Newsletter
Amnesty International USA Group 48
In This Issue . . .
1 CHINA: Take action for the
20th Anniversary of
Tiananmen
3 Leglislative Update
4 RWANDA: Urge Fair Retrial
for François-Xavier Byuma
AIUSA-Group 48
http://aipdx.org
503-227-1878
Next Meeting:
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NewsLetter Designed
By Michelle Whitlock
MichelleWhitlock.com
©
Jeff Widener AP/PA Photos
CHINA: Take action for the 20th Anniversary
of Tiananmen
This year marks the 20 anniversary
th
of the military crackdown on pro-de-
mocracy demonstrators in Tiananmen
Square. The Chinese authorities have
suppressed public debates and discus-
sions of the 1989 crackdown. Those
seeking justice for the victims have suf-
fered from police harassment, arbitrary
detention and sometimes imprison-
ment. The government has also refused
to carry out an open, independent and
impartial inquiry into the events of 3-4
June 1989, despite appeals from foreign
governments, international non-gov-
ernmental organizations and Chinese
activists. No independent investigation
has been carried out, and no one has
05.09
been brought to justice for their role in
the crackdown.
The government has always refused to
review the cases of those still impris-
oned for taking part in the 1989 protests
or to redress the miscarriages of justice
and human rights violations. No com-
pensation has been granted to those
killed in the crackdown or to the fami-
lies affected.
The government does not accept that
the 1989 protests in Tiananmen Square
were legitimate, claiming instead that
the demonstrators’ intention was to
overthrow the government. Senior Chi-
nese officials have recently defended the »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter May 2009 Pg 2
crackdown, claiming it was necessary to maintain the ‘social
stability’ needed for China’s rapid economic growth.
Background information
In the spring of 1989, some university students gathered ini-
tially in Tiananmen Square to mourn the death of senior
Communist Party official Hu Yaobang. The gathering turned
into pro-democracy demonstrations. The students demand-
ed an end to official corruption, and political and economic
reforms. Their demands drew wide public support and mil-
lions joined or organized peaceful demonstrations in Beijing
and throughout China. The authorities failed to persuade the
demonstrators to return home. Tensions escalated in Beijing,
and martial law was declared on 20 May.
On the night of 3 June, heavily armed troops and hundreds
of armored vehicles moved into the city to “clear” the pro-
democracy demonstrators. Hundreds of unarmed civilians,
including children and old people, were shot dead by troops
firing at random or deliberately at protesters and onlookers,
and in some cases tanks crushed those that could not get away.
Others were summarily shot by soldiers during the days which
followed when troops were already in full control of Beijing,
and the demonstrators no longer posed any kind of threat.
An official report issued by the Chinese authorities at the end
of June 1989 claimed that "more than 3,000 civilians were
wounded and over 200, including 36 college students, died
during the riot". While the exact figures are unknown, Am-
nesty International believes that many more were killed in
Beijing during the military intervention and tens of thou-
sands arrested in the aftermath throughout China.
Official statistics have not been made public, though it is
believed that dozens of people remain in prison to this day.
Every year individuals continue to be imprisoned or sent to
re-education through labor facilities for peacefully commem-
orating the anniversary of the military crackdown.
Recommendations
Please send polite letters to urge the Chinese authorities to:
◌◌ Launch an open and independent inquiry into the 1989
military crackdown and publicly acknowledge the human
rights abuses that occurred, with a view to bringing the per-
petrators to justice; »
Event Announcement
20th Anniversary of Tiananmen:
The Ensuing Struggle for the Right
to Freedom of Expression 
In the spring of 1989, pro-democracy demonstra-
tions that were started by students in Tiananmen
Square spread across China and ended by a mili-
tary crackdown. Twenty years have passed. An
estimate of 50 individuals who were involved in
the demonstrations remain in prison. Discussions
about what happened in 1989 are banned. Mean-
while, China put forth an economic reform that
brought wealth to the urban areas while rural resi-
dents struggle to hold on to their land, family and
humanity. The crackdown on freedom of expres-
sion spread from printed media to the Internet. To-
day, students in China have little idea about what
the previous generation of students had experi-
enced twenty years ago. Human rights defenders
are constantly harassed and intimated physically
and emotionally with some of them sent to prison
or put under house arrest.
Amnesty International Local Group 48 will mark
the 20th anniversary of Tiananmen with a film
presentation of the PBS Frontline documentary,
“The Tank Man.” Portland State University Politi-
cal Science Professor Bruce Gilley will provide
his expert analysis on the Tiananmen crackdown
and the ensuing struggle for freedom of expres-
sion and human rights before and after the film.
The event is free and open to the public.
When: Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 2pm
Where: US Bank Room at the Central Library,
801 SW 10th Avenue, Portland
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter May 2009 Pg 3

◌◌ Provide an accounting of all those killed or injured dur- Xichengqu

ing the crackdown, and immediately and unconditionally Beijingshi 100017
release those still imprisoned for their peaceful involvement People's Republic of China
in the protests; Salutation: Your Excellency
◌◌Acknowledge the legitimacy of the 1989 pro-democracy Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China
protests; WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli
The State Council General Office
◌◌ Provide compensation to the victims of the crackdown and 2 Fuyoujie
their families; Xichengqu
◌◌ Cease the arbitrary detention, harassment and other restric- Beijingshi 100017
tions which prevent human rights defenders, journalists and People's Republic of China
activists like Shi Tao and the Tiananmen Mothers from carry- Salutation: Your Excellency
ing out their peaceful and legitimate human rights activities;
Copies to:
◌◌Allow public debate and discussion about the events of June Ambassador Wen Zhong Zhou
3-4, 1989 to take place without fear of reprisal. Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave. NW
Addresses Washington, DC 20008
President of the People’s Republic of China Fax: 1 202-328-2582
HU Jintao Guojia Zhuxi
Postage rate to China is 94 cents. It will increase to 98
The State Council General Office
cents starting on May 11, 2009.
2 Fuyoujie

Legislative Update
by Dan Johnson, Legislative Coordinator
This was an exciting month in legislative action. We had
Kriss Szkurlatowski Stock.Xchng

delegations making visits to support accountability for de-

tainee abuse in Portland, Coos Bay, and Medford. Thanks
to all those who participated!!! Additionally, the Tribal Law
and Order Act was introduced. This bill provides for sexual
abuse prevention and treatment programs for Native Ameri-
can women.  Our own Senator Wyden has signed on as one
of the first few co-sponsors of this bill, so this is a win for us
Oregonians as well as for our work to help reduce violence
against women.
As you have all seen, the issue of accountability for torture
and detainee abuse during the War on Terror has been in
the press a lot lately.  Many public officials have commented
about it publicly, and momentum is building.  If you haven't
called your representative and senators yet, now is the time. 
It's vital that there is a show of support from the people to »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter May 2009 Pg 4
keep this moving forward.  We're very close to real action on
these issues, and this is one of the best ways to rebuke the
horrible things that have happened over the past few years.  Portland: (503) 326-7525
Accountability is a firm step returning towards the rule of law,
and establishes precedent against these sorts of decisions be-
ing made again.  Senator Wyden is a key figure in this debate
due to his committee assignments, and we need to make sure
that his offices hear from as many people as possible.
RWANDA: Urge Fair Retrial for François-Xavier Byuma
Stephen Stacey Stock.Xchng
The retrial of François-Xavier Byuma, an individual at risk
in Rwanda was finally held on March 14, 2009. Originally
sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment on May 27, 2007 after
an unfair trial, his appeal was finally heard. Unfortunately, he
was sentenced again to 17 years imprisonment.
The retrial of the original trial took place in front of the Rwi-
kubo gacaca court from Kigabiro sector in the Rwamagana
district. The court concluded that Byuma had illegally pos-
sessed a firearm, taken part in military training and had beat-
en and kidnapped a woman with the intention to kill her.
Irregularities were reported in this retrial. Mr. Byuma did
not receive a trial that complies with international fair trial
standards. Amnesty International demands that the National
Service of Gacaca Jurisdictions provide Byuma with a second
retrial that complies with these standards.
Senator Ron Wyden
DC: (202) 224-5244
Call yourself.  Ask your friends to call.  The heat is on nation-
ally, calls on this issue very likely matter more now than any
time previously, and quite possibly any time in the future. 
Make your voice heard.
Irregularities in the Retrial
Firstly, witness statements made during the retrial on behalf
of the victim were contradictory to those made during the
original trial and the appeal. Prosecution witnesses contra-
dicted each other throughout the retrial, yet this evidence was
used to support Byuma’s conviction. Three witnesses gave dif-
ferent accounts of how he kidnapped the girl.
Secondly, Byuma was charged with possessing a firearm. In
2006, the Executive Secretary of the National Services of Ga-
caca Jurisdictions issued a directive that stated that possessing
a firearm or being at a roadblock did not in itself constitute a
crime. The directive stated that Gacaca jurisdictions should
determine the responsibility of the perpetrators and provide a
proper examination of the facts to prove that the suspects had
used the arms to commit crimes of genocide. Several witness-
es stated that Mr. Byuma may have owned a gun, but did not
use it during the genocide.
Thirdly, local sources stated that two judges gave more con-
sideration and weight to prosecution witness than to defense
witnesses who pleaded Byuma’s innocence. These sources
stated that the judges posed questions to witnesses, which
suggested a strong bias against Byuma. These judges did not
give defense witnesses sufficient time to speak, and pressured
them to provide quick yes or no answers to questions about
Byuma’s involvement in the genocide.
Background Information
François-Xavier Byuma’s grossly unfair 2007 trial took place
in a gacaca court, which was part of a nationwide commu-
nity-based justice system intended to try those suspected of »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter May 2009 Pg 5

the 1994 genocide. The judge who presided over Mr. Byuma’s Sample Letter
original trial at the gacaca community court in the Bilyogo Mme Domitile Mukantaganzwa
sector of the capital Kigali had been under investigation by Executive Secretary of the National Service of Gacaca Juris-
François-Xavier Byuma’s NGO Turengere Abana (the Rwan- dictions
dan Association for the Protection and Promotion of the National Service of Gacaca Jurisdictions
Child - l’Association Rwandaise pour la Protection et la Pro- BP 1874
motion de l’Enfant). It was investigating the allegation that he Kigali
raped a 17-year-old girl. The judge’s conflict of interest denied Rwanda
François-Xavier Byuma his right to receive a fair trial before Fax 011 250 586 647
an independent and impartial tribunal. Dear Madame Mukantaganzwa,
Amnesty International and other human rights organizations I am writing as a member of Amnesty International concern-
have raised serious concerns over the gacaca justice system, ing the case of Francois-Xavier Byuma. Thank you for provid-
which fails to meet international standards for fair trial and ing François-Xavier Byuma with a retrial in March 2009 at
lacks independence, impartiality and transparency. Article the Rwikubo gacaca court from Kigabiro sector. I appreciate
4 of Rwanda’s Organic Law No 10/2007 of 01/03/2007 covers that a retrial of the original trial was held. However, I believe »
the dismissal of judges from gacaca courts. It clearly states
‘‘Any person elected as a member of the organs for gacaca AIUSA Group 48 Contact Information
courts shall be replaced [if he does] any act incompatible
with the quality of a person of integrity.’‘
What Action to Take Group Coordinator Central Africa RAN
Joanne Lau OR State Death
Please write a polite letter to the National Service of Gacaca 971-221-5450 Penalty Coordinator
Jurisdictions about Mr. Byuma’s case. His case received con- jlau@easystreet.net Terrie Rodello
siderable international and Rwandan attention in 2007 and 503-246-6836
2008. However, such attention has dwindled. Amnesty Inter- Concert Tabling trodello@igc.org
Will Ware
national must continue to voice concern to the authorities 503-227-5225 Central America RAN
and focus attention on this case. The goal of this action is to ww_ware@yahoo.com Marylou Noble
have government authorities overturn the verdict of this retri- 503-245-6923
al of the original trial and the sentence given François-Xavier Newsletter Editor marylou_noble@
Dan Webb yahoo.com
Byuma, and give him a second retrial that complies fully with 503-253-3491
international standards for fair trial. danielw2@earthlink.net Guantanamo cases
& Darfur
Action Recommendations Treasurer Jane Kristof
Express your concern that a retrial of François-Xavier Byu- Janan Stoll kristofj@pdx.edu
ma's trial, which took place on March 14, 2009 before the 503-282-8834 Marty Fromer
Rwikubo gacaca court from Kigabiro sector, Rwamagana dis- jjjn4now@aol.com 503-227-1878
martyfromer@gmail.com
trict, did not comply with international fair trial standards. Legislative
Coordinator Indonesia RAN
Call on the National Service of Gacaca Jurisdictions to pro- Dan Johnson Max White
vide a second retrial of the trial that complies with interna- 503-310-4540 503-292-8168
tional fair trial standards. subtlet@hotmail.com maxw33@comcast.net
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter May 2009 Pg 6

that international standards of justice were not upheld for the
following reasons:
Firstly, witness statements made during the retrial on behalf
of the victim were contradictory to those made during the
original trial and the appeal, yet this evidence was used to
support Byuma’s conviction. Prosecution witnesses contra-
dicted each other throughout the retrial process. Three wit-
nesses gave different accounts of how he kidnapped the girl
Secondly, Byuma was charged with possessing a firearm. In
2006, the Executive Secretary of the National Services of Ga-
caca Jurisdictions issued a directive that stated that simply
possessing a firearm or being at a roadblock did not consti-
tute a crime. The directive stated that Gacaca jurisdictions
should determine the responsibility of the perpetrators and
provide a proper examination of the facts to prove that the
suspects had used the arms to commit crimes of genocide.
Numerous witnesses stated that he may have owned a gun,
but did not use it during the Genocide.
Thirdly, local sources stated that two judges did not carry out
their duties impartially. More consideration and weight were
given to prosecution witnesses than to defense witnesses
who came forward to plead Byuma’s innocence. The judges
posed questions to witnesses that suggested a strong bias
against Byuma. The judges did not give defense witnesses
sufficient time to speak, and pressured them to provide
quick yes or no answers to questions about Byuma’s involve-
ment in the Genocide.
I also call on the National Service of Gacaca Jurisdictions to
ensure that international fair trial standards now be met with
a second retrial.
It is very important that a fair trial be accorded to Byuma, as
well as all Rwandans who put themselves at risk in daring to
express themselves openly.
I look forward to your response to these concerns.
Sincerely,

Postage

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter May 2009