Weekly Action and News 14/06/2024
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
This year, during Refugee Week (17th-23rd June), Manchester Amnesty group is proud to support Together with Refugees #FairBeginsHere campaign
We are calling for:
Restoration of the right to asylum for all who need it, with safe and fair decisions made in good time. Provision of access to adequate legal, financial, housing and language support and asylum seekers to be given the right to work.
Working in collaboration with other countries, the creation of safe routes so that people seeking asylum do not have to use people smugglers and human traffickers.
Repeal of the Illegal Migration Act 2023, provisions of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, and all other legislation which does not comply with international human rights law.
What you can do:
Write to your parliamentary candidates (find them here) and ask them how they will support a fair new plan for refugees, using the points above.
On World Refugee Day (20th June), post your support for refugees on social media, using the hashtag #FairBeginsHere.
Download a poster here and display it in your window, or use it in your social media posts.
***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 14th June, 5pm to 6pm
Meet in front of Central Library
Please wear black/dark colours
and please do not bring placards, banners or flags.
We will provide placards with Amnesty’s messages. Feel free to bring your friends.
We will continue with the weekly vigils until further notice.
Following on from the excellent and inspiring presentation at our group meeting this week from Ros Holland, CEO of the Boaz Trust, anyone who would like to attend the Trust’s Family Night next Monday, 17th June at 6.30-8.30pm, please register your interest by emailing info@boaztrust.org.uk.
To read “A Slow Violence,” the joint BOAZ-GMIAU report that Ros talked about, use this link
Would you like to organise and run our appeal writing sessions?
Anne Walker has been running the appeal-writing sessions for many years and needs to hand this task over to another member, so that she can focus on her regional rep activities. The role has the advantage of being regular and predictable. The writing sessions take place on 6 Saturday afternoons per year. Some additional researching and organisation of materials is also required.
If you would like take on this role, please contact Anne anne.walker9@ntlworld.com
VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!
We are hoping to have a stall on Sunday 14th July at this year’s festival by SPARKLE, the national transgender charity, which will take place in Sackville Gardens, Manchester.
Thanks to those who have already volunteered to help out on the day. We are still looking for a volunteer who could transport materials. Please contact Zoe Song weiyi.zoe.song@gmail.com.
SAVE THE DATE for this year’s Manchester Pride Parade, which will take place
in Manchester (route tba) on Saturday, 24th August.
Non-Amnesty events
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
The Big Ride for Palestine
Every year since 2015, The Big Ride for Palestine has seen cyclists fly the flag for Palestine across Britain, spreading awareness about the Palestinian struggle for justice while raising vital funds for organisations in Palestine. This year’s Big Rides, in the context of the genocidal assaults taking place in Gaza, will provide a way to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians. The North West ride of 36 miles (60 km) takes place in Manchester on 3rd August. Time to don your lycra!
More details and registration here
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.
Good news
France / Syria - On May 24, 2024, a Paris court sentenced three senior Syrian government security officials, Ali Mamlouk, Jamil Hassan and Abdel Salam Mahmood, to life imprisonment in absentia for complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the enforced disappearance of Mazen and Patrick Dabbagh, father and son with dual nationality, in November 2013.
Italy - On June 5, 2024, the court of Reggio Calabria annulled the 60-day administrative detention order for the Sea-Eye4 ship operated by the German NGO Sea-Eye. The judge found unproven “allegations that the ship's crew did not follow the instructions of the so-called Libyan coast guard", and confirmed that "the rescue operations at sea by the Sea-Eye have always been dutiful and correct according to international law".
UN – Israel/Hamas – On 12th June, 2024, a U.N. inquiry found that both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes in the early stages of the Gaza war, saying that Israel's actions also constituted crimes against humanity because of the immense civilian losses.
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 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 [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]
Instagram @amnestymanchester [instagram.com] (managed by Sara Baptista - sarabm6@gmail.com)
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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