This month we have two petitions for you to sign, one on the human rights crisis in Venezuela and the other on abortion rights in Argentina. We report on the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, the continuing HR violations in Colombia and on police killings and gender based murders in Brazil. We have good news from Peru, where the Supreme Court has ruled that Fujimori’s pardon has no legal effect.

VENEZUELA

From 31 January to 17 February, Amnesty undertook a research mission in Venezuela, gathering more than 50 testimonies and documenting 15 emblematic cases, including some of serious human rights violations and crimes under international law. The evidence indicates that the state authorities carried out selective extrajudicial executions as a method of social control against people who participated. The more impoverished areas were particularly affected and stigmatised.  Victims were later presented as “criminals” killed in clashes with the authorities.

The full findings of this investigation will soon be released in a public report.  Meanwhile, you can find out more at these links:

Full Amnesty statement and recommendations

10 things you need to know about the crisis

Q & A on the crisis

We have written to the FCO calling on the British Government to participate in international efforts to prevent an escalation of the conflict; to ensure that any external action does not violate the principles of international law and prevents further suffering or violations of rights in the country; and to support the different national actors in creating the conditions that allow the enjoyment of human rights.   Graham will meet the Head of the FCO’s Latin American Department this Thursday to discuss the UK’s response.

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Amnesty members in the Bournemouth area were saddened the learn of the death of May Stevens in January. May and her husband Ted were among the founder members of the group in 1986 and were for many years the mainstay of the group and its’ activities.

She will particularly be remembered for her tireless fundraising. For many years the group ran an annual garden party in the grounds of a local nursing home and May was the power house behind this event, stockpiling books, 2nd hand clothes & bric-a-brac in her garden shed throughout the year to be brought out and sold at this event. She also took on the task of co-ordinating volunteers to serve cream teas, run auctions and organise children’s entertainments.

At our regular street collections, not the most popular events, May and her small appealing dog were a winning combination and her takings were always considerably higher than those of the rest of us!

In the 90’s she & Ted would also run stalls at party and trade union conferences at the BIC selling Amnesty merchandise and making a good profit for the cause. She had a reputation for never letting an opportunity to run a raffle pass her by and would always be ready with her raffle tickets and some tempting prizes – no one was allowed to evade the purchase of a ticket!

Outside of Amnesty May had many other interests and supported other causes so had a wide social circle. We will all miss her good nature, enthusiasm and dedication to making the world a better place. 

Hello Welcome to the latest news from your local Amnesty Group. Our next meeting is Thursday, 14th February 2019 at 7.30pm at Moordown Community Centre, Bournemouth. At out meeting we will focus on planning on the year ahead, reviewing campaigns and finish with some letter writing. Advance notice that the March meeting, also on the 14th, is our AGM. Marielle Franco  On the night of 14 March 2018, Marielle Franco, human rights defender and councillor of Rio de Janeiro was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Rio de Janeiro’s Estacio neighbourhood, after having participated in a debate with a group of young black women, entitled “Young Black Women Moving Structures”. Her driver, Anderson Gomes was also killed. For 10 years Marielle worked tirelessly to promote the rights of black women, LGBTI and young people in Rio. As a member of Rio de Janeiro’s State Human Rights Commission, for more than 10 years she publicly denounced extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations committed by state officials.  In Brazil dozens of human rights defenders are killed every year. In 2017 at least 70 HRDs were killed in this country. Marielle was featured in Write 4 Rights and we sent several cards to her family. We have decided to adopt Marielle Franco as one of our new case files and campaign for a prompt, thorough, impartial and independent investigation of her killing. We also hope to draw attention to the problems of extrajudicial executions, unlawful killings and impunity for  these crimes in Brazil. More about the case here:- https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/brazil-authorities-must-bring-those-responsible-marielle-francos-death-justice Israa al-Ghomgham and others In 2011, Israa al-Ghomgham was hopeful. She wanted change for her country. Inspired by the Arab Spring and wider protests at the time, she took to social media and the streets calling for human rights and equality for all. Yet in December 2015, Israa and her husband were arrested by the Saudi State Intelligence Service. Since then, they’ve been detained at Dammam prison with four other activists.After massive public outcry, the Saudi Arabia’s authorities have dropped their outrageous calls for Israa to be executed. Yet her four fellow activists are still facing execution.  Act now and call for 29-year-old Israa and her colleagues to be released immediately. As a human rights defender the charges against Israa and her colleagues are absurd and clearly politically motivated. Their peaceful and non-violent activism speak out against discrimination faced by Shia Muslims in the east of the country. In the majority-Sunni nation, Shia citizens often face barriers to work, education and religious practice. Israa and her husband Moussa al-Hashem peacefully participated in protests in the eastern Qatif province in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. They have also been accused of posting photos and sharing videos of the protests on social media. A wider pattern of outrage over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has kept Saudi Arabia – and its disregard for human rights – in the headlines over recent months. The Saudi Kingdom has one of the highest death penalty rates in the world. Amnesty has documented the cases of at least 34 other Shia men currently sentenced to death. Amnesty opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner. https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/saudi-arabia-free-israa-facing-execution-peaceful-activism Wareham Street Collection Street collections are a very strange experience – you can get to feel totally invisible without taking anything illicit!  We’ve had some difficulties with our street collections over the years, as the folk of Bournemouth and Christchurch haven’t quite grasped their role in proceedings! After quite a low turnout and return from the Bournemouth and Christchurch collections in 2016/2017 (and a diminishing band of collectors) we decided to focus on Wareham last year. True to form, the residents of Wareham performed well and we raised nearly a £100 from a morning in the town:-    https://amnestyat50.co.uk/wareham-street-collection-2018 So in 2019 we are planning a twin assault on Wareham. Can you join us?  You only need turn out for an hour or two and its very much a case of the more the merrier. Please reply to this newsletter if you would like to help. Wareham Street Collection (High Street)  Saturday (am only) 27th April 2019South America Newsletter The group has long been associated with South America. You are very aware of the implosion in Venezuela and the election of a President in Brazil with little regard to human rights.We have posted the latest newsletter from the South American Team, with updates on their work in the region. There are links to current actions you can take.

In this month’s newsletter, we report on the deteriorating human rights situation in Venezuela, growing concerns about human rights in Brazil and continuing threats faced by Human Rights Defenders in Colombia.  There are also updates on Ecuador (which has imposed unfair restrictions for Venezuelans), Peru (where Fujimori has been sent back to prison), Ecuador and Paraguay. 

VENEZUELA

Following the inauguration of President Maduro for a second term, and amid anti-government protests Juan Guaidó, leader of the opposition and head of the National Assembly, has challenged the president’s legitimacy and declared himself interim president.  Many nations, including the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Spain and most of Latin America have officially recognized Guaidó’s presidency.  Others, including China, Russia, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Cuba, Nicaragua and Bolivia still support Maduro.

The US has announced sanctions against Venezuela’s state oil company.  Venezuela’s military attaché in Washington has defected, saying he stands with Guaidó in the power struggle.  US national security adviser John Bolton has warned the Maduro government that violence against the political opposition, including Guaidó, would be met with stern reprisals.  Maduro has accused the US of orchestrating a coup to remove him from the presidency.

Venezuela’s top military brass have shown unflinching loyalty to Maduro, with their declarations in support of his regime airing in a loop on state television.  Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has said Venezuelan soldiers would die for their government.

According to the UN Human Rights Office, at least 40 Venezuelans have died in the recent protests. According to the UN Human Rights Council, 850 people have been detained since January 23. 

Amnesty have called on Maduro and his colleagues to stop the repression and guarantee the life and physical integrity of those who demonstrate against them andto release the at least 11 journalists detained while covering the crisis.  

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Welcome to the latest newsletter. The next meeting  is on Thursday 10th January 2018, 7.30pm  at Moordown Community Centre. On the agenda  –  Review of campaigns; planning for 2019; letter writing, Write for Rights Thanks to everyone who turned out for our Write for Rights events – in Bournemouth centre and Moordown Community Centre. We sent about 70 cards to the various human rights defenders featured. Our first date for the new venue in Old Christchurch Road was washed (and blown) out. We hope everyone got the message postponing it. Fortunately it was dry and sunny when we turned out the following week. As ever it’s very difficult to get passing shoppers to pause and talk to us, let alone sign a card. But two of those who did stop are now receiving this newsletter – so welcome to you. Marielle Franco  On the night of 14 March 2018, Marielle Franco – human rights defender and councillor of Rio de Janeiro was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Rio de Janeiro’s Estacio neighbourhood, after having participated in a debate with a group of young black women, entitled “Young Black Women Moving Structures”. Her driver, Anderson Gomes was also killed.   For 10 years Marielle worked tirelessly to promote the rights of black women, LGBTI and young people in Rio. As a member of Rio de Janeiro’s State Human Rights Commission, for more than 10 years she publicly denounced extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations committed by state officials.  In Brazil dozens of human rights defenders are killed every year. In 2017 at least 70 HRDs were killed in this country. Marielle was featured in Write 4 Rights and we sent several cards to her family. We have decided to adopt Marielle Franco as one of our new case files and campaign for a prompt, thorough, impartial and independent investigation of her killing. We also hope to draw attention to the problems of extrajudicial executions, unlawful killings and impunity for  these crimes in Brazil. More about the case here:- https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/brazil-authorities-must-bring-those-responsible-marielle-francos-death-justice South America Newsletter The January edition of the South America Regional Newsletter is now on our blog. Our group has focused on South America since its inception, which is also reflected in our new case file – see above. The 3 volunteers who run the network for AIUK – and produce the newsletter – do a huge amount of work on our behalf.  https://amnestyat50.co.uk/ Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe The plight of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been ongoing since April 2016, sentenced to 5 years imprisonment on “espionage” charges. A bizarre 3 day release last August raised hopes of her permanent release, but were sadly dashed.  Throughout her captivity concerns have been raised about her physical and mental health. She has just announced she (and another prisoner) will start a hunger strike on 14 January after being refused access to urgently needed medical care. Read more about this here https://news.sky.com/story/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-to-go-on-hunger-strike-over-prison-treatment-in-iran-11597600 You can take a quick action here https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/help-get-nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-home