Amnesty International Bournemouth Poole Christchurch Group

local news & events Amnesty International group for Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch

South America Newsletter August 2016

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Summary

In this month’s newsletter, we report on Amnesty’s work to highlight human rights violations in Brazil in the context of the Olympic Games. We also feature developments in Colombia, where the welcome ceasefire has not brought an end to human rights abuses. There are also brief updates on the eviction from their land of an indigenous group in Brazil, continuing efforts to secure the release of Belén from prison in Argentina and other developments in Venezuela (including a disturbing move towards forced labour) and Peru.

Brazil

Much recent work on Brazil has been focused on the human rights violations which spike in the context of public security operations around sporting events – this year the Olympics. Earlier this month, Ellie May, Country Coordinator for Brazil, and Jon Cornejo, Amnesty UK Campaigner, met with the Human Rights Attaché at the Brazilian Embassy to discuss the issues raised in the report “Violence Has No Place in These Games” released in June. The meeting was productive, including the Brazilian authorities being keen to collaborate with Amnesty International to understand how they can tackle the issues of police violence.

brazil newsletterAt the end of July, Amnesty International Activists delivered 40 body bags to the offices of the Olympic Organising Committee – one for person killed by the police this May in Rio de Janeiro. It marks another high profile act by Amnesty Brazil to raise concerns around the increased risk of human rights violations the context of the Rio 2016 Olympics after abuses were documented in relation to the 2014 World Cup and the 2007 Pan American Games. They also delivered a petition signed 120,000 people from more than 15 countries demanding public security policies that respect human rights during the Olympics. You can read full story on the Amnesty Website.

[Read more…]

Brazil 2016

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olympics brazil 2016
Having recovered from Bourne Free and our AmnesTea, we don’t have a meeting till September. But in 3 weeks time the world will focus on Brasil for the 2016 Olympics. You don’t need us to remind you that London hosted 2012, but fortunately during that event the military didn’t move into Walthamstow* or Stoke Newington* to ensure the locals didn’t get a bit feisty.

Unfortunately, during the 2014 Olympics the military  moved into the favelas (slums) of Rio de Janeiro and that year there was a 40% increase in deaths by police/military “police”. The military didn’t move out for over a year after the games finished.

Since the Olympics were awarded to Rio de Janiero, seven years ago, 2651** people have been killed by the police – in Rio de Janeiro state alone! You may reflect on the killings by police in the USA recently – in single figures across a nation – that have sparked an outcry. As you may know, we have a case file trying to bring justice for Jorge Lazaro Samba Nunes dos Santos. Two of his sons were killed by police in Bahia State in separate incidents, where neither were presenting any threat to anyone (and with no history of such).

There is an excellent Amnesty document recently published, please download and read (just 15 pages) “violence has no place in these games“.  A.I.U.K. have launched a petition calling on those responsible for security at the Games – both State and IOC – to respect everyone’s rights. By this ensure:-

  • Prevent police violence before and during the Olympics, including the use of firearms and “less lethal” weapons
  • Establish full accountability mechanisms for any human rights violations committed by law enforcement officers
  • Investigate and hold perpetrators to account
  • Fully support and provide reparations for victims and their families

Please add you name to the online petition here; if you would like to download a version to get others to sign, please click here – Rio 2016.

Please note:-

  • You authors sister lives in Walthamstow, brother in Stoke Newington – their selection has no reflection on potential violence in either area!
  • figures correct 21st July 2016

Bourne Free 2016

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amnesty international at bourne freeAfter getting involved for the first time last year, we again had a strong presence at Bournemouth’s LGBTI Pride Festival “Bourne Free”. Our “Love is a Human Right” placards were very popular and we ended up with just two!  Our stall was straight across from the bandstand, so competing with the music was somewhat difficult. But many stopped by and several agreed to be photographed with the placard to be used as a show of solidarity in support of Tunisian LGBTI organisations and activists who are being persecuted and abused. We also raised £26 in donations.

AmnestTea in Southbourne June 2016

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Our secretary Lucy Freeman held an “AmnesTea” at her home last Sunday, 26th June. We’d like to give our thanks to Lucy and her family for hosting and providing a marvelous variety of cakes. Lucy has since said…

“thanks to everyone who came along and supported the Amnestea yesterday. We raised a total of £113 which I have now paid in. This will be matched by government funding which Amnesty accepts for its’ education programmes; the money we raised will support education and community engagement projects against forced marriage and FGM in Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso.
Please could you pass on thanks to your family and friends gave their support.”

Thanks again LucyAmnesTea 160626_amnestea-7540x 160626_amnestea-7538x

South America Newsletter July 2016

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This month we ask you to sign and publicise a petition, asking the Brazilian authorities to safeguard rights and life ahead of the Rio Olympics, as well as Urgent Actions on behalf of Belén, the Argentine imprisoned after suffering a miscarriage in hospital, and on behalf of Venezuelan HR defenders Raquel Sánchez and Oscar Ríos, who were attacked 6 June.brazil olympics

We bring you the latest report Violence Has No Place in These Games, with suggested actions you can take to the Brazilian authorities. There is good news from Colombia and we analyse the historic ceasefire and disarmament agreement between the FARC rebels and the government. We report on the OAS’s resolutions on human rights for the Americas and other news from the region.

REGIONAL

On 13 June the Organization of American States (OAS) informedcivil society organizations (CSOs) that “due to space limitations at the venue of the General Assembly, they would not be able to access the premises of the OAS General Assembly” being held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Registered CSO participants were invited to follow the plenary sessions on television screens located in a hotel in the city. Amnesty said that this exclusion of civil society showed an unprecedented lack of respect that left over a hundred people who travelled to Santo Domingo to witness and participate in the plenary sessions to watch the proceedings in front of screens. Details here.

However, on 17 June the Assembly approved a resolution on human rights which includes agreements on the prevention and reduction of statelessness and the protection of stateless people in the Americas, as well as measures to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishments with a gender perspective. Amnesty has commended this as an important step forward. Details here.

BRAZIL

As Rio de Janeiro sets up its final preparations for the Olympics, Amnesty has released a new Report highlighting the risk of increased human rights abuses in the context of the public security operations entitled, “Violence Has No Place in These Games.”

With the experience of major sports events hosted in the country, alongside the human rights violations committed by the Brazilian security forces which disproportionately affect young, black, males living in favelas, Amnesty is increasingly worried about these games and therefore calls you to action. [Read more…]

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