Weekly Action and News 15/07/2022
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do these actions and make a difference
Action 1. Twitter storm in support of Dr Mohammed Al-Roken. ***16th JULY 2022***
Human rights defender Dr Mohammed Al-Roken is due for release from prison in the UAE this coming Sunday 17th July. Unfortunately, we know that when others imprisoned in the UAE reached the end of their sentences, they were not released but moved to a “rehabilitation” facility. This Saturday, 16th July, we are creating a twitter storm to call on the government of the UAE to release Dr Al Roken. To take part:
- Search on twitter for #FreeAlRoken and retweet each tweet by selecting ‘quote tweet’ then add ‘#FreeAlRoken’. You can add content, but it is essential to repeat the hashtag so others can retweet it.
- Create one or two tweets of your own (see sample tweets) and add #FreeAlRoken in all tweets. You can also add two more hashtags: #FreeAlRoken17thJuly and #FreeEmiratiActivists
- You can add one of the pictures below.
Sample tweets
@DrAlRoken is due to be released TOMORROW.
He was imprisoned 10 years ago for his peaceful work as a lawyer, standing up for human rights in the UAE.
We call on the #UAE @HHShkMohd and @MohamedBinZayed to #FreeAlRoken
SUNDAY 17th JULY is the release day for Dr Mohammed Al-Roken, a human rights defender in the #UAE.
It is against International Law to detain prisoners beyond their release day. @DrAlRoken is not a national threat but a national asset. #FreeAlRoken @amnestymanc calls on @HHShkMohd and @MohamedBinZayed to #FreeALRoken
Manchester Amnesty calls on to @HHShkMohd and @MohamedBinZayed to release @DrAlRoken on July 17th 2022 when his sentence ends! Detaining people beyond their sentence is a brazen contempt for the rule of law. #FreeAlRoken #FreeAlRoken17thJuly
Ten years ago @DrAlRoken was imprisoned in the #UAE for his peaceful human rights work.
His release date is 17th July. The UAE government has been detaining prisoners beyond their release dates.
We urge @HHShkMohd and @MohamedBinZayed to #FreeAlRoken #FreeEmiratiActivists
Pictures:
Action 2. Stop the use of facial recognition technology!
This action from Liberty relates to the continued use by the Metropolitan Police of facial recognition technology, which scans the faces of people in the street, often without their knowledge or consent. The scans are then used for identification purposes despite having been shown to be unreliable and particularly poor at discriminating between black faces (and to a lesser extent, women’s faces). Liberty an Ed Bridges won a court case back in 2020 when the use of facial recognition technology was deemed by the courts to violate people’s human rights. But the Met continues to use it.
Campaigning events this weekend and next weekend!
Refugees Welcome Solidarity Picnic, 2pm Saturday, 16th July, Cathedral Gardens Manchester
Arab Arts Festival Family day 12-5pm Sefton Park Liverpool Sun 17th July We have a joint stall with Liverpool and Wirral Amnesty groups to campaign for the release of Mohammed al-Roken whose sentence should end on 17th July 2022. We have plenty of people to staff the stall but it should be a fun day out so please join us if you can. https://www.arabartsfestival.com
Letter-writing drop in, open to all. Saturday 23rd July 2-4pm, Manchester Central Library Café (right next to St Peter’s Square tram stop).
We will be writing letters in support of individuals at risk around the world. Alternatively, you can bring a device and write emails. Drop in for half an hour or to come for the whole two hours, and do feel free to bring friends. All are welcome.
Events later in July, August and September (in brief)
We need volunteers to help run our Manchester Amnesty Stall at the Big Ride for Palestine gig on Sat 30 July from 7pm, at The Klondyke, Levenshulme, M19 2HQ. Anyone who can help please contact Mike Reed mikewreed101@gmail.com
A free music event by DeRanged Nights, 6th August at Overdraught MCR in Levenshulme from 8pm until late. In support of freedom of speech, free press and whistleblowers’ protection. Details from Lima Al-iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com
We have been accepted for the Manchester Pride Parade on 27th August, and can have up to 50 people, so please do come. The more, the merrier!
The Runnymede Trust are holding a two day conference entitled We Move: A race equality and migrants’ rights summit, 2-4 September, at the University of Leeds. The rate for activists is £25 for the weekend, £12.50 per day. Much more information and registration here
AIUK is launching its Anti-Racist network with an event on 24th September in London, open to all and free to attend. Information and registration here – please let Hazel know if you plan to attend hazelerrey@gmail.com
And further ahead…
Acoustic Amnesty fundraiser. Friday Nov 18 7.30pm to 1am 53Two, Arch 19, Watson St, Manchester M3 4LP. Singers, bands, poets and a DJ! Tickets (£10) at www.paypal.com/pools/c/8KVmcbGC1T
Manchester Amnesty Subgroups and other work
If you would like to join any of our subgroups, please contact the current convenors.
UAE – Kathryn Fletcher, bussk@btinternet.com.
Anti-racism – Hazel Errey, hazelerrey@gmail.com,
Refugees – Alison Wearden, alison.wearden@gmail.com
HR in UK – Matthew Sherwood, m.j.sherwood@outlook.com
Craftivism - Kathryn Fletcher bussk@btinternet.com.
Other areas of work are led by:
Crisis and Tactical Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen Rebecca Shaw, r.h.shaw.7@gmail.com
Europe/ Turkey, Fatih Segmen, fsegmen@yahoo.com
Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians Mike Reed mikewreed101@gmail.com
Individuals at Risk (quarterly letter writing) Anne Walker anne.walker9@ntlworld.com
LGBTQ rights – Manchester Pride 2022 coordinator – Steve Lindsay stevenjameslindsay@gmail.com
Good news
Syria / France - On 5 July 2022, the Paris government repatriated 35 minors and 16 mothers of French nationality who had been living, in unspeakable conditions, in the camps for suspected militants of the Islamic State run by the Kurds in northeastern Syria. The 35 children have been entrusted to the child protection services, the 16 women will be tried in France.
Liberia - On July 7, 2022, the Senate unanimously approved the abolition of the death penalty. The abolitionist text will be submitted to the vote of the House of Representatives. The last execution in the African state took place in 2000.
Antigua and Barbuda - On 6 July 2022, the High Court of the Caribbean State ruled that the 1995 law prohibiting homosexual relations between consenting adults was unconstitutional because it was contrary to the rights constitutionally guaranteed, freedom of expression and protection of privacy.
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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