Fortnightly Action and News 11/07/2025
Manchester Amnesty Fortnightly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
Saba Skhvitaridze, an activist and a member of the opposition political party Akhali, has been publicly critical of the government and actively involved in anti-government and pro-European protests in Georgia since 2024. He was arrested on 5 December 2024 after taking part in anti-government protests, and interrogated without his lawyer. He remains detained pending trial and deprived of his liberty, facing a sentence of up to 11 years, while his allegations of torture and other ill-treatment against the authorities have not been effectively investigated. Click the link below to send an email to the prosecutor general of Georgia, urging a fair and speedy trial in accordance with international standards, and an independent investigation into allegations of torture.
Our July group meeting will take place online on Monday 14th July at 7pm.
We will have a report on the AIUK AGM, and a first hand report on the Global March to Gaza. Plus updates on our other campaigns. Due to there being a lot of business, we have decided to postpone the session on social media training until August. All are welcome to attend, including new members. A zoom link will be emailed to members nearer the time. Please look out for it.
***THIS EVENING***
MANCHESTER AMNESTY SILENT VIGIL for the people of Palestine
St Peters Square, Manchester, Friday 11th July, 5-6pm.
Please do not bring placards, banners or flags.
We will provide placards with Amnesty’s messages. Feel free to bring your friends.
This week and next we will not be able to stand in our usual place in front of the Library so please look around for us elsewhere in the Square!
The next appeal-writing drop in will take place on Saturday, 26th July, 2-4pm, Manchester Central Library, area beside the café. More details in the next newsletter.
Other events and actions
Wednesday, 16th July, Chorlton Central Church, Barlow Moor Road, M21 8BF
Screening of the film ISRAELISM
which explores how militarism has become embedded in Jewish Culture, with horrifying consequences for the Palestinian people.
Followed by panel discussion chaired by Mike Reed, with Ehab Omar (Children not Numbers), David Vickers (Jewish Action for Palestine) and Helen Shenton (Christians for Palestine).
Doors at 6:45; Film 7.15-8.40; Discussion 8.40-9.30.
FREE but please register here
Wednesday, 23rd July, 7.30pm, St James’s Church Hall, Princess Parkway, M14 4TH
Na’amod NW Public Meeting, with Neta Ben Porat, Human Rights Activist in Israel/Palestine. Neta is a member of Looking the Occupation in the Eye, a group of ordinary Israeli citizens who oppose the occupation and work to end it.
The first Stretford Pride will take place on
Saturday, 2nd August at Stretford Public Hall.
More details of events and stalls can be found here
Manchester Amnesty member, Steve Roman, will lead 3 peace walks in Manchester.
On 3rd August 2pm for Manchester Lit and Phil Society, £10, more info and book here
On 6th and 9th August for Manchester CND, more info to follow in next newsletter.
Save the date!
The next Acoustic Amnesty will be on Thursday 28th August, 7.pm, at Band on the Wall. More details to follow, or see here
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
Ceasefire now: Stop Genocide Profiteers
Demonstration and rally, Saturday, 12th July, 12-2.30pm, St Peter’s Square.
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. June 18th outside Co-op; June 25th 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
Ukraine - On June 23, 2025, Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko, Crimean correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was released. He had been arrested by the Russian occupation authorities in March 2021 and sentenced, on February 6, 2022, to six years in prison later reduced to five for "manufacturing weapons", based on a confession obtained through torture.
Vietnam - On June 25, 2025, the National Assembly approved an amendment to the penal code that repeals the death penalty for eight crimes including espionage, transporting narcotic substances, corruption and accepting bribes. Death sentences handed down for these offences will now be commuted to life imprisonment.
France - On June 26, 2025, the European Court of Human Rights convicted French police for discriminatory practices in identity checks. Amnesty International has reported that more than half of the 27 million identity checks carried out by police forces each year are based on racial profiling.
Hungary – On June 28, despite recent legal restrictions on Pride parades, 200,000 participants marched in the Budapest Pride to peacefully demand equality and the right to assemble. Over 280 Amnesty International activists, plus staff from Hungary and 22 other national offices around the world, including AIUK, were in the parade.
People's Republic of China (Hong Kong) - On July 1, 2025, Auman Yick, who in 2022 had been sentenced to 50 months in prison for taking part in protests on the Hong Kong Polytechnic campus, was released 6 months early, after no evidence of his participation in acts of violence had emerged.
Americas - On July 3, 2025, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued an advisory opinion in which it affirmed that states have specific obligations to address the climate crisis through strengthening human rights and establishing transnational standards capable of influencing the jurisprudence of courts around the world.
The next Fortnightly Action and News will be on 25th July
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] We are looking for help to manage our Insta account!
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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