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.

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.