Minutes of Group Meeting May 9th 2016

Attending: Carolyn, Paul, Rowan, Paddy, Heiko, Liz, Beatrice, Stephen, Clemence, Fionnula, Pearse, Grainne

Apologies: Claudia, Carmel.

Welcome & minutes: Carolyn welcomed everyone. The minutes from April meeting were accepted.

Feedback from recent events:

QUB & Belfast quiz: Positive response to this. It was a well attended, social & fun evening. Special thanks to Claudia, Leo & Rowan for their work organising before & on the night. The raffle raised £50.

Lectures at QUB:  Positive response to these lunchtime lectures debating abortion which attracted expert speakers. They also attracted the attention of the BBC.

May Day Parade: Approx 10 people from the group were in the parade along with other NI Amnesty supporters & members from other local groups. There was good social media coverage.

Documentaries at the MAC: Showings of “The Vessel”, a documentary on doctors providing abortion pills to women in international waters & “A Quiet Inquisition” on the effects of the total ban on abortion in Nicaragua. While the screenings of these harrowing but informative & powerful documentaries were not well attended the Belfast group had a presence. The panel discussions after were very good.

Upcoming events:

Launch of a report setting out a model compensation scheme for victims of institutional child abuse is Monday 16^th May 12-2pm at Parliament Buildings.

Book launch: “A Day in May” stories from the Irish marriage equality referendum. Tuesday 17^th May 5.30pm at QFT.

Refugee Week: 20-26 June. Heiko suggested a film screening & discussion. Fionnula & Clemence  volunteered to help Heiko organise. Grainne will contact the refugee campaigner at AIUK. More details to follow.

Pride: Belfast Pride parade Saturday 6^th August. Foyle Pride parade Saturday 27^th August, Newry Pride parade Saturday 3^rd September. More details on volunteering at this events to follow.

Belfast Culture Night: Friday 16^th September. More details to follow.

Amnesty Annual Lecture: Will be held during the Belfast International Arts Festival, 9^th October to 1^st November. More details to follow.

Action of the Month: The group wrote letters for Azerbaijani IAR Khadija Ismayilova.  Beatrice to send a card in solidarity to Khadija’s mother.

Indonesian IAR, Johan Teterissa: The group have agreed to work on this case & Paul gave the background to the case. Paul advised on relevant dates that the group can take action on.

AOB Beatrice advised the group of the pledge by the UK government to match Amnesty donations for their work to help end FGM & forced marriage in Burkina Faso & Sierra Leone & suggested the £50 raised at the quiz be forwarded for this campaign. The group were in favour of donating a larger amount & decided to donate £250. Pearse will organise.