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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Amnesty International Resolution On Drug War Welcomed By Cannabis Campaigners
Don Barnard LCA Press Release
Friday 10 May 2002 On April 20 2002 Amnesty International USA passed a resolution at their national convention immediately recognize the correlation between the war on drugs and human rights abuses within and outside the U.S.A." [1] Alun Buffry, Spokesman and National Coordinator of the Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA) and signatory to 'The Angel Declaration' [5 ] said: "Whilst very pleased to hear that Amnesty International have at last recognised that the so-called 'War on Drugs" involves countless violations of Human Rights, it is nevertheless disappointing that such a reputable organisation has taken so long. We first wrote to them ten years ago. "The implementation of drugs laws involves most often the very least a contravention of articles 8 and 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, now part of UK law. "Article 8 recognises our Right to Privacy and Article ( our Right to choose and to practice our religions and beliefs. "There can, according to the convention, be no interference with a person's privacy or belief system unless in order to protect public health, order, morals or the rights of others. "Although primarily concerned with the beneficial uses of cannabis, the same Rights apply to everyone, and I am personally committed to securing those Rights. "What threat or harm does cannabis use have on society or other people? None! Therefore there is no justification for sending police into people's homes. "The result of searches, arrests and prosecutions result in even more Rights being violated. In the UK that may also mean the loss of health, freedom, income, accommodation and so on. In countries like China and Singapore it may mean death." "The Legalise Cannabis Alliance, founded in 1999 as a political party, have always accepted that cannabis prohibition is an issue concerning Human Rights, health, education, pollution and the environment, agriculture, industry, trade and employment and more. "We are please that AI in the USA are finally taking an interest and hope that it will result in positive action and support from them." Alun Buffry can be contacted: 01603 442215 Don Barnard, Press Officer LCA, PO Box 198, Norwich, NR3 3WB 07984 255015 http://www.lca-uk.org NOTES FOR EDITORS: 1: THE WAGING OF A WAR ON ILLEGAL DRUGS, KNOWN AS THE WAR ON DRUGS, AND ITS EFFECT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY Resolution passed overwhelmingly. WHEREAS Amnesty International contributes to the observance throughout the world of human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and WHEREAS the declaration of war on the issue of illegal drugs has created a burgeoning domestic prison population and increased numbers of displaced persons in Latin America. The US governments increase in military aid and training to governments, including but not limited to Colombia, has contributed to the manufacturing, marketing and exportation of types of weapons and devices used in torture. It has justified interference in targeted economies with concurrent degradation of the environment and an overall diminution of human rights in those countries and the USA; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Amnesty International immediately recognize the correlation between this war and human rights abuses within and outside the U.S.A. BE IT FURTHER resolved that at the next ICM, the AIUSA delegation ask the ICM to call for research to be done to identify AI's position on the war on drugs because of its resultant human rights violations. 2: The Angel Declaration is signed by MP's, MEP's, doctors and other professionals . Text and list of major signatories is at http://www.angeldeclaration.com 3 Alun Buffry stood for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance in last year's parliamentary election in Norwich South and polled 620 votes. He can be contacted on 01603 442215 4: The Legalise Cannabis Alliance had 13 candidates in the General Election and have fought local and county council elections. They plan to contest seats in the next round of European Elections. 5: The Legalise Cannabis Alliance does not run membership but have endorsees. Posted 11 MAY 2002
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