Weekly Action and News 14/04/2023
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
At the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, Amnesty International and family members of men and women unlawfully killed by the security forces and republican and loyalist paramilitaries during the Troubles have urged the Irish government to commit to taking the UK to the European Court of Human Rights if the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill (‘Troubles Bill’) enters into law. The widely-opposed bill would allow perpetrators to get away with murder, torture and other serious crimes committed during the conflict, and will restrict the access of victims to justice, in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. Amnesty is calling on the UK Prime Minister to scrap the bill. You can add your voice here.
*****TOMORROW*****
Acoustic Amnesty!
Saturday 15th April, 2023, doors open 7pm, start 7:30
At the King’s Arms, Bloom Street, Salford
5 great acts will be playing to raise money for Amnesty and other charities
Tickets (£10 plus £1 booking fee) available here:
WeGotTickets | Simple, honest ticketing | Acoustic Amnesty at the Kings Arms
Human Rights in the UK QUIZ
Wednesday April 26th, at 7pm, online
The Amnesty NW Regional group are organising a quiz about human rights in the UK.
The government’s attacks on the rights of the people in the UK are so many and various that it is hard to keep up. Join in this quiz and find out how much you know.
There is no need to book, but it would be useful if you would let Anne Walker know if you plan to attend annewalker9@ntl.world.com .
A zoom link will be circulated next week.
On Thursday 28th April at 7pm, St Margaret’s Church, Rufford Rd, M16 8AE
supported by the Manchester Palestine Solidarity Campaign and with the Open Voice Choir
the Tadhamon Singers present an evening of songs, stories and pictures from Palestine.
There will be refreshments and a stall selling Palestinian goods.
Tadhamon Singers support the struggle for justice and equality for Palestine by engaging in activism in the UK against the injustices of the Israeli Apartheid regime.
Entry is free, donations are welcome. Please reserve your ticket here
We Stand With You Tickets, Fri 28 Apr 2023 at 19:00 | Eventbrite
Dates for upcoming campaigning events
Please put the following dates on your calendar, as we will be calling for volunteers to help out at each of the events below. More details will be provided as the events draw near.
Saturday May 13th – Israel’s Apartheid - March and rally, 1-3pm, Liverpool City Centre
Saturday May 27th – letter-writing drop in, 2-4pm, at Manchester Central Library
Sunday June 4th – Refugee month event at Burnage Open Gardens
Saturday June 10th – UAE/Craftivism event – climate and human rights, COP28, Didsbury Festival
Sat/Sun June 24/25 – Refugee week events at Chorlton Open Gardens
Sunday July 16th- UAE/Craftivism event – Arab Arts Festival, Sefton Park, Liverpool
We were recently approached by SANID,
an organisation which fights for the rights of prisoners of conscience in the UAE.
After discussion at the group meeting on 11th April, Hazel, our chair, signed a petition on behalf of our group. The petition calls for the release of 60 detainees, an end to abuse and harassment, and for freedom of expression at and rights-consistent outcomes of COP28. We are not asking you to sign it individually, but are circulating it with this newsletter for your information.
ساند معتقلي الإمارات – SANID | Stand up for UAE detainees (sanidpocuae.com)
Good news
Chad - On 27 March 2023, President Mahamat Idriss Déby pardoned 259 people sentenced in December 2022 for taking part in protests against the prolongation of the transition to democracy.
Malaysia - On 3 April 2023, the House of Representatives passed a law abolishing mandatory death sentences and introducing judicial discretion for 12 offences, including drug offences, which are the reason for most death sentences.
South Sudan - On 3 April 2023, the UN Human Rights Council renewed the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, established in 2016 to collect and preserve evidence and identify responsibility for serious crimes under international law.
Kosovo - On 3 April 2023, the trial of former President Hashim Thaci and three other former commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army began. They are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during and immediately after the 1998-1999 Kosovo War.
Uzbekistan - On April 6, 2023, the Senate of Uzbekistan unanimously approved an amendment to the Criminal Code establishing the crime of domestic violence. In addition to physical violence, stalking and harassment will be prosecuted.
Manchester Amnesty Subgroups and other work
If you would like to join any of our subgroups, please contact the current convenors for joining details.
UAE – Next meeting Tuesday, April 25th 5.30pm, zoom, contact Kathryn Fletcher for joining link, bussk@btinternet.com
Refugees – Next meeting tbc please contact Alison Wearden, if you would like to join alison.wearden@gmail.com
Anti-racism – Next meeting Wednesday 19th April, 6-7pm on zoom, please contact Hazel Errey if you would like to join hazelerrey@gmail.com
Craftivism –Next meeting Saturday 29th April, Manchester Art Gallery studio room, 1-4pm, please contact Kathryn Fletcher if you would like to join bussk@btinternet.com . Kathryn will be stepping down as craftivism coordinator so if you would like to take on this role, please let her know.
Individuals at Risk (bi-monthly letter writing drop ins) Next session, Saturday, 27th May 2-4pm, then 4th Saturday in July, September, November. Manchester Central Library, café area. Contact Anne Walker for more information anne.walker9@ntlworld.com
Other areas of work are led by:
Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians Mike Reed mikewreed101@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ and Pride coordinator – Zoe Song weiyi.zoe.song@gmail.com
Europe/ Turkey, Fatih Segmen, fsegmen@yahoo.com
Human Rights in the UK, Lancine Sacko, sacko10@hotmail.co.uk
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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