Hello
Welcome to the latest news from your local Amnesty Group.
Our next meeting is Thursday, 14th April 2016 at 7.30pm at Moordown Community Centre, Bournemouth. There is going to be a….
Speaker on Brazil
Unfortunately the new Brazil country coordinator Ellie May, who was scheduled to visit, has been unwell. The good news is that Richard Crosfield, who had that brief until earlier this year and is still a big part of the South America Team, has agreed to come instead. The group has been associated with South American campaigns for most of its existence, and Brazil has always generated most work. We currently have an open action file centred on an individual in Brazil (more about this is now on the “take action” page of our blog). The other big issue related to Brazil is, of course, the summer Olympics. This should be an ideal time to flag up human rights abuses in a country that is sensitive to international opinion.
If you are interested in reading more about some of the appalling issues in Brazil, find the South American Newsletter from August 2015 on our blog. This has a link to an Amnesty document “You Killed my Son“, which looks at the extraordinary number of killings by the police in Brazil. Although 47 pages, it does have a 4 page summary to start with – well worth reading.
So please put 14th April in your diary now. Please note that as Richard is travelling down and back to London, the meeting will start sharply and any “business” will be discussed at the end.
South America Newsletter
We have just posted the latest South American Newsletter to our blog – amnestyat50.co.uk There is a huge amount of information and several actions. It does illustrate – in just one region – how much work Amnesty does, and how many Human Rights abuses are going on that don’t get into the press. Those coming to hear Richard on the 14th may like to follow up the Brazil section – in particular the “street cleaning” of street children ahead of the Olympics….
Spring Quiz
We are back on track with our popular Spring Quiz. This is now organised for Friday April 22nd at the Brunswick Hotel, 199 Malmesbury Park Road, Charminster, Bournemouth BH8 8PX.
For those unfamiliar, our quizzes are informal but competitive! Teams of up to 6, which can be formed on the night. Singles and couples get added to other teams, usually leaving teams with at least 4. Entrance to £5, pay at the door. David and Rosemary Brown will return as hosts, so put it in your diary now.
AGM, Human Rights Act and Syria
These were all featured at our last meeting! For those interested the Chairman’s report has been posted on our blog, which does show how much we got up to in 2015.
Whilst it may appear all quiet on the proposed abolition of the human rights act, we are still expecting the long promised “consultation document” to be published this Spring. If you have not done so, please write to your MP. Your editor has put a copy of the letter he wrote to his MP Christopher Chope on our take action page. Please download and adapt as you wish. Its worth noting that although Mr Chope does not share our views, he has replied saying he
“has made representations on your behalf to the Mimister responsible at the Ministry of Justice and shall let you know when I receive a reply.”
So do take action! There is also an “MP letter” you can download on Syria. We have now passed the 5th anniversary of the start of the crisis; Syria has become the epicentre of the world’s worst human rights & humanitarian catastrophe. There is also a link on this page to the latest Amnesty report on Syria.
Tapestry
Our group was quite involved in a Regional Action to create a tapestry depicting the various parts of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is now displayed in the Chapter House at Salisbury Cathedral, on the way to the Magna Carta (please note, you don’t have to enter the Cathedral (and pay) if you just want to see the Tapestry and/or the Magna Carta). Its not clear how long it will be there – at least all April we hope. But check out salisburyai.com/tag/salisbury-cathedral/
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