Group Newsletter April 2020
Welcome to the latest newsletter.
The next meeting isn’t happening! As you would expect, for the first time since the group founded in 1986 we won’t be having a meeting in April. Unfortunately Amnesty’s work cannot be suspended. Worldwide there are concerns about measures being introduced quickly, and with limited scrutiny, becoming permanent. And vulnerable, displaced people having limited access to healthcare should they succumb to COVID19.
So we’re afraid this isn’t going to be an uplifting read! But it is positive, as it does have several links to take action and opportunities to learn more. |
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Coronavirus and Human Rights
Its worth visiting AIUK’s page with various links relating to the Coronavirus – varying from an update on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to 6 things you can do whilst staying at home.
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/coronavirus |
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South America Newsletter April 2020
The photograph above shows a rudimentary health centre in Vila Nova village in Amazonas state, Brazil. It’s typical of remote medical facilities that serve indigenous communities. It lacks equipment and medicine needed to combat Covid-19. The April edition of the South America newsletter is now on the blog. Amongst the updates and actions from around the region is a report on a meeting Amnesty Brazil had with the Governor and Attorney General of Rio de Janeiro. This coincided with the second anniversary of the murder of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes.
https://amnestyat50.co.uk/south-america-newsletter-april-2020 |
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Take Action
This is a reminder that we do have a Take Action page on our blog. This has links to Amnesty International sites around the world and their current actions (most of which we can take part in – usually online). There is also a summary of our case file. Marielle Franco and letters you can download, edit and send.
https://amnestyat50.co.uk/letters |
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Punishing Compassion
While the world is facing the crisis of COVID-19 pandemic, the risks for refugees in the Greek islands are multiplying by the hour. Thousands of older people, people with chronic diseases, children, pregnant women, new mothers and people with disabilities are trapped there in dangerously overcrowded conditions. Now, they also face the threat of the COVID 19 pandemic, the consequences of which would be catastrophic for those confined in camps.
There is a petition calling on the Greek Government to do more to protect refugees from COVID-19
https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/greece-refugees-coronavirus-covid-19/
Last month Amnesty International published a report Punishing Compassion, which as well as summarizing what is happening, gives a stark overview on the EU’s policy on refugees and human rights defenders
https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/EUR0118282020ENGLISH.PDF |
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| As ever, with any queries do reply to this newsletter or use the contact link on the blog. Very best wishes from us all. |
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