Group Newsletter March 2020
Welcome to the latest newsletter.
Happy International Women’s Day. Sadly, all over the world, activists are being imprisoned, tortured and even killed just because they’re women. More on this below.
Our next meeting is on Thursday 12th March, 7.30pm at Moordown Community Centre. On the agenda – Review of campaigns and letter writing. Its also our AGM – don’t let that put you off, its mainly a brief review of 2019. |
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Ted Stevens
Last month many of our group attended the funeral of our long time chairman Ted Steves. Alongside his wife May, who died a year ago, they were among the founder members of the group in 1986. For many years Ted and May were the mainstay of the group and its activities.
There will be a fuller tribute to Ted appearing on the blog later this week. We will also discuss how the group can mark the work of May and Ted at our meeting on Thursday. |
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Marielle Franco – Message from her family
Last months newsletter featured our case file Marielle Franco. Next Saturday marks the 2nd anniversary or the murder of Marielle and her driver Anderson Gomes. Amnesty Brazil have released a video from Marielles family thanking everyone for their support in the campaign to get justice for Marielle.
In the video you hear from Antônio and Marinete (her parents), Anielle (sister), Luyara (daughter) and Mônica (partner). More than 30.000 thousand letters of support from around the world have been delivered to the family of Marielle Franco; she featured in Write 4 Rights 2018 and many groups and individuals have continued to campaign.
https://amnestyat50.co.uk/marielle-franco-message-from-her-family |
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Iran: 42 years in prison for promoting unveiling
Three women have been charged with ‘inciting prostitution’ for not wearing veils and sentenced to 42 years in prison between them. A video went viral of the three women, not wearing veils, handing out flowers to female passengers on a train in Tehran.
Weeks later, Monireh, Yasaman and Mojgan were arrested and have faced intense interrogation, solitary confinement and abuse. Sign the petition calling on Iran’s Head of the Judiciary to revoke their charges and release them immediately.
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/iran-women-jailed-viral-video-forced-veiling-hijab-law |
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Free Human Rights Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh
38 years. 148 lashes. Nasrin Sotoudeh, an award-winning human rights lawyer, has been sentenced for her work defending women’s rights. Nasrin has dedicated her life to defending others, including women who peacefully protest against Iran’s degrading forced hijab laws.
Call on the Supreme Leader of Iran to release Nasrin immediately.
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/free-nasrin-sotoudeh |
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South America Newsletter
The March edition of the South America Regional Newsletter is now on the blog. Our group has focused on South America since its inception, reflected in our case files such as Marielle above.
The newsletter mentions that tomorrow Amnesty International will deliver to the Ecuadorian Attorney General over 200,000 signatures of the petition calling for the protection of the Amazonian Women. This collective of Ecuadorian women work together to defend the Amazon, home to hundreds of Indigenous communities, thousands of species and half of the world’s rainforests.
https://amnestyat50.co.uk/south-america-newsletter-march-2020 |
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