Weekly Action and News 01/09/2023
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
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“Joint enterprise” refers to the practice of deeming a person or persons guilty of an offence on the basis of their association with other(s) who committed the offence. For example, it has been used, disproportionately against young men of colour, to obtain convictions on the basis that defendants were members of, or associated with, a gang. While the Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that convictions invoking joint enterprise were flawed and wrong, it has been almost impossible for people convicted on these grounds to appeal because of rules about the timing of appeals and the need to provide evidence of “substantial injustice” before even being allowed to appeal. The organisation JENGbA (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association) is currently campaigning in support of a Private Member’s Bill entitled The Criminal Appeals (Amendment) Bill, which is due to have its second reading on 24th November. If passed, the new legislation would make it more feasible for those convicted under joint enterprise to appeal. On 11th September, JENGbA will be lobbying MPs to urge them to support the bill. They have prepared a letter or email to MPs which is attached as a pdf below. Please write to or email your MP, preferably before 11th September, asking them to support the bill.
The September monthly group meeting will take place online on Monday 11th September at 7pm. The agenda and a joining link will be circulated to all members nearer the time.
Next Friday!
ACOUSTIC AMNESTY 10TH ANNIVERSARY GIG
10 years on from Acoustic Amnesty’s first gig, we are delighted to announce this celebration, which will include some of the performers who were at that very first gig. Over the course of 22 events with 67 different performers, Acoustic Amnesty has raised over £7500 for Amnesty and other charities. Proceeds from the anniversary gig will go to Amnesty and the charity Forever Manchester, which supports Manchester community groups.
Friday, 8th September, 2023. Door time 7:00pm, Start time 7:30
At Sacred Trinity Church, Salford.
Get your tickets here.
WeGotTickets | Simple, honest ticketing | Acoustic Amnesty 10th anniversary gig
Additional volunteers welcome for our stall in the foyer of the Trailblazers – Women of Greater Manchester Exhibition, Thursday 14th September, 17.00-20.00, Levenshulme Station South.
Two of us will be highlighting women’s rights and our Manchester Amnesty campaigns, but more volunteers would be welcome. If you’d like to come along, contact alison.wearden@gmail.com.
Would anyone like help me (alison.wearden@gmail.com) represent the Manchester Amnesty group at the University of Manchester’s Campaign Supernova event on Friday 22nd September, 11am-2pm, joining the University Amnesty group’s stall to talk about our work?
Wednesday 1st November at the People’s History Museum 11am-3pm
We will be holding a repeat of our successful craft stall to do art-blocking and raise awareness of climate rights and human rights in the UAE ahead of COP28.This event falls during half-term for many, will be family-friendly, and is part of the PMH’s “Make your Mark” series of placard-making workshops. Please let Kathryn Fletcher know if you are able to come bussk@btinternet.com
Good news
USA- On August 18, 2023, a military judge declared inadmissible, because it was extracted through torture, the confession of Abd al-Rahim Nashiri, a Saudi citizen detained in Guantanamo on suspicion of organizing the bombing of the Cole military ship in October 2000. Nashiri had been subjected to "waterboarding" and other forms of torture for four years.
Ecuador - On August 21, 2023, with a majority of almost 60 percent, a referendum against the exploitation of oil fields within the Yasuni National Park, in the Amazon region, was carried. Oil exploitation in the area was started in 2016, without the consent of the populations concerned, and despite the fact that the area had been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1989.
Brazil - On August 23, 2023, the Federal Supreme Court expanded the application of a 2019 law on homobitransphobic insults so that they are now criminal offences when directed at individuals as well as when made about entire sections of the population.
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 Lancine Sacko - sacko10@hotmail.co.uk
Individuals at Risk (bi-monthly appeal writing drop ins) - Anne Walker anne.walker9@ntlworld.com
Manchester Central Library café, 2-4pm 4th Saturdays September, November, January, March, May, July
Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians - Mike Reed mikewreed101@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ and Pride coordinator – Zoe Song weiyi.zoe.song@gmail.com
Press freedom and Julian Assange – Lima Al-Iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com
Refugees – Alison Wearden alison.wearden@gmail.com
UAE – Kathryn Fletcher bussk@btinternet.com
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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