I may be famous around here for a while. Hope
it all got translated alright. I will write up a press release for the
team shortly on HRSW--which marks one year of war in Iraq (not one year
since the war since it is clearly ongoing).

peace,
Le Anne

--------------
Greetings Ms. Dozier,

Below please find the statement which I presented earlier at the kick-off
to Human Rights Solidarity Week.

---
Good morning,

I have been asked to share a few thoughts today on the role of
non-governmental organizations (NGO's) in today's Occupied Iraq.

NGO's, both local and international, are of absolute necessity in
societies under military Occupation. They are the voices of conscience
which hold Occupation forces accountable for their actions, especially
abuses of human rights as defined by international law and the Geneva
Conventions.

NGO's are also a much-needed source of information for citizens of the
world about how foreign governments' policies affect those whose voices
are not heard. It is our hope this perspective influences policy
decisions around the world and in the U.S. to the bettering of human
rights in Iraq and all countries under military Occupation.

Iraqi NGOs face a particularly difficult mission. They are daily in the
field, listening to the stories of those who have suffered most. They
provide legal support to those most in need. They also try to call the
attention of the U.S. and Coalition militaries to the need to respect
human rights.

Iraqi human rights workers do all this at great personal risk to
themselves. U.S. Occupation forces do not want to listen to or respect
the voice of these NGOs, just as they do not respect the Geneva
Conventions and human rights law. The CPA is more interested in using the
human rights abuses of the former regime for political gain and to
disguise their own actions. Human rights lawyers have been detained,
disappeared, and injured by U.S. forces after raising human rights
concerns. Iraqi human rights workers are justifiably nervous to speak to
Occupation forces about controversial human rights abuses, such as the
abuse and torture of Iraqi detainees inside the U.S. prison camps.

This is where international NGOs have a duty to act. international NGOs
mustspeak our on these most controversial human rights abuses, using our
privelege as foreign citizens to expose the truth.

International NGOs must also amplify the voice of Iraqi NGOs by
distributing their information and experiences to larger networks around
the world. We must use our contacts in our home countries to pressure the
U.S. and other governments to change their abusive policies. We must also
use our resources and influence to pressure Occupation officials here in
Iraq to respect human rights.

The international NGOs here today are proud and honored to work with the
Iraqi NGOs represented here today, and thank them for their countless
hours of effort and sacrifice to help the people of Iraq.

Le Anne Clausen
Christian Peacemaker Team in Iraq
March 16, 2004

[Other international NGOs involved in the creation of Human Rights
Solidarity Week: Bridges to Baghdad, Occupation Watch, Peace Volunteers]