Weekly Action and News 29/11/2024
Manchester Amnesty Weekly Action and News
Please do this action and make a difference
This week’s email action comes from this year’s Write for Rights Campaign.
Şebnem Korur Financi is forensic doctor who has spent her life fighting for human rights and the eradication of torture. In 2022, she spoke out on live TV about Türkiye’s use of chemical weapons in Iraq and Syria. For that, she was detained and convicted of “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation”. She faces almost two years in prison if an ongoing appeal is unsuccessful, and also faces additional charges relating to her human rights work.
Freedom of expression is a human right, and your message could help secure Şebnem’s freedom for good. Join Amnesty today in demanding that the Turkish authorities stop harassing Şebnem.
THERE IS A FURTHER ACTION ON CLIMATE RIGHTS BELOW. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN!
***TOMORROW***
Our bi-monthly Individuals at Risk appeal writing drop-in session will take place on
Saturday, 30th November, 2-4pm, Manchester Central Library, in the café area.
We will focus on cases in this year’s Write for Rights campaign. Information and materials will be provided. Wifi is available if you prefer to use a device to email or write your appeals. This is our last session of the year and it would be lovely to see you there, even if only for part of the session!
Our December monthly meeting will take place in person on Monday 9th December, at 6pm,
in the Third Floor meeting room at Manchester Central Library.
The main focus of the meeting will be on this year’s Write for Rights campaign. Materials will be provided to write appeals and cards or letters of support relating to the 9 cases included in this year’s Write for Rights booklet. Click the link if you want to get a head start!
In keeping with tradition, we will have mulled wine, and if you would like to bring some nibbles to share, please feel free to do so. All are welcome, including new members.
On Sunday 8th December, at 1.30pm our anti-racism sub-group will visit the
Barbara Walker exhibition at the Whitworth gallery, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER.
Via a range of media, the exhibition tackles themes such as policing and surveillance of Black life, immigration, and representation of peoples and histories in art.
All of our members are invited. No need to book. Just turn up. We hope to see you there!
***THIS EVENING*** MANCHESTER AMNESTY SILENT VIGIL for Palestine and Israel
St Peters Square, Manchester, Friday 29th November, 5-6pm.
Please do not bring placards, banners or flags.
We will provide placards with Amnesty’s messages, and tea-lights. Feel free to bring your friends.
Non Amnesty events and actions
OUR PLANET, OUR RIGHTS – ACTION ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS
As detailed in Amnesty’s pocket guide to climate change, the climate crisis is affecting the lives, livelihoods and human rights of millions of people world wide. The public has the right to know how serious the climate crisis is, but those who attempt to raise the issue are silenced and punished.
22 climate defenders are now in prison for sounding the alarm, with five in Manchester prisons – some on remand – all for peaceful protest. This petition calls on the government to inform us of the reality of the climate crisis through a public information campaign. If it reaches 100,000, the government will have to respond. Please sign it now, then ask your friends to do the same!
***TOMORROW***
Peace and Justice Craft Fair organised by Greater Manchester & District CND
Birch Community Centre, Brighton Grove, M14 5JT, 11am- 4pm
Stalls selling arts and crafts, live music, peace café serving hot and cold food
Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and other organisations
Marking the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People (29th November)
Stop Gaza Genocide! Demonstration, Saturday, 30th November, 12 noon, St Peter’s Square
Whalley Range Peace and Justice Stand with Palestine
Each Wednesday 4.30-5.30 at Brooks Bar M16 7RN
Levenshulme Peace and Justice for Palestine All out for Palestine
Each Thursday, 5-6pm, Levenshulme Village Green, junction of Stockport Rd & Chapel St
The Amos Trust Christmas Tour is in Manchester on 3rd December – Ascension Church Hulme
An evening of music, film, poetry and conversation – all proceeds to support work in Gaza.
More details and book your place here
Saturday, 7th December, 2-5pm.
Whalley Range for Peace and Justice Group
will be holding their annual event writing cards and messages of support for people who are included in this year’s Amnesty Write for Rights campaign. There will be music, stalls and food, and the opportunity to buy Amnesty Christmas cards.
We will also have a petition to sign calling for a fairer asylum system, and a craft activity, based on the messages for Gaza that we have collected at our weekly vigil. We hope to see you there!
St. Margaret’s Church Hall, Rufford Road, M16 8AE
Rethink Rebuild Society is pleased to invite you to:
Counter-narratives against hardships among Syrian refugee youth
Researchers: Dr. Els Rommes and Nisrine Chaer
As part of the online series: Refugees, the Lived Experience
Tuesday 10th December 2024, 7pm UK time
Online Event via Zoom, please book your place here.
Good news
Netherlands - On November 12, 2024, the Minister of Education announced that decisions based on an algorithm in force since 2012 to detect fraud in the use of state contributions for out-of-town students, which Amnesty International had denounced as discriminatory, will be annulled and those directly affected will be reimbursed. The minister apologized in particular to racialized groups.
Colombia - On November 13, 2024, the Senate of Colombia unanimously and definitively approved a bill banning early marriages, i.e. unions between an adult and a person under the age of 18, or between minors. Minors who are already married will be able to request the annulment of the marriage.
United Nations - On November 18, 2024, the Third Committee of the General Assembly approved, with a record 131 votes in favour (plus 36 against and 21 abstentions) the tenth biennial resolution for a universal moratorium on the death penalty, co-facilitated this year by Italy and Argentina.
United Kingdom – On November 22, 2024, student campaigners have hailed a significant first after Staffordshire University committed to exclude fossil fuel companies from its investment portfolios as well as those involved with border surveillance, incarceration and forced migrant deportations.
Manchester Amnesty issue and campaign coordinators
Anti-racism –Hazel Errey hazelerrey@gmail.com
Craftivism – Lima Al-Iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com
Europe/ Turkey Fatih Segmen - fsegmen@yahoo.com
Human Rights in the UK volunteer needed
Individuals at Risk (bi-monthly appeal writing drop ins and Write for Rights in Nov/Dec) – Anne Walker is stepping down volunteer needed anne.walker9@ntlworld.com, sarabm6@gmail.com
Israel's Apartheid Against Palestinians - Mike Reed mikewreed101@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ and Pride – Zoe Song weiyi.zoe.song@gmail.com
Press freedom and Julian Assange – Lima Al-iskalachi limazakoor@gmail.com & Danny Jones dannyj644@gmail.comsu
Refugees Whatsapp group – Alison Wearden alison.wearden@gmail.com
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] (currently managed by Sara Baptista - sarabm6@gmail.com but we are looking for a new manager)
Alison Wearden
Communications Secretary
Manchester Group of Amnesty International
Please contact me with items for our Weekly Action and News email, or with ideas for longer articles for the quarterly Manchester Amnesty Group Bulletin.
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