Fortnightly Action and News 08/08/2025
Manchester Amnesty Fortnightly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
Unjustly detained cleric Sheikh Salman Alodah has been held in solitary confinement for seven years - the entire duration of his detention - which amounts to torture or ill-treatment under international law. His health is deteriorating and he has lost half of his hearing and eyesight. Sheikh Salman Alodah was arrested without a warrant on 7 September 2017, a few hours after posting a tweet praying for the “unity of hearts” during a diplomatic stand-off between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. In a secret trial before the Specialized Criminal Court in 2018, he was charged with 37 offences, including supporting Arab Spring protests and calling for the release of prisoners in Saudi Arabia on social media. The prosecution has sought the death penalty in his case. Sheik Salman Alodah is unjustly detained. Click the link below to send an email and add your voice to Amnesty’s calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
***THIS EVENING***
MANCHESTER AMNESTY SILENT VIGIL for the people of Palestine
St Peters Square, Manchester, Friday 8th August, 5-6pm.
Please do not bring placards, banners or flags.
We will provide placards with Amnesty’s messages. Feel free to bring your friends.
Our monthly group meeting in August will be ONLINE on Monday 11th August at 7pm. The focus will be on the use of social media, particularly videos, in campaigning. We are also pleased to be joined by the Chair of the AIUK Anti-Racism Network, Duaa Abdulal. Plus updates on our other campaigns. All are welcome, including new members. A zoom link will be sent to members by email. Please look out for it.
If time permits, at the meeting we will do a quick photo action in support of Amnesty UK’s campaign “Social Security is a human right,” so please have a piece of paper and a felt tip pen ready!
Other events and actions
Commemorate the victims of the first use of nuclear weapons
Steve Roman’s final peace walk in this series, organised by Manchester CND, takes place on the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki.
Saturday 9th August, 10:30 am, £10, more information and book here.
The walk starts in the city centre, lasts about 90 minutes and is wheelchair accessible.
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Manchester’s civic commemorations
Nagasaki Day in the afternoon of August 9th at 2.00 – 3.00 at Heaton Park in the Western Pleasure Grounds (by the Stables Café), St Margaret’s Road, M25 2GT.
Acoustic Amnesty goes up the wall!
Thursday 28th August, at Band on the Wall. Doors 7pm, start 7.30pm
Featuring:
Last Race Home
Dead Tenant
Dr Uke
£10. Book your tickets here
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
Whalley Range Peace and Justice Stand with Palestine
Each Wednesday 4.30-5.30 at Brooks Bar M16 7RN
Didsbury against genocide, rally, every Wednesday, 5.30-6.30pm alternates between outside the Library and outside the Coop. 13th August outside Co-op; 20th August outside Library.
Levenshulme Peace and Justice for Palestine All out for Palestine
Each Thursday, 5-6pm, Levenshulme Village Green, junction of Stockport Rd & Chapel St
For numerous rallies, vigils, protests and actions in other locations please see GMFoP website
Good news
Italy - On 21 July 2025, the Constitutional Court ruled that working mothers in female couples are entitled to the same compulsory leave provided for fathers, paid at 100%.
Belgium / Israel - On July 21, 2025, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office announced the start of an investigation into two soldiers arrested on suspicion of war crimes against the Palestinian population of the Gaza strip. The investigation was prompted by information from the Hind Rajab Foundation and the Global Legal Action Network.
United Nations - On July 23, 2025, the International Court of Justice affirmed that the full enjoyment of human rights cannot be ensured without the protection of the climate system and that states have an obligation to act now, regulating the activities of companies and other private actors, to protect current and future generations and ecosystems from the increasingly severe impact of climate change.
European Union - On 1 August 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that a "safe country of origin" must be such for all people living there and throughout its territory. Member states can decide for themselves which countries they consider "safe" but national judges must have the possibility to challenge this definition if they consider it not in line with European directives.
The next Fortnightly Action and News will be on 22nd August
Manchester Amnesty issue and campaign coordinators
Anti-racism –Hazel Errey hazelerrey@gmail.com
Human Rights in the UK volunteer needed
Individuals at Risk bi-monthly drop in Liz Carter lizcarter64@yahoo.co.uk
Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians - Mike Reed mikewreed101@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ and Pride – Fynn Kawe fynnkawe@gmail.com
Press freedom and Julian Assange – Lima Al-iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com & Danny Jones dannyj644@gmail.comsu
Prevent campaign – Tom Milnes thomashmilnes@gmail.com
Refugees - Caroline Glendinning caroline.glendinning@york.ac.uk and Alison Wearden
UAE - Kathryn Fletcher bussk@btinternet.com
Our website Manchester | Amnesty International UK [amnesty.org.uk] (managed by Alison Wearden)
X/Twitter @amnestymanc [twitter.com] (managed by Steve Lindsay – stevenjameslindsay@gmail.com)
Facebook Manchester Amnesty Group [facebook.com] MANAGER NEEDED!
Instagram @amnestymanchester [instagram.com] managed by Hazel Errey (hazelerrey@gmail.com)
Digital design coordinator Fynn Kawe fynnkawe@gmail.com
Alison Wearden
Communications Secretary
Manchester Group of Amnesty International.
Please contact me on alison.wearden@gmail.com with items for our Fortnightly Action and News, or with ideas for longer articles for the quarterly Manchester Amnesty Group Bulletin (Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec).
Group email address: manchestergroup@amnesty.org.uk
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