Amnesty International Bournemouth Poole Christchurch Group

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

Europe Newsletter April 2026

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Here is our latest , slightly shorter than usual, newsletter with updates and actions.

TÜRKİYE

Invitation to talk by speaker from Human Rights Solidarity 7.30 pm 11 May

Kerim Balci

The Maidstone, Medway and Swale Group are inviting activists to join them online or in person to hear Kerim Balci from the organisation Human Rights Solidarity speak about human rights in Turkey. Please see a short biography below.

The meeting is in hybrid format and so people can take part online or in person.  It will take place from 7:30pm on 11 May and the presentation and discussion will last about one hour.

Those wishing to join the meeting online should request a link by email at mmands.amnestygroup@gmail.com.  The link will be sent out on the morning of the meeting.

In case anyone is in a position to join in person, the meeting will take place at the Maidstone Community Support Centre, 39-48 Marsham Street, Maidstone ME14 1HH.

Kerim Balci is the Director of Continuing Education at Respect Gratuate School in the US. Apart from his administrative role in Respect, he teaches topics like Islamic Logic, Hermeneutics, Said Nursi’s writings and the thought of Fethullah Gulen. Balci lives in London, where he leads the international human rights work of the Human Rights Solidarity, a British charity on human rights, immigrant rights and integration. Kerim served as the editor in chief of Turkish Review, a semi-academic journal on Turkey and Turkish politics, and as a columnist at Zaman and Today’s Zaman dailies in Turkey. He published pieces in Quartz, Miami Herald, Oasis, The Atlantic, Dawn and others. Kerim has edited a book named Whose War? in Turkish dealing with the Iraqi War, published an album called Ottoman Jerusalem in Photographs (IRCICA, Istanbul, 2009, Published in Turkish, English and Arabic.) and another album with modern photographs of the city. Kerim contributes to the work of Dialogue Society with occasional lectures on dialogue in Islam and the philosophy of dialogue. [Read more…]

Europe Newsletter March 2026

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Busy times for Human Rights defenders.

The shocking scenes in the US of ICE enforcers arresting and detaining refugees and migrants and shooting Human Rights defenders have shown that the attacks on the human rights of refugees and migrants are threatening us all. In the UK Nigel Farage has pledged that, when in power he would deport 600000 people seeking asylum, including those who have been granted leave to remain.

The concept of “Remigration” the forced deportation of refugees, immigrants and even citizens of colour is being normalised. And rhetoric leads to violence. Driven by xenophobic rhetoric and hate speech by far-right influencers and agitators and often but not always led by far- right organisers people are attacking hotels and other accommodation housing asylum seekers and refugees. Vulnerable people, survivors of torture, families with children, unaccompanied minors are re-traumatised by verbal and physical violence. As human right defenders we need to staunchly defend the universal human right of seeking asylum from persecution.

And far-right violence doesn’t stop with terrorizing people seeking asylum. The Ahmadi community in Crewe is getting targeted by far-right followers of Tommy Robinson. On Saturday 28th February Far right thugs have again announced a protest at the premises of the Ahmadi community. Activists from Manchester Stand up to Racism are going to travel to Crewe to support the Ahmadi community. For further questions or if you want to get involved please contact Hadil                        Hadil.El-Khouly@amnesty.org.uk

120 organisations so far have joined the Together Alliance to march against the Far Right on 28th of March 2028.  Amnesty has joined the coalition. World-wide there will be actions on or around the same day in Greece, France, Norway, Spain, Germany, Denmark and the US. Join the Amnesty bloc on the 28th !         https://www.togetheralliance.org.uk/

Hungary

Urgent Action

DROP CHARGES AGAINST PÉCS PRIDE ORGANISER

On 10th February the Hungarian prosecution brought charges against Géza Buzás-Hábel, organiser of Pécs Pride and Director of the Diverse Youth Network.

Géza Buzás-Hábel is a Roma, gay man. He worked as a teacher and human rights defender and is from Pécs. He taught Romani language and culture, trained future educators, and has long organised Pécs Pride, the country’s only Pride outside of Budapest, ensuring it remains inclusive, peaceful, and community-driven. [Read more…]

Europe Newsletter January 2026

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Dear Amnesty activists and supporters,
HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Europe Team. Here is our latest newsletter with updates and actions.

European Parliament votes to expand access to abortion in historic ballot

The vote could pave the way for funding thousands of European women who travel every year to another EU country to access abortion care.

Read more here:

https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-votes-to-expand-abortion-access-in-historic- vote/

Poland

European Court of Human Rights rules on violation of rights due to near-total abortion ban

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Poland violated the rights of a pregnant woman who had to travel abroad to obtain an abortion after her foetus was diagnosed with a birth defect. It is the second time that the court has issued a judgment against Poland relating to its near-total abortion ban.

Read more – https://notesfrompoland.com/2025/11/13/european-court-rules-poland- violated-rights-of-woman-who-traveled-abroad-for-abortion/

Documentary on intergenerational trauma, memory, and Poland’s fight for women’s bodily autonomy.

Lucja Jastrzebska

We are inviting you support a documentary on intergenerational trauma, memory, and Poland’s fight for women’s bodily autonomy.

The documentary brings together family members from different generations, activists and experts to explore how bodily autonomy has become tied to ideas of nationhood, motherhood and survival.

The aim is to make a film that feels honest and grounded rather than sensational, made by our CC for Central Europe Lucja, who wants audiences to understand Poland’s current abortion debate as part of a longer story about memory, control and survival. This will reflect on how inherited trauma can continue to shape political choices.

Support and read more here:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/intergenerational-trauma-and-abortion- in-poland-do#

The Crowdfunder is only open until 3rd Feb 2026.

If you’d like to help fundraise, please contact Lucja.jastrzebska@amnesty.org.uk to facilitate speaking events on abortion rights in Poland.

Once the film is completed, there will be opportunities for screening available.

Thank you for your ongoing support! [Read more…]

Europe Newsletter November 2025

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Dear Amnesty activists and supporters, here is our latest newsletter with updates and actions.

Right to Protest

Across the globe Amnesty activists have been protesting against the arrest of peaceful protesters in the United Kingdom. Amnesty Researcher and Campaigner Catrinel Motoc said:

We thank all sections who have been pushing the action targeting the prosecutorial authorities in the UK in relation to the arrest of over 2,100 peaceful protesters and charges formalised against at least 170 people with terrorism-related offences related to their peaceful protests against the banning of Palestine Action.

  • It is a violation of the UK’s international
  • It is disproportionate to the point of
  • It simply can’t go

To date, there have been 137,000 online actions world- wide which is an incredible result. Add your name to this important, emblematic action:

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/end-prosecution-peaceful-protestors-uk [Read more…]

Europe Newsletter October 2025

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We are living in dangerous and precarious times. The times of a consensus on the importance of universal human rights are seeming to become distant memory and the challenges at home and across the globe are huge. As human rights activists we have to hold on to the candle and defend the human rights of all. At the sharp end again are the most vulnerable: refugees who had to flee persecution at home and are dehumanised demonised in their host countries and at the borders. It is on us to defend the people and  principle against the tide of disinformation and hate.

Poland

by Lucja Jastrzebska

LGBTQI Rights Urgent Action 

Amnesty Poland are currently carrying out an urgent campaign action aimed at exposing and challenging X’s (formerly Twitter) failure to prevent and mitigate technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TfGBV), particularly targeting LGBTI communities.

Together, we can amplify the voices of those affected and demand that governments act to regulate Big Tech and uphold human rights online.

Campaign Overview

On 25 September, activists around the world,  including LGBTI advocates in Poland, took part in a coordinated Twitter storm. Participants posted campaign visuals or videos using the hashtags #MakeItSafeOnline and tagging relevant regulatory authorities. [Read more…]

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