Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
On 6 December 2024, in the aftermath of UN Climate Change conference COP29 held in Baku, Azerbaijani authorities detained seven journalists and media workers on spurious charges of “smuggling”, which carry prison sentences from 5-8 years. Their arbitrary detention and prosecution is a reprisal for their journalistic work expressing views in opposition to the government, and form part of the government’s widespread crackdown on critical voices, which intensified one year ago. Click the link below to send an email to the President of Azerbaijan asking for the immediate and unconditional release of these journalists and media workers.
***THIS EVENING*** MANCHESTER AMNESTY SILENT VIGIL for Palestine and Israel
St Peters Square, Manchester, Friday 24th January, 5-6pm.
Please do not bring placards, banners or flags.
We will provide placards with Amnesty’s messages, and tea-lights. Feel free to bring your friends.
Readers may be interested in this statement by 18 NGOs, including AIUK, on the need for accountability and justice on the cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
2025 annual subscriptions are now due!
Subscriptions are voluntary. We suggest £20 or £5 yearly, but feel free to pay whatever you wish.
You can pay via bank transfer - it would help our planning if you could set up a standing order.
Account name: Manchester Amnesty Group Acct number: 68177527 Sort code: 05-05-73
If you wish to pay another way, please contact our treasurer sean.a.dunne@btinternet.com
Save the dates!
7th June, 2025
Human Rights Festival – Sefton Park, Liverpool
5th and 6th July 2025
Amnesty International UK, Annual General Meeting and National Conference, Birmingham
More information to follow about both of these events
Non Amnesty events and actions
Charity Ceilidh Night
Friday 31st January, 7-10:30pm, Chorlton Central Church, corner of Zetland Road.
A night of live folk music, ceilidh dancing led by an expert caller, and delicious food - all supporting Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)'s crucial work for the health and dignity of Palestinians.
BOOK NOW (last year’s event sold out quickly!)
Rethink Rebuild Society have issued this newsletter for the second half of 2024, celebrating recent developments in Syria, and packed with news about activities that have taken place over the past 6 months.
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
Stop arming Israel! Gaza lives! Resistance until Return
Demonstration, Saturday, 25th January, 12.00-14.30, Piccadilly Gardens
Whalley Range Peace and Justice Stand with Palestine
Each Wednesday 4.30-5.30 at Brooks Bar M16 7RN
Didsbury against genocide, rally, every Wednesday, 5.30-6.30pm outside the Library.
Levenshulme Peace and Justice for Palestine All out for Palestine
Each Thursday, 5-6pm, Levenshulme Village Green, junction of Stockport Rd & Chapel St
Good news
Iran - On January 12, 2025, Nagiv Taghavi, an Iranian citizen with a German passport, was released after having served four years of a ten and a half year sentence for "propaganda against national security".
Cuba - On January 15, 2025, Donaida Perez Paseiro and José Daniel Ferrer García, who had been imprisoned for participating in the mass demonstrations of July 11, 2021, were released from prison.
Cameroon - On January 16, 2025, Dorgolesse Nguessan, whose case had been part of the Amnesty International "Write for Rights 2022" campaign, was released after the Court of Appeal reduced her sentence. In September 2020, she took part in a peaceful demonstration to protest against the economic crisis. On February 7, 2021, she was sentenced to five years in prison for "insurrection" and "participation in an unauthorized demonstration".
Israel / Occupied Palestinian Territory - On January 19, 2025, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher, three Israeli citizens taken hostage by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on October 7, 2023, were released. Amnesty International had been calling for the return of all civilian hostages to Israel since 12 October 2023. Among the first 90 Palestinian people released under the agreement is Khalida Jarrar, a former parliamentarian and women's rights activist, who was arrested on 26 December 2023 and has since been in administrative detention. Khalida Jarrar had previously been detained from July 2017 to February 2019 at which time Amnesty International had issued an urgent action.
Manchester Amnesty issue and campaign coordinators
Anti-racism –Hazel Errey hazelerrey@gmail.com
Craftivism – Lima Al-Iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com
Europe/ Turkey Fatih Segmen - fsegmen@yahoo.com
Human Rights in the UK volunteer needed
Individuals at Risk (bi-monthly appeal writing drop ins and Write for Rights in Nov/Dec) please let us know if you are interesting in organising this activity.
Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians - Mike Reed mikewreed101@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ and Pride – Zoe Song weiyi.zoe.song@gmail.com
Press freedom and Julian Assange – Lima Al-iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com & Danny Jones dannyj644@gmail.comsu
Refugees Whatsapp group – Alison Wearden alison.wearden@gmail.com
UAE – Kathryn Fletcher bussk@btinternet.com
Our website Manchester | Amnesty International UK [amnesty.org.uk] (managed by Alison Wearden)
X/Twitter @amnestymanc [twitter.com] (managed by Steve Lindsay – stevenjameslindsay@gmail.com)
Facebook Manchester Amnesty Group [facebook.com] MANAGER NEEDED!
Instagram @amnestymanchester [instagram.com] (we are in the process of recruiting a new manager)
Alison Wearden
Communications Secretary
Manchester Group of Amnesty International
Please contact me with items for our Weekly Action and News email, or with ideas for longer articles for the quarterly Manchester Amnesty Group Bulletin.
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