This is the latest newsletter from the South American team. Its copied virtually verbatim – obviously we’ve not tried out all the links!

Summary

The last month has been eventful. In this update, we draw your attention to developments in Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. We also provide a link to the English version of Amnesty’s recent report on Defending Human Rights in America, and to the relevant country pages in Amnesty’s Annual Report; and highlight a potentially important regional initiative on the rights of indigenous people. As always, we would welcome any feedback on the actions that you take.

All three of us shall be at the National Conference and AGM next month. We shall be at the Country Coordinators’ stall during the breaks in the conference proceedings. Please come and say hello.

In the last month we have circulated six Urgent Actions. We have referred to these under the respective country headings below. These are all still “live” so there is still time to take action on them if you haven’t managed to do so yet.

Our Facebook page continues to build a larger following. We now have 81 followers. If you haven’t already done so, please “like” us and encourage others to do so too:

https://www.facebook.com/amnestyinternationaluksouthamerica.

Venezuela

Our featured action this month follows the killing of a 14-year-old boy last month during an anti-government protest amid reports of excessive use of force by the security forces. There are concerns the violence will intensify if the authorities do not send a clear message that peaceful protest is permitted and that excessive use of force will not be tolerated. I attach a suggested letter to the Venezuelan authorities, in English and Spanish, in both Word and PDF format. Further details are here:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr53/1071/2015/en/

English, word version of sample letter PRESIDENT MADURO OF VENEZUELA letter

Good news no.1! [Read more…]

At the last Regional Conference in Bristol, we were given some chilling facts and figures about the plight of Syrian Refugees and the lack of action from many countries such as the UK. Currently Syria’s neighbours – Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt – are shouldering the responsibility by hosting 97% of Syria’s refugees.
This infographic illustrates the scale of the crisis, and the poor response internationally. What we also learnt was that on 2 December 2014, Malvern Council voted to allow 60 Syrian refugees to be resettled in the Worcestershire town, following sustained encouragement from the Malvern Hills Amnesty group. This shows what can be done…..

Please email us if you want a full size version of the infographic (although if you right click and “open in new tab”, you should see a larger version.)  See also   http://www.amnesty.org.uk/blogs/campaigns/fifth-anniversary-syria-crisis-tragically-looking-all-too-likely  

Hello

Welcome to the latest news from your local Amnesty Group. Apologies for short notice of the next meeting, which is our AGM, but your editor has had major computer “issues”.
Our next meeting is Thursday, 12th March 2015 at 7.30pm at Moordown Community Centre, Bournemouth. On the agenda:-  AGM (including discussing/adopting constitution – see attached document); feedback from Regional Conference; General Election Strategy.

Spring Quiz

We are back on track with our popular Spring Quiz. This is now organised for Friday April 24th at the Brunswick Hotel, 199 Malmesbury Park Road, Charminster, Bournemouth BH8 8PX.
For those unfamiliar, our quizzes are informal but competitive! Teams of up to 6, which can be formed on the night. Singles and couples get added to other teams, usually leaving teams with at least 4. Entrance to £5, pay at the door.  David and Rosemary Brown will return as hosts, so put it in your diary now.

China Campaign

Another date for your diary. We have provisionally booked Andy Moody, AIUK China coordinator, for a talk at our monthly meeting in Moordown on the 14th May. However, this is subject to confirmation. More details next month.

Raif Badwadi

A few weeks ago the plight of Raif Badawi reached the BBC news. He received the first 50 of 1000 lashes on 9th January, but then subsequent floggings have been postponed on medical grounds. He still has 10 years in prison to serve, simply for blogging about free speech.
Its important to keep the pressure on. Firstly there is a petition – currently passed 1,000,000 – and there is also an email you can send to Simon Collis, the new Ambassador of the UK to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia have recently hit back, saying it “expresses its intense surprise and dismay” over international criticism. This followed criticism by German vice-chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who described the punishment to Raif Badawi as “unimaginable”, ahead of a meeting with the Saudi King.

Bric-a-Brac

In the past we held many stalls at Trade Union Conferences when they visited Bournemouth, plus we had our own Garden Party.  Times have changed, but as reported above, Ted and May still turn out at a variety of Fairs and Carnivals – such as in Winton, Boscombe and now Muscliff Funday!
So if you have any jewellery (even broken), scarves, handbags (particularly evening), bric-a-brac or other knick-knacks in any condition that you wish to donate, please let May Stevens know (01202) 510886. They can collect.