Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action

Please do this action and make a difference.

Today is UAE Prisoner of Conscience Mohammed Al-Roken’s birthday. Dr Al-Roken, a prominent human rights lawyer in the UAE, was detained in July 2012 and stood trial as part of the group that became known as the “UAE 94”.  We have been involved in working on behalf of Dr Al-Roken since 2016.

Find out more at https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/case/case-history-mohamed-al-roken

Please  tweet calling for his release or send an email to the UAE embassy in London (LondonEmb.Info@mofaic.gov.ae ). Here is a suggested message:

The on-going imprisonment of human rights lawyer #MohammedAlRoken in the #UAE is an injustice and violation of his right to freedom of expression. Today is his birthday and we join with @pen_int in calling on @HHShkMohd to immediately and unconditionally to #FreeAlRoken. @uae-detainees @UAE_HumanRights

Write for Rights

I haven’t featured a Write for Rights case this month as it’s Mohammed’s birthday – they’ll be back next week. However, you can get involved in all of this year’s campaign both by sending messages of support (e.g. in the form of a greetings card) and by sending appeals to the authorities. You can get further details and download the booklet from https://www.amnesty.org.uk/write-rights-2021-get-started.

As well as taking part yourselves, we’d like you to invite your friends, colleagues, neighbours and family to send a card or appeal. Are you a member of a group (church, mosque, walking, book . . .) who might be interested. Send them the booklet and invite them to have a go.

There are also 3 Write for Rights events coming up in December -

Whalley Range Event

The Whalley Range Peace and Justice group are holding their annual event in St Margaret’s Church on Saturday December 4^th, 2-4pm – see flyer.  This is a great community event with food and music and will really inspire you to send lots of solidarity messages. All Welcome!

December Group Meeting

Our online group meeting at 6.30pm on Monday December 13^th will feature the Write for Rights cases. Come along and find out more about them.

Central Library Write for Rights Drop-in

We have a table near the café in Central Library in Manchester. Please drop by and sign some cards or write an appeal letter. I’ll be there 10am – 3pm. Please come along and keep me company. Stay as long as you like!

Anne Walker

Secretary

Manchester Group of Amnesty International UK