48 hours to stand up to Saudi

Dear friends,

They bomb schools, hospitals, even wedding parties. What Saudi Arabia is doing in Yemen is disgusting -- and they’re doing it with weapons they buy from Europe, the US, and Canada. But in 48 hours we can do the unthinkable -- win a landmark decision that could stem the flow of weapons to the Saudis. The European Parliament is two days away from having a proposed EU-wide arms embargo put to a vote -- but under heavy Saudi lobbying, some politicians are wavering.

Now more than ever, these leaders need to see that people from every corner of the Earth are looking to them to stand up and say “NO” to Saudi Arabia and their atrocities. Sign the urgent petition calling for an arms embargo -- let's show the EU champions overwhelming public support:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/saudi_arms_deal_de/?bIiqNab&v=72803&cl=9488983005

This is how we can help end wars -- by cutting off the supplies that fuel them. Calling for an embargo would have been unthinkable a few years ago because of western governments’ tight relationship with the regime, but this total disregard for human rights has made it impossible for them to look the other way. Europe could now vote for an embargo -- they just need to feel the public is watching and cares.  
A Saudi bomb killed over 200 family members at a wedding party, and a recent leaked UN report found that fleeing civilians were shot by helicopters -- that’s an image hard to shake. Saudi Arabia started these attacks last year as part of a proxy war with Iran. Both sides are guilty of appalling violence. And while this vote won’t end the carnage overnight, it will send a clear political signal that the EU won’t trade weapons with a regime that indiscriminately bombs civilians. From there we can begin to stop all governments from flooding this war with weapons.
The regime is not the only one benefiting from these deals. European arms dealers are making billions of dollars from the bloodshed in Yemen! If we don’t raise our voices these billionaires and Saudi Arabia will lobby to keep this horrific war going.  
Wael*, an Avaaz member who’s survived daily airstrikes in Yemen, says that “history will remember those helping to bring peace.” Let’s come together now for Wael, his family, and millions of others. Add your name -- we have just days to help stop weapon sales to Saudi -- then tell everyone:   

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/saudi_arms_deal_de/?bIiqNab&v=72803&cl=9488983005

What makes our community special is that we feel connections between each other and come together in massive numbers to bring change to issues that would otherwise be silenced. Let us come together now and do what we do best to help save the millions of Yemenis whose lives are on the line.

With hope,
Danny, Rewan, Alice, Mohammad, Alex, Antonia, Emma and the entire Avaaz team

 *To protect his identity, Wael’s name has been changed.
More information

UN report into Saudi-led strikes in Yemen raises questions over UK role (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/27/un-report-into-saudi-led-strikes-in-yemen-raises-questi...

Yemen conflict: Saudi-led coalition targeting civilians, UN says (BBC)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35423282
EU to probe Saudi arms trade (The National)
http://www.thenational.scot/news/eu-to-probe-saudi-arms-trade.13087
Saudi Arabia becomes world's biggest arms importer (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/09/saudi-arabia-becomes-worlds-biggest-arms-importer

Avaaz.org is a 42-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Yahoo's on the edge of extinction

Dear friends,

The ivory trade is pushing elephants to the edge of extinction, and Yahoo is making a killing from trinket sales in Japan! But right now we have a chance to end this corporate complicity. 
Several big brands like Google and Amazon are refusing to sell ivory. Yahoo is one of the few major online markets left. But we could influence that decision. Right now Yahoo is losing some of its best employees, and the CEO is offering millions to convince people to stay. If we threaten to lift the lid on Yahoo’s bloody secret, she could lose staff even faster, and may reconsider the costs of this cruel trade.

100 elephants are being massacred a day, and their emotional intelligence means they understand the horror of what is happening to them. Let’s raise a million voices to protect these majestic creatures -- Avaaz will run an advertising blitz and target Yahoo employees worldwide to demand change from the inside. Add your voice now: 

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/yahoo_ivory_loc/?bIiqNab&v=71540&cl=9274034110

Ivory sales on Yahoo Japan are exploding, growing from around $2 million in 2010 to $7 million in 2014. Yahoo Japan is separate from the global firm Yahoo, but the global company is its second largest shareholder, and has a massive say on policy.

Yahoo’s CEO, Marissa Mayer, is under threat. Yahoo’s financial performance has been poor, some investors want her gone, and employees are demoralised -- over a third of the workforce left in the last year. The last thing she needs right now is to be distracted by even more bad publicity and employee anger. And if we win on Yahoo, we can use the momentum to go after the other companies that still allow ivory sales online.

With experts warning that elephants could be extinct in the wild in just one or two decades, there is no time to delay. If we raise the alarm about Yahoo’s involvement in the slaughter with employees and the media, CEO Mayer will be under pressure to follow other responsible companies and ban ivory from the site. Act now and share this story so the whole world knows: 

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/yahoo_ivory_loc/?bIiqNab&v=71540&cl=9274034110

When nearly 1.4 million Avaazers and WWF supporters joined Leonardo DiCaprio in a call to the Thai prime minister to end her country’s unregulated ivory market, we left so many comments on her Facebook page that it was temporarily shut down! Our pressure forced her to listen -- and she pledged to end the unregulated trade. Now let's shut down another major part of the trade in these precious animals' tusks!  

With hope and determination, 

Meredith, Marie, Alice, Risalat, Emilia and the rest of the Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION
Japan's inaction fuelling illegal ivory trade as demand rises, study finds (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/10/japans-blind-eye-fuelling-illegal-ivory-trade-as-demand-rises-study-finds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 

How Japan is Fueling the Slaughter of Elephants (National Geographic)
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/12/151210-Japan-ivory-trade-african-elephants/ 

Yahoo’s Brain Drain Shows a Loss of Faith Inside the Company (CNBC)
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/11/yahoos-brain-drain-shows-a-loss-of-faith-inside-the-company.html 
Wildlife poaching a threat to national security (CNN)
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/16/opinions/coons-flake-wildlife-poaching/
African elephants could be extinct 'within a decade' (The Telegraph)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africaandindianocean/11491343/African-elephants-could-be-extinct-within-a-decade.html

Avaaz.org is a 42-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

We’re one signature away

The Prime Minister of Peru has a bill on his desk that would turn one of the most precious corners of the Amazon into a National Park -- he just needs to sign it. Every hour he doesn’t sign it, this treasured piece of land is being destroyed. Join the urgent call to save the Sierra del Divisor: SIGN NOW Dear friends, A beautiful, far-flung piece of the Amazonian rainforest is under threat — vast swathes of untouched land home to jaguars, cougars and a vast range of flora and fauna are at risk of being destroyed by illegal coca growers and loggers. But with a stroke of his pen, the Peruvian Prime Minister could turn it into a National Park and save it. The bill to protect the forest is on his desk and PM Cateriano is considering signing it right now -- but every hour he doesn’t, this treasure is being destroyed. If he takes a stand against this illegal destruction, his leadership could inspire others to protect the planet and his example will echo down generations. But it’s up to us to make sure he knows that.Activists in Peru say if Cateriano knows the whole world is supporting him, it will tip him to take action. Environmentalists and indigenous groups have been lobbying for twenty years to get this area protected. Let’s give it a final Avaaz push. Click to sign the petition, and Avaaz will deliver it directly to the Prime Minister’s office:  https://secure.avaaz.org/en/sierra_del_divisor_loc/?bIiqNab&v=66505 Sierra del Divisor is a unique part of the Amazon. It’s home to many indigenous Peruvian communities, and one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. But time is running out. Illegal loggers, gold miners and coca growers are destroying it, and now there are rumours of road building and oil and gas operations that could threaten the area. Some might say that making Sierra del Divisor a National Park will not be enough to stop illegal extraction. But National Park designation is like turning on a tap, and once you turn the handle, it gushes out manpower, financial resources, stricter regulations and inspections. We're almost there: since 2006, there has been a joint effort of conservationists, indigenous communities, government officials and the private sector all pushing to make Sierra del Divisor a protected area. Now it is finally ready to go -- all it needs is one signature. Click to sign the petition -- let’s show Cateriano the whole world cares, and wants him to be a hero: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/sierra_del_divisor_loc/?bIiqNab&v=66505 The Avaaz community has stood up time and again to protect our forests - last year tens of thousands of us donated to buy and protect an area where many of the world’s remaining orangutans live. Now let’s persuade Peru’s Prime Minister to be the leader the world is crying out for and save this majestic land. With hope and determination, Riccardo, Maria Paz, Oscar, Alice, Luis, Caro and the whole Avaaz team. MORE INFORMATION Peru stalling new national park for unique Amazon mountain range (The Guardian) http://www.theguardian.com/environment/andes-to-the-amazon/2015/jul/29/peru-stalling-new-national-park-unique-amazon-mountain-range Satellites Spot Deforestation in Almost-approved Peruvian National Park (Policy Innovations) http://www.policyinnovations.org/ideas/commentary/data/00370 Sierra del Divisor Update: Final Stage of National Park Creation Reached (Rainforest Trust) https://www.rainforesttrust.org/news/sierra-del-divisor-update-final-stage-creating-new-national-park-reached/ Will Sierra del Divisor soon become Peru’s newest national park? (Mongabay - Environmental News) http://news.mongabay.com/2015/07/will-sierra-del-divisor-soon-become-perus-newest-national-park/ La coca y la tala amenazan sierra del divisor en riesgo (in Spanish - La Republica) http://larepublica.pe/sociedad/17701-la-coca-y-la-tala-amenazan-sierra-del-divisor-en-riesgo

Avaaz.org is a 41-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact or call us at +1-888-922-8229 (US).

My saviour in chains

I became a slave at age 5. I believed it was normal. My chains were broken by a man who has dedicated his life to fighting slavery in Mauritania. Now this man sits in prison for speaking out. It’s time we break his chains, so he can keep helping others break theirs: SIGN THE PETITION Dear Avaaz members around the world, I was taken from my mother when I was 5. Every day I looked after the herd. Every night I was raped by my master. I always thought, without understanding, that this was normal. In Mauritania, where I’m from, hundreds of thousands of people are still held this way today. But I was lucky. My brother escaped his masters and found an organization working to stop slavery. He asked them to help free me. But when they came to take me away, at first I completely refused. I couldn’t imagine a life away from my masters, a life where you worked no matter what, even if pregnant or giving birth. This was the only life I had ever known. The man who came for me, and who has dedicated his life to freeing others like me, is Biram Dah Abeid. He is now behind bars for daring to speak out against slavery. But in seven days there is a court appeal and he could be released. If hundreds of thousands of people around the world speak out for him, we can break Biram's chains so he can continue helping others break theirs. Join me now: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/mauritania_antislavery_biram_75b/?bIiqNab&v=63369 The slave-owning elites have poured on the pressure to keep the status quo, but opinions are starting to change. And I believe our President can be influenced -- under intense pressure, he's released political prisoners before, including Biram himself. Please join me now to free him again.  With thanks and hope, Haby mint Rabah and the Avaaz team  Note from Avaaz: Mauritania has the worst slavery problem on the planet. Today, 10-20% of the entire population of Mauritania are slaves. Up to 600,000 people are still slaves -- born into it or sold to masters, abused, raped and exploited. And like the historic trade, this slavery is racist -- almost all slaves are African Haratin. Mauritania was the last country in the world to abolish slavery, and it only became a crime in Mauritania in 2007. Despite it being illegal, and Mauritania having an Anti Slavery Act and a roadmap to end slavery, just one slave master has been successfully prosecuted. And those that challenge this illegal cruel practice are detained and tortured. Biram has fought slavery his whole life -- he’s received prestigious prizes from the UN and recently ran for president of Mauritania. But the government has denied the organization he leads any legal recognition, and now thrown him in jail for two years just for speaking publicly. The EU, the UN and the US have condemned his arrest, but if they feel public pressure to act they could move to make Biram’s jailing have a higher cost. Now is the moment to create global public pressure -- an appeal for Biram’s release is in seven days. Let's answer Haby’s call now, demand Biram’s release, and build the largest 21st century call for abolition by sharing this on Facebook, Twitter -- everywhere:  https://secure.avaaz.org/en/mauritania_antislavery_biram_75b/?bIiqNab&v=63369 MORE INFORMATION Biram Dah Abeid Still Imprisoned: Latest Developments (UNPO) http://unpo.org/article/17712 Mauritania: Jailed presidential candidate and anti-slavery activists must be released (Amnesty International) https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2015/01/mauritania-jailed-presidential-candidate-and-anti-s... Joint Motion for a Resolution on Mauritania, in particular the case of Biram Dah Abeid (European Parliament) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+MOTION+P8-RC-2014-0382+0+DOC+XML+V0... "Pour les maîtres, violer les esclaves est un droit" (Le Nouvel Observateur - French) http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/monde/20141214.OBS7863/pour-les-maitres-violer-les-esclaves-est-un-dr... Le combat contre l'esclavage en Mauritanie récompensé par l'ONU (RFI - French) http://www.rfi.fr/mfi/20131227-mauritanie-biram-ould-dah-ould-abeid-prix-esclavage-nations-unies-dro... Mauritanie: quand la question de l’esclavage s’invite à la présidentielle (Afrique Décryptages, Ifri - French) https://afriquedecryptages.wordpress.com/2014/05/20/mauritanie-quand-la-question-de-lesclavage-sinvi...

Avaaz.org is a 41-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
You became a member of the Avaaz movement and started receiving these emails when you signed "The World in Action" on 2009-12-17 using the email address meneer.saturnus@gmail.com.
To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add avaaz@avaaz.org to your address book. To change your email address, language settings, or other personal information, contact u, or simply go here to unsubscrib

To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact or call us at +1-888-922-8229 (US).

FIFA

well, I am not that keen at all the arrests and all the things that people are putting their nose in what is not of their business, but in the case of the FIFA corruption I am happy that something is done.

I think that the entire world population wonders, with me, why the FIFA frontman Sepp Blatter is a persona non grata, in this case above all suspects and behaving as if he is the savior of the FIFA Eunoch.

Lucky that AVAAZ did stand up for justice.  The opposisiton against the 'fearless dictator'  is getting stronger.  The sponsors did threathen with walking away.  Bullshit of course, they do only want to pretend that they are better. Whilst in fact they are full of corruption and regression of people as well.

Nevertheless, it is good that there is a little earthquake in football land. (yes I know that Ami's think it is called soccer).

The message below is most likely history, in a few hours, I can not think that there is a possiblity for the Berlusconi of the football world to walk out of this.  He has to go and will.

Then this petition, and this blog, will be history.  A new page at the endless list of corruption and false use of money by stinking rich old men (as far as I know there were no women included).

let's clean up the fields. And let's cancel at least the football joke in Qatar

Dear Avaazers, Swiss police just arrested 7 FIFA executives, giving hope to billions of people around the world who love football and hate corruption. But unless we move fast Sepp Blatter will get away with it, and begin his fifth term as FIFA president! Under Blatter, FIFA scandals extend from bribery, ripping off FIFA host countries, and burying the ethics investigation he commissioned into vote rigging to award World Cups to Russia and Qatar! But this isn't just about football -- his FIFA has fostered corruption, abuse of workers’ rights, and the flattening of communities to erect stadiums in host countries. Yesterday’s dawn raids is the best moment we've ever had to kick out Blatter and reclaim our game. But it won't happen without a massive outcry. Let’s create the world’s fastest-growing petition today, hit a million and then call on FIFA execs to kick him out when they vote in 24 hours. Sign and share this widely: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/fifa_blattner_en_loc/?bIiqNab&v=59462 Football is by far the world’s most popular sport, and the scandalous way it is run has saddened armies of fans who want to see a clean contest on the field. A Transparency International poll out this week shows that four in five football fans don’t want Blatter to stand, and two thirds have lost confidence in FIFA to run the game. The Swiss government arrested the FIFA bigwigs on suspicion of taking over $100 million in bribes and kickbacks in return for football media and marketing rights. The arrests follow a three year investigation by US prosecutors, who say that conspiracies to corrupt took place on US soil and using American banks. US officials are also investigating Sepp Blatter. Let’s move fast to build a massive call to oust Blatter and get FIFA to push back its election until it has candidates who can drag the institution into the twenty-first century, free of corruption. Sign now and tell everyone:  https://secure.avaaz.org/en/fifa_blattner_en_loc/?bIiqNab&v=59462 At the beginning of this year the Avaaz community came together to stand up against the slave conditions of World Cup labourers in Qatar. Now we can come together to clean up football at the very heart of FIFA. With hope, Alex, Rowena, Alice, Rewan, Andrea, Ricken and the Avaaz team More Information: Fifa corruption charges: is this the beginning of the end for the house that Sepp Blatter built? (Guardian) http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/27/is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-the-fifa-that-b... FIFA officials, including 2 VPs, arrested on corruption charges (CNN) http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/27/football/fifa-corruption-charges-justice-department/ 4 in 5 football fans say Blatter should not stand for FIFA President: Poll of 35,000 in 30 Countries (Transparency International) https://www.transparency.org/news/pressrelease/4_in_5_football_fans_say_blatter_should_not_stand_for_fifa_president_poll_o Fifa corruption probe: Officials arrested in Zurich (BBC News) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32895048

Avaaz.org is a 41-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
You became a member of the Avaaz movement and started receiving these emails when you signed "The World in Action" on 2009-12-17 

It breaks your heart forever”

Dear friends, The Syrian air force just dropped chlorine gas bombs on children. Their little bodies gasped for air on hospital stretchers as medics held back tears, and watched as they suffocated to death. But today there is a chance to stop these barrel bomb murders with a targeted No Fly Zone. The US, Turkey, UK, France and others are right now seriously considering a safe zone in Northern Syria. Advisers close to President Obama support it, but he is worried he won’t have public support. That’s where we come in. Let’s tell him we don’t want a world that just watches as a dictator drops chemical weapons on families in the night. We want action. One humanitarian worker said ‘I wish the world could see what I have seen with my eyes. It breaks your heart forever.’ Let's show that the world cares -- sign to support a life-saving No Fly Zone: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/syria_safe_zone_loc/?bIiqNab&v=55481 This is not the first time Assad has used chemical weapons on his own people. But this attack comes just days after the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning the use of chlorine gas in Syria. The Council threatened further action in case of violation -- that means now! A safe zone, enforced by the US, Turkey, UK, France and other governments, is a modest step that can de-escalate the conflict and help stop the slaughter of civilians. It would not drag the west into a ground war. Experts say the Syrian military won’t be able to successfully challenge a No Fly Zone. As long as Assad has control over the airspace, he will think he can win this brutal war by bombing communities into submission. But if we support the No Fly Zone, it can stop now -- let’s show Obama we want him to protect civilians. Add your voice now: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/syria_safe_zone_loc/?bIiqNab&v=55481 The numbers are numbing -- over 210,000 killed, 50% of the population driven from their homes, 36% of hospitals destroyed, and almost 4,000 schools smashed. Our community has rallied for years to support Syrians struggling for survival. Let’s do it again, now. With hope, John, Mais, Nick, Alice, Rewan, Wissam, Ricken and the rest of the Avaaz team SOURCES Fresh allegations of chlorine gas attacks in Syria (The Guardian) http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/17/fresh-allegations-of-chlorine-gas-attacks-in-syria Syria escalates barrel bomb attacks as world attention shifts (Yahoo News) http://news.yahoo.com/syria-escalates-barrel-bomb-attacks-world-attention-shifts-025623788.html Will U.S. and Turkey Create a Syria No-Fly Zone? (Bloomberg View) http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-12-01/will-us-and-turkey-create-a-syria-safe-zone Syria: Barrage of Barrel Bombs (Human Rights Watch) http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/30/syria-barrage-barrel-bombs Syria: The Policy Cul-De-Sac (Atlantic Council) http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/syria-the-policy-cul-de-sac

Avaaz.org is a 41-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
You are getting this message because you signed "The World in Action" on 2009-12-17 using the email address meneer.saturnus@gmail.com.
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We’d go to jail for this!

We’d go to jail for this!

                                                                                                                                                                       Dear friends,

Leaks show HSBC helped thousands of the mega-rich dodge their taxes! We'd go to jail for this, but governments won't prosecute them unless we demand it. Let's raise a million-strong call to two key officials and deliver it via ads and legislators. No one is too big to jail:

HSBC bank has just been caught red-handed helping some of the world's mega-rich dodge taxes! We'd go to prison for this, but governments are treating these powerful people like they're too big to jail. Let's show them they're not.

Our governments are losing $3 trillion a year to tax dodging -- enough to end extreme world poverty many times over! This leak is the biggest in banking history -- if we don't seize it now to get prosecutions, we may never get a chance like this again.

UK finance minister Osborne faces an imminent election, while US Attorney General Lynch is yet to be confirmed in her new job. They're both very sensitive to the public right now, so our million-strong call, delivered via ads and with legislators, could get them to investigate, prosecute, and send the tax-dodging elite a powerful signal: no one is too big to jail!

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/hsbc_tax_dodge_loc/?bIiqNab&v=53796

The UK is HSBC's home country, and the UK and US have jurisdiction over thousands of the tax-dodgers. If we get them to prosecute first, it could trigger a worldwide wave of accountability.
   
The mega-rich often cause damaging financial crises with wild speculation, get bailed out by taxpayers, then argue that public spending on schools and hospitals should be slashed to meet the resulting deficits -- all while many of them fail to pay their legal share of taxes! This austerity-spiral is driving a rapid worldwide increase in inequality.

Just 85 billionaires have as much wealth as the poorest half of our planet -- wealth they too often use to buy politicians and capture our democracies to keep the whole system going in their favour.

It's time to stop this damaging downward spiral, and making the richest pay their taxes would be a massive step. Let's make it happen:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/hsbc_tax_dodge_loc/?bIiqNab&v=53796

Avaaz is all about the many gathering the power to stand up to the few. Law is a contract that links us all together, equally. Thousands of the world's most powerful think they're above it. For the sake of our democracies and our societies, let's show them they're not.

With hope and determination,

Alex, Bert, Laila, Ricken, Marie, Andrew, Nell and the whole Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION

HSBC could yet be prosecuted over tax-dodging scheme, warns Loretta Lynch (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/feb/10/hsbc-tax-files-loretta-lynch-prosecution

HSBC bank ‘helped clients dodge millions in tax’ (BBC)
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-31248913

Banking Giant HSBC Sheltered Murky Cash Linked to Dictators and Arms Dealers (ICIJ)
http://www.icij.org/project/swiss-leaks/banking-giant-hsbc-sheltered-murky-cash-linked-dictators-and-arms-dealers

HSBC files show how Swiss bank helped clients dodge taxes and hide millions (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/08/hsbc-files-expose-swiss-bank-clients-dodge-taxes-hide-millions

Tax-havens: Super-rich ‘hiding’ at least $21tn (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18944097

Illicit Financial Flows from Africa: track it, stop it, get it (Africa Renewal)
http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2013/illicit-financial-flows-africa-track-it-stop-it-get-it

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Avaaz.org is a 40-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
You are getting this message because you signed "The World in Action" on 2009-12-17 using the email address meneer.saturnus@gmail.com.
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Worse than TTIP

                                                                                                                                                                       Dear friends in Germany,

TTIP was just the beginning -- now TISA, a new secret deal, threatens to privatise our drinking water and hand our bank details to the US!  But a huge outcry ahead of the next round of negotiations in February can shed light on these dealings and stop TISA. Sign now and share widely!

TTIP was just the beginning - now a new secret deal called TISA threatens to privatise our drinking water and hand our personal bank details to the US. But together we can still stop the shady negotiations!

Negotiated behind closed doors, TISA - the Trade in Services Agreement - has far-reaching consequences. Insiders say it will push the privatisation of our water and electricity, and put data protection at risk. But massive citizen's protests already put a spanner in the works for TTIP, a similar trade agreement, and negotiators are doing all they can to prevent the same public outrage around TISA. But with a huge petition ahead of the next negotiation round in February, we can turn things upside down.

TISA negotiations are a well-kept secret, many people have never heard of them, and the content of discussions is not revealed. Let's change this now! Sign the petition to stop the negotiations and spread the word to shed light on the talks!

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_tisa_en_de/?bIiqNab&v=52472

Shhh… top secret. For nearly two years, negotiators have been plotting to keep TISA and the shady process out of the public eye. Information about the talks only reached the public through whistleblowers! But TTIP also remained off the public radar until a massive wave of protests blocked many of the worst parts from going through. If we create a similar stink around TISA, we can stop the negotiations and call for the EU mandate to be made public.

International trade deals can benefit people in the countries that take part in them -- for example by spreading cheaper renewable technologies across the world. But if secret negotiations threaten to hand over vital services like our water supply to Big Business, undermine European data protection rules and put our net neutrality at risk, it's time to step in!

The next negotiation round takes place in Geneva on the 9th of February -- let's reach 300.000 signers before the big delivery! Sign now and share widely:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_tisa_en_de/?bIiqNab&v=52472

Together, we helped stop global agreements like ACTA - an international treaty that would have allowed businesses to censor the internet. Let's build a massive call now to ensure that decisions that affect us all aren't made behind our backs.

With hope and determination,

Christoph, Antonia, Luis, Anne, Ricken and the whole Avaaz team

More information:

TTIP is sputtering, but other 'trade' deals threaten our sovereignty (The Ecologist)
http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2721484/ttip_is_sputtering_but_other_trade_deals_thre...

Trade in Services Agreement Financial Services annex (Wikileaks)
https://wikileaks.org/tisa-financial/WikiLeaks-secret-tisa-financial-annex.pdf

Meet TISA: Another Major Treaty Negotiated In Secret Alongside TPP And TTIP (TechDirt)
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140428/10593427051/meet-tisa-another-major-treaty-negotiated-sec...

And in German:

TISA - Bundesregierung gibt sich ahnungslos (Süddeutsche)
http://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/dienstleistungsabkommen-tisa-bundesregierung-gibt-sich-ahnungs...

Das geplante TISA-Abkommen und die Folgen (Deutschlandfunk)
http://www.deutschlandfunk.de/liberalisierung-das-geplante-tisa-abkommen-und-die-folgen.862.de.html?...

Amerika will Kontodaten von Europäern (FAZ)
http://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/wirtschaftspolitik/tisa-abkommen-in-wikileaks-veroeffentlichung-12999429.html

Dienstleistungsabkommen TISA (Das Erste)
http://www.daserste.de/information/wirtschaft-boerse/plusminus/sendung/sr/2014/23072014-tisa-100.htm...

Freihandel im Hinterzimmer (TAZ)
http://www.taz.de/!141713/

Leak zeigt: Handelsabkommen TiSA könnte nationale Datenschutzbestimmungen aushebeln (Netzpolitik)
https://netzpolitik.org/2014/leak-zeigt-handelsabkommen-tisa-koennte-nationale-datenschutzbestimmungen-aushebeln/

Support the Avaaz Community!

We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way.

Donate Now

Avaaz.org is a 40-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
You are getting this message because you signed "The World in Action" on 2009-12-17 using the email address meneer.saturnus@gmail.com.
To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add avaaz@avaaz.org to your address book. To change your email address, language settings, or other personal information, contact u, or simply go here to unsubscribe

To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact or call us at +1-888-922-8229 (US).

Stop Boko Haram's reign of terror

Dear Avaazers everywhere,

Boko Haram just used a 10-year-old girl as a bomb-detonator right after massacring up to 2,000 people. But the government and the international community are hardly responding. Let’s call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting now:

Boko Haram just used a 10-year-old girl as a bomb-detonator right after massacring up to 2,000 people. There is a reign of terror in Northern Nigeria.

But Nigerian President Jonathan has said almost NOTHING about this in his election campaign, and his brutal army, instead of protecting civilians, is fuelling the insurgency.

The world has put this crisis in the ‘too hard to solve’ box -- the UN Security Council hasn't even issued a Presidential Statement on Nigeria!

The only good news: escalating violence has renewed pressure to act.

Let's multiply that pressure now and persuade our leaders and the United Nations to convene an emergency Security Council meeting and prioritise this crisis.

Join this urgent call -- for the sake of that tiny, innocent girl, and all those like her at risk:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_boko_haram_terror_en/?bIiqNab&v=51541

Nigeria is deep into a brutal conflict that's ostensibly a Muslim/Christian war, but underlying it are tensions between an oil-rich, corrupt, ruling elite and a poor, disenfranchised and neglected North. Over 10,000 people were killed in 2014, and over 1.6 million Nigerians have fled their homes. Boko Haram now controls an area the size of Denmark.

Politicians have fed this divide, and the recent surge in violence comes in the middle of a deadly election campaign. Shockingly, President Jonathan’s under-resourced response could be part of a dark game -- if there is chaos in the North and low voter turnout, he is more likely to stay in power since his support base is in the South.

International military advisers and special forces have been sent in, but there is hesitation about working with Nigerian units with terrible human rights records. The UN Council should now prioritise a comprehensive plan that includes cleaning up and training security forces to contain Boko Haram; investing in the poorest regions; and prioritising an anti-corruption programme.

This is not a short, sharp, shock strategy -- this crisis cannot be solved in days -- but it is immoral to ignore it any longer. Our global community can ensure the UN Security Council finally lays out a genuine plan for peace.

If we do nothing, thousands more will be killed, and the Boko Haram threat will spread. The attacks in Paris have reminded us that terror has no borders. Join the call:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_boko_haram_terror_en/?bIiqNab&v=51541

With elections looming and violence escalating, Nigeria is like a boiling pot. Politicians have failed their people, and the international community has allowed the situation to deteriorate. We cannot wait any longer and with enough backing, a strong UN statement could begin to change the game. Let’s make it happen.

With hope and determination,

Alice, Pascal, Mike, Melanie, Marigona, Ricken and the rest of the Avaaz team

Sources:

Nigeria: two suspected child suicide bombers attack market (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/11/child-suicide-bombers-nigeria-market

UNOWA Briefing and Consultations
http://www.whatsinblue.org/2015/01/unowa-briefing-and-consultations.php

Nigeria’s Jonathan Slams Paris Attack, Ignores Baga Massacre (Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-12/nigeria-s-jonathan-slams-islamist-raids-abroad-is-muted-at-home.html

Nigeria's Boko Haram: Baga destruction 'shown in images' (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-30826582

Uniting Against Boko Haram (BloombergView)
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-01-13/boko-haram-can-be-stopped-by-a-nigeria-united-again

Support the Avaaz Community!

We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way.

Donate Now

Avaaz.org is a 40-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
You are getting this message because you signed "The World in Action" on 2009-12-17 using the email address meneer.saturnus@gmail.com.
To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add avaaz@avaaz.org to your address book. To change your email address, language settings, or other personal information, contact u, or simply go here to unsubscribe

To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact or call us at +1-888-922-8229 (US).

Dear hans ,

An Arizona school board has voted to censor biology textbooks in order to keep facts about abortion and contraceptives out of lessons on reproduction. The Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board hasn’t decided how to remove the information, but has considered literally ripping pages from the books.
An ultra-right wing religious group prompted the board’s actions by complaining that the content violates state law. State officials and the American Civil Liberties Union have shown these claims to be false.
Negative reactions to the censorship plan have caused the school board to put off making a final decision.
Don't let conservatives bully this school board. Tell board members that you support students' rights to an unbiased education!

PETITION TO THE GILBERT PUBLIC SCHOOLS GOVERNING BOARD: Don’t kowtow to right-wing ideologues by censoring or supplementing textbooks.

Click here to sign -- it just takes a second.
Thanks,
-- The folks at Watchdog.net
P.S. If the other links aren't working for you, please go here to sign: http://act.watchdog.net/petitions/4920?n=87215777.GW95dt

---

This email was sent by Watchdog.net.

That shrimp was caught by slaves

That shrimp was caught by slaves

Dear hans friedhoff,

“They kept me chained up, they didn’t care about me or give me any food...They sold us like animals, but we are not animals - we are human beings.”
Walmart, Carrefour and Costco have been singled out for selling prawns and shrimp whose production relies heavily on brutal slave labor — and one week later, neither company has taken the simple steps they need to rout out slavery in their supply chains.
Those who've escaped the hell of Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Foods and other companies in the Thai seafood industry describe a life of degradation, cruelty, and a callous disregard for human life. One trafficking victim said he had seen as many as 20 slaves killed in front of him.
Tell these three supermarket chains to stop buying frozen prawns and shrimp from suppliers who use slave labor now!

COSTCO, CARREFOUR, AND WALMART: Ensure slavery-free products in your freezer aisles, joining Project Issara's initiative to end modern slavery and instituting a zero tolerance policy on slavery-like conditions from your suppliers.

Click here to sign -- it just takes a second.
Thanks,
-- The folks at Watchdog.net
P.S. If the other links aren't working for you, please go here to sign: http://act.watchdog.net/petitions/4824?n=84146293.B_fg3h

---

This email was sent by Watchdog.net. To remove yourself from this list, click here

Honour Peshawar Children

Dear friends,

Yesterday a band of men walked into a school in Pakistan and massacred over 100 kids. These Taliban extremists see education as a threat and the best way to respond to their heinous crime is to meet their attack with a global call to get every child in school:

Yesterday a band of men walked into a school in Pakistan and massacred over 100 kids. 100 CHILDREN! What kind of person does something like this?

Someone who sees schools as a primary driver to keep young people from recruitment into a life of violence. Education isn't just the best antidote to poverty, it is one of the best anti-terrorism tactics -- it helps kids get out of hopelessness and into opportunity. Let's meet this tragedy with a massive global call to get every child in school.

Our governments promised they would get all kids across the world in school by the end of 2015. Let's make it happen now for Pakistan and other countries — join the campaign to honour the memory of the children of Peshawar — it will be delivered by Gordon Brown, UN Special Envoy on Education, to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and leaders who can make it a reality. Add your name now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/honour_peshawar_children_e/?bIiqNab&v=50110

When 15-year old Malala was shot by the Taliban, nearly 1 million of us called on the Pakistani government to fulfill her dream of education for all. Gordon Brown delivered our petition directly to the Pakistani President, who signed it himself and announced a stipend programme for 3 million children.

But there are still 5.5 million kids out of school in Pakistan today, and over 58 million around the world. Since 2010 the drive to get kids in school has stalled, especially in places of conflict like Peshawar. But if current aid was targeted to primary schools, we'd only need just over $6b to fund education for every child for the first time in history! 

Facing down the Taliban, rebuilding parents’ trust that schools are safe and ensuring the government stands firm will be a battle. But if we do nothing the extremists win, and every child loses. A massive global push now can help ensure kids are behind desks not guns -- click below to sign the petition:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/honour_peshawar_children_e/?bIiqNab&v=50110

From Syria to Sudan, our community has come together time and again to demand innocent children are protected and not the victims of violence. Now let’s come together to demand education for all -- the biggest long term solution to violent extremism -- and give the world’s children a better future.

With hope,

Alice, Emma, Sam, Pascal, Laila, Ricken, and the whole Avaaz team  

MORE INFORMATION

Pakistan Taliban: Peshawar school attack leaves 141 dead (BBC)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30491435

5.5 million children out of school in Pakistan: UNESCO report (Tribune)
http://tribune.com.pk/story/666285/5-5-million-children-out-of-school-in-pakistan-unesco-report/

Education budget decreased despite promises (Dawn.com)
http://www.dawn.com/news/1110706

Govt announces 700bn defence budget (Tribune)
http://tribune.com.pk/story/716913/budget-2014-defence-budget-increasing-at-diminishing-rate/

Pakistan marks 'Malala Day' with school aid (AlJazeera)
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/11/20121110535489628.html

UN initiative tackles inequality of educational opportunity around the world
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/un-initiative-tackles-inequality-of-educational-opportunity/

Support the Avaaz Community!

We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way.

Donate Now

Avaaz.org is a 40-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
You are getting this message because you signed "The World in Action" on 2009-12-17 using the email address meneer.saturnus@gmail.com.
To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add avaaz@avaaz.org to your address book. To change your email address, language settings, or other personal information, contact u  or simply go here to unsubscribe

To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact or call us at +1-888-922-8229 (US).

Climate - Something huge is happening

                                                                                              Dear friends across Europe,

The world is about to sign up to a 100% clean energy future! But the goal to completely cut carbon is at risk at the Lima climate talks. Let's flood negotiators with messages now to make sure they know the world is watching, and to stand strong for climate action!

Something huge is happening this week -- our governments are about to set a goal to cut carbon pollution completely, putting us on a path to 100% clean energy! This target is now in the draft Global Climate Agreement, but it is at risk.

Right now, Ministers from all over the world are on their way to Lima, Peru to hammer out the agreement. But oil, coal and fracking companies, and countries that want to keep polluting are lobbying hard to pull this crucial target from the text. That’s where we come in. 

People power forced through this crucial goal, now we have to protect it! If we don’t, scientists are clear -- catastrophic and runaway climate change is inevitable. Our best chance of blocking back-room deals with polluters is bombarding our Ministers with thousands of messages.

If enough of us act, they’ll know they're being watched and expected to stand strong for the goal of 0 carbon, and 100% clean energy. Send your message now! 

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/lima_summit_100_clean_eu/?bIiqNab&v=49823

The Avaaz team is on the ground and will ensure each country’s delegate and media know how many messages have been sent per country, and our messages could even be projected onto screens right in the conference hall and hand delivered to Ministers. 

Long time climate activists are saying there is more hope for action now than ever! After hundreds of thousands of us took to the streets in September demanding climate action, the EU, US and China finally started to move in the right direction. Getting their commitment to reduce carbon pollution to zero would be a massive step forward. Let's lock in this progress before the lobbyists can unravel it. Send a message now:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/lima_summit_100_clean_eu/?bIiqNab&v=49823

For years we've been campaigning for climate action. And now our governments are finally moving in the right direction, but the stakes could not be higher, and what happens next will depend on us. Let’s do everything we can to win the deal we need to save the world!

With hope,

Alice, Iain, David, Emily, Laura, Oscar, Fatima, Ricken and the whole Avaaz team


MORE INFORMATION

UN climate talks begin as global temperatures break records (BBC)
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30225511

Prior to climate deal, talks begin in Peru (Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/global-warming/Prior-to-climate-deal-talks-begin-in-Peru/articleshow/45341101.cms

Will Lima climate talks pave way for a binding treaty in Paris in 2015? (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/dec/01/will-lima-climate-talks-pave-way-for-a-binding-treaty-in-paris-in-2015

Cautious optimism as delegates descend on Lima ahead of UN climate talks (ABC News)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-30/five-things-to-know-about-lima-climate-talks/5929290

Support the Avaaz Community!

We're entirely funded by donations and receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way.

Donate Now

Avaaz.org is a 40-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 18 countries on 6 continents and operates in 17 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
You are getting this message because you signed "The World in Action" on 2009-12-17 using the email address meneer.saturnus@gmail.com.
To ensure that Avaaz messages reach your inbox, please add avaaz@avaaz.org to your address book. 

To contact Avaaz, please do not reply to this email. Instead, write to us at www.avaaz.org/en/contact or call us at +1-888-922-8229 (US).