Hello

Happy New Year. Welcome to the latest news from your local Amnesty Group
Our next meeting is Thursday, 8th January 2015 at 7.30pm at Moordown Community Centre, Bournemouth. On the agenda:-  Cuba Writing (see also below); Discussion about taking on a Chinese Case following contact with Andy Moody (AIUK China Country Coordinator); planning for year ahead.

Another Quiz!

We had two successful Quiz Nights of our own last year, hopefully to be repeated in Spring and Autumn. Apologies for the short notice, but on Friday, January 9th, 7pm, there will be a quiz night in aid of Amnesty International and Parkinson’s Disease Society at Arts University Bournemouth. The cost is £10, to include a fish’n’chips supper. You can pay on the night – just let us know (reply to this) and we will put tickets aside for you. You can come with a full team (six maximum), or just join other people on the night. No bar – bring your own drinks. The venue is :-
The Refectory, Arts University, Wallisdown, Bournemouth ((free parking and there will be signs up to direct, but – reply and ask for a map if unsure).

Write for Rights

Every year Amnesty International has encouraged and helped groups send greetings cards to prisoners of conscience around the world in December.   In recent years Amnesty has branded this as “Write for Rights” and produced much more informative information leaflets, featuring over a dozen prisoners of conscience.

As usual we made this a mainstay of our December meeting, but also had a pitch at Boscombe Market.  The latter was fairly cold and slow going, but we did get two local Councillors (Chris Wakefield and Jane Kelly) to sign some cards. Thanks for everyone who turned out then or joined in our December meeting. Its not too late to take part – either to send cards or messages (including text) or download action sheets to write campaign letters.

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/issues/Write-for-Rights-2014

Cuba

For several years our local group has campaigned on behalf of prisoners of conscience in Cuba – at our last meeting we planned to do more letter writing in January. Since then, there have been historic moves to normalize diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba and the release of Alan Gross and the 3 remaining Cubans of the Miami Five. Please see the full press release here:-
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/usa-cuba-prisoner-swap-must-spur-historic-human-rights-change-2014-12-17
“This release after more than a decade and a half behind bars in the USA, following proceedings that fell short of international fair trial standards, must come as an immense relief for these three men and their families. Concerns raised by Amnesty International and others over their trial and treatment should have prompted US authorities to grant these men clemency years ago,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International

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 second-hand books, 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.

Hello

Welcome to the latest news from your local Amnesty Group
Our next meeting is Thursday, 11th December 2014 at 7.30pm at Moordown Community Centre, Bournemouth.  As usual we focus our December meeting on sending Greetings Cards (now known as Write for Rights), sustained by Christmas nibbles (please bring along to share) and usually overwhelmed by a raffle (please bring along prizes – last years unwanted gifts usually surface!).

Write for Rights

Every year Amnesty International has encouraged and helped groups send greetings cards to prisoners of conscience around the world in December.  Traditionally there were just half a dozen names selected.  In recent years Amnesty has branded this as “Write for Rights” and produced much more informative information leaflets, covering many more prisoners of conscience.

We have always made this a mainstay of our December meeting, but over the past decade have also tried to hold a stall in Bournemouth.  Unfortunately “the Square” is now privately owned and charge £50 (now plus VAT) for the privilege. We were not fast enough off the block to get a pitch at Castlepoint this year.

As mentioned last month, Genevieve has secured us a pitch at Boscombe Market.  But we have now decided that the morning should be more productive than late afternoon.   This is next Saturday, December 6th. 10am – 2pm.  The idea is to encourage passing public to sign and send cards, which we supply.  But please visit yourself – and encourage others – to send a card and support this event.

Please let us know (hit reply) if you will be definately around (and when) as we need about 3 people on the stall all the time.  This is a new venture for us and unfortunately some of the regulars cannot be there – so please help if you can.

Late Autumn Quiz

We’ve had a succession of quiz venues closing down or being refurbished in some way after our events – hopefully this is pure coincidence!  For this Autumn Quiz we also had a new venue – the Queen Mary Inn, West Street in Poole. Whilst aware it was a bit smaller than other places we’d used, many of us were slightly taken aback with how small it was! As it happened we had 54 participants! Cosy is a bit of an understatement!!!

Please check out the blog for more details and a copy of the exciting picture quiz. But we all had an enjoyable evening and raised £288. Thanks to Sally, David and May – plus all who turned out.

Actions

On 16 October the Lahore High Court rejected the appeal against the death sentence of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman convicted on blasphemy charges. Asia Bibi, who is 45 years old and has five children, was initially found guilty of blasphemy on 8 November 2010 and sentenced to death under Section 295C of Pakistan’s Penal Code for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad during an argument with a Muslim woman.

There are serious fair trial concerns. Asia Bibi claims the evidence of her alleged blasphemy, which has been accepted by successive courts, was fabricated, and that she did not have access to a lawyer during her detention and the final day of her trial in 2010. Asia Bibi’s lawyer has maintained that the case against her is based on hearsay. Human rights activists have voiced concerns that judges of the Lahore High Court may have rejected the appeal out of fear for their safety. Religious groups demanding her execution were present in court.

There have been no updates from Amnesty or other sources since we brought this to your attention last month.  Asia Bibi remains in grave danger of execution. Please continue to take action – send again if you already have done so. To send an email to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, requesting he halt this execution, go to http://www.amnesty.org.au/action/action/35932

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 second-hand books, 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.