2007-10-25
- Genoa G8: 225 years of jail asked for 25 people
- Mobilization-Video for G8 2008 in Japan
- Arrest warrant against Andrej H. overturned
- Coalition Launches International Competition: What Exactly is Terrorism?
- UK police can now force you to reveal decryption keys
- Convergences For Climate Action Summer 2008
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Genoa G8: 225 years of jail asked for 25 people
Oct 2007 - Updates on Genoa Court Case
The prosecutors ask 225 years of jail for 25 protestors
Genoa court case are not ending tomorrow, but they are drawing to a close, an people seems to have forgotten what Genoa meant and how big part of history we have been when we decided to take the streets in those days of july 2001. While the court cases against police officiers for the tortures in Bolzaneto and for the raid in the Diaz school move slowly forward (one will be ending by the end of the year and the other around summer 2008) towards meak convictions and satute of limitations after the first court sentence, the court case against 25 protestors has seen this last weeks the prosecutors final speech.
In their speech the prosecutors Anna Canepa and Andrea Canciani frontally attacked the protest in Genoa, asking 225 years of jail for the 25 people accused of devastating and sacking the city on july 20th and 21st.
The speech of the prosecutors asks people to call Genoa events for what they were: devastation, sacking, arson. They stated that at the same time the massacres and the abuses of police should be prosecuted but never did themselves open an investigation on the facts, and insisted that they should be kept out of the court case against 25 protestors. The prosecutors actually said that people decided to resist and that this fact should be sanctioned, since they should have dispersed and eventually file a complain for the violence the police enacted.
In their speech the prosecutors tried to explain the judge that all of those who were present in Genoa are equally responsible of the allegations, since "moral responsability is even more crucial than material responsability for Genoa events: if I inspire 20 people to throw a stone I should be hold more responsible of devastation than if I threw five of them". This brings back criminal codes to the middle age, where you were not supposed to actually have done anything to be convicted. This is why some of the accused where asked to be convicted to 6 years only because they are seen around the scenes of the riots (not doing anything particular or in a lot of cases just putting some trash bin in the streets to slow down police charges).
But this is not the worst part of the prosecutors speech, since they have been reinterpreting Genoa to provide history with a clean and one-sided version of the events: Police acted correctly and protestors are oversizing the abuses, but the Truth is that they should have gone home and let the Summit be. The prosecutor have been stating that the charge in via Tolemaide against the Tute Bianche demo was fairly quick and not particularly violent, so it's not understandable how protestors would complain constantly of "fearing for their own life"; they have been saying that Carabinieri armored transport only charged at full speed twice and that the barricades were made before this, so protestors should not "fuss" about it being the reason for the vehicle attack. They even came to minimize Carlo Giuliani's death, saying that there could have been worse situation if the Carabinieri inside the soon-to-be-burned van were not rescued by their colleagues.
Our history is being raped by two prosecutors who desperately want to show that 4 years of enquiry were useful (even if to justify their lies they misuse only statements of the defense's witness) and that someone is responsible for what happened in Genoa. They want to show off in the "trial that will change many a ways to do court cases in Italy", at the expenses of 25 protestors like all of us. If the judges will acknoledge the point of view of the prosecutors, and convict 25 people to 6-16 years of jail, each one of us could be the next culprit. Think of how many insults you have shouted during the g8 in genoa, think of how many stones you have thrown, think of how much rage you felt while you and your friends were beaten.
We agree only on one point with the prosecutor. Let's call Genoa 2001 for what it was: it was a revolt and it was history and it was us. And that's why they are scared and why they want to avoid that anybody will try again to take away power from where it usually stands.
blicero
[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/384339.html]
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Mobilization-Video for G8 2008 in Japan
Here you find a new video made by Indepent Media Activists for the mobilization for G8 2008 in Japan. The summit should take place at lake Toya, 2 hours away from Sapporo, located at the half-island Hokkaido: http://indymedia.nl/media/2007/10//47799.mp4 (0:02:45, mp4)
The German based anti-G8 infotour in Asia is just over half finished, but still going to Philippines and Hong Kong in the next week and a half. There will be a bigger report coming soon.
INFOTOUR EUROPE:
1. A Tokyo based team will come to Germany and the region in Nov/Dec to show a new documentary about the activist scene there.
2. The No G8! Action Japan infotour will come to Europe in Jan/Feb.
Both tours are looking for infotour hosts. If your nation or region can host a tour in their area, please see if it is possible and then contact them in Japan. However, please try not to make individual offers, but do try to organise national tours for them to save money and time. They also need funds for expensive airfare, so, sadly some priority will be given to those areas that can help pay the expenses. Also, language is a bit of a problem, so if you can find translators to translate from Japanese to your language, that is quite helpful. Write here to offer to host either tour: no-g8@sanpal.co.jp
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Arrest warrant against Andrej H. overturned
* Lawyers demand an end to the §129a proceedings
Yesterday the German Federal Court announced its decision in the case of Berlin-based Andrej H. The Court has decided that at no point there was any immediate suspicion that would have necessitated his detainment. The arrest warrant against the activist and researcher was unlawful from the beginning and has thus been overturned.
“We welcome this decision. Particularly because with this decision the Federal Court confirms that the conclusions of the Federal Prosecution were purely speculative and exaggerated,” Christina Clemm, Andrej’s legal representative said. “The various violations of my client’s basic rights that have occurred in the last months are therefore unlawful. The next step is to close the case.”
The Federal Court did not address the question of whether the „militant group“ (mg) should be considered a terrorist organisation. “The Court has not taken the fundamental decision we expected. At the same time, the decision they did take has massive consequences for the other individuals still in custody,” Ulrich von Klinggraeff, the legal representative of Florian F. stated. “The criticism of the Federal Prosecution is now stronger; the proceedings are based on speculation and construction. We also think that there is no immediate suspicion of the other three with respect to §129a. Therefore the arrest warrant against them must also be revoked. The defence still expects the Federal Court to take a decision as to whether the „mg“ can be considered a terrorist organisation or not.”
Since yesterday witnesses to the case are being questioned. At least 19 friends and acquaintances have received court orders. Alain Mundt, legal consultant to the witnesses said: “These questionings are an attempt to find out more information about the personal and professional lives of the accused.“ Furthermore, the Federal Prosecution is looking for new contact persons. The witnesses have been asked about their personal lives, for example about their educational background. “Obviously it’s unclear to the Federal Prosecution what they are looking for.” Wolfgang Kaleck, spokesperson of the Republican Lawyers Association (RAV) and a defence lawyer in the case, commented on the basic procedures of such 129a charges in recent years, “After 9/11 the voices against the paragraph 129a legislation became quieter. The last year has shown that this legislation continues to be used against social movements and particular types of militant protest. That is why it is important to continue to work towards its abolition.”
Coalition for the Immediate End to the § 129a Proceedings
c/o Haus der Demokratie und Menschenrechte e.V. Greifswalder Straße 4 D-10405 Berlin Germany
* einstellung [at] so36.net
* http://einstellung.so36.net
* Telephone +49 1577-4300652
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Coalition Launches International Competition: What Exactly is Terrorism?
Berlin, 22nd October 2007
Press Release
Coalition launches international competition No terror before four or: what exactly is an after-work terrorist?
The Federal Prosecution is after it. The red-green coalition is trying to redefine it. The Federal Court has to evaluate it and our friends are to be charged because of it.
The phantom called "terrorism"
The German criminal legislation paragraph 129a enables the prosecution of terrorist activity or membership in a terrorist organisation, but even the highest judges of Germany are not quite sure what terrorism actually is. The Federal Minister for Justice doesnât think that 9/11 was terrorism, but everyone is scared of it. German criminal legislation, the UN and also the EU have no clear definition of the term "terrorism". We are now asking: What exactly is terrorism? Who is a terrorist? And what is a terrorist act?
The Coalition for the Immediate End to the 129a Proceedings is searching for definitions of terrorism: legal, humorous or political. Entries to the competition can be in the form of texts, photos, videos, podcasts, postcards, posters; they can be artistic, intellectual or journalistic. They can be submitted by individuals, collectives or by anonymous contributors. The deadline is November 30th 2007.
An international panel will consider the entries and select the best ones for awards. At the end of 2007 the best contributions will be publicly exhibited and celebrated with an award ceremony.
We would be delighted if you would report this novel and extraordinary competition in your publication. For further information or questions, please contact us on the number above. Further information: http://einstellung.so36.net/de/was-ist-terror
Coalition for the Immediate End to the 129a Proceedings
c/o Haus der Demokratie und Menschenrechte e.V. Greifswalder Straße 4 D-10405 Berlin Germany
einstellung [at] so36.net
http://einstellung.so36.net
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UK police can now force you to reveal decryption keys
Users of encryption technology can no longer refuse to reveal keys to UK authorities after amendments to the powers of the state to intercept communications took effect on Monday (Oct 1).
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) has had a clause activated which allows a person to be compelled to reveal a decryption key.
The measure has been criticised by civil liberties activists and security experts who say that the move erodes privacy and could lead a person to be forced to incriminate themselves.
Bild: Ecryption
It is also controversial because a decryption key is often a long password â something that might be forgotten. An accused person might pretend to have forgotten the password; or he might genuinely have forgotten it but struggle to convince a court to believe him.
Section 49 of Part III of RIPA compels a person, when served with a notice, to either hand over an encryption key or render the requested material intelligible by authorities. Anyone who refuses to decrypt material could face five years in jail if the investigation relates to terrorism or national security, or up to two years in jail in other cases.
Controversially, someone who receives a Section 49 notice can be prevented from telling anyone apart from their lawyer that they have received such a notice.
The Home Office said that the process will be overseen by the Interception of Communications Commissioner, the Intelligence Services Commissioner and the Chief Surveillance Commissioner.
Complaints about demands for information must be made by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. "The Tribunal is made up of senior members of the judiciary and the legal profession and is independent of the Government. The Tribunal has full powers to investigate and decide any case within its jurisdiction, which includes the giving of a notice under section 49 or any disclosure or use of a key to protected information," said a Home Office explanation of the process.
The Home Office said that the actions were consistent with the European Convention on Human Rights and the UK Human Rights Act as long as the demand for decryption was "both necessary and proportionate".
"The measures in Part III are intended to ensure that the ability of public authorities to protect the public and the effectiveness of their other statutory powers are not undermined by the use of technologies to protect electronic information," said the Home Office.
Work-around: use Truecrypt
TrueCrypt can hide an encrypted volume within an outer encrypted volume in such a way that it is impossible to prove if or not the hidden volume exists. It allows for a day-to-day password and a duress password. If forced to open the encrypted volume you use your duress password. This opens and displays a set of "innocent" files whiule your "not-so-innocent" files remain hidden.
See http://www.truecrypt.org/hiddenvolume.php
[http://www.wombles.org.uk/article2007101291.php]
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Convergences For Climate Action Summer 2008
This is just to let you know that a global process of camps (and convergences) for climate action is going on.
Some individuals involved in all the different climate camps and convergences are now joining efforts to coordinate their activities, try to hold them close in time and are also considering calling for a global day of action, hoping to inspire more initiatives around the world.
Contact the global coordination list for climate camps 2008:
camp-convergence@lists.riseup.net
Convergences For Climate Action Summer 2008
With extreme weather, droughts, species extinctions, and melting ice caps becoming more of a reality each day, it is time for us to come together to take direct action against climate change.
This summer Rising Tide North America in collaboration with other organizations will host a number of regional Convergences for Climate Action to create a space of collective empowerment to resist the fossil fuel empire and fight for climate justice.
Convergence 2008
The international movement to confront climate chaos is heating up! Following to the success of this past summer’s Convergences for Climate Action in the south east, west coast as well as the Camp for Climate Action in the United Kingdom we are excited to announce that there are plans to organize more convergences next summer.
Planning is in the works for the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany and Australia and here in North America we’re planning convergences on the west coast, in the south east and the north east.
Do you want to help with organizing one of these convergences or plan one in your own region? Please email us at contact@risingtidenorthamerica.org or call (202) 657-6772 for moreinformation.
What is a convergence for climate action anyways?
An opportunity to bring different people and organizations together for a week to talk about tangible ways we can confront the root causes of climate change while at the same time envisioning and creating thriving healthy communities that do not rely on the burning of fossil fuels.
There will be dozens of workshops, trainings and teach-ins on a plethora of topics as well as coordinated days of action.
Check out the web page!
www.climateconvergence.org
Links:
http://climatecamp.org.uk, http://risingtide.org.uk, http://risingtidenorthamerica.org
[http://www.wombles.org.uk/article2007101328.php]