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THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON TORTURE REPORTS TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON "CYBERTORTURE"
There is good news for those following international TI activism and as far as I'm aware this is a first for our community! Magnus Ollsson and Henning Witte with the help of Liliana O'Connor, who has a 25-year employment history with the UN and ICATOR, the international TI coalition organization of which PACTS is one part representing the United States, have managed to obtain entry to attend the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, Switzerland for this current session (February 24 - March 20).
This is a MAJOR step forward for our activism to be represented in this most respected international organization. There are naysayers about our involvement in the UN however, the UN Human Rights Council is THE premiere international human rights organization on the planet in my opinion and their giving our issues a platform is HUGE in terms of awareness, visibility, and credibility for our cause.
Click on this link to see a list in Google of all the world news outlets that reported on the Rapporteur's speech and his use of the term 'cybertorture.'
Magnus and Henning plan to report soon on their activities, including a planned meeting with Nils Melzer, the UN Rapporteur on Torture.
In the meantime, it seems that our community outreach efforts to Nils Melzer may have paid off after all. Mr. Melzer presented his speech to the United Nations Human Rights Council today on the subject of "psychological torture", and more specifically in regards to us, something he called 'cybertorture' which includes the use of "neurotechnologies."
He states in his report that "individuals or groups systematically targeted by cyber-surveillance and cyber-harassment generally are left without any effective means of defense, escape or self-protection and at least in this respect often find themselves in a situation of "powerlessness" comparable to physical custody."
And that "much more systematic, government-sponsored threats and harassment delivered through cyber-technologies not only entail a situation of effective powerlessness, but may well inflict levels of anxiety, stress, shame and guilt amounting to “severe mental suffering” as required for a finding of torture."
Click on the link below to read Mr. Melzer's entire report:
Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman treatment of punishment
PITTSBURGH TI SUPPORT GROUP STARTING!
Sunday, March 15th, 2020 / Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Carnegie Mellon Library
Oakland District
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
For details, please contact the organizer: asfarell@protonmail.com
FROM JULIANNE MCKINNEY RE: REAL ID
The Real ID Act of 2005 goes into full effect in October 2020. It might be a good idea to encourage TIs who are planning to sue in federal court to apply for this ID if they hope to be admitted to the federal buildings housing these courts. I suggest that they do so immediately.
Julianne
OUR PSA CAMPAIGN: A GROWING SUCCESS!
Hello,
I have been in touch with Tim Cassella. He is with PACTS, International (People against Covert Torture & Surveillance International). He has sent me preprinted cards 4X5 to take to radio stations, talk to managers and give to these stations in order to have the radio stations run public service announcements (PSA’s).
He has other targeted individuals that are also doing this and they have have had luck getting these messages aired. He is looking looking to put together a small group of Targeted Individual’s whose job will be to recruit other TI’s into the PSA operation. If you are interested you can contact me with your contact info to give to him, or you could try the email: info@pactsntl.org / 1-888-639-5559
Thank you
Keith
keith_daniel@outlook.com
SALES PROFESSIONALS EXPERIENCED AT SOLICITING DONATIONS!
PACTS International is recruiting professional sales people, and people with experience in soliciting donations, paid by commission and looking for grantwriters to apply for grants, also paid by commission.
PACTS is a non-profit, tax exempt, 501(c)3 human rights organization. These positions are paid by commission. To apply, or for more information, contact Tim Cassella Board member and CFO of PACTS International.
Tim Cassella
725-221-7271
outlawyoda@gmail.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We are a very active organization and excited about all the projects currently helping the community and those to come. We therefore, could use a few good volunteers to help us with our mission to you. If you are looking for some way to help, the following areas could use volunteer support:
- PSA project: Tim Cassella - 725-221-7271
- Phone lines - 1-888-639-5559
- Help with our PACTS magazine: Gloria Sterling - 314-395-780
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