Weekly Action and News 14/07/2023
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
According to the campaigning organisation Reprieve, the UK government has contributed up to £20m to fund prisons in North East Syria where 750 people, many of them children, are being illegally detained without trial. The conditions in these prisons are inhumane, and there have been reports of young people dying from disease and malnutrition. Last year, after investigating the death of an Australian boy and finding it “utterly preventable,” the UN called on the UK government to stop funding the facilitation of mass arbitrary detention. The Reprieve petition below calls on the Prime Minister to stop abuses against children in UK funded prisons in North East Syria, and you can add your name at the link below.
Many thanks to Drahoslava Machova, for her super-interesting talk at Monday’s group meeting about LGBTQ+ rights and experiences in Eastern and Western Europe. We are now gearing up to the Manchester Pride parade on 26th August. We have up to 50 places and would love to fill them all. Zoe Wong is coordinating our efforts -if you plan to attend the parade, or if you want more information, please contact Zoe weiyi.zoe.song@gmail.com
The next bi-monthly appeal writing drop-in session will take place at Manchester Central Library (area behind the café) on Saturday, July 22nd, 2-4pm.
As usual, all materials and information will be provided for writing appeals on behalf of individuals at risk by letter, email or tweet (bring your own device). We’d love to see you there.
If there is any case that you would particularly like us to focus on, please email Anne Walker with the details: anne.walker9@ntl.world.com
During the business section of our group meeting this week, we spoke about the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Members may be interested to read an open letter to the UN which has recently been sent by 104 civil society organisations including Amnesty International, highlighting concerns about the IHRA definition and urging that human rights are respected in the fight against anti-semitism.
Rethink Rebuild Society is pleased to invite you to the screening of
Barbara
a film about the moral, political and personal dilemmas faced by a doctor working in East Germany in the 1980s. Followed by open discussion
Wednesday, 19 July 2023 at 7.45pm prompt
Rethink Rebuild Society, First Floor, Discovery House, Manchester, SK4 5BH
Click here for tickets
****TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR****
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
Good news
Netherlands - On July 4, 2023, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to the Sexual Offences Act that stipulates that sex without consent is rape.
Malaysia - On July 4, 2023, Law 846 officially came into force, abolishing the mandatory death sentence for certain crimes.
Zimbabwe - On 5 July 2023, Cecillia Chimbiri and Joanah Mamombe, two activists arrested on 15 May 2020 during a peaceful protest against the government, and later beaten and subjected to sexual violence, were acquitted.
Manchester Amnesty issue and campaign coordinators
Anti-racism –Hazel Errey hazelerrey@gmail.com
Craftivism – Kathryn Fletcher bussk@btinternet.com Kathryn wishes to step down as craftivism coordinator so if you would like to take on this role, please let her know.
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 area, 2-4pm 4th Saturdays July, September, November.
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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