Weekly Action and News 12/04/2024
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
This government's Rwanda scheme flies in the face of international law, the UK Supreme Court and common human decency. It's cruel, and it's wrong. The Safety of Rwanda Bill was heavily amended in the Lords. It is due back in the Commons on 15th April and is edging closer to being made law.
In the meantime, it has been reported that the airline AirTanker are in talks with the government to fly refugees to Rwanda. In 2022, under pressure from activists and campaigns organised by Freedom From Torture, AirTanker, Privilege Style and some other airlines ruled themselves out of being part of the Government’s Rwanda scheme. Now AirTanker is going back on that decision, so Freedom from Torture have a new petition to apply some additional pressure.
You can take action by clicking the link below and signing a petition demanding that AirTanker withdraw from the Rwanda scheme.
***THIS EVENING*** MANCHESTER AMNESTY SILENT VIGIL
Silent vigil calling for a permanent ceasefire
and the protection of all civilians in Palestine and Israel
St Peters Square, Manchester, Friday 12th April, 5pm to 6pm
Meet in front of Central Library
Please dress warmly, wear black/dark colours
and please do not bring placards, banners or flags.
We will provide placards with Amnesty’s messages and tealights. Feel free to bring your friends.
We will continue with the weekly vigils until further notice.
Non-Amnesty events
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
Stop Gaza genocide. Stop Britain’s Arms to Israel.
Demonstration. Saturday 13th April, St Peter’s Square, 12 noon.
See also event on 25th April at 7pm – advert at bottom of newsletter
Whalley Range Peace and Justice Stand with Palestine
Each Wednesday 4.30-5.30 at Brooks Bar (junction Upper Chorlton Rd/Moss Lane East/Withington Rd)
Please support these events, but please do not take Amnesty banners.
Poetry & Prose for Palestine, Sunday 21 April, 7pm, at The Peer Hat
An evening of poetry and prose from local writers in aid of MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians).
This is not an Amnesty International event but it features a brief introduction from Mike Reed that covers Amnesty's report on Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people.
There will be a raffle and DJ set.
The event is free but attendees will be asked for evidence of their donation on the door.
See https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-prose-for-palestine-tickets-866621717887 [eventbrite.co.uk] for further details and tickets.
Good news
Myanmar - On 4 April 2024, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution calling on all states "to refrain (...) from exporting, selling or transferring aviation fuel, surveillance products and technologies, less lethal weapons and other 'dual-use' items when they consider that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that such material could be used to commit human rights violations."
United Nations - On April 4, 2024, the UN Human Rights Council approved a resolution, sponsored by Australia, Chile, Finland and South Africa, which states that medical procedures, often forced, to "normalize" intersex people constitute a violation of human rights.
Iran - On 4 April 2024, the UN Human Rights Council approved a resolution renewing the mandate of the International Fact-Finding Commission and the Special Rapporteur on Iran, as urged by Amnesty International.
Israel-Occupied Palestinian Territories - On 5 April 2024, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution calling for Israel to be held accountable for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza and urging states not to supply arms to Israel because of its conduct of war in Gaza.
UK – On 4th April An immigration tribunal ruled that the Home Office’s refusal to decide on family reunion applications from Gaza without biometric data amounted to disproportionate interference in the appellants’ right to family life, and that sections of the Home Office Guidance are in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Switzerland – On 9th April 2024, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Swiss Confederation is violating human rights by failing to do enough to tackle climate change.
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 Iona Bruce – ifbruce99@gmail.com
Individuals at Risk (bi-monthly appeal writing drop ins and Write for Rights in Nov/Dec) – Anne Walker is stepping down. Please contact her if you are interested in taking over the role anne.walker9@ntlworld.com
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.com
Refugees Whatsapp group – Alison Wearden alison.wearden@gmail.com
UAE – Kathryn Fletcher bussk@btinternet.com
Our website Manchester | Amnesty International UK (managed by Alison Wearden)
X/Twitter @amnestymanc (managed by Steve Lindsay – stevenjameslindsay@gmail.com)
Facebook Manchester Amnesty Group
Instagram @amnestymanchester (managed by Sara Baptista - sarabm6@gmail.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.
0 comments