Tell Your Friends

Below is a short note you can send to tell people about this campaign. Please only send it to people you know personally. Spam won't help our cause!

Click here to open a new email and invite your friends, family and colleagues to get involved.
Or cut and paste the text below into an email to friends and family

Your name
Your email
Subject
Language
Your Personal Message Hello, I've just signed a petition urging the African and European Unions to take immediate action in Guinea to halt a brutal crackdown against unarmed civilians who are crying out for democratic elections. I thought you would want to join me. Last Monday, over a hundred and fifty people were gunned down and women were raped in the streets by the military. If enough of us sign this petition, our outcry will be heard and urgent action could be taken to stop the bloodshed and protect the Guinean people. Click here to sign the petition: http://www.avaaz.org/en/guinea_stop_the_crackdown/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK To learn more, read the email below: ----------------------------------- Here's the original Avaaz email: Dear friends, Last week, over 150 civilians were killed when the military opened fire on a peaceful pro-democracy rally in the West African country of Guinea. Women were raped and people were bayoneted on the streets as they tried to escape -- a terrifying message to a nation crying out to elect a democratic, civilian government for the first time. In spite of the international community's condemnation of the violence and calls for the regime to allow elections, the junta is clinging to power, warning ominously that the army is acting beyond the chain of command. The tense situation threatens to spiral into inter-factional fighting or a counter-coup, which would likely see violence spill over and destabilize the whole region. We need to act fast. The international community must send a clear message that unless the regime agrees to step down and allow a peaceful democratic transition, they will face immediate, tightly-targeted sanctions. The African and European Unions have discussed invoking travel sanctions on the ruling elite, who love to fly and shop: this could be the best chance to have quick impact, without hurting Guinea's people -- who desperately need our help. We'll deliver this campaign to European and African leaders before they meet later this month -- click the link below to sign the petition and forward this email: http://www.avaaz.org/en/guinea_stop_the_crackdown/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK The military ruler of Guinea, Capitan Moussa Dadis Camara, seized power in a military coup last year. He had agreed to step aside and allow for democratic elections next year -- but after months of tension, recently reneged on that promise. The people of Guinea have suffered over 50 years of brutal and corrupt dictatorships. Tens of thousands of civilians who attended last week’s rally were clamouring for an end to military rule and opposing his candidacy in elections. The violence against civilians was brutal. A human rights watch witness stated: “I saw the Red Berets [an elite unit within the military] catch some of the women who were trying to flee, rip off their clothes, and stick their hands in their private parts. Others beat the women, including on their genitals... the women were crying out.” Firm action is needed not just to make clear that we reject the violent repression of people anywhere who stand up to demand democratic and accountable government, but because what happens in Guinea will affect dozens of other fledgling democracies across Africa, where would-be dictators are closely watching the response from the international community. Years have been spent establishing a fragile peace in neighbouring Sierra Leone and Liberia. If Guinea blows, they too could be at risk. An international inquiry is needed into the violence and the army must return to barracks. But a week after the massacre, opposition leaders remain in military detention, and Capitan Camara is shirking responsibility for the violence, blaming the opposition and banning all public 'subversive' meetings -- sending a clear signal that he isn't going step aside easily or bend to initial international declarations. The regional body, Economic Community of West African States, has nominated a negotiator for Guinea. But any talks must be backed up by clear international pressure -- otherwise the mineral-rich regime could hold on, ruling through the biggest army in the region. A policy of targeted AU and EU travel bans, affecting the leadership personally, could be pivotal -- not only could it help halt more bloodshed, it could start to lay the foundation for a democratic transition. http://www.avaaz.org/en/guinea_stop_the_crackdown/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK Guinea's people desperately need international help and solidarity today. Let's stand with them, send a clear message to the Guinean military and forces across Africa who seek to rule by the gun that the time for repressive military rule is over. Sign the petition and send it on to family and friends: http://www.avaaz.org/en/guinea_stop_the_crackdown/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK With hope, Alice, Luis, Benjamin, Ricken, Graziela, Paula, Pascal, Iain and the whole Avaaz team. More information: Guinea massacre tolls put at 157, BBC, 30 September http://www.avaaz.org/en/guinea_stop_the_crackdown Human Rights Watch witnesses from the rally: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/09/29/guinea-stop-violent-attacks-demonstrators Capitan Moussa Dadis Camara says army is out of control: http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/118/article_5312.asp ECOWAS negotiator nominated: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a36d9e74-af56-11de-ba1c-00144feabdc0.html Violence in Guinea threaten the whole region: http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/richard-moncrieff-repression-and-violence-are-a-danger-to-the-whole-region-1795166.html Guinea’s Capital Fades Into a Ghost Town After Soldiers’ Rampage, New York Times, 30 September http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/world/africa/30guinea.html Guinea's military leader banned all gatherings and demonstrations until further notice, AP, 30 September http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/world/africa/30guinea.html Guinea asks Russia to block UNSC sanctions http://www.moneybiz.co.za/africa/africa.asp?story=445a8159-3639-4b5a-adb1-c1face112425 African Union statement on Guinean massacre http://allafrica.com/stories/200909290925.html -----------------------------------------------------------------
Add People via Email Import Email Addresses (Gmail, Yahoo!, Hotmail, etc.) Enter emails separated by commas.

Avaaz will not store your friends' email addresses. This form is simply another way for you to email this campaign to your friends.

Import Email Addresses

Username		@
Password

العربية	Deutsch	русский	Español	Français	Português
עברית	한국어	简体中文	繁體中文	日本語	Nederlands	Italiano

GUINEA: STOP THE CRACKDOWN!

Sign the petition!

Tell Your Friends

Import Email Addresses