HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES BY THE STATE TAKE CENTRE STAGE IN SPECIAL SEMINAR AT EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM

Flagrant abuses of human rights are the theme of a large seminar this
Friday, which forms part of the European Social Forum (ESF) programme. The
seminar is titled "FROM GENOA TO GUANTANAMO". It is being held at the Camden
Centre, Judd Street, London, on FRIDAY 15th OCTOBER, from 9 am to 12 noon.



Leading human rights lawyer Gareth Peirce and victims of State human rights
abuse in Genoa, Palestine and Guantanamo Bay are amongst those taking part
in the seminar.



Organiser Mark Covell, who himself received severe internal injuries from
the Italian police in their infamous Diaz raid in Genoa in 2001 said: " What
we are seeing is a massive growth in State repression aimed at those whose
only crime is to protest". The mother of Carlo Giuliani (shot by the Italian
protest during the 2001 Genoa protest rally) will be one of those speaking.



The plight of those detained without charge - without trial - and without
any date for release - in the USA's Guantanamo Bay and in the UK's Belmarsh
Prison will receive particular attention from lawyers, victims, campaigners
and commentators alike. Leading campaigner Dr Adnan Siddiqi will focus
particularly on the targeting of Muslims at the present time. Also, for the
first time, one of the very few people released from Camp X-Ray at
Guantanamo Bay will speak in public about his experiences.



The objective, says organiser Mark Covell, is 'to send an exceptionally
strong message to those States carrying out such abuses, denouncing their
actions and demanding that they cease abusing human rights in this way'.



END (275 words)













Notes to Editors


1 The European Social Forum (ESF) runs from 14th to 17th
October and comprises meetings and cultural events in several principal
London venues. Between 20,000 and 30,000 people from Britain and from
elsewhere in Europe are registered to attend.



2 The "From Genoa to Guantanamo" seminar forms part of
the 4-day 'Communication Rights' forum taking place in the Camden Centre
alongside the other ESF events



3 The Camden Centre will be housing an ongoing Indymedia
centre, facilitating the reporting of the ESF events.



4 It is particularly relevant that the worldwide Indymedia network
has, in the last week, suffered from a major aggressive attempt by the FBI,
with Home Office collusion, to close down the network. This has rendered the
whole Communication Rights programme exceptionally timely. See:
http://efcr2004.net

http://www.indymedia.org.uk



5 The Press are invited to attend the "From Genoa to Guantanamo"
seminar.



For information about the "From Genoa to Guantanamo" seminar, contact:



Caroline Sinclair (Speaker and Press Steward)

On 07816 494 705

Or on 020 7435 2761

Or at carosinclair@yahoo.co.uk



Gwyn Redgers (Chair of seminar)

On 020 8543 1748

Or 020 8355 3456

Or at gwynredgers@btconnect.com