Dear Friends,

This month we bring you news from Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina and Ecuador.

Highlights are:

  • Colombia: Amnesty has released a new report which documents the reality experienced by the women who dedicate their lives to searching for the victims of enforced disappearance.
  • Peru: Amnesty has published the stories of four of the survivors of the repression of the 2022/23 protests, highlighting how the authorities have failed to ensure their health and recovery.
  • Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro has been sworn in to the Presidency, prompting outrage amongst non-governmental organisations and in other countries.
  • Chile: Amnesty has issued a new Urgent Action, calling on the Senate to reject draft legislation that poses a grave threat to the rights of migrants.
  • Argentina: Amnesty Argentina have published a report on the human rights situation during 2024. This explores how the economic policies and reforms have negatively impacted the lives of millions of people, especially the most vulnerable.
  • Ecuador: Amnesty has published an article on how communities in the city of Guayaquil and along the country’s coast have stepped up their activism in the face of the hostile environment created by the authorities.

 

COLOMBIA

Amnesty has released a new report Transforming pain into rights: Risks, threats and attack on women searchers in Colombia.  The report documents the reality experienced by the women who dedicate their lives to searching for the victims of enforced disappearance in Colombia, and the need for society to recognize these women and for the authorities to guarantee their rights, given the serious obstacles they face in demanding truth and justice.  The report has been prepared as part of Amnesty International’s #SearchingWithoutFear campaign, which calls for the recognition and protection of women searchers across the Americas. [click to continue…]

Welcome to the latest newsletter,
sending you our best wishes for 2025. Our next meeting  is on Thursday 6th February 2025, 7.30pm – 9.00pm at Moordown Community Centre. We decided not to meet on January 2nd

Write for Rights 2024

We had successful events at the Social Canteen and St John’s Church, Parish of Four Saints, in Bournemouth. Also at our meeting in Moordown. We sent over 90 cards and messages of support to the 9 people and groups featured this year. Its not too late to send messages of support or add your voice to the campaigns.
Read more about Write for Rights, and take action. Or see the last article in this newsletter.
https://amnestyat50.co.uk/write-for-rights-2024

South America Newsletter

The latest South America Newsletter has updates on Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay and Ecuador. In Venezuela  there is a new Urgent Action calling on the Venezuelan authorities to stop their attacks in the media and through the judicial system on the non-governmental organisation Provea. And in Brazil Amnesty International has launched a petition for Brazil to put in place an effective national policy of protection of Human Rights Defenders, Communicators and Environmentalists.
https://amnestyat50.co.uk/south-america-newsletter-december-2024

Europe Newsletter

In the latest Europe Newsletter there is a new Urgent Action calling for the immediate release of prominent human rights defender Nimet Tanrıkulu, who was remanded in pretrial detention on 30 November and is currently held at the Sincan Women’s prison in Ankara, accused of ‘membership of a terrorist organisation.’
Amnesty International is deeply concerned that Nimet Tanrıkulu is being maliciously investigated due to her human rights work. The authorities in Türkiye frequently misuse counter-terrorism investigations to silence those who defend human rights, and Nimet Tanrıkulu has herself faced such malicious investigations on at least two past occasions. There is a sample letter and you can email it as well as post.
https://amnestyat50.co.uk/europe-newsletter-december-2024

Professor Şebnem Korur Fincancı

Write 4 Rights (W4R)

W4R is Amnesty International’s annual campaign, sending greetings cards to prisoners of conscience, their families and other human rights defenders around the world.  Worldwide several million messages of support and appeal letters are now sent during a W4R campaign. They made a big difference to the people and communities confronting injustice and facing human rights violations.
One case featured is forensic medicine expert and human rights defender Professor Şebnem Korur Fincancı. She has dedicated her life to eradicating torture and defending human rights. Trying to silence her, the Turkish authorities have subjected Şebnem to baseless criminal investigations. In 2023, she was convicted for allegedly “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” after she had called for an investigation into allegations that the Turkish military was using chemical weapons in Iraq. Şebnem is appealing against her conviction but could be imprisoned for almost two years if unsuccessful. More comprehensive details, a sample appeal letter and links are on our website.
Another person featured in the W4R campaign is  Argentinian Joel Paredes. See the video about him below and read comprehensive details, a sample appeal letter and links on our site.
https://amnestyat50.co.uk/write-for-rights-2024

Joel Paredes

South America Newsletter December 2024

December 9, 2024

This month we bring you news from Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay and Ecuador. As foreshadowed in our November newsletter, two Peruvian Human Rights Defenders visited the UK from 10-13 November to raise international pressure in the search for justice for those who were killed or seriously injured during the repression of protests […]

Read the full article →

Europe Newsletter December 2024

December 8, 2024

The recent election of Trump in the US and the surge of the far right and increasing acceptance of far-right ideas across Europe are a threat to the human rights of many people. At the sharp end of the hate and the demonisation of the “other” are refugees who have been forced from their homes […]

Read the full article →

Quiz Night Autumn 2024

November 18, 2024

Many thanks to everyone who came to our Quiz Night, We had a great evening and raised over £300. Special thanks to the Brunswick again for giving us a great venue, for free. Also David Rogers for setting the questions and Sally Hawksworth for being the hostess. If you missed it you can download copies […]

Read the full article →

South America Newsletter November 2024

November 4, 2024

This month we bring you news from Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, Paraguay and Ecuador. Peru – Amnesty is bringing two Human Rights Defenders to the UK and you may book here to join them at the Human Rights Action Centre on 11 November evening and you can sign a petition. Colombia – Amnesty […]

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Write for Rights 2024

October 31, 2024

Write for Rights (W4R) is Amnesty International’s annual campaign, sending greetings cards to prisoners of conscience, their families and other human rights defenders around the world. Since W4R started in 2001, millions of people have taken part, helping to change the lives of those whose human rights have been taken away. Over the past 20 […]

Read the full article →

Europe Newsletter October 2024

October 17, 2024

Dear Amnesty Activists and supporters Please take urgent action to stop Eritrean asylum-seekers being deported to Eritrea, where they would face torture and imprisonment. Here is a sample letter. Please also look at our Write for Rights case from Türkiye. After the last elections in Poland the government changed, but there are no improvements for refugees […]

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Group Newsletter October 2024

October 11, 2024

Welcome to the latest newsletter. Our next meeting  is on Thursday 7th November 2024, 7.30pm – 9.00pm at Moordown Community Centre. We will catch up on campaigns, letter writing, and finalize planning for… Friday 15th November  8pm Yes, its back. Get ready for an evening packed with trivia, fun and friendly competition!  Test your knowledge on a broad […]

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South America Newsletter October 2024

October 6, 2024

AIUK SOUTH AMERICA TEAM OCTOBER 2024 NEWSLETTER Dear Friends This month we bring you news from Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Peru.  Highlights are: Regional: Amnesty has called on seven South American Presidents to strengthen action to reduce the risk of wildfires after recent record fires had a devasting impact on indigenous territories […]

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