Thanks to everyone who turned out for latest Amnesty Quiz at the Branksome Liberal Club in Parkstone. 6 teams battled it out and we raised £220. With overseas postage now starting at £1.35 this is a great boost to our funds. And much more fun than doing a street collection!

Thanks to David Rogers for setting the questions and Lucy Freeman for running the raffle. Many thanks to the Liberal Club for providing us with an excellent function room (for free). We will use this venue again as it has capacity to hold double the numbers we had – and has a cheap, easily accessible bar!

If you missed out, below a few questions to have a go at. Answers in the next newsletter.

In 1696 the government of the day imposed a window tax, which led to people bricking up windows to reduce their tax burden. What famous two word saying originated from this tax?

In what decade was the MOT introduced?

Who came to prominence with the hit song Budapest?

Which common pet has the Latin name carassius auratus?

What is the 4th most popular surname in the UK – also name of an occupation (although different spelling)?

Which bank note will Alan Turing be appearing on in 2021?

 

Over the past decade Amnesty International UK has developed a national programme of Amnesty Speakers who play a key role in delivering human rights workshops, lessons and assemblies in schools across the UK. The South West Speaker Coordinator, and also a member of our group, Tom Wilson organised the first ever UK Schools Human Rights Conference. This was coordinated by Tom and another former Dorset based teacher and AIUK Speaker Peter Radford.

On Tuesday 5th November just under 300 students and teachers gathered at Talbot Heath School. We had a stall to highlight the long standing existence and activism of the group in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch. We highlighted our current campaigns, such as justice for Marielle Franco, and the just launched Write 4 Rights.

Students heard first from Peter Radford,, who challenged delegates to realise the power they each have to defend the human rights of others in everyday situations as well as to raise awareness and engage others in challenging injustice. The conference was delighted to hear from Rebecca Ratcliffe, the sister-in-law of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe currently detained by authorities in Iran. Rebecca shared the trauma of the past three and a half years for their family and the joy at recently being reunited with Nazanin’s daughter Gabriella.

Students were able to choose from a range of workshops on offer on issues such as Climate Change, Modern Slavery, LGBT+ Rights, Women’s Rights and the Refugee Crisis. Headteacher of host school Talbot Heath, Angharad Holloway commented,

“It is more important than ever, during these uncertain times, to stress the importance of universal human rights. I am delighted that Talbot Heath School is hosting this significant regional conference for young people.”

The conference closed with a session led by Tom Wilson giving students the practical tools and strategies to take what they had heard, go back to their schools and make a difference. Harriet, a sixth form student at Talbot Heath commented,

“It was amazing to be surrounded by so many people with the same drive for change. I was educated about issues I had no idea were happening and the speakers showed that everyone has the power to make a difference. I left feeling so motivated and inspired.”

A Year 11 student commented

“I found today very inspirational, and I now think as a school we should promote humans rights more. As we move on I think it’s important that not only our R.A.D group knows how important it is for us globally. As a school I think we should use this opportunity to bring our school together to help the world become a better place by starting with our school.”

Tom and Peter then put on a second Schools Human Rights Conference in Wells the following week. It is hoped such conferences will be appear over the rest of the UK, following on from the success of this launch in the South West. Several of the schools attending in Bournemouth and Wells have offered to host if repeated in 2020.  The two of us representing the local group were ourselves both inspired and excited to see such interest in human rights from the delegates.

Ulrike Schmidt gave us an excellent talk on human rights infringements in Europe. Ulrike is the Amnesty county coordinator for Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania. Ulrike is a teacher and a human rights activist based in London. Originally from Germany, she has worked with Amnesty International for many years on various local and international campaigns.

Ulrike gave us some chilling examples, mainly from Poland, Hungary and Italy, of how things have changed in recent years. She talked about the harassment of Polish judges who are still standing up for human and civil rights, often in defiance of the government. Also the criminalisation of human rights defenders in Hungary and Italy – and the demonisation and persecution of Roma people in several countries, particularly Italy.

Throughout Ulrike illustrated her talk with short videos, some demonstrating the harassment and violence suffered by those peacefully protesting. She also brought along actions we could complete – these were mainly letters but also a photo action she had created .

Ahmed H has been separated from his wife and daughters for almost 4 years.  In September 2015, he was imprisoned in Hungary and convicted for “complicity in an act of terrorism” in a blatant misapplication of Hungary’s counter-terrorism laws. Ahmed H. was conditionally released on 19 January 2019 and is being held in immigration detention in Hungary. As he is a Syrian national he is at risk being forcibly returned to Syria, a country that is not safe.  Cyprus must allow his return home to be reunited with his family.  More details and to to take action follow this link:-

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/urgent-action-ahmed-h-must-be-allowed-return-home

Another of the actions she featured was prominent prominent human rights defender Elżbieta Podleśna. Following a raid on her home, the police claimed to have found in her home copies of posters depicting the Virgin Mary with a halo around her head and shoulders in the colours of the LGBTI flag. She has been charged with of“offending religious beliefs”, a criminal offence that carries up to two years’ imprisonment. Amnesty believes Elżbieta Podleśna is being targeted for her human rights activism and this absurd investigation must be stopped.  More details and to to take action follow this link:-

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/urgent-action-stop-harassment-human-rights-activist

Ulrike says not to worry about the “end by” dates given

Welcome to the latest newsletter. The next meeting  is on Thursday 12th September 7.30pm  at Moordown Community Centre. On the agenda  –  planning for speaker (see below) and general campaign updates. Any queries arising from this newsletter – please email:- admin at amnestyat50 dot co dot uk

Shrinking Spaces for Human Rights in Europe We are delighted to announce we have booked Ulrike Schmidt for a talk on a topic that is too often overlooked, human rights infringements in Europe. Ulrike is the Amnesty county coordinator for Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania. Ulrike is a teacher and a human rights activist based in London. Originally from Germany, she has worked with Amnesty International for many years on various local and international campaigns. Ulrike will draw examples mainly from Poland, Hungary and Italy. She will report on the harassment of Polish judges who are still standing up for human and civil rights, often in defiance of the government, as well as the rolling back of women’s and LGBTI rights. Ulrike will describe similar threats to the independence of the judiciary in Hungary and the criminalisation of human rights defenders in countries such as Hungary and Italy. Finally, she will discuss discrimination, demonisation and persecution of Roma people in several countries, particularly Italy under Salvini. Saturday September 21st  at  Branksome Liberal Club, 1 Salisbury Road, Poole   BH14 0DP This is a free talk followed by a simple buffet lunch (suggested donation: £3). Doors open 12 for 12.30 start. This is the first speaker we’ve had for some time. Please help us organise by booking your ticket asap – and letting us know if you will be staying on for lunch. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shrinking-spaces-for-human-rights-in-europe-tickets-70470748907

[Read more…]

We had another successful Bourne Free in Bournemouth Gardens and on the Parade. We had 96 cards signed to continue our campaign for justice for Marielle Franco. Many people posed with our “Love is a Human Right” selfie frame – most taken on their own phone – with a few others below.

Marielle Franco was murdered in a drive-by shooting in March 2018. Her killers and those behind the plot to assassinate her have still not been brought to justice, over a year later. Marielle dedicated her life to speaking out for LGBTI, black and women’s rights in Brazil. She paid the ultimate price for defending human rights. Demand a full, independent investigation into her murder by signing our petition to the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro:-

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/marielle-franco-murdered-brazil-lgbt-black-rights-activists

[Read more…]