Weekly Action and News 20/12/2024
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
Following his arrest on 13 November 2024 by Saudi authorities, Ahmed Fathi Kamal Kamel, an Egyptian citizen, is at imminent risk of forcible deportation from Saudi Arabia to Egypt where he would be at risk of torture, persecution and other grave human rights violations. In 2021, an Egyptian criminal court sentenced Ahmed Fathi Kamal Kamel in absentia to life imprisonment in Egypt on charges stemming from his protest activity in 2014. Ahmed Fathi Kamal Kamel’s family told Amnesty International that Egyptian security forces shot Ahmed Fathi Kamal Kamel for his participation in anti-government protests, where he said he was subjected to torture. He moved to Saudi Arabia in 2014 after being released on bail. If extradited, Ahmed Fathi Kamal Kamel faces a high likelihood of torture and persecution by Egyptian authorities on account of his political opinion. The Saudi authorities must immediately halt Ahmed Fathi Kamal Kamel’s extradition, which would amount to a clear violation of the principle of non-refoulement under international law, and release him. You can send an email to the Minister of Justice in Saudi Arabia by clicking the link below.
STOP EXTRADITION OF TORTURE SURVIVOR TO EGYPT
Can I take this opportunity to thank people for their support for the weekly newsletter and to wish everyone a happy and restful holiday period and all the best for the New Year.
There will be no newsletter next week, 27th December. The next newsletter will be on 3rd January.
On 5th December, Amnesty International published a major new report
“You feel like you are subhuman: Israel’s Genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza.”
The report can be accessed here and an executive summary here.
You can also watch a video here, but be warned, it contains disturbing material.
***THIS EVENING*** MANCHESTER AMNESTY SILENT VIGIL for Palestine and Israel
St Peters Square, Manchester, Friday 20th December, 5-6pm.
Please do not bring placards, banners or flags.
We will provide placards with Amnesty’s messages, and tea-lights. Feel free to bring your friends.
Please note: There will be no vigil on 27th December, weekly vigils will resume on 3rd January
Save the date! 5th and 6th July 2025
Amnesty International UK, Annual General Meeting and National Conference.
More information to follow.
Non Amnesty events and actions
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
No Christmas in Gaza this year
Demonstration and rally, Saturday, 21st December, 12 noon, St. Peter’s Square
Whalley Range Peace and Justice Stand with Palestine
Each Wednesday 4.30-5.30 at Brooks Bar M16 7RN
Didsbury against genocide, rally, every Wednesday, 5.30-6.30pm outside the Library.
Levenshulme Peace and Justice for Palestine All out for Palestine
Each Thursday, 5-6pm, Levenshulme Village Green, junction of Stockport Rd & Chapel St
Good news
On December 11, 2024, artist and cartoonist Atena Farghadani was released from Evin prison. Arrested on April 14 after finishing one of her paintings on a street wall in Tehran, she was sentenced to six years in prison for "blasphemy" and "propaganda against the state". On appeal, and after international pressure, the sentence was commuted to eight months in prison.
Iran - On December 11, 2024, the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence, issued in April 2023 against activist Mojahed Kourkouri, who had been found guilty of "war against God" and "corruption on Earth". There will now be a new trial.
Zimbabwe - On December 12, 2024, parliament approved the law abolishing the death penalty. The measure was sent for ratification to the president, a well-known abolitionist.
On 13 December 2024, the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture released the report of a visit carried out in April to a number of repatriation centres in Italy. The report highlighted ill-treatment, substandard accommodation, violations of the rights to health and legal assistance and lack of monitoring.
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 volunteer needed
Individuals at Risk (bi-monthly appeal writing drop ins and Write for Rights in Nov/Dec) – Anne Walker is stepping down volunteer needed anne.walker9@ntlworld.com, sarabm6@gmail.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.comsu
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] MANAGER NEEDED!
Instagram @amnestymanchester [instagram.com] (currently managed by Sara Baptista - sarabm6@gmail.com but we are looking for a new manager)
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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