Weekly Action and News 26/07/24
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
This week we have an action which involves writing a post-election email to your MP asking them to support the following Amnesty International demands relating to human rights in the UK:
1. Suspend arms transfers to Israel and champion the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, including the execution of all arrest warrants.
2. Fairly and efficiently decide the claims of people seeking asylum in the UK, however they may arrive.
3. End the criminalisation of homelessness and make sure people across the UK can afford safe and decent homes.
4. Protect the right to protest by repealing those sections of the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act and the Public Order Act which have been used to punish peaceful protesters exercising their human rights.
The full letter is attached at the end of this post. You will need to select the appropriate options depending on whether your MP is new or re-elected and whether they are a member of the new government or not. Find your MP’s email address here. It would be helpful it you could forward any replies you receive to Iona Bruce at ifbruce99@gmail.com
Special meeting about this year’s Pride Parade
All members are welcome to attend
Tuesday 30th July at 6pm, on zoom
We need to discuss our involvement in the Pride Parade this year.
The Parade is sponsored by Booking.com, a company which advertises holiday accommodation in the illegally Occupied PalestinianTerritories, creating an obvious problem for us.
A zoom link, agenda, and more information will be sent before the meeting.
Please do come along and share your views.
***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 26th July, 5-6pm.
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.
Manchester Amnesty fundraising event – Human Rights Walk.
Saturday 10th August 10:45 for 11:00, lasts about 2 hours.
Please find attached a flyer for a guided walk around Manchester city centre looking at our city’s human rights history. Steve Roman (Radical history walk leader & a member of Manchester Amnesty) has generously offered to lead our walk. Those of you who have been on Steve's guided walks previously will know that he has a vast knowledge of our city as well as an in-depth understanding of its radical and grassroots history.
You are guaranteed an informative and interesting morning!
Please help us by publicising this walk widely among your friends. Tickets (donations) can be purchased here: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/626676 [wegottickets.com]
Appeal-writing session at Central Library – TOMORROW Saturday 27th July, 2-4pm
Join us in Central Library near the café where we will be writing appeals on behalf of a wide range of human rights defenders and Amnesty cases from around the world. Materials and information will be provided. Feel free to bring a device if you prefer to send appeals via email. Stay for as little or as long as you like!
PS. We have one volunteer to take over the organisation of this event from Anne Walker, but it would be good to have a team of two, so if you are interested, please let us know.
Non-Amnesty events
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
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
Gambia - On July 16, 2024, parliament rejected the proposal to abolish the Women's Law, which came into force in 2015, which bans female genital mutilation and establishes penalties for those who perform such practices or provide help or assistance to carry them out.
South Korea - On July 18, 2024, the Supreme Court rejected a government appeal stating that same-sex couples have the same rights, in terms of health coverage, as heterosexual couples. Amnesty International had also intervened in the proceedings as an "amicus curiae".
International justice Israel / Occupied Palestinian Territory - On July 19, 2024, the International Court of Justice issued an opinion that Israel's occupation and annexation of Palestinian territories is illegal and Israeli discriminatory laws and policies against the Palestinian population violate the prohibition of racial segregation and apartheid.
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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