Weekly Action and News 30/06/2023
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
The government has recently tabled the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill. As noted in this Guardian editorial, the legislation will prevent local authorities and other public bodies from making ethical choices in their procurement and investment decisions. The Bill allows the Secretary of State to exempt any country from the law’s provisions – except for Israel. Amnesty point out that this blatant proposal to exclude Israel, and only Israel, from actions to influence positive human rights change “shows that the legislation is in part driven by a desire to prevent opposition to Israel’s system of apartheid against Palestinians.”
This bill erodes local democracy and restricts freedom of expression. Together with a broad coalition of 70 civil society organisations. Palestine Solidarity Campaign are calling for MPs to reject this dangerous bill. You can show your support by signing the petition on the link below.
The next Manchester Amnesty Local Group Meeting will be online, Monday 10th July at 7pm. As we prepare for Manchester Pride in August, our speaker Drahoslava Machova will talk to us about the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights in Europe and her work around health and social care for marginalised communities.
As usual, there will also be the opportunity to catch up on all of our campaigns. Everyone is welcome, including new members. Look out for an email with the zoom link.
Join our Manchester Amnesty stall on Sunday 9th July at the Sparkle weekend.
Sparkle is billed as the world’s largest free-to-attend celebration of gender diversity – see this link: https://www.sparkle.org.uk/
Everybody is welcome, whether members of the LGBTQ+ community or not.
Please contact Zoe Wong if you can help or want more information weiyi.zoe.song@gmail.com
After the huge success of our combined Manchester-Liverpool Amnesty COP28/UAE-focused stall at the Didsbury Festival on 10th June, we are looking for volunteers to help out when we have a similar stall on 16th July at the Arab Art festival in Sefton Park, Liverpool.
The block printing of slogans and designs onto pre-loved teeshirts was really popular and created a great opportunity to talk to people about climate rights and human rights. If you can make it for a few hours, you are guaranteed to have fun at this family-friendly event! Lifts may be available.
Please contact Kathryn Fletcher if you want to go bussk@btinternet.com,
Amnesty Human Rights Quiz, Wednesday 5th July 7:30pm
Recently, we have been subjected to a deluge of legislation and bills that undermine or attempt to undermine human rights in the UK.
Do you know your rights and do you know how they are being affected?
This Human Rights Quiz, put together by Elena Auer (joint NW activism rep) with James Farndon and Tom Southerdon of AIUK will help you identify gaps in your knowledge.
Register in advance for this meeting here [us06web.zoom.us].
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.
Members may be interested in joining a
Campaign Update on the Illegal Migration bill by Refugee Action,
online at 5.30pm on Wednesday 12th July
You can register here
***SAVE THE DATE***
ACOUSTIC AMNESTY 10TH ANNIVERSARY GIG
Our first gig was in September 2013.
Let's celebrate 10 years of Acoustic Amnesty!
Friday, 8th September, 2023. Door time 7:00pm, Start time 7:30
At Sacred Trinity Church, Salford.
More details about acts to follow, but it will be suitable for friends and supporters of all ages.
Good news
Estonia - On June 21, 2023, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced the legalization, starting in 2024, of marriage equality with these words: "We are building a society in which the rights of all people are respected and people can love freely".
Hungary - On 22 June 2023, the European Court of Human Rights concluded that Hungary violated the right of transgender persons to respect for private life by not providing them with adequate procedures for legal gender recognition.
Hungary - On 22 June 2023, the European Court of Justice ruled in a binding decision that Hungary had violated European Union law by obliging persons seeking international protection to initiate asylum procedures outside the country.
Georgia - On June 23, 2023, President Salomé Zourabichvili pardoned Nika Gvaramia, director of the pro-opposition television channel "Mtavari", who on May 16, 2022 had been sentenced to three and a half years in prison on charges of abuse of office.
United Arab Emirates - On June 23, 2023, authorities commuted the death sentences of two Filipino citizens who had been found guilty of drug offenses.
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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