Product Description
Amnesty laws are political tools used since ancient times by states wishing to quell dissent, introduce reforms, or achieve peaceful relationships with their enemies.In recent years, they have become contentious due to a perception that they violate international law, particularly the rights of victims, and contribute to further violence.This view is disputed by political negotiators who often argue that amnesty is a necessary price to pay in order to achieve a stable, peaceful, and equitable system of government.This book aims to investigate whether an amnesty necessarily entails a violation of a state's international obligations, or whether an amnesty, accompanied by alternative justice mechanisms, can in fact contribute positively to both peace and justice. This study began by constructing an extensive Amnesty Law Database that contains information on 506 amnesty processes in 130 countries introduced since the Second World War.The database and chapter structure were designed to correspond with the key aspects of an amnesty: why it was introduced, who benefited from its protection, which crimes it covered, and whether it was conditional.In assessing conditional amnesties, related transitional justice processes such as selective prosecutions, truth commissions, community-based justice mechanisms, lustration, and reparations programmes were considered.Subsequently, the jurisprudence relating to amnesty from national courts, international tribunals, and courts in third states was addressed. The information gathered revealed considerable disparity in state practice relating to amnesties, with some aiming to provide victims with a remedy, and others seeking to create complete impunity for perpetrators.To date, few legal trends relating to amnesty laws are emerging, although it appears that amnesties offering blanket, unconditional immunity for state agents have declined.Overall, amnesties have increased in popularity since the 1990s and consequently, rather than trying to dissuade states from using this tool of transitional justice, this book argues that international actors should instead work to limit the more negative forms of amnesty by encouraging states to make them conditional and to introduce complementary programmes to repair the harm and prevent a repetition of the crimes.David Dyzenhaus "This is one of the best accounts in the truth and reconciliation literature I've read and certainly the best piece of work on amnesty I've seen." Diane Orentlicher "Ms Mallinder's ambitious project provides the kind of empirical treatment that those of us who have worked on the issue of amnesties in international law have long awaited. I have no doubt that her book will be a much-valued and widely-cited resource." ... Read more

Product Description
As the global community shrinks, the U.S. grows in ethnic and cultural diversity. A sensitivity to this diversity is crucial for today's society. The Uprooted helps students middle school age and older to understand the plight of refugees through activities that provide information, build empathy, and stimulate social action. Featuring 35 black-and-white photographs, this is multidisciplinary teaching guide on one of the most pressing contemporary issues. ... Read more

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Drawing on crystallizing trends in State's practice in respect of amnesty, this book provides a comprehensive legal framework within which grants of amnesty can be reconciled with the duty to prosecute core crimes under international law. ... Read more

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Amnesty International 2006 Calendar ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (15)

God Still Shows Up - Even on Death Row
Being a student of forensic psychology and a Christian, following the work of Sister Helen Prejean (author, "Dead Man Walking" and "The Death of Innocents"), and studying the social impact of capital punishment for years now, my own lifelong support of capital punishment has gradually evolved into one of opposition against it.And that process did not come about until I got off my rump and stopped simply swallowing the "good ol' boy" mentality I live with here in the south; i.e. that "killers deserve to die and that's that".I lived with and bought into that until I was 45 years old.Then I did what an intelligent person does - stop simply accepting what I'd been told about this issue, and did my own research.What I discovered, in all its stunning surprises, and beauty and terror and hope and death all in the same sentence, has changed my life.I say that because of seeing the examples of Karla Faye Tucker, et al, as well as the work of Bud Welch, Helen Prejean and this book's author Reverend Carroll Pickett.If anyone was ever qualified to speak on the death penalty, it is he.

Capital punishment is a monumental and horrific lie.I wasn't aware of that until I did my own research.What does it accomplish?Closure?That's a lie on its own face.This book shows that, indeed, long-hoped-for understandable closure for victims' families is NOT a given, when the condemned prisoner takes their governmentally-forced last breath.This book verifies, all over again, that when we ponder the men and women on death row, we expect to find monsters.Instead, we find human beings, flawed and damaged and broken, who destroyed their own soul when they took the life of another human being.This book is brutally honest, and Pickett does not hide from the reader his own fears and misgivings.Pickett wisely realized that "someone's got to do it", and treated the condemned prisoner as a human being, helping him to face imminent death with as much dignity at least as was possible in that setting.My own evolvement through this research has taught me powerful lessons of humility, humanity, dignity and compassion.It has also taught me all over again that "capital justice" is nothing more noble than thinly-disguised venal revenge.This book poses uncomfortable questions to ask ourselves and our government./[...]

Look Beyond the Death Penalty
I found this book compelling as it spoke more about Christianity than it did the death penalty.Crime and punishment have been debated throughout every society since man started living among one another. It is easy to turn away from a situation one finds morally or philosophically wrong, but for many it is unimaginable to put the benefit of others ahead of those views we hold. Reverend Pickett's book eloquently makes this point through its simplicity and sincerity.

What I found so compelling was Rev. Pickett's willingness to continue his ministry to the prison community after the commencement of capital punishment in Texas. Rev. Pickett could have quit, but he felt his calling was to minister to those who had no one, to those that felt there was no love and compassion available to them for the crimes they had committed. He was the only one who showed these condemned men the look and feel of grace.

Rev. Pickett removes the judgmentality that pervades our society in all corners of the social spectrum and ministers as a servant of God. How many people that society had deemed to be lost or of no use to mankind found social (and spiritual) redemption through his ministry? How many of those later went on to positively impact others?

This book is a call to move beyond the polarizing social debates that paralyze progress.Don't picket the problem, participate in mitigating it's damage.

Honest Account for the Dirtiest Secret in America
I am not accustomed to writing book reviews. However, for thoseconsidering reading one of the most accessible, truthful, courageous, and insightful books delivered my a reverend who has invited we, the readers, into the world where he devoted his time ministering to those incarcerated that would eventually be released espousing hope, emphasizing education of skills that would transfer back to the free world, and guidance into programs that would decrease chances of recidivism into of unrestricted living....this should be a priority read.Reverend Pickett`s unfortunate aspect of the chaplain assignment was overseeing the one punishment that is irreversible, otherwise known as capital punishment or the death penalty (state sanctioned murder).This particular task was clearly the most challenging of his spiritual life complied with the fact he is against capital punishment (as is the Presbyterian Church and most major organized religions).These feelings he kept to himself.Had this ideology been exposed, Rev. Pickett would have been relieved of duty and replaced by an individual who could not guarantee the same dignity he treated each individual in their final hours regardless of what act they had committed against their fellow man (unless they were innocent, which has been proven post-mortem).He felt in the execution room with so many people aiming glares of hatred, each man should have at least one person deserved a compassionate friend in their final hour...this was not an easy task as he occasionally knew the victims of those on the gurney.After the state sanctioned murder had been completed, he then had to attend to the family of new victims of useless murder, the loved ones of executed. These individuals were parents, wives, brothers, sons, fathers, uncles, cousins; etc. Despite the fact it makes monetary, ethical, and humanitarian logic to house for life without parole; our culture continues to kill and the cycle of violence rolls on. I live in the real world in this modern era where innocent men have been executed, living men on death row have been exonerated by DNA evidence (false confessions, too),but I do not think we live in a lawless society.I have the utmost respect for men and women who risk their lives for our safety.I also believe that prisons are necessary to permanently house, rehabilitate and/or reform individuals that need extra courses teaching to be productive members of society.Reverend Pickett addresses this in his book, his efforts on how he achieved success, and that his duties as a death house chaplain was such a small role compared to what he did for the men he prepared for the return to the world.Reverend Pickett provides priceless accounts and we should be grateful he chooses to share his experiences.He challenged the reader to step into his shoes and come to the logical conclusions in which arrives.We owe him a debt of gratitude for doing the "dirty work" of the country and, in his honor; we should work so that it is never asked of anyone again.There is nothing touchy-feely or liberal about this book.It is a cold, hard look in the mirror retributive justice.We should challenge ourselves to reconciliative instead.

What is a chaplain's purpose?
This was interesting, but I find it odd that Chaplain Pickett considered his stated, pre-execution duty to the man who cold-bloodedly poisoned his own son for insurance money, was to comfort him. I would have thought he would attempt to bring him to the point of admitting his heinous crime, and finding absolution--before entering eternity in a few hours.

Great Read
Whether you agree or disagree with the way the death penalty is played out in TX or the US in general this book is a great read.The author has "lived" all sides of the issue from having friends who where murdered to ministering to those who killed them.It's a very well-written and well-rounded look at the issues. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Beautiful Calendar
Beautiful calendar! I buy Amnesty International's calendar every year and have never been disappointed. A great way to start off the new year. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Cheaper than a Steve McCurry book
I don't have much use for calendars (Outlook serves me well), but I bought this one just for the pictures. The quality is okay, but the not of a quality or size comparable with his books. If a portion of the proceeds reaches those in need, so much the better.

A.I. Calendar
Amnesty International's calendar has beautiful,
thoughtfully composed photos from all over
the world.Support a good cause and buy
the 2008 calendar! ... Read more

Product Description
New ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

educational tool for human rights
teach them as soon as posible - ignore your rights and they will go away! ... Read more

Product Description
Mumia Abu-Jamal, a black man, was convicted and sentenced to death in 1982 for the murder of white police officer Daniel Faulkner. Based on an exhaustive review of the trial transcript and other original documents, Amnesty International determined that the case failed to meet minimum international standards safeguarding the fairness of legal proceedings and here explains why a new trial is mandatory. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not very objective
It's sad that so few commentators on this case ever read the trial transcripts.

It's simple:Officer Falkner was shot by a gun registered to Mumia.Mumia was still wearing the shoulder holster when he was apprehended, and the gun had five spent cartridges.Mumia's hair, complexion, hat and striped sweater matched the description of an eye-witness who saw it all from 25 feet away.

Faced with such damning, obvious evidence, the defense has cooked up one silly explanation after another.But they never explain away the central facts of the case.

Far too many black men have been wrongly convicted.I'd give a second look at any black man's conviction.That's why I got interested in this case.But Mumia is simply, obviously guilty. Handsome, charismatic, and guilty.

Mumia has been very successful at manipulating the media and the courts.It takes away from other men of color who have genuinely been wrongly accused.

If you must believe he's innocent, then there are all sorts of fairy tales for you.If you believe in colorblind justice, there is one simple answer.

Mumia shot a police officer in the face, point blank.

Excellent book which I highly recommend
This is a very well researched, very thoughtful and very interesting book which in my opinion everyone should read as part of understanding the world we live in.I agree with the other reviewer that this book makes a compelling case that a re-trial absolutely essential in order for justice to triumph.Please buy and read this book.It is first rate in every way.

Raising doubt about Mumia's trial
If you are from Philadelphia or the Philadelphia area, then you can truly understand the problems of the case of Mummia.It seems that every time you mention his name here you get into some kind of arguement.The sad thing about this is most people have absolutely no knowledge of the facts on the case of Mumia. This book, if you read it, can change that. The book attempts,and does a good job of, explaining why Amnesty International thinks that Mumia Abu Jamal recieved an unfair trial.At no time does Amnesty International say that Mumia should be set free, or that he is innocent of said charges.I will repeat this so there are no misunderstandings,AT NO TIME DOES AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SAY THAT MUMIA SHOULD BE SET FREE OR THAT HE IS INNOCENT.
Now anyone should be skeptical of a book written on such a sensitive subject, but Amnesty International is a highly respected global human rights watch dog group, and I believe that their information is reliable.If you are from Philadelphia and would like to read a book on Mumia, or you are from somewhere else and just interested, this book is a good start, but not an end to informing you on this subject.

Points out the gross flaws of Mumia's trial
Amnesty International in this little pamphlet presents the gross problems in the way Mumia Abu Jamal, black journalist and activist on death row since 1982 for allegedly killing a police officer, has been treated by the legal system. And there are a great many gross problems. AI does not declare him to be guilty or innocent nor have they adopted him as a prisoner of conscience.

AI points out that of the three witnesses who claimed to have heard him confess to killing officer Faulkner after being brought into the emergency room, on, officer Gary Wakshul wrote in his log after finishing his shift that night that "the negro male made no comments." Another, a hospital security gaurd, claimed to have handwritten a note to her supervisor after the incident. Another, officer Gary Bell, Faulkner's "best friend," made no record of the incident until two months later.

The security gaurd did not come forth with her claim until two months later. The alleged handwritten note was not found but a supposed typewritten copy of it was. The security gaurd denied having seen that copy before but despite its dubious authenticity Judge Sabo admitted it into evidence. Wakshull, Bell and Durham, the security gaurd, all came forward two months after the alleged confession, after Mumia had complained of being beaten by police after his arrest. Mumia tried to get Wakshul to testify but he was for some reason "on vacation" and Judge Sabo refused to pursue the matter furhter.

The alleged witnesses to the crime. AI points out that Cynthia White, the prostitute, who changed the details of her story numerous times, was serving an eighteen month sentence in Massachusetts at the time of the trial, with three charges pending, and was arrested twice in the days following the shooting, though she was not prosecuted for those two incidents. They point out that in 1987 a detective involved in Mumia's case testified successfully in support of releasing White, who was then on trial for numerous felonies, on bail despite her very extensive criminal record. They point out that Veronica Jones, the second prostitute, testified at the trial that "they [the police] told us we could work the area [as prostitutes] if we tell them [that Abu Jamal was the shooter]." She said that "they [the police] were trying to get me to say something the other girl [White] said. I couldn't do that." She said that she saw two men running from the scene but later retracted the statement, as she later testified in 1996, after being visited by police officers in jail where she was being held on charges of robbery and assault. Judge Sabo struck her original statements from the record. AI points out that Robert Chobert, the cab driver, intially told police that the shooter had "run away." He was on probation for arson at the time and was driving with a suspended liscence for which he was not prosecuted and he approached the prosecutor, as he later testified, wanting to know how he could get his liscence back so he could earn his living driving his cab. "We'll see" the prosecutor replied.

AI points out that the police did not conduct tests on Mumia's hands or smell his gun to see if had recently been fired. The medical examiner, was declared at the trial by Sabo to be a ballistics expert though at the 1995 hearing he reversed himself. The examiner made a "lay guess"--Sabo's words--that the gun was a .44 calibre whereas Mumia's gun was a .38 calibre. The medical examiner testified that though the bullet found in officer Faulkner seemed similar to those from Mumia's gun, the tests were inconclusive as to wheather it actually came from Mumia's firearm.

They point out, among other things,, him being a frequent target of law enforcment, especially the FBI's COINTELPRO program and how the prosecutor exploited Mumia's political views to secure a death sentence from the jury.

I think he's probably innocent. Give him a new trial or release him immediately. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great gift for anyone who cares about equality of the GLBT community
I purchased this as part of a Hanukkah gift for my co-teacher, who sponsors our GLBT group at school and also teaches a cross-cultural class at the college level.I also really wanted to support Amnesty International, so giving this gift allowed me to get something to support their cause as well.

She says she LOVED it, and also loved (as I did) that it was from Amnesty International.It's probably more appropriate at the college level, but she may be able to use it as a resource for the GLBT group at school.

It reads more like a text book, and has a reasonable amount of data as well.So, definitely not for light reading, but very informative and interesting. ... Read more

Product Description
Statistical report on state laws banning at least one form of racial profiling. Racial makeup of each US state. Book also includes a chapter on the human impact of profiling. Informative read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great for teachers and college educators
I purchased this as part of a Hanukkah gift for my co-teacher, who sponsors our GLBT group at school and also teaches a cross-cultural class at the college level.I also really wanted to support Amnesty International, so giving this gift allowed me to get something to support their cause as well.

She says she LOVED it, and also loved (as I did) that it was from Amnesty International.It's probably more appropriate at the college level, but we co-teach immigration and human rights as part of frontloading to our first American Dream unit, so we may be able to use this as a resource as well.

It reads more like a text book, and has a reasonable amount of data as well.So, definitely not for light reading, but very informative.

... Read more

Product Description
Definitive Stories brings us a book without words, just photography folded in a way to show the effects of climate change. Open it and place it zigzagged in the middle of your kitchen table and walk around it. From one end you see Antarctica, from the other end Sudan and in the middle cause and effect. More art installation than book, it allows the viewer to make up their own mind, to explore and discover ones personal reaction to climate change. Colin Finlay, photographer Marta Salas-Porras, designer Cause and Effect People and Place The glaciers of Antarctica The suffering and famine in Sudan Our fragile world Two sizes: The hardbound linen jacket 7 ½ x 9 The pocket size 2 ½ x 3 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Profound and Inspiring
In a world full of digital information, this book is a beautiful amalgam of object and intention that is physically and emotionally moving andgorgeously produced: An arresting statement and work of art.

Inspiring!
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3RMCMLXD1FURC

Silence is not a choice.
The images of the Sudan and Antarctica contained in 12º N x 23º E, 64º S x 60º E : Sudan, Antarctica by Colin Finlay and Marta Salas-Porras are powerful testimony to the silent changes and unheard tragedy occurring on the planet today. They link immediate human suffering with the hidden environmental impacts of global warming. This important photo essay can help catalyze effective responses to the human condition and global climate change. Silence is no longer a choice. ... Read more