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July 2025 Meeting + June Updates

Thank you to those involved in preparing these updates, your efforts are appreciated. If you wish, you can read these updates as a PDF.

Join Amnesty International, get involved with our local AI Group and play your part in helping to promote and defend vital human rights across the world.

We warmly invite newcomers and familiar faces alike to attend the next meeting of the Amnesty International Glasgow West Group. This email includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming July 2025 meeting;

  • Links to current AIUK activities;

  • The minutes from our local Group's June 2025 meeting; and

  • A note of our local Group's monthly meeting dates for the year ahead.

July 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 10th July, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 10th July 2025 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

  • Feedback and discussion on our recent “Seenaryo” film screening event, which was held during the Refugee Festival in June;

  • Feedback and discussion on the AIUK AGM in Warwick, which took place over the weekend 5th / 6th July and which was attended by a couple of our local Group members;

  • Planning for our Group's input to Glasgow's Pride march, which takes place on Saturday 19th July;

  • Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK;

  • Updates and discussion on events relating to 2025 being the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International in Glasgow; and

  • Brief updates from our local group co-ordinators on their activities.

Amnesty UK Local Updates

Below is a selection of some of the issues featured in the latest monthly update for Local Groups from Amnesty UK.

The full latest AIUK monthly Local Groups Update can be read here.

Join the Disabled People's Human Rights Network

The UN has found ‘grave and systematic' violations of disabled people's human rights here in the UK. Globally, over 1 billion people are disabled and governments across the world marginalize us far too often. Our Disabled People's Human Rights Network brings together activists from all over the UK to claim our rights and fight for disabled people everywhere.

Sign up for the Disabled People HR Network's newsletter!

Follow us on Instagram!

Sign up here

Individual Giving

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS KEEP THE TRUTH ALIVE

We are living through a period of escalating instability and crisis. With the rise of authoritarian leadership and conflicts raging around the world, reporting the truth is more vital than ever. But more and more the truth is under threat. Authoritarian regimes are tightening their grip on the free media. Around the word every day, journalists are risking their lives in the pursuit of the truth.

Even in recent weeks, attacks have become even more brazen. For example, a BBC crew were strip-searched and held at gun point by Israeli forces on the Syrian border. And in Los Angeles in June, journalists were struck with rubber bullets and detained by officers at anti-ICE protests. But together, we can fight back and restore the voices of journalists silenced by attacks on freedom of expression.

Amnesty International is fighting to protect the rights – and lives – of all journalists around the world. We cannot allow journalists to be silenced. Power operates in the dark and when the freedom to report the truth is lost, impunity runs rampant.

Your donation could help the fight back against attacks on press freedoms. Donations help fund campaigns demanding the release of detained media workers, and they support investigations into human rights violations against journalists and research intended to ensure free expression is protected. Please, if you can, donate today.

Donate here

Scotland Regional Gathering 7 June 2025

On 7 June, Scottish activists, honoured guest speakers, and AIUK Scotland and UK Staff members assembled for the Scottish Gathering.

Six members from the Glasgow West and Glasgow Daytime AI Groups attended the recent Scotland Gathering in Perth, joining around 40 activists from across seven Scottish Groups.

The Perth Amnesty Group was host to the first large-scale meeting of Scotland's local activist groups since before the pandemic. Hosted at St Ninian's Cathedral in Perth in partnership with the Perth Minorities Association, the Scotland Regional Gathering was a fantastic opportunity for local activists to reintroduce themselves, share new campaigning and fundraising ideas, and hear from expert speakers about pressing issues like the crises in Gaza and Kashmir.

We invite you to read about the experience of our Amnesty Scotland: Inspiring activism: attending the Scotland Regional Gathering 2025

[The person who wrote the Local Groups Updates] personally would like to thank:

  • The Perth local group members, and St Ninian's Cathedral for organising and hosting such an inspiring event
  • Our honoured speaker: Diline Abushaban and our friends from the Perth Minorities Association
  • Our Amnesty speakers and colleagues, Cherry Bird, Country Coordinator for India and Nepal; Jack Farrar, Country Coordinator for IOPT, Amnesty Scotland

The gathering was a roaring success and we very much look forward to attending the next one in 2026!

Amnesty in Scotland

Click on this link for information about AI Scotland's latest activities

Upcoming Dates / events

17 July 6:00pm - 7:30pm - Training: "How to do a Public Stunt" (Register here)

26 August 6:00pm - 7:30pm - Training: "A Guide to working with Schools" (Register here)

For all updates on planned AIUK training and events for AI activists, see the AUIK events page.

June 2025 Meeting Updates

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thursday 12th June 2025

Minutes

Link to previous (June) meeting email via Mailchimp.

  1. Welcome and apologies

    Attendance: Susan, Andrew, Claire, Mhairi, Carol, Clara, Ken, Merle, Kirstie, Charlene and Celia.

    Apologies: Luca, Paolo and Mal.

  2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes (Previous meeting's minutes are included in the meeting email link at top of this section)

  3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

    1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

      1. postage re letters sent: £41.60

      2. Pride March: £15 (Further invoice for stall to follow)

      3. current balance: £ 541.95

    2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)

      1. Cait access to SM accounts? - no update, not present

        • Twitter/Bluesky transition? https://www.helloquitx.com/ (No further discussion on this yet)

        • Mal is stepping down from Social Media (SM) role and Cait currently not around - any volunteers to take on SM as nothing's been happening with it for a while?

        • Clara offered to get access logins to help share specific events

    3. Local Political Outreach

      1. Paulo re. Kaukab Stewart MSP (Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and MSP for Glasgow Kelvin Constituency) regarding Human Rights Bill. Perth Gathering, Neil Cowan of AI Scotland office said he'd share info with us. Other local groups showed interest in undertaking joint actions

      2. Paolo has made a leaflet (see draft here) to put in public spaces, like libraries, on the Human Rights Bill with brief info & link to the AIUK petition (https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/first-minister-scotland-needs-human-rights-bill) & QR code pointing to our website and a page to explain a bit better about the Human Rights Bill.

        1. First page is the leaflet to print and put in noticeboards, second page what we could put on the website.

        2. People to review leaflet draft by 27.06.25 and then Clara(?) to make poster

  4. Unactioned tasks from previous meeting:

    1. email party offices (Ailig to share); approach shadow MInisters of Equalities; Daisy to write template email → Clara/Ailig to review & then all to send

    2. awareness-raising campaign on Human Rights Bill - SM post; prepare poster on the issue - AI Scotland could publish “manifesto” that we share with party offices - Paolo to write this and share w AI Scotland office for them to check]

  5. Regional/Country focus

    1. South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal) - Mal stepping down as CC due to no longer having the time available to fulfill the role

    2. Korea (Clara) - no updates

    3. Theme focus - US Death penalty - Mal has informed Death Penalty Network that our group would like to cover California - hasn't heard response yet

  6. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk Update [previous - Cait - India BK16 - - no updates]

  7. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

    1. CCA “Seenaryo” film screening during Refugee Festival in June - Tuesday, June 17, 6 - 7:45pm at the CCA

      https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tilka-documentary-screening-qa-tickets-1334083191739

      Stall: we can set up 5.45-doors open at 6pm and film starts at 6.15pm. Who else can go and help? Take leaflets / banner / posters / balloons / badges / petition?

      1. Clara, Carol, Mhairi

      2. Claire to ask Mal to put on SM - to give Clara login details

      3. Clara poster professionally - £10

      4. £ to central amnesty

      5. sign up sheet / money sheet / join group flyer

  8. AI Scotland Gathering in Perth (7th June) – Feedback / discussion

    • Seven Glasgow West / Daytime Group colleagues attended /(Claire, Luca, Paolo, Clara, Andrew, Carol and Ann/a), in a total of c.40 attendees from across Scotland's Local groups plus AI Scotland / AIUK staff and external speakers. Really inspiring to hear from other groups e.g. links with local schools for Write for Rights, etc

    • People wanted to join up across groups and campaigns Scotland

    • Presentation from Scotland AI Director (Neil) focusing on the priorities of AI Scotland office (which he had presented to our Group earlier this year)

    • Two very moving speakers on Gaza; One providing a personal testimony of the events that had resulted in eight children in her extended family being killed by the IDF. The second speaker on Gaza focused on the Amnesty campaign to ban Israeli settler goods (i.e. produce / goods grown or made on illegally stolen land)

  9. Clara: potential speaker - journalist from Somalia - Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation costs - no update

  10. Email: we can also host a speaker from Refugee Action (they sent us an email) - (Refugee Week = 16-22.06.25)

    1. July meeting is often v quiet - do in August?

    2. link up w Graham from Daytime group - Andrew to email Graham to see if they can arrange for Daytime group session time

  11. Urgent Appeals - Merle

    No. of letters written during this meeting: 12

  12. 2025 Glasgow West AI group's 50th anniversary! - see Ideas doc here, inc.

    1. Meal:

      1. Unfortunately the church hall is not available on Saturdays. We could have the hall on Thursday 11th September (our regular meeting night) 7pm-10pm at £14 per hour.( it's in use till 7pm) Claire will ask about number of tables and chairs and get more info on the kitchen. The kitchen upgrade should be finished this week. And we would need to set up the hall

      2. Probably worth considering another venue for a Saturday before we decide

      3. Saturday PM may be preferable to welcome older people

      4. Clara has made flyer

    2. Andrew contacted Glasgow City Council to explore possibility of tree planting to mark 50 years of Amnesty in Glasgow.- The Council is keen to support this - Details tbc, but likely to take place Oct / Nov in an area around Kelvingrove.

      1. The Lord Provost's Office has also suggested a Civic Reception for Amnesty Glasgow. Again, details re timing, etc tbc, but likely to be in the Autumn.
    3. Andrew contacted Strathclyde University Journalism course leaders to see if they have students interested in developing some stories around the Group's archive materials. The purpose would be to publicise the work of Amnesty in Glasgow and, hopefully, encourage others to volunteer.

      Lecturer has asked to borrow our archive material so they can look through it and assess how suitable they think it might be. The Group agreed for Andrew to drop off our archive with the Lecturer.

      Andrew has also contacted Uni group & Daytime group to see if would like to be involved/if they have also have archive material that they wish to include- Andrew will update on responses when he gets them

      Andrew to msg Mal to see if he is holding any other archive material

  13. Pride March (19.07.25) - registered for Parade and Stall. NB stalls will be required to be set up before 10 am on the morning of Saturday the 19th of July. Volunteers now for stall / parade

    1. To set up stall: Kirstie,??

    2. March: Clara, Claire

  14. AGM Resolutions - AGM resolutions to vote not received yet, so can't discuss how our Group should vote! We will pick this up and share / discuss in the Group's Signal chat when we get the resolutions. Clara & Carol will be attending the AGM / Annual Conference in Warwick, which takes place over the 5th / 6th July.

  15. Groups Planning Pack 2025 from central AIUK - some useful links, especially the Calendars with key events/trainings.

  16. AOB

    • Susan is very generously hosting an Amnestea event on Sunday July 13th 4pm-7.30pm at her house. If you'd like to come along, please contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

    • Registration for AIUK AGM 5th/6th July is open - at Warwick Uni!

    • Future Idea: Apartheid free meal / invite MPs?

  17. The latest AIUK Local Group Updates are included in the June meeting email link at the top of this document.

  18. Next meeting - Thurs 10th July 2025 at 7.30pm

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

The Group meets every second Thursday of each month at 7.30pm - 9pm.

The meetings take place at Woodlands Methodist Church, 229 Woodlands Road, G3 6LW

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

  • Thursday 9th January 2025

  • Thursday 13th February 2025

  • Thursday 13th March 2025

  • Thursday 10th April 2025

  • Thursday 8th May 2025

  • Thursday 12th June 2025

  • Thursday 10th July 2025

  • Thursday 14th August 2025

  • Thursday 11th September 2025

  • Thursday 9th October 2025

  • Thursday 13th November 2025

  • Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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July 2024 Meeting on Thursday!

Thanks to AMG for these updates, if you would prefer to read them as a PDF, you can do so here.

We warmly invite you to attend the next meeting of the Amnesty International Glasgow West Group. Please come and join in our lively and friendly discussions and help us make a positive difference to supporting Human Rights around the world.

This email includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming July 2024 meeting;
  • Information on current AIUK activities; and
  • A note of our local Group's meeting dates for 2024.

July 2024 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 11th July, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 11th July 2024 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.
Further details on Facebook - https://fb.me/e/24A3jSi3e

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

  • Discussing preparations for the forthcoming Pride event in Glasgow on 20th July.

  • A discussion on Human Rights in Myanmar / South East Asia, led by Mal, our local AI Group member who is also an AIUK Volunteer Co-ordinator for Myanmar / SE Asia.

  • Considering feedback from our Group's delegates to the recent UK Amnesty annual conference;

  • Reviewing the impact and next steps following our Group's collaboration with artist Alexander Dakars at his recent exhibition in Glasgow, including discussion on the artwork he donated to our Group;

  • Updates from our local group co-ordinators on their activities; and

  • Undertaking letter writing in response to recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Recent Event - Glasgow Amnesty Group's Collaboration with Artist

Photo: Artist Alexander Dakars, pictured with a selection of Human Rights focused work that he has donated to Amnesty International

The Glasgow West AI Group recently had a very successful collaboration with the artist Alexander Dakars.

Alexander's grandfather was one of the leaders of the Allende Government who was imprisoned following General Pinochet's military coup in 1973. Amnesty campaigned for the release of political prisoners and this helped secure the release of his grandfather and others.

Alexander has raised funding for Amnesty through sales of his artwork.

His latest exhibition took place at the prestigious Glasgow Art Club & Gallery in Glasgow. A special launch event included a musical performance, a speech from Carol of the Glasgow AI Groups and input from the artist himself. Alexander spoke about the influences underpinning his work, including a commitment to Human Rights. Alexander donated a section of his art focusing on Human Rights issues to the Glasgow West Amnesty Group and we will be considering how best to house and showcase this work. Several attendees expressed an interest in joining Amnesty and collection tin raised £130 for our local Group's funds.

Forthcoming Event - Pride March & Rally Glasgow – 20th July 2024

Last year's Glasgow Pride march attracted 50,000 participants. This year, organisers are hoping for an even bigger and better event.

Amnesty members will be participating in this event and we are intending to have a stall at it too.

As well as the colourful march itself, there will be a Music Stage at Glasgow's iconic Barrowland Ballroom, a Community Stage and over 150 stalls and traders.

Festival Park will be the starting point of Glasgow's Pride 2024 March. The route will leave Festival Park and head over the squinty bridge to Broomielaw, up to Argyle Street before heading through the Merchant City and ending at Glasgow Green, a short distance to the Glasgow Barrowlands, which will host the market, mainstage, and community stages.

Further details of the march route, market stalls, main stage, etc via this link.

Updates From AIUK

Write for Rights 2023: Rita Karasartova acquitted!

The charges against the defendants in the “Kempir-Abad case” were politically motivated and based on groundless allegations that they were plotting mass riots. This case has highlighted ongoing issues with fair trials and the suppression of the right to freedom of expression in Kyrgyzstan.

The acquittal of defendants in the “Kempir-Abad case” is an important victory for justice and human rights. The charges against them were politically motivated, the case was marred by inconsistencies and procedural violations, and they endured long months of inhumane treatment including lack of access to adequate medical treatment. In short, these people should never have been charged and put on trial in the first place for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.

Human rights defender Rita Karasartova, *a defendant and Amnesty International Write for Rights 2023 figure, told the organization: "We didn't expect it at all. We were crying from surprise.''*

Age Loud!

Amnesty International has launched Age Loud! Demand a world where human rights last a lifetime, a new campaign calling on all of us to listen to the voices of older people and ensure respect for their fundamental rights.

No matter our age, our human rights are universal. But as we grow older, many of us are pushed into the shadows, ignored and forgotten.

It's time to listen to the voices of older people. Let's speak up and support their calls to end age discrimination now.

Collaborating with Amnesty International national offices and a diverse range of activists, allies and organisations around the world, our campaign will aim to amplify the voices of older people, rewrite the narrative around ageing, and inspire people of all ages to demand an end to age-related discrimination, neglect and abuse.

For more information, please visit our page about our work on older people's rights here.

Support activist fighting for the protection of human rights in older age, join the movement today!

Watch the video

How to support student activists in solidarity camps for Palestine

Students across the world have been setting up protest encampments on campus to show their solidarity with Palestinians, call for a ceasefire and demand their universities divest from companies that may be complicit, such as arms companies. With this powerful show of solidarity, we have sadly seen students be met with repressive responses.

Students including Amnesty International student groups are taking part in these actions across the UK.

If you can support fellow activists, here are some suggested ways to contribute:

Donations Needed:

  • Food and snacks

  • Blankets, sleeping bags, tents

  • Books, games

  • Campaign materials: posters, banners, cardboard, pens

Other Ways to Help:

  • Donate to GoFundMe campaigns set up by local encampments to purchase resources, supplies, and campaign materials. Search for your nearby encampment's GoFundMe page.

  • Follow your local encampment's social media accounts for regular updates, supply needs, and calls for immediate support during protests or actions. Don't underestimate the power of sharing their posts to your own social media!

  • If you can support even further and be on standby as arrestee support, we can put you in touch with your respective student group.

The student activists appreciate any support and solidarity you can provide as they continue to advocate for the Palestinian cause on university campuses. Your support can make a meaningful difference in their efforts.

For details of the most recent AIUK Local Groups' Update, click on this link.

Upcoming Dates / Events

Details on the Amnesty Events page.

Updates On Other AIUK Campaigns

For details on Amnesty International priority campaigns, click this link.

2024 Meeting Dates

Amnesty International

Glasgow West Local Group

New Members very welcome!

The Group meets every second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm - 9pm.

The meetings take place at Woodlands Methodist Church, 229 Woodlands Road, G3 6LW

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

  • Thursday 11th January 2024

  • Thursday 8th February 2024

  • Thursday 14th March 2024

  • Thursday 11th April 2024

  • Thursday 9th May 2024

  • Thursday 13th June 2024

  • Thursday 11th July 2024

  • Thursday 8th August 2024

  • Thursday 12th September 2024

  • Thursday 10th October 2024

  • Thursday 14th November 2024

  • Thursday 12th December 2024

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

Categories
minutes Uncategorised

May 2024 Meeting + April Updates

Thank you to AMG for providing these updates. If you would like to read them as a PDF, you can do so here.

We warmly invite you to attend the next meeting of the Amnesty International Glasgow West Group. Please come and join in our lively and friendly discussions and help us make a positive difference to supporting Human Rights around the world.

This email includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming May 2024 meeting;
  • Information on current AIUK activities;
  • Minutes of our local Group meeting held last month; and
  • A note of our local Group's meeting dates for 2024.

May 2024 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 9th May, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 9th May 2024 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

Further details on Facebook - https://fb.me/e/24A3jSi3e

We would love to see you there!

Our April meeting will include:

  • A discussion with Alexander Dakars, an internationally acclaimed artist who will be collaborating with our Group in an exhibition in Glasgow this summer;

  • Discussion on Amnesty Futures;

  • Updates from our local group co-ordinators on their activities; and

  • Undertaking letter writing in response to recent Urgent Actions alerts from AIUK.

AIUK Local Groups Updates

For details of the most recent AIUK Local Groups' Update, click on this link.

AIUK's AGM

Join us on Saturday 22 June 2024 for a day of learning about Amnesty's work, AGM business, speakers, networking and shaping our movement as you make your voice count!

The AGM enables us all to get together, share plans and discuss ideas, so that we can build an even more powerful human rights movement in the UK. The event is FREE and will be held in Sheffield at Sheffield Hallam University.

Booking is now OPEN, so book your place and make your voice count. Book your in-person or online ticket here.

Tickets include event entry, refreshments, lunch, and an optional evening get-together with entertainment and food.

Please note: AGM business can be attended by Amnesty International UK Section members only. If you need to check your membership status, please contact sct@amnesty.org.uk.

Affiliated members who are unable to attend the AGM in person can still participate by joining the meeting online.

For further information on the AGM, please check here.

22 June 9.30 am - 7:30 pm - Amnesty International UK Annual General Meeting, Sheffield Hallam University. In-person and online options. Book here.

Rwanda Bill


Credit: Marie-Anne Photography

Despite widespread opposition, late into the night on 22 April, Parliament passed the Rwanda Act. This new law aggressively strips away the fundamental rights of those seeking safety on our shores. It's a deliberate act of cruelty and a national disgrace. But we are not defeated. Now, more than ever, we need to make our voices heard.
Please read and share our campaign outputs and look out for further updates, as we continue to challenge this act of injustice.

You can read our statement in response to the Bill passing here.

A video we produced with Freedom from Torture and Liberty here.

A blog by our Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme Director here.

And a flavour of some of our campaigning, which received international, national and regional media coverage here.

New campaign images for Pakistan and Afghanistan

Cherry Bird, Country Coordinator for India & Nepal and team lead for South Asia, has a selection of powerful images that people campaigning on Afghanistan can use, especially for these two actions:

To access these images please contact
Cherry.Bird@amnesty.org.uk.

Anti-Racism Pocket Guide

The Anti-Racism Network's first resource is now available to be ordered! An introduction to anti-racism, the pocket guide covers topics including: what is racism and anti-racism, terminology and how to challenge racism.
You can order it by filling out this form: AIUK's Activism Resource Order Form.

Upcoming Dates / Events

See more on the Amnesty Events page.

2 May, 6.45-10 pm – Gaza: Chronicle of a Tragedy Foretold Screening, HRAC, London. In-person. Book here.

14 May, 6 pm – `A Human Right to Protest' - Southampton Amnesty Group's 10th Annual Human Rights lecture 2024 with Kate Adie, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ. In-person. Book here.

17 - 19 May – Awraq Festival, Bristol's Palestine Museum, 27 Broad St, Bristol BS1 2HG. In-person. Book here.

20 May, 9 am – Defend Julian Assange, Royal Courts of Justice, London WC2A 2LL. In-person.

22 May, 5:30-7 pm – AIUK Digital Campaign Training. (Online)

\\Join us in this training to gain a better understanding of digital mobilisation, explore different tactics for mobilising supporters online, and apply those tactics to achieve your campaign objectives. This training is designed for those who have a foundational knowledge of digital tools and platforms and are looking to enhance their skills in the area of digital mobilisation. If you are interested you can sign up here.''

Combatting Gender-based Violence Online

Develop a comprehensive understanding of how gender-based violence manifests in online spaces and its impact on human rights and gender equality globally. Gain the knowledge and tools to effectively advocate for and promote gender justice. From identifying different forms of online gender-based violence to developing strategies for prevention and addressing its impact, you will be equipped with the skills needed to take action and create positive change.

Access the course here

You can access all activist education resources and trainings on this page: Activist Education

17 - 23 June - Refugee Week

22 June 9.30 am - 7:30 pm - Amnesty International UK Annual General Meeting, Sheffield Hallam University. In-person and online options. Book here.

Updates On Current AIUK Campaigns

For further details and more Amnesty International events, click this link.

Play the Amnesty Summer raffle today

The Amnesty Summer Raffle is now open! Don't delay – simply enter online today for your chance to win £5,000 or one of 36 other amazing cash prizes. Just imagine seeing your name on a cheque for £5,000! Wouldn't that feel amazing?

Every time you play the Amnesty International UK Raffle, you're taking on injustices and helping to make sure humanity wins. That's a great feeling!

By playing the Amnesty Summer Raffle, that feeling – and the cash – could be yours. Are you ready for that winning feeling?

Enter Now

Minutes of Meeting held on 11th April 2024

Welcome and apologies (introductions round table)

  • Attendees: Claire (chair), Christine, Jean, Carol, Mal, Sophie, Han, Chakar, Clara, Tim, Chloe, Kirstie and Andrew.
  • Apologies: Neil and Merle.
  • A particular welcome was given to Chloe and Tim, who were attending the group for the first time.

Dunbartonshire / Helensburgh AI Group

Tim stated that he was from the Dunbartonshire / Helensburgh AI Group, which had existed since 1971, but whose membership had fallen in recent years. That group was now intending to disband. It was agreed that members of that group would be very welcome to join the Glasgow West AI Group. It was also suggested that the Glasgow Daytime Group might be a suitable option for some. Tim noted that his Group had c.£84 in the bank, which they will likely pass to AIUK; and some flags / banners, etc, which they will give to our group. Andrew suggested that Tim advise his colleagues in the Dunbartonshire / Helensburgh group that their email addresses can be added to the Glasgow West Group's mailing list. The monthly communications from our group include an unsubscribe option. Tim will check this and get back to Andrew.

Agreement of previous meeting minutes

The minutes of the 14th March meeting were agreed, with any matters arising being covered in the agenda.

Team Updates

(list of roles from AGM here)

  1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

  2. Main outgoings in past month have been postage and envelopes.

  3. The Group's bank balance is currently £712.20.

  4. There will soon be an upcoming quarterly payment for hire of the meeting room (£78). There is also a bill for £7.81 relating to the platform hosting our website. Rob has paid this and Kirstie will send him funds by bank transfer to reimburse him.

  5. Social Media & website (Mal & Cait)

  6. Mal provided an update on the Group's social media accounts, including updates posted on Instagram and X (Twitter).

  7. Local Political Outreach (Neil)

  8. In Neil's absence, there was no update.

  9. Regional / Country focus

  10. South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal)

  11. Mal provided a brief update relating to education projects in refugee camps. He will provide a fuller update at a future meeting.

  12. Pakistan (Chakar)

  13. Chakar had attempted to contact the two Pakistan country co-ordinators, but had no response. It was suggested that contacting Thea in AIUK might be useful, including asking when the next advertisement for vacant country co-ordinators will be issued.

  14. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk Update (Han)

  15. Han has been seeking to chase up information on how to progress PoC / IaR with AIUK. Han will discuss with Mal and provide a fuller update at the next meeting.

  16. Diversity and Inclusion (Sophie)

  17. Sophie indicated that she will stand down from this role, as she doesn't have time to progress it.

Perth Group

Claire and Chakar provided an update on the Perth group's recent hillwalk event, which they both attended. This had included discussion on potential collaboration between the Perth Group and our own group. The Perth Group had input to an Iftar event in their area and Clara mentioned that she had actually attended that Iftar.

Invitation from Daytime Group – Guest Speaker

Carol noted that the daytime group had organised a speaker for their meeting next week on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Action - Our group members are invited to attend.

AI Regional Elections

Mal noted that there was an opportunity for volunteering as a regional volunteer for Scotland, with the closing date 30th April.

Speaker Request for a School

A request had come to us via AIUK from a school in Uddingston asking for someone from AI to provide a talk to a group of secondary pupils/. (Chloe subsequently indicated she may be interested in doing this)/.

Human Rights Scotland Bill

Webinar event on 24 April at 7pm

A further reminder was given that the Amnesty Scotland Team had invited local AI Group members to join a Webinar on Scotland's forthcoming Human Rights Bill.

Details of how to join the briefing were circulated with the meeting papers.

Action - All members are encouraged to link in to this event.

Collaboration with Artist

Andrew provided a further update on a proposal by a Bournemouth-based artist, Alexander Dakers of Zander Art, who wishes to collaborate with our Group at his exhibition at a gallery in Glasgow City Centre this summer.

The group were enthusiastic about this collaboration and agreed that we should proceed with developing it. The exhibition runs for two weeks, with a ‘VIP Day' on 28th June, which will be a major focus and which members are encouraged to attend.

Agreed possible actions include:

  • Members of our Group attending the 'VIP day' opening of the exhibition;
  • Setting up a stand at the exhibition with AI banners, posters, leaflets, collecting tin, etc. This would help raise awareness of AI and encourage people attending the exhibition to consider joining AI themselves;
  • Possibly promoting some of the AI Urgent Actions that are current at the time of the exhibition. e.g. cases relating to Chile - or perhaps broader South American issues and individuals from that region who are prisoners of conscience. This could include inviting exhibition attendees to sign petitions, write letters, etc;
  • Using our social media and our mailing list to help promote the exhibition;
  • Our Group writing articles / liaising with local press to highlight the exhibition; and
  • Inviting other local AI Groups and members to also engage with this project.

Actions

  • Andrew to contact the artist to discuss our proposals and invite him to our next meeting
  • Mal to speak to AIUK Chile co-ordinator to see if they can participate
  • Christine knows a journalist who might be interested in covering this story and will check with them;
  • Jean suggested the possibility of getting someone to speak about the 1973 East Kilbride Rolls Royce trade union action in protest against the Chilean military coup, (This action was the subject of the documentary film ‘Nae Pasaran'). It was also suggested that Oscar Mendoza of SCIAF may be a suitable speaker at the event.

Opportunity to host ‘Operation Caesar' exhibition

An email was received from Brian Devlin asking us to consider hosting an exhibition of photographs depicting a range of atrocities that took place in Syria. The Caesar Families Association is campaigning for justice for 100,000 victims of detention and disappearance in Syria.

A couple of group members had seen some of the photographs and indicated it was high quality work, depicting graphic and harrowing scenes. There was some concern about where such an exhibition could be hosted safely. One suggestion was that there could be a closed room, with warning signs outside regarding the nature of the exhibition. It was also suggested that the University Group might wish to organise an event, although there has been no meaningful contact with this group over the past year.

AIUK Amnesty Futures

Mal provided an update on ‘Amnesty Futures', which is a group of AI members who are campaigning for changes within AIUK to address the falling AI membership, the significant decline in local groups and to promote greater democracy / accountability within the organisation. A wide-ranging discussion took place.

Mal indicated that the group intended to take a number of motions to the forthcoming AGM. It was hoped that our group would have the opportunity to consider these motions in detail at the next meeting and to decide whether we wished to support them.

Action – Amnesty Futures' AGM motions to be considered at the May meeting.

AIUK Local Group Updates here

  • Write-up in AIUK Fundraising Update - for Glasgow West Group's recent Comedy Night event here

  • Activism Representatives election - Local groups can vote for one representative for their region. Anyone interested in standing? Nominations close 30th April. Elections take place 6th May - 7th June.

  • AIUK Safeguarding Policy updated - link here

  • AIUK Anti-racism pocket guide will be available soon. link here

  • Updates from various local AI Groups across the UK, including solidarity actions for Gaza, events marking International Women's Day and a vigil for Alexi Navalny.

  • AIUK 2024 Priority Campaigns here - read through and see any areas we may wish to focus on

  • Amnesty training courses, e.g.:

Urgent Appeals

  • Merle had sent a number of online Urgent Actions to Claire.

Next meeting: Thurs 9th May, 7.30pm-9pm

2024 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

The Group meets every second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm - 9pm.

The meetings take place at Woodlands Methodist Church, 229 Woodlands Road, G3 6LW

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

  • Thursday 11th January 2024

  • Thursday 8th February 2024

  • Thursday 14th March 2024

  • Thursday 11th April 2024

  • Thursday 9th May 2024

  • Thursday 13th June 2024

  • Thursday 11th July 2024

  • Thursday 8th August 2024

  • Thursday 12th September 2024

  • Thursday 10th October 2024

  • Thursday 14th November 2024

  • Thursday 12th December 2024

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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April 2022 Updates

Many thanks to MDS for these updates. If you prefer to read them as a PDF, you can do so here.

Welcome & Introductions

New Amnesty Activism Representative for Scotland

The group welcomed Amnesty's new Activism Representative for Scotland, Danielle McCall.

Danielle will be taking on this volunteering role, along aside existing Activism Representative, Malcolm Dingwall-Smith, to support Amnesty's local groups across Scotland.

Good news - Prisoners Of Conscience In Honduras Released

All the eight Guapinol defenders were unconditionally released in February 2022.

On 24 February 2022, the sentencing court of Trujillo ordered the release of the six Guapinol defenders (José Daniel Márquez, Kelvin Alejandro Romero, José Abelino Cedillo, Porfirio Sorto Cedillo, Ewer Alexander Cedillo and Orbin Nahún Hernández) that remained in prison following a favourable resolution of the Supreme Court of Justice on 10 February 2022.

Arnol Javier Alemán and Jeremías Martínez Díaz had been acquitted and released immediately on 9 February 2022.

Campaign updates

2022 Overview

Topics AIUK will be campaigning on this year include:

  • end Israeli apartheid
  • Ukraine crisis response
  • justice for Syria
  • save the Human Rights Act
  • freedom of expression – right to protest
  • refugee & migrant rights
  • homelessness

More details can be found at: http://email.amnestyuk.org.uk/files/amf_amnesty/project_58/2022_Planned_Campaigns.pdf

Nationality & Borders Bill

Thank you to everyone who has taken a stand against the most harmful aspects of this Bill. This piece of legislative vandalism, which will wreck the UK's asylum system, undermine international law and criminalise people for attempting to reach a place of safety, continues to progress through parliament.

On 22 March, MPs voted to remove all of the amendments added to the Bill by the Peers in the House of Lords - see here for a full list of these amendment and our parliamentary briefing.

One positive to come out of House of Commons debate, was a concession by the government to British nationality rights to Chagos Islanders. This is an issue AIUK has lobbied parliamentarians on throughout the Bill's passage.

The Bill will return to the House of Lords in April.  

Actions

Urgent Actions

US: WOMAN'S EXECUTION WOULD VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL LAW

Melissa Lucio, a 52-year-old Mexican American woman, is scheduled to be executed in Texas on 27 April 2022.

IOPT:PALESTINIAN LAWYER IN ARBITRARY DETENTION

French-Palestinian lawyer Salah Hammouri has been issued a four-month administrative detention order.

SINGAPORE: EXECUTIONS RESUME – MORE MAY FOLLOW

Hangings have resumed in Singapore for drug related offences, after Abdul Kahar bin Othman was executed on 30 March. The previous day, the appeal for Malaysian national Nagaenthran Dharmalingam was rejected, and he is believed to be at risk of having his execution reset imminently.

Ukraine response – Monthly mailing

Please take and share the action

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/UkraineCrisis

Parliamentary briefing and MP letter: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/invasion-ukraine-resources

Link to Crisis Lab monitoring human rights violations: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/a-guide-to-how-amnesty-verifies-military-attacks-in-ukraine/

Belarussian – Monthly mailing

Marfa Rabkova, Belarussian human rights defender. Demand she is freed.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/petition/belarus-marfa-rabkova-viasna/

British nationals in Iran – Monthly mailing

While Nazanin and Anoosheh have been reunited with their families, Amnesty continue to campaign for Morad Tahbaz and Mehran Raoof, who are still arbitrarily detained in Iran.

You can contact your local MP to:

  1. ask them to raise Morad's and Mehran's cases with the Foreign Secretary, asking for them to not be forgotten and calling for their release
  2. ask them to raise their cases publicly and mention Morad and Mehran in Parliament

IOPT – Monthly mailing

In a significant development, the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in the OPT published a landmark report concluding that Israel is committing the crime of apartheid. Due to his mandate, he was only able to look at the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories but his findings are similar to Amnesty's.

Here is Amnesty's response.

For International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Amnesty did a film shoot outside the Israeli Embassy where they renamed their street Apartheid Avenue and Palestinian dancers did a Dabke outside.

Here's Amnesty's film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2eydDZDjF8

Here is a new guest blog post from an activist in Gaza.

There is a new activist toolkit with ways to get involved.

Report back from Iftar and discussions of next steps

  • Group members attended a successful human rights iftar hosted in partnership by Amnesty, the Muslim Council of Scotland and AMINA.

  • The next step for the group could be to host a meeting focussed on some of the human rights issues highlighted at the iftar including the Uyghurs, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Kashmir. This would allow those at the iftar who were interested in getting more involved to join the Glasgow West Amnesty group.

  • Post meeting note: While there was discussion of making this the focus of the May meeting, it will now be held at a later date.

Events

  • 19 March: UN Anti-Racism Day march, Glasgow

Group members joined this march.

  • 16 April: No to Offshore Detention, Glasgow

Group members planned to join this demo.

  • 24 May: AIUK Equality, Inclusion & Diversity training, Online

This will be an online session open to Amnesty activists. More details to follow.

  • 4 June: Tiananmen Square vigil, Edinburgh

There are plans for Amnesty to hold a vigil outside the Chinese consulate on 4th June to mare the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

Other updates & AOB

  • State of the World report

The Amnesty International State of the World Review 2021/22 is available at https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pol10/4870/2022/en/

  • Women's Rights Education Resource

Access and share Amnesty's new Women's Rights resources with educators, including sessions on gender stereotyping for Primary and Secondary students, online gender-based violence and women and unpaid care work.

Find the pack here.

  • Human Rights online courses

As part of Amnesty's ongoing work to improve access to all the training and education Amnesty UK produces, they have created a new space on the website to find it all in one place. They are still fleshing it out and will of course be adding more training and education as it is developed.

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/education/activist-education

Next Meeting: Thursday 12th May 2022

Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/1HWPcWGNi

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