Muslim Countries & Anti-Blasphemy Push

posted by: David S. 2 days ago

http://www.care2.com/causes/politics/blog/muslim-countries-give-up-longstanding-anti-blasphemy-push/

59 comments

I'm a little late on this one, but it seems a kind of multilateral peace is breaking out between the Organization of the Islamic Conference (the 56-member body of Muslim nations) and the broader international community.
Just weeks after endorsing the principle of humanitarian intervention with their call for a no-fly zone in Libya, news came last week of the OIC abandonment of their 12 year effort against the "defamation of religion."

Experts from Human Rights First, among others, viewed the defamation issue as a perverse norm with a history as a tool of repression. In the aftermath of the Danish cartoon controversy over the depiction of Muhammad, Islamic nations demanded that their religious tradition be protected against blasphemy.

The issue was never about freedom of religion -- i.e. people's ability to believe and practice faith (or not) in a manner of their choosing. The very idea of protecting a religious tradition, as opposed to individual persons, is quite strange and certainly hard to craft as a clear standard. Looking at it from a free speech and civil liberties perspective, which characterizations of Islam should be considered defamation, and which as valid critique?

Faith traditions and belief systems must either thrive or wane based on their success in the free spiritual marketplace; their orthodoxy cannot be protected by laws or the state. On the contrary, statutes against blasphemy around the world are often used to persecute religious minorities and punish dissidents.

And that is the major problem here. To get a sense of the stakes, just remember the recent assassinations of two moderate Pakistani political leaders, both murdered for their opposition to their country's anti-blasphemy law. In fact, Pakistan had been at the forefront of the OIC's long-lasting push in the UN Human Rights Council. Now that Muslim nations have backed off, the council is issuing its plan to promote religious tolerance.

Related Stories:

Pakistani Politician Killed Over Blasphemy Laws

"Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews During World War II" Now On Exhibit in NYC

Musharraf Says Pakistani Blasphemy Law Cannot Be Changed

Read more: muslim, politics, pakistan, libya, anti-blasphemy, human rights first, defamation of religion, organization of the islamic conference

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA-NIGERIA

Oil is killing the fish, polluting the water, and endangering the people who make the Niger Delta their home. A major source of oil pollution is the practice of gas flaring, or the burning off excess gas as waste. The government of Nigeria and multinational oil companies active in the Niger Delta, including Shell, ENI, Total and Chevron, are jointly responsible for gas flaring in the region. But for half a century, the Nigerian government has demonstrated that it can't or won't hold oil companies accountable. This summer, they won't be able to dodge accountability anymore.Demand that oil companies operating in the Niger Delta put an end to gas flaring! As of today, critical questions that residents have raised about the associated health and environmental risks of gas flaring have not been answered. With our new Eyes on Nigeria project's satellite imaging and mapping technology, we aim to not only validate residents' concerns, but to expose serious human rights abuses. Amnesty teams and partners have collected more than 10 years worth of evidence that shows gas flaring is happening dangerously close to the waters where people drink, bathe, fish and wash their clothes. When Amnesty representatives meet with the Nigerian government and oil executives this summer, we'll share these facts and push for the answers that have been delayed for so long. Above all, we'll call on officials to set a solid deadline for ending gas flaring once and for all. Help us hold the Nigerian government's and oil companies' feet to the fire! Urge them to put an end to gas flaring and support full transparency about the health risks of flaring. Cleaning up the Niger Delta and stopping gas flaring is a small, but necessary step toward ensuring that basic human rights to health, food, clean water and livelihood in the Niger Delta are protected. Please add your voice to the growing number of people who are keeping their eyes on Nigeria. With Hope, Simon Billenness Business and Human Rights Group, Co-chair and Extractive Industries Lead Amnesty International USA

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

MARCH 31, 2011

Crackdown on Christians in Vietnam Christians Forced to Renounce Faith in Public Criticism Sessions “The police would get drunk, wake me up, and question me and beat me,” said an indigenous minority Christian,arrested while demonstrating for religious freedom and land rights. “The handcuffs were like wire. They used electric shock on me. They would shock me on my knees, saying you used these legs to walk to the demonstration.” Repeated blows to his head left him partially deaf. The Vietnamese government has ratcheted up its crackdown on indigenous minority Christians from its Central Highlands. Officials particularly target those who worship in independent “house churches,” where Christians gather in someone’s home, claiming they use religion as a cover for an independence movement. In a new report, Human Rights Watch documents how authorities have dissolved house church gatherings, forced hundreds of indigenous Catholics and Protestants to renounce their religion publicly, and sealed the border to prevent asylum seekers from fleeing to Cambodia. We found that special “political security” units, together with police, interrogate people suspected of political activism or leading unregistered house churches. More than 70 indigenous Christians were detained or arrested in 2010, and more than 250 are known to be imprisoned on national security charges. Read more » Photo: © 2001 Human Rights Watch Gaddafi's Forces Using Landmines The Weapons Endanger Civilians for Years After Fighting Stops Libya Human Rights Watch confirmed that Muammar Gaddafi's troops have used landmines – weapons known to maim or kill civilians years after the fighting has stopped. A Libyan civil defense team disarmed 24 antivehicle mines and 30 to 40 plastic antipersonnel mines off the main road between Ajdabiya and Benghazi, in an area frequented by civilians in vehicles and on foot. Learn more » Syria Since large-scale demonstrations began two weeks ago, security forces killed at least 61 protesters in and around Daraa, near Jordan, and another dozen in Latakia, also arresting scores of people. In a speech yesterday, President Bashar al-Asad claimed to support reform, but offered zero specifics. Contrary to expectations, he gave no sign of lifting the state of emergency law, in place since 1963, or of safeguarding public freedoms. Syria’s laws need to change » Bahrain Security forces are targeting wounded protesters in hospitals, abusing them and sometimes interfering with their treatment. While interviewing one 22-year-old protester, hospitalized for internal injuries after being hit by birdshot pellets at close range, Human Rights Watch witnessed 10 security personnel, including at least four riot police carrying weapons, enter his room, force him to his feet, and take him from the hospital. Read his story » Prior to the March 28 discovery of the mines near Ajdabiya, Human Rights Watch had confirmed that government forces left behind plastic antivehicle mines in the area around Ghar Yunis University in Benghazi during their retreat from the city on March 19. Those mines, which had not been armed and planted, were founded by local residents and brought to an arms collection point in downtown Benghazi. Photo: © 2011 Human Rights Watch

LANSING, MICHIGAN-FBI PRESS RELEASE

Department of Justice Press Release


For Immediate Release
February 11, 2011 United States Attorney's Office
Western District of Michigan
Contact: (616) 456-2404
Lansing Gang Members Convicted for Armed Robbery Spree

GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Jordon Jamar Ford, a.k.a. “JD,” 25, and Jasper Burnett Perdue, a.k.a. “Li’l Cinco,” 21, both of Lansing, Michigan, were convicted by a jury for their role in a violent armed robbery gang that committed over 20 robberies of commercial establishments in the greater-Lansing area in the summer of 2009, U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Andrew G. Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Chief Teresa Szymanski, Lansing Police Department, announced today. The convictions of these two men follow the guilty pleas of five others for their role in the robbery spree. The U.S. Attorney, FBI, and Lansing Police Department also are asking the public for information that may lead to the apprehension of one alleged robber who remains at-large.

Lansing Robbery Spree

From January to October 2009, over 20 Lansing-area businesses were victims of a string of violent armed robberies committed by an organized armed robbery gang known as the Fallen Angels. The businesses included gas stations, convenience stores, a check-cashing business, a flower shop, a hot tub business, and a hotel. The robberies increased in violence and frequency in late-June 2009. Law enforcement officials investigating the robberies noted many similarities in the various robberies, including multiple robbers, getaway drivers, similar firearms, including a Tec-9 machine pistol, and the aggressive and violent “take-over” style of the robberies. Various law enforcement agencies came together through an FBI-led, multiagency task force to combat the robberies. The task force consisted of the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives, Lansing Police Department, Lansing Township Police Department, Michigan State Police, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Eaton County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, DeWitt Township Police Department, East Lansing Police Department, and the Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

On July 2, 2009, during the course of one of the gang’s robberies, a gas station clerk was shot and seriously injured. After the shooting, the task force deployed surveillance teams to likely robbery locations to attempt to catch the robbers in the act. Unfortunately, this effort was unsuccessful as the robberies stopped for approximately two weeks. After the two-week period, two additional robberies and an attempted robbery occurred. The reign of terror ended on July 15, 2009 after the robbery of a flower shop. Unlike previous robberies, the robber did not wear gloves and he inadvertently left a fingerprint on the cash register drawer. Lansing Township Police Department identified the fingerprint as belonging to Roderic Payne, Jr., 22, of Lansing. After Payne was arrested, he admitted to robbing the flower shop, but attempted to conceal his involvement and the involvement of others in the flower shop and other robberies.

Law Enforcement Task Force Led by FBI Identifies Violent Robbery Gang

The task force conducted further investigation and discovered that Payne was connected to several other individuals on a rap music record label called “Fallen Angel Records.” Some of these individuals fit the general description of the people involved in the robberies. Ultimately, through intense investigative work, a total of nine people were identified as being members of an armed robbery gang involved in the Lansing-area robbery spree. In addition to Ford, Perdue, and Payne, these individuals included Christopher Kirby, 35, Wilnell Henry, 37, Tyrone Nathan, 43, Vladimir Manso-Zamora, 38, George Walker II, 30, and Trensario Hood, 30. Kirby, Henry, Nathan, Manso-Zamora, and Hood are from Lansing, while Walker is from Saginaw.

Several Gang Members Indicted and Pled Guilty to Robbery and Firearms Charges

Payne ultimately acknowledged his involvement in several robberies and, in April 2010, he pled guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit armed robbery affecting interstate commerce and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a robbery. He was sentenced in October 2010 to nine years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert Holmes Bell.

In June 2010, a federal grand jury returned a 22-count indictment charging Ford, Perdue, Henry, Kirby, Nathan, and Manso-Zamora with conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce. The indictment also charged each of these men with various robbery and firearm charges associated with individual robberies. Henry, Kirby, and Nathan pled guilty to various charges, while Ford and Perdue went to trial. Walker pled guilty to a separate felony information charging him with a firearm offense. Henry, Kirby, Nathan, and Walker await sentencing in March 2011. Hood was tried and convicted by the Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for his role in the October 2009 robbery of the Causeway Bay Hotel. He was sentenced to 22.5 years in state prison. Manso-Zamora is still at-large.

Ford and Perdue Convicted by Jury for Role in Several Robberies

At trial, Ford and Perdue faced a combined total of 18 counts. They both faced one count of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce. Additionally, Ford faced five counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce and five counts of brandishing or discharging a firearm in furtherance of a robbery. Perdue faced six counts of robbery and five firearm counts. The jury found both men guilty of all counts each was charged with.

The evidence at trial revealed that Ford and Perdue had associated with the other men in early 2009 and began committing armed robberies to help fund their aspiring rap music careers. The evidence showed that all of the men were members of street gangs. Henry, Kirby, Nathan, Walker, Ford, and Payne were members of the Vice Lords, while Perdue was a member of the Four Corner Hustlers, an off-shoot of the Vice Lords.

Witnesses testified that Ford and Perdue committed violent acts during several of the robberies. Ford’s violent acts included: hitting a clerk in the head with a gun during a robbery at Louie’s Party Store, throwing a clerk across a room and onto the floor and punching him in the head and neck several times during the robbery of the Famous Taco Restaurant, and firing several shots at a store clerk who was attempting to flee in his vehicle during a robbery at the West Saginaw Party Store. Witnesses testified that Purdue was responsible for shooting the clerk at the July 2, 2009 robbery of the Citgo Gas Station, which almost resulted in the clerk’s death, and for sticking a revolver in the ribs of at least two other victims in two additional robberies.

Ford and Perdue are scheduled to be sentenced on May 18, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker. Ford and Perdue each face mandatory minimum penalties of 107 years in prison for the firearm convictions and up to a maximum of an additional 20 years for each robbery conviction and the conspiracy conviction.

Authorities Request Assistance to Locate Manso-Zamora

Vladimir Manso-Zamora is charged in the indictment with conspiracy, three counts of robbery, and three firearm counts. His involvement was not discovered until several months after the robberies by which time he fled his last known address. Law enforcement believes he is aware of the indictment and is taking active measures to avoid arrest. He should be considered armed and dangerous. He is referred to by a street name of “Link.” Persons with information about his whereabouts are encouraged to contact the FBI at (517) 336-8367, the Lansing Police Department at (517) 483-4600, or Crimestoppers at (517) 483-7867. An indictment is merely and accusation and Manso-Zamora is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Attorney Davis acknowledged the collaborative efforts of all the federal, state, and local law enforcement officers involved with bringing these violent gang members to justice.“Investigating, prosecuting, and deterring violent firearm crimes is a priority in this district.” Mr. Davis added, “the lengthy prison sentences these men will receive should serve as a deterrent to all who think it is no big deal to rob a gas station or convenience store. The perpetrators of these crimes were emboldened to commit dozens of robberies because they felt they would not get caught and even if they did, they would not have to serve much time. They were wrong on both accounts.”

“The indictment and convictions are the result of excellent work and cooperation of federal prosecutors and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to bringing violent criminals to justice,” said SAC Arena.

Stuart Dunnings III, Ingham County Prosecutor, noted this case is a direct result of the great working relationship that has developed between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office over the last decade, especially with regard to violent gun crimes.“The Prosecutor's Office was awarded a federal gun violence prosecution grant in 2001, and had a prosecutor solely dedicated to gun cases from 2002-2005.” Mr. Dunnings added, “After this grant period, we continued to refer gun-related cases to the FBI and U.S. Attorney, because the penalties for violent, gun-related crime in the federal system accurately reflect the toll that such cases have on our communities. We continue to screen and refer cases to federal authorities, and I screen each gun-related case for possible federal intervention. The maintenance of that working relationship over the years has allowed for the smooth facilitation of the interagency cooperation which was necessary for prosecution of the Fallen Angels criminal organization. I believe the federal authorities will agree that Ingham County law enforcement maintains one of the most robust federal-local relationships in the Western District of Michigan.”

Lansing Police Chief Teresa Szymanski echoed these comments, adding ,“The detection, prosecution, and conviction of these violent armed robbers is a testament to the strong regional law enforcement partnerships that we have here in Lansing. The lengthy sentences of these armed robbers should serve notice to those involved in organized criminal activity in the greater Lansing area that such acts will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean C. Maltbie and Brian K. Delaney prosecuted the federal cases and Ingham County Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Michael Cheltenham and Nicole Tlachac prosecuted Trensario Hood.

CASINOS-FBI PRESS RELEASE

Department of Justice Press Release

For Immediate Release
January 14, 2011 U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 514-2007/TDD (202) 514-1888
Co-Founder of Casino-Cheating Criminal Enterprise Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy Targeting Casinos Across the United States

WASHINGTON—The co-founder of a criminal enterprise known as the Tran Organization pled guilty today in San Diego to conspiring to participate in the organization’s scheme to cheat casinos across the country out of millions of dollars, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy for the Southern District of California.

Van Thu Tran, 45, entered her guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony J. Battaglia, subject to final acceptance of the plea by U.S. District Judge John A. Houston.

A three-count indictment was returned in San Diego on May 22, 2007, and unsealed on May 24, 2007, which charged Van Thu Tran and 13 others each with one count of conspiracy to participate in the affairs of a racketeering enterprise; one count of conspiracy to commit several offenses against the United States, including conspiracy to steal money and other property from Indian tribal casinos; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment also charged five separate individuals each with one count of conspiracy to commit several offenses against the United States, including conspiracy to steal money and other property from Indian tribal casinos; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

In her plea agreement, Van Thu Tran admitted that in approximately August 2002, she, along with co-conspirators Phuong Quoc Truong, Tai Khiem Tran and others, created a criminal enterprise defined in the indictment as the Tran Organization, based in San Diego and elsewhere, for the purpose of participating in gambling cheats at casinos across the United States. In her plea agreement, Van Thu Tran also admitted that she and her co-conspirators unlawfully obtained up to $7 million during card cheats. As part of her plea agreement, Van Thu Tran agreed to the forfeiture of her interests in various assets, including jewelry.

“Today’s guilty plea by the co-founder of the Tran Organization marks the final chapter for a group that targeted as many as 29 casinos in the United States and Canada in their card cheating scheme,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. “Using false shuffles, specially developed computer programs, concealed microphones, and transmitters, and a web of co-conspirators, Van Thu Tran and her co-conspirators obtained up to $7 million during card cheats. With the exception of two fugitives, every member of the organization has now been convicted. As this case shows, our prosecutors and agents will work relentlessly with federal, state, local, and foreign authorities to dismantle organized criminal enterprises like the Tran Organization.”

At sentencing, scheduled for April 11, 2011, Van Thu Tran faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, forfeiture of certain assets, and payment of restitution to the victims.

The investigation of the Tran Organization’s alleged casino-cheating conspiracy has led to the filing of three separate indictments. The charges contained in the indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial beyond a reasonable doubt. According to the three indictments, the defendants and others executed a “false shuffle” cheating scheme at casinos in the United States and Canada during blackjack and mini-baccarat games. The indictments allege that members of the criminal organization bribed casino card dealers and supervisors to perform false shuffles during card games, thereby creating “slugs” or groups of unshuffled cards. The indictments also allege that after tracking the order of cards dealt in a card game, a member of the organization would signal to the card dealer to perform a “false shuffle,” and members of the group would then bet on the known order of cards when the slug appeared on the table. By doing so, members of the conspiracy repeatedly won thousands of dollars during card games, including winning several hundred thousand dollars on one occasion.

The indictments also allege that the members of the organization used sophisticated mechanisms for tracking the order of cards during games, including hidden transmitter devices and specially created software that would predict the order in which cards would reappear during blackjack games.

To date, 42 defendants have plead guilty to charges relating to the casino-cheating conspiracy, including: Van Thu Tran, Phuong Quoc Truong, Tai Khiem Tran, Anh Phuong Tran, Phat Ngoc Tran, Martin Lee Aronson, Liem Thanh Lam, George Michael Lee, Tien Duc Vu, Son Hong Johnson, Barry Wellford, John Tran, Willy Tran, Tuan Mong Le, Duc Cong Nguyen, Han Truong Nguyen, Roderick Vang Thor, Sisouvanh Mounlasy, Navin Nith, Renee Cuc Quang, Ui Suk Weller, Phally Ly, Khunsela Prom, Hop Nguyen, Hogan Ho, Darrell Saicocie, Bryan Arce, Qua Le, Outtama Keovongsa, Leap Kong, Thang Viet Huynh, Don Man Duong, Dan Thich, Jimmy Ha, Eric Isbell, Brandon Pete Landry, James Root, Jesus Rodriguez, Jason Cavin, Nedra Fay Landry, Connie Holmes, and Geraldo Montaz. These defendants admitted to targeting, with the aid of co-conspirators, a combined total of approximately 29 casinos in the United States and Canada during the course of the conspiracy, including:

Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Miss.;
Casino Rama, in Orillia, Ontario, Canada;
Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn.;
Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, Miss.;
Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, La.;
Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Tunica;
Isle of Capri Casino in Westlake, La.;
Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Ind.;
Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in Uncasville, Conn.;
Palace Station Casino in Las Vegas;
Resorts East Chicago Hotel and Casino in East Chicago, Ind.;
Sycuan Casino in El Cajon, Calif.;
Cache Creek Indian Bingo and Casino in Brooks, Calif.;
Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash.;
Imperial Palace Casino in Biloxi, Miss.;
Argosy Casino in Baton Rouge, La.;
Trump 29 Casino in Coachella, Calif.;
Isle of Capri Casino in Bossier City.;
Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, Calif.;
Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs, Calif.;
Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif.;
L'Auberge du Lac Casino in Lake Charles, La.;
Nooksack River Casino in Deming, Wash.;
Barona Valley Ranch Casino and Resort in Lakeside, Calif.;
Caesars Indiana Hotel and Casino in Elizabeth, Ind.;
Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas;
Harrah’s Casino in Lake Charles;
Golden Moon Casino in Choctaw, Miss.; and
Viejas Casino in Alpine, Calif.
Two other defendants, Ha Thuy Giang and Tammie Huynh, plead guilty to tax offenses stemming from the investigation, and Khai Hong Tran admitted to the offenses alleged in a 2007 U.S. indictment when he plead guilty to casino-cheating offenses in Canada.

On Dec. 15, 2010, Mike Waseleski, a former casino card dealer, was found guilty by a federal jury in San Diego for his role in the Tran Organization’s cheating scheme to steal approximately $1.5 million from Resorts East Chicago Casino. Waseleski’s sentencing is scheduled for March 28, 2011, in San Diego before U.S. District Judge John A. Houston.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s San Diego Field Office; the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; the San Diego Sheriff’s Department; and the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Gambling Control. The investigation has received assistance from federal, state, tribal and foreign authorities, including: the Ontario Provincial Police; the National Indian Gaming Commission; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington; FBI Resident Agencies in Gulfport, Miss., Tacoma, Wash. and Toledo, Ohio; the Indiana State Police; the Rumsey Rancheria Tribal Gaming Agency; the Sycuan Gaming Commission; the Barona Gaming Commission; the Mississippi Gaming Commission; and the Washington State Gambling Commission.

The prosecution of the case is led by the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Racketeering Section (OCRS). OCRS Trial Attorneys Joseph K. Wheatley and Robert S. Tully are prosecuting the case in San Diego.