Thank you to AMG for these updates. If you would prefer to read thm in PDF format, you may do so here.

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We warmly invite you to attend the next meeting of the AI 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 December 2023 meeting;

• How to get tickets for our February Comedy Fundraiser;

• Information on our annual Write for Rights Campaign;

• Excerpts from and a link to AIUK's most recent update for local AI groups;

• Minutes of our local Group meeting held last month

• A note of our local Group's meeting dates for 2024

December 2023 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 14th November, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 14th December 2023 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 activities for the December meeting include:

• Planning for our forthcoming local Comedy Night Fundraiser for Amnesty International, which is being held at The Stand, Glasgow on Monday 12th February 2024;

• Reflecting on the Glasgow AI local Groups' annual ‘Write for Rights' event, which will take place on Sunday 10th December 2023 within Hillhead Library, Byres Road, Glasgow between 12pm – 5pm.

• Preparing for our local Group's AGM, which will take place early in 2024

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

Save the Date: 12 Feb 2024 - AIGW Comedy Fundraising Event

Get your tickets now!

A comedy night will be held at The Stand Comedy Club, Glasgow on Monday 12th February 2024 to raise funds for Amnesty International.

All the comedians on the bill, together with the mystery host are giving their input to our worthwhile cause for free. Likewise, The Stand is providing its facilities for no charge. All profits from ticket sales will go to AIUK's charitable arm. A cash raffle will be held on the night, with the proceeds going directly to our local AI group's campaigning and expenses.

Tickets cost £12 / £10 and are on sale now. Further information is available from The Stand website.

Write a letter, change a life - Write for Rights 2023

Amnesty International's Write for Rights campaign transforms the lives of people whose rights have been wronged.

Write for Rights supporters are united by their desire to make a difference. In recent years, we've seen real change to people's lives because of Write for Rights action. From Zimbabwe to Guatemala, activists have been released and justice delivered.

This year's campaign features people from around the world, all connected because their human rights have been violated. Some by their governments, others by the police, or by big corporations. All because of who they are and what they do.

Together, we can fight for their rights.

Join Write for Rights today.

“I really appreciate the thoughts, the love and the solidarity.

It means so much to me and I don't take it for granted.”

– Netsai Marova, Zimbabwean opposition activist.

Two 2023 Write for Rights Cases

CENSORSHIP AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Demand Freedom for Ahmed

ACT NOW

CENSORSHIP AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Free Tunisian activist Chaima Issa

ACT NOW

You can also support all eleven of the 2023 Individuals by signing the petition.

The Glasgow AI Groups will be holding their own Write for Rights event in Hillhead Library, Byres Road, Glasgow between 12noon – 5pm on Sunday 10th December. This event is designed to encourage members of the public to join us - and thousands of people across the world – to write letters supporting those whose human rights have been violated.

What better way to help protect and defend human rights on the UN's Human Rights Day!

Gaza

Amnesty International has recently published a range of statements and publications relating to the escalating crisis in Gaza.

As the situation is so fast moving, Amnesty is publishing the latest developments via press release publications, which are available from the above link.

Members of AI's Glasgow Groups have participated in a range of demonstrations and protests.

Regular vigils are taking place on Fridays at 6.30pm on the steps at the top of Buchanan Street, Glasgow.

Extract Of Local Groups' Updates From AIUK

Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.

This month's update from AIUK includes the following:

Amnesty's donation gift cards

We are pleased to launch Amnesty's new donation gift cards, just in time for Christmas.

Amnesty's donation gift cards are gifts for minimum fuss and maximum impact. Whether you don't like the idea of buying more ‘stuff' for people who have everything; worry about the environmental impact of buying gifts or have simply left things a bit late, our range of donation gift cards could be for you.

Your donation will be used to enable vital human rights work in the UK and around the world - wherever it's needed most. Choose either a digital e-card or a traditional paper card to be sent to the recipient of your choice. You can add your personalised message, and send it straight to your friend or family member - simple!

Anti-Racism: New Report on the Government's Prevent Strategy

What Is Prevent?

How much do you know about Prevent – the UK's strategy ‘to stop people becoming terrorists'? This has led to Prevent having a racist and discriminatory impact. In many cases, those worst affected are among society's most vulnerable and marginalised people. For example, children, neurodivergent people and Muslims are most often wrongly flagged up as carrying a high risk of being ‘drawn into terrorism' – even though they have never committed a crime. The reasons why people have been referred to Prevent are often shrouded in secrecy and there is no clear way to challenge referrals.

Our new report - This Is The Thought Police: The Prevent duty and its chilling effect on human rights - illustrates that Prevent is a dangerously broken system. As a ‘pre-crime intervention', it is supposed to protect us by identifying people at risk of radicalisation into terrorism and stopping them before they do. But in reality, the vast majority of people reported under Prevent do not present any threat and the referrals require no further action. Prevent is seriously interfering with the lives and freedoms of thousands of innocent people. Prevent is stripping people of their basic human rights and hampering their ability to live, work and speak freely. It is ineffective and a waste of public resources, where this resource can be better allocated.

Read the report

The Human Rights Impact Of Prevent

The Prevent strategy defines certain indicators of ‘radicalisation', but through speaking to interviewees, we found that decisions about who to refer to Prevent ultimately rely on ‘gut feeling’.

This has led to Prevent having a racist and discriminatory impact. In many cases, those worst affected are among society’s most vulnerable and marginalised people. For example, children, neurodivergent people and Muslims are most often wrongly flagged up as carrying a high risk of being ‘drawn into terrorism’ – even though they have never committed a crime. The reasons why people have been referred to Prevent are often shrouded in secrecy and there is no clear way to challenge referrals.

Prevent is stripping people of their basic human rights and hampering their ability to live, work and speak freely. It is ineffective and a waste of public resources, where this resource can be better allocated.

It must be scrapped.

Upcoming dates

10th Dec - Human Rights Day, 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

10th Dec – 12pm – 5pm AI Glasgow Groups' Write for Rights event, Hillhead Library, Byres Road, Glasgow

Further information from AIUK

Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.

November 2023 Updates

Amnesty International

Glasgow West Local Group

Meeting held on 9th November 2023

Present: Claire (Chair), Mhairi, Merle, Han, Christine, Kirstie, Neil, Carol, Cait and Andrew.

Guest Speaker: Linsay Taylor, Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND)

Apologies submitted: Mal, Fatma and Jean.

Welcome

Claire welcomed everyone to the meeting and circulated hard copies of the meeting agenda.

Minutes of meeting held on 12th October 2023 and Matters Arising

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed and any matters arising were included in this month's agenda.

Guest Speaker – Linsay Taylor, Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND)

Claire introduced Linsay, who is Head of Community Engagement & Development and Scotland Regional Manager for MEND. Linsay had been invited to attend our meeting as part of Islamaphobia Awareness month. Members of the Glasgow University and Glasgow Daytime Groups had been invited to attend and participate in this discussion.

Linsay delivered a presentation, which included consideration of 1.) various forms of discrimination and marginalisation that take place in society; 2.) the Equality Act's protected characteristics and 3.) how individuals and communities can stand up to discrimination.

A wide-ranging discussion and Q&A session followed Linsay's presentation.

Claire thanked Linsay for her input to the meeting.

Finance Update

Kirstie provided an update on recent transactions on the Group's finances, noting that the hall hire bill of £78 had recently been paid and that there was now a current balance of £486.

Kirstie invited colleagues to claim travel expenses for attending the meeting.

Social Media Co-ordinator

Claire indicated that Silvia had stood down from the role of the Group's social media co-ordinator due to other commitments. Silvia was thanked for the work she had carried out on behalf of the group and it was hoped she would be able to pick up her work as a volunteer activist again in the near future.

Claire noted that Mal had agreed to input to the role of Social Media Co-ordinator on a temporary basis until a replacement could be found. Cait said that she would also be available to assist.

ACTION – Mal & Cait

Lift the Ban

It was noted that there would be an opportunity for members of our Group to join with Lift the Ban (LTB) colleagues to take part in promoting LTB to local businesses at a future ‘street walk' awareness raising event. Fatma would be able to share information on appropriate future events.

ACTION - Fatma

Mitchell Library Exhibition

Carol and Claire provided a further update on the exhibition of political cartoons, spanning several decades, which have been produced by a former AI Daytime Group member. The exhibition is now underway on the second floor of the Mitchell Library and will run until the end of December. Alongside the exhibition, there is a poster with information on the local AI groups within Glasgow. It is intended that the exhibition will help raise awareness of human rights issues.

A brief discussion took place on the desire to find a suitable permanent home for the collection. There are duplicates of a number of the cartoons and the question has been posed by the Daytime Group as to whether our Group might assume custodianship of the duplicates. This matter can be discussed further at a future meeting once our group members have had the opportunity to view the exhibition.

A number of members of the group expressed their interest in attending the exhibition.

ACTION – All to consider attending the exhibition

ACTION – Further discussion to take place at a future meeting regarding whether our Group ought to take custodianship of the duplicate cartoons

Write for Rights Event

Kirstie confirmed the agreed date and time of 12noon – 5pm on Sunday 10th December 2023 (Human Rights Day) for the annual Write for Rights event.

The Daytime and University groups had been asked if they wanted to help run this as a joint event between the three Glasgow-based AI Groups. Andrew advised that the Daytime was keen to participate and that Meredith, Floris and Alex from that Group were intending to come along. The University Group indicated that they were planning their own event at the University on 13th December and said they may struggle to input on Sunday 10th due to study commitments.

Andrew and Kirstie had received a number of Write for Rights booklets and posters. The booklets were distributed to all attending the meeting.

ALL MEMBERS - PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING THE ‘WRITE FOR RIGHTS' BOOKLET AND POSTERS, COLLECTION TINS, CARDS, WRITING MATERIALS, ETC WITH YOU TO HILLHEAD LIBRARY!

Write4Rights Sunday 10th December – Minimum Rota

• 12pm – 1pm – Christine, Merle, Claire & Andrew

• 1pm – 2pm - Han & Sophie

• 2pm – 3pm - Mhari

• 3pm – 4pm - Neil

• 4pm – 5pm - Kirstie

These are the minimum times and personnel to ensure cover throughout the event. It's fine to come and help earlier and stay longer. Those not listed can come along anytime that suits. It is also noted that Daytime Group members will be inputting. Each person on the rota will tell the next person what to do. Andrew will bring the large AI Banner and the remaining booklets that he has. Mal will produce a social media update on the event. Claire will invite MPs / MSPs to attend.

ACTION – All members

Urgent Actions

Merle circulated information relating to the undernoted Urgent Actions and members were invited to respond to them following the meeting:

• Rocky Myers, USA - https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/JusticeforRocky

• Gaza Hospitals, IOPT - https://www.amnesty.org.uk/urgent-actions/rescind-evacuation-order-against-gaza-hospitals

Other Urgent Actions can also be accessed via AIUK's Urgent Actions link and individual Group members may also wish to follow up on these. https://www.amnesty.org.uk/urgent-actions

ACTION – All to consider responding to the AI Urgent Action appeals

AIUK Local Groups' Update

A summary of the latest AIUK Local Groups' Update was circulated with the meeting notice and Claire briefly highlighted some of the key issues covered.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 14th December 2023, 7.30pm - 9pm @ Woodlands Methodist Church, 229 Woodlands Road, G3 6LW.

2024 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

The Group meets every 2nd Thursday 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

Thanks to AMG for 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 AI 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 October 2023 meeting;
• Excerpts from and a link to AIUK's most recent update for local AI groups;
• Minutes of our local group meeting held last month; and
• A note of all our local Group's meeting dates for 2023.

October 2023 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 12th October, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 12th October 2023 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 activities for the October meeting include:

• Guest Speaker - Iona Fletcher, AIUK's country coordinator for Russia;

• Planning our annual ‘Write for Rights' event; and

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

Extract Of Local Groups' Updates From AIUK

Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.

This month's update from AIUK includes the following:

Amnesty Christmas Raffle

Enter the AIUK Christmas Raffle and grab your chance to feel like a winner! How would you spend £5,000? That's what's up for grabs when we draw the raffle in December.

Tickets cost just £2 and with every ticket you buy, you're speaking up for humanity.

Buy your raffle tickets online today for your chance to experience that winning feeling, and you could help more people like unfairly imprisoned Taner Kılıç walk free!

Anti-racism and human rights course

Launching in October: Anti-racism and human rights course for AI members

Racism is deeply rooted in the structures of our society. Challenging these structures and the ideologies that support them is key to human rights progress. This short course has been created as a first step for anyone who wants to learn about racism and its relation to and impact on human rights in the UK and around the world. It will help you to understand and confront racism, discrimination, inequality and disempowerment.

Click here from 2 October to access the course or find the rest of our courses here.

School requests for talks on Human Rights & Amnesty

The Amnesty Speaker programme closed in 2021. We do, however, still get some requests from schools for talks about our work. We have asked that these be directed to local activists who will likely have a more direct and relevant connection to the school and its students. AIUK has a number of useful resources to support this. Find out more here. If you require any other support or have any questions you can contact the education team here.

Real Lives Autumn 2023

Letter-writing changes lives. A letter from you could help free a prisoner, stop an execution or help a bereaved family receive justice. This edition of Real Lives is produced for those wishing to write more letters in support of individuals at risk. Download the Real Lives supplement here.

To order more copies, email sct@amnesty.org.uk

Letter to editor on refugees rights

Please share this template letter to editor on Refugees and Migrants rights issues with your local media.
Thank you,
The Media Team
Download the letter

Upcoming dates

4 Nov, 10 am - Acknowledging Israel's Apartheid Conference (in-person), Cardiff. Book here

4 Nov *10am *- AIUK National Conference 2023 - Free online tickets here

10 Dec - Human Rights Day, 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Further information from AIUK

Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.

Freedom From Torture – Comedy Fundraising Event

The organisation Freedom From Torture (FfT) has asked us to share information on its forthcoming fundraising event Amnesty members. The Comedy event for FfT is being held at The Stand Comedy Club, Glasgow on Sunday 12th November 2023.

Tickets cost £12 / £10. Further information is available from The Stand website.

(*Please note, whilst this is not an Amnesty International event, it is a very worthwhile cause!)

Updates From September 2023 Meeting

Amnesty International

Glasgow West Local Group

Meeting held on 14th September 2023

Minutes

Welcome and apologies

(introductions round table)

Attending: Claire (Chair), Neil, Kirstie, Han, Sophie, Fatma, Chakar, Mal and Jean.

Apologies: Merle, Christine, Silvia and Andrew

Agreement of previous meeting minutes

Team Updates

Treasurer

(& travel expenses reminder)

1. No recent donations to PayPal

2. £5 donation in the donation tin last meeting

3. Current balance: £595.37

Social Media & website

1. Sylvia was absent, no updates

Actions from previous meeting Minutes

1. China - Hong Kong/Uighur - Friday 29th September - Kurt from Scottish HongKongers says they aren't doing anything for mid-autumn festival.

2. Anti-boycott Bill End Israeli Apartheid - The AIUK Media team made template letters on the Government's controversial new “anti-boycott bill”. Scotland letter here. Please share!

3. No-one has any links/ideas of places to get tote bags made. On hold.

LiftTheBan's “High Street Challenge” campaign

Lift the Ban - High Street Challenge Handbook

Aim of campaign is to overturn ban on asylum seekers working whilst their claim is being considered.

Fatma feedback on LtB's Glasgow contact: Maryhill Integration Network (MIN) did a successful campaign in Maryhill (~9 shops put the LtB poster up in their window, said they support the campaign, and in turn got their shop advertised on MIN/LtB's social media. Plan to do another in October/November - the Amnesty group agreed we would take part in a joint event, with the aim of learning how to do it and then doing our own event in the West End.

Claire emailed Uni and Daytime groups - no response from Uni group; Daytime interested in joint action

Resources from LtB:

• Common Sense campaign reports (for anyone who is keen to read more detail on the arguments for reform)
• High Street Challenge handbooks (with tips on how to do the HSC, for members of your group)
• A5 leaflets that you can hand out to businesses, asking for their support with the campaign
• A4 posters saying "I'm supporting Lift the Ban"/"We're supporting Lift the Ban"- these can be offered to businesses and will need to be stuck up with either tape or some places use blutack. Some campaigners also use them to pose for photos inside/outside the local business, like this photo and this photo. MIN has a supply of the large A2 placards in those photos (in blue and yellow) - we can borrow.
• Window stickers which can be stuck inside or outside any glass surface (beer mat size).
• Small stickers/badges which can be handed out to individuals to be worn

Free Bus Travel for Asylum Seekers campaign

(Maryhill Integration Network action)

The petition is now with the Petitions Committee.

Sophie gave feedback on her experience with Petitions Committee - the committee will now call for evidence, so MIN needs to have this prepared. Fatma will feedback to MIN and link up with Sophie if MIN would like further advice on the process.

All to sign & share petition: https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2028

Proposed AIGW-MEND Collaboration

Daniel Gilius from Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) wants to do a joint Amnesty-MEND thing during November (Islamophobia Awareness Month).

MEND played a key role in helping to organise and promote the Edinburgh and Glasgow Human Rights Iftars in May. For MEND the focus of Islamophobia Awareness Month will be mainly on the human rights and experiences of Muslims in Scotland and the UK rather than on international issues, but there may be some opportunities to highlight issues of Islamophobia in an international context also (e.g. in Xinjiang).

→ Zoom meeting scheduled Monday 25th Sep at 6pm, with Edinburgh/Perth/Dundee groups - Fatma and Claire to attend; Claire to share Zoom link with Perth/Dundee groups

Stand Up To Racism Rally

1. Claire highlighted the upcoming Stand Up to Racism Erskine Hotel (Muthu Hotel) rally in support of the asylum seekers held there - Sunday 17.09.23

Write 4 Rights!

Kirstie is on the ball! Agreed:

• Sunday 10 Dec - Human Rights Day, 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
• Hillhead Library, 11am-4pm - rota/details to be confirmed in October/Nov meeting. Kirstie has ordered the W4R pack.
• Kirstie to confirm with the library.

Russia Action

Mal met Iona Fletcher, the new Amnesty UK country coordinator for Russia. She is originally from Russia but now lives in Kirkintilloch. Iona shared actions to support IAR cases including Alexandra Skochilenko (info: https://youtu.be/S4u-1zvVyvE)

• The group took a photo of us holding posters to mark Alexandra's (Sasha) birthday and court hearing (14th September) → Mal share and tag Sasha's social media platforms

• Some members took the poster with the action: take a picture of yourself in a supermarket holding this poster up and then post in on any social media with hashtags #FreeSashaSkochilenko #HappyBirthdaySashaSkochilenko. And tag:

  1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skochilenko/

  2. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sasha.skochilenko

  3. Twitter: https://twitter.com/Freedomforsasha

• The group agreed Mal would invite Iona to a future meeting (October/November) - @Mal to liaise.

Presentation on Balochistan

(currently a province of Pakistan)

Group member Chakar gave a presentation on the Balochistan:

1. Background: In 1947 when the UK left the area, they divided Balochistan into 3 parts, across areas of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. The population is more than 30 million. The current situation includes cultural and religious persecution. In the last month, 64 people have been abducted in Pakistan and 24 arrested.

2. Chakar shared this book title: https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/balochistan-british-great-game/

3. Mal found links to Amnesty's work on abuses in Balochistan.

   1. An urgent action from February 2023 on case of Mahal Baloch. https://www.amnesty.org.uk/urgent-actions/end-arbitrary-detention-mahal-baloch –> an update (quite a long way down the page) on Mahal's case saying she had been released on bail. https://www.amnesty.or.th/en/about-us/success/1145/

   2. A research report from 2020 on enforced disappearances in Balochistan. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa33/3334/2020/en/

   3. A news story from August 2023 based on a call from Amnesty https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/2570109-amnesty-international-slams-pakistan-for-cases-of-enforced-disappearances

4. The group discussed what action we could do:

   1. All to look for any other AI resources we can use as evidence

   2. Chakar to link up again with Pakistani Country Coordinator Lucja Jastrzebska and get advice/find out what else has been done (inc. attempts to meet with the Pakistan embassies/consulates around the UK) as well as other Perth Amnesty contacts who had previously worked on the campaign

   3. → Build evidence to present to the Pakistani Consulate and ask for comments on/demand clear action. Arrange meeting with Consulate and local MPs, other AI groups,

   4. Chakar to also ask Lucja re. current situation with regards AIUK supporting Chakar with his UK asylum claim / including Chakar's evidence/experience in AI campaign materials.

5. Bonding/Planning opportunity with the Perth Amnesty group: Barrie from the Perth group has invited us on a hill walk up Ben Vrachie, Sunday October 8th. Anyone interested to contact Claire/Chakar.

Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

AIUK is campaigning for political parties in the UK to commit to banning the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Write to your MP and urge them to support our campaign.

Upcoming Events

Amnesty Disabled People's Human Rights Network launch

23 September, from 11am to 4pm;

London & online. Celebrating the long history of disabled people's activism in the UK as well as learning about what is meant exactly by disability justice. We will also be setting the agenda for the disabled people's human rights network and sharing thoughts and ideas on what the network should work on for the next year! Book here. * *

Torture Free Trade Treaty

Learn more about the campaign - join AIUK online for a campaign presentation and Q&A on 27 September 6pm-8.30pm. Register here.

Amnesty UK National Conference 2023

10am – 7:30pm, 4 November 2023

London & livestreamed online. Free! Workshops & speakers. Book here.

Ongoing: 2023 Calendar & brainstorm activities

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wB2Ko3rstxFmNqEmeRCfKHjqI9V4ouT5PAYmtNtT_Ns/edit?usp=sharing

Urgent Appeals

• Real Lives Autumn 2023: Letter-writing changes lives. A letter from you could help free a prisoner, stop an execution or help a bereaved family receive justice. This edition of Real Lives is produced for those wishing to write more letters in support of individuals at risk. To order more copies, email sct@amnesty.org.uk

• El Salvador: A state of exception in El Salvador was initiated originally in March 2022 and was due to last 30 days. It has been extended repeatedly and will now run to at least 13 September. During this time over 150 people have died in custody and the number of people who have been arbitrarily detained is well over 60,000. People are being held without a fair trial or means to legally defend themselves. Families are kept in the dark about why and where their loved ones have been detained. Prisons are overcrowded. There is a lack of hygiene, food and drinking water. And people are being subjected to torture and other ill-treatment. The government claims that the measures have been a success and – sadly – they are generally quite popular, as homicide rates have been reduced, at least temporarily. But the underlying issues of poverty and violence are not being addressed. Please sign the petition here - demand that the Salvadoran government puts an end to the state of exception and respects the human rights of all people in El Salvador.

Urgent Actions

(Thanks Merle)

• Saudi Arabia: Man Sentenced To Death Over Twitter Posts - https://tinyurl.com/ua-sa1
• USA: Florida Sets Its Sixth Execution Of The Year - https://tinyurl.com/ua-usa1
• Bangladesh: Student Detained For A Year For Hosting webinar - https://tinyurl.com/ua-bangladesh
• Argentina: Human Rights Defender Criminalised For Protesting - https://tinyurl.com/ua-argentina

Local Group Updates

[Local Group Update available here]

• Activists Led-Campaign new (updated) Framework (the guiding principles for Amnesty activists who want to organise their own human rights campaigns)

• Ongoing:

  • Activism Representatives: AIUK still looking for voluntary lead activists who coordinate and support local Amnesty groups across the UK: http://email.amnestyuk.org.uk/c/11QSBdvE9V3L9R8P8T3Ke9OywTgv

  • 2023 Priority Campaigns: http://email.amnestyuk.org.uk/c/11QSDqgoyZPaVPobVFNdFf2QCo7Q

  • Amnesty trainings e.g. Delivering human rights education

    • 25 Sep, 6 pm - AIUK General Election Campaign - Skillshare Share with Activists (online). Contact here.

    • 09 Oct, 6 pm - AIUK General Election Campaign - Organising Brainstorming with Activists (online). Contact here.

AOB

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 12th October 2023, 7.30pm - 9pm @ Woodlands Methodist Church, 229 Woodlands Road, G3 6LW.

2023 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

The Group meets every 2nd Thursday 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 12th January 2023

• Thursday 9th February 2023

• Thursday 9th March 2023

• Thursday 13th April 2023

• Thursday 11th May 2023

• Thursday 8th June 2023

• Thursday 13th July 2023

• Thursday 10th August 2023

• Thursday 14th September 2023

• Thursday 12th October 2023

• Thursday 9th November 2023

• Thursday 14th December 2023

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

Thank you 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 AI 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 June 2023 meeting;
• Excerpts from and a link to AIUK's most recent update for local AI groups;
• Minutes of our local group meeting held last month; and
• A note of all our local Group's meeting dates for 2023.

June 2023 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 8th June, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 8 June 2023 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

If the good weather continues, we are planning to meet at the church as usual, but walk 5mins to Kelvingrove Park to hold our meeting there.

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

We would love to see you there on Thursday!

Our activities for the June meeting include:

• Our activities to support and highlight Refugee Week 19th-25 June (including Dungavel Solidarity Gathering on Sunday 25 June);

• Discussing LiftTheBan's “High Street Challenge” campaign. The aim of campaign is to overturn the ban on asylum seekers working whilst their claim is being considered; and

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

Extract Of Local Groups' Updates From AIUK

Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.

This month's update from AIUK includes the following:

Refugee Week 2023

Refugee Week 2023 takes place on 19 – 25 June this year and the theme for 2023 is ‘Compassion'.

We know lots of you will be holding events and activities for Refugee Week, which is particularly poignant this year with the UK government's Immigration Bill. Now is a really important time to show support for refugee and migrant rights.

Immigration Bill updates

The government's latest immigration Bill has passed through the Commons and is currently being debated in the House of Lords. Despite widespread criticism, the government continues to push this cruel bill, using lies and sowing division in our communities.

Thanks to all the groups who wrote to their MPs, and to those who managed to secure a meeting. If you've had a response from your MP, please do let us know as it's important for us to keep track of how parliamentarians are responding to their constituents.

If you haven't already, please encourage your members to email Rishi Sunak directly calling him to stop this cruel bill.

Email Rishi Sunak now

Amnesty Summer Raffle

Enter the Amnesty Summer Raffle and grab your chance to feel like a winner! How would you spend £5,000? That's what's up for grabs when we draw the raffle in July.

Tickets cost just £2 and with every ticket you buy, you're speaking up for humanity.

Buy your raffle tickets online today for your chance to experience that winning feeling and you could help more people like unfairly imprisoned Yasaman Aryani & her mother Monireh Arabshahi walk free!

Protect the Protest Public Order Bill

After considerable opposition from Amnesty and many partners, the anti-protest Public Order Bill passed at the beginning of May – see our explainer blog about these new powers. The Public Order Act was quickly made law ahead of the Coronation, where these new powers were used by the police to arrest peaceful protesters. Our response was widely picked up across the media. After the weekend, Metropolitan Police expressed 'regret' over the arrest of anti-Monarchy group, Republic's CEO and five others before coronation.

You can read our analysis *here *for why the writing was on the wall for how these new powers would be used.

The police, members of the group Republic and Human Rights Barrister, Adam Wagner gave evidence to parliamentary enquiry about the arrests of protester. Here is a clip from the session, which highlights, amongst other things, the chilling effect of these new powers. 

Further information from AIUK

Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.

Updates From May 2023 Meeting

Amnesty International

Glasgow West Local Group

Meeting held on 11th May 2023

Present: Claire (Chair), Kirstie, Fatma, Neil, Mal, Sabrine

Apologies tendered: Jim, Christine, Silvia, Merle, Amjad, Andrew

Welcome

Claire welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially new member Fatma

Minutes of meeting held on 13 April 2023: The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Financial Update

• Petty cash: it was agreed that each meeting, Kirstie will bring £30 in cash in a container with paper for recording expenses, e.g. stamps/stationery/travel passes (see below).

• There was a late donation to our Comedy Fundraiser on PayPal - we have a “healthy balance” in the bank!

Social Media/Website

Silvia shared the Iftar follow-up event

Other Updates

• May Day event: a small turnout, but good to go and have Amnesty's presence at the rally.

• Freedom From Torture event (27.04.23) - noone went

• AIUK Campaign ‘Stop the Cruel Bill (Illegal Immigration Bill) - no updates

• Meeting of Church hall users (13.05.23) – no extra points for Silvia to raise

Making our group more accessible/more diverse – ideas?

• Travel Expenses: It was agreed that the group will provide travel expenses to those who require it (self-decided). 

  • @Silvia to add this to the social media meeting graphic to advertise.

• Logistics of this: Kirstie will take a photo of the travel pass (bus/train ticket) and reimburse immediately; upload picture (anonymous, named with meeting date) to Gdrive for our records

• Any other ideas welcome! Please share.

Upcoming Events

1. Muslim engagement on human rights roundtable

14.05.23 2.30pm the Ark

Purpose: solidarity with Muslim groups in context of supporting human rights

Mal and Claire to attend. Low turnout expected because of limited engagement post-iftar with attendees/Muslim Council of Scotland. 

[Update 14.05.23: 2 members of the Muslim Council of Scotland attended, but the hall was locked and we agreed to postpone to a future time when more groups can attend. Claire agreed to share Amnesty meeting information with the Social Media Coordinator of MCS to encourage interested people to join.]

• → @All to think of other ways to engage with more communities in Glasgow.

2. Erskine Anti-racist rally

21.05.23, at 11am at Muthu Hotel, Erskine, PA8 6AN

Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1407074523401469/

Transport: via Eventbrite

More info: “Join anti-racists in a show of unity against the fascists who are trying to bring hatred into Erskine. The so-called Patriotic Alternative/Homeland is trying to capitalise on the climate of fear, the cost-of-living crisis and the failure to properly fund Erskine's services to scapegoat refugees fleeing war and oppression. It is the UK Government's inhumane policy on refugees and its brutal asylum dispersal scheme, not the refugees, which should be the target of our anger.”

→@Anyone wanting to go - book transport through the eventbrite link/contact Claire for support.

3. June 4th vigil to commemorate 1989 Tiananmen Square protests

• Agreed to join the Edinburgh event, not to hold a separate one in Glasgow

• Edinburgh event: East Prince Street Garden EH2 2DG; 6-7pm, Sunday 4th June.

• Facebook Link

• Hosted by The Hong Kong Scots CIC & Scottish Hongkongers. They expect ~50-100 attendees. There will be speeches by groups including Tibetan, Uyghur, Chinese human rights lawyers in the UK, June 4th survivors, former Hong Kong Councillors. They are looking for speakers from INGOs and local organisations or councillors to have a speech about the human rights issues in China, Hong Kong and around the world. Amnesty Edinburgh may do this.

  • → If Glasgow members would like to give a speech, please contact Claire.

• →@Anyone wanting to go people can go independently & meet there/confirm on Signal to go together.

4. Dungavel Solidarity Gathering

Sunday June 25th (during Refugee Week) at 1-2pm in the main car park

Inaccessible by public transport. Structure: 2 minute silence in solidarity with individuals detained in Dungavel, some brief speeches, hand in biscuits/cakes/cards into the centre as a gesture of solidarity.

→ We need a driver/2! - It was agreed we would confirm at the June meeting who can drive (Neil?!).

Other

1. End Israeli Apartheid - Message from Arthur (Ayr AIUK group)

• Arthur can't come to our meetings because of a time clash BUT another member of the Ayr group - Marion MacPherson was in Palestine last year as part of a delegation from Amos Trust and can give a talk about her visit. - We could ask Marion to speak in July/future meeting - @Claire to liaise to see her availability.

• Gary Ettle is the AIUK Country Coordinator for Israel / Palestine. Bulletin attached with suggested actions. → If anyone would like to lead on an action, please say.

• There were many interesting events by the group Scotland Supports Palestine May 8th-May 15th: www.scotlandsupportspalestine.org.uk - they hope to make it a yearly event.

  • Claire & Sabrine to attend the Saturday Kelvingrove park rally (13.05.23)

[Update 13.05.23: attended with the Amnesty banner. Good to represent. Dr Adrees from the Muslim Council of Scotland spoke & highlighted Amnesty's work & the End Israeli Apartheid report.]

• Arthur is the Chair of Scottish Friends of Palestine, a trade union-based group campaigning for Peace and Justice for the Palestinian people. Arthur would be happy to have a Zoom call with us at a convenient time. He is also in Glasgow every week - happy to meet for coffee.

*→ @*All please contact Claire if you would like her to link you up.

2. LiftTheBan's “High Street Challenge” campaign

Read the High Street Challenge booklet here.

The aim of campaign is to overturn ban on asylum seekers working whilst their claim is being considered.

@Fatma will follow up with her contacts and report back on LtB's current work/contacts in Glasgow so we can work with them.

3. June Refugee Week plans

• we'll have our June meeting in the park and make it a Refugee Week celebration picnic. We can also make a donation to Refuweegee/other (to vote in June) & share a list of local Refugee-activist/support organisations to raise their profile.

Urgent Appeals

Thanks to Merle for these

• https://tinyurl.com/burundi13

• https://tinyurl.com/colombia4323

• https://tinyurl.com/egypt132

• https://tinyurl.com/iran4223

Local Group Updates

[Local Group Update available via link was included with meeting notice]

• Tuesday 16 May 2023, 6pm-8pm online Activism Assembly: The first in a new series of Activism Assemblies will be taking place in May, bringing AIUK supporters and activists together to discuss and co-design AIUK projects and programs. The first of these will be exploring how we meet as a national movement, particularly looking at the future of the activism events programme and our national gatherings. → to gather your feedback and work together to build an exciting future for our national gatherings.

• Ongoing:

  • Activism Representatives: AIUK still looking for voluntary lead activists who coordinate and support local Amnesty groups across the UK: http://email.amnestyuk.org.uk/c/11QSBdvE9V3L9R8P8T3Ke9OywTgv   

  • 2023 Priority Campaigns: http://email.amnestyuk.org.uk/c/11QSDqgoyZPaVPobVFNdFf2QCo7Q

  • Delivering human rights education: learn how to deliver participatory and effective human rights education by completing Amnesty UK's free short introductory course. & for more specific support Contact Amnesty UK's education team/visit page to find out more.

Next meeting

Thurs 8th June - in Kelvingrove Park - Picnic for Refugee Week!

• Meet at Tigress & Cub statue: https://goo.gl/maps/PERr73HLcD3aLxq2A 

• Closest underground station: Kelvingrove

• Suggested parking: Woodlands Terrace

• Please bring snacks/juice for yourself and one other (suggested vegetarian!)

2023 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

The Group meets every 2 Thursday 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 12 January 2023

• Thursday 9 February 2023

• Thursday 9th March 2023

• Thursday 13th April 2023

• Thursday 11th May 2023

• Thursday 8th June 2023

• Thursday 13th July 2023

• Thursday 10th August 2023

• Thursday 14th September 2023

• Thursday 12th October 2023

• Thursday 9th November 2023

• Thursday 14th December 2023

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

Thank you to AMG for this info and updates. If you would prefer to read this content as a PDF, you can do so here.

We warmly invite you to attend the next meeting of the AI 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 update includes:

• Details of our forthcoming April 2023 meeting

• Excerpts from and a link to AIUK's most recent update for local AI group

• Minutes of our local group meeting held last month; and

• A note of all our local Group's meeting dates for 2023.

April 2023 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 13th April, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 13 April 2023 at 7.30pm - 9pm at Woodlands International Church.
More details on Facebook - https://fb.me/e/24A3jSi3e

We would love to see you there on Thursday!

Our activities for the April meeting include:

• Planning next steps following our recent successful Iftar event, which highlighted various human rights issues affecting Muslim Groups;

• Discussing Israeli Apartheid and considering potential events to help raise awareness; and

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

Recent AI Glasgow West Comedy Fundraiser lauded by AIUK

The AI Glasgow West Group's comedy fundraising event, has recently been praised by Amnesty International UK's Fundraising Team as ‘...one of the most successful fundraisers in a long time...”.

We provided details in last month's email of this event, which raised £3,500 for AI.

Extract Of Local Groups' Updates From AIUK

Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.

This month's update from AIUK includes the following:

Stop the Cruel Bill

The UK government's latest immigration bill is a heartless and cruel attack on people needing safety.The government is using lies and hate-filled language that will stoke flames of division, hatred and could end with more violence. We cannot allow this to happen.

Over 12,000 Amnesty supporters wrote to their MPs ahead of the second reading.

Local groups and individuals are encouraged to continue the pressure and further raise awareness.

Protect the Protest updates - Public Order Bill

The draconian Public Order Bill is currently in its final stage of its passage through parliament. This law, when passed will give the police unprecedented powers to restrict the right to protest in the UK. This will include an expansion of police powers to be able to ban people from attending protests, stop and search people in the context of protest and make it easier for police to restrict protest. This is particularly concerning in light of Baroness Casey's damning report that found deep-rooted institutional racism, homophobia and misogyny in the Met.

This new legislation, last year's ‘Police Act' and other attacks on human rights in the UK has led to the UK being downgraded in a global civic freedoms index to ‘obstructed'. You can read more here.

Israeli Occupied Palestinian Territory

It was in the midst of Israeli Apartheid Week that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprise visit to London. An Amnesty activist greeted him by wearing a mask of his face and holding a sign saying ‘I heart apartheid.' We also unfurled a banner calling for an end to Israeli apartheid. Earlier in the week, we worked with Palestinian activists in London to put stickers on hire bikes, using the bike as a symbol of free movement to make the point that Palestinians continue to live under punitive movement restrictions.

Many of you have held screenings of Farha and Tantura to learn about the Nakba. There is still plenty of time to do this and hold a brainstorming session for actions you can take to mark Nakba day on 15 May.

Further information from AIUK

Full details of AIUK's update for local groups can be viewed via this browser link.

March 2023 Updates

Glasgow West Local Group

Meeting held on 9th March 2023

Present : Claire (Chair), Kirstie, Christine, Jim, Mal, Amjad, Andrew and Sabrine.

Apologies tendered: Neil, Merle, Amanda, Silvia, Sharon, Hala and Chakar (Chakar is a former member of AI Perth, who will be joining our Group).

Welcome

Claire welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly Sabrine, who was attending her first meeting of the group.

Minutes of meeting held on 9 February 2023

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

Financial Update

Kirstie indicated that she was now officially recognised as the Group's Treasurer, having now had a bank statement posted to her!

Kirstie has received notification from AIUK Charitable Trust that they have receipt of £2823 raised at The Stand Comedy fundraiser.

On the night, a total of c.£750 was also raised for our local Group's campaigns and activities (£540 raised in the raffle, £119 in tin collections and £89 via PayPal donations).

The Group recorded its thanks to all who had contributed via buying event tickets, raffle tickets, tin collections, PayPal donations and donating raffle prizes.

Andrew confirmed he had written to The Stand to thank their staff and the performers.

Jim noted that the date of 12 February 2024 had been agreed with The Stand for a similar event.

With the imminent rise of postal charges, Kirstie undertook to investigate whether it would be possible to buy stamps in advance for overseas letters. (post-meeting update: Kirstie subsequently confirmed that it is only possible to buy stamps for UK destinations in advance).

Action from Previous meetings

Andrew noted that there had still been no response from Naomi McAuliffe regarding the invitations for her to meet with the Glasgow AI groups. However, separately and unrelated, Thea Iannou, a local activism colleague from AIUK, has been in touch with the AI Groups in Scotland and invited them to an online meeting to discuss common issues. This will take place on 21 March and Andrew will dial into that.

Debrief from the Stand night: a great night; raffle went well and we don't need to worry about having great prizes - people don't care!; take at least 10 raffle ticket books in future!

International Women's Day

Claire highlighted an event taking place in Govanhill Park on Saturday 11 March at 12 noon. This is part of a wider series of events in Govanhill celebrating International Women's Day. Details in undernoted link:

https://www.govanhillbaths.com/iwd2023/

Christine updated on correspondence she had received from the AI Feminist Network. This included an Action Pack, which highlighted Urgent Action cases relating to Women's Rights, covering Iran, Andorra and Afghanistan.

The Action Pack includes various online actions that members may wish to add their voice to:-

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/ACTIONS/AFGHANISTANWOMEN

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/urgent-actions/activist-defending-abortion-rights-faces-trial

@Silvia / Hala → SM if possible

Nomination to AIUK Board

Our local Group member colleague, Mal had previously indicated that he wished to stand for election to the Board of AIUK and our Group confirmed that it would nominate him.

AIUK Local Groups' Update

The link to the local groups' update had been circulated with the meeting notice.

Stand up to Racism March, Glasgow on Saturday 18 March

Claire had previously circulated information about the above event, which was taking place in Glasgow, Cardiff and London. After discussion, it was agreed that individuals from our group would consider attending on a personal basis.

IFTAR event

Claire provided an update on the Iftar event, which will take place on Sunday 26 March @ 4.30pm – at The Ark, 70 Coplaw Street, Glasgow. The event is being organised with input from our Group and MEND. It will involve speakers covering rights issues relating to Uyghurs including Eritrea, Palestine and Kashmir. It will involve a ‘write for rights' session relating to individuals from the various topic areas, prior to the Iftar meal.

Claire indicated that an open Eventbrite invitation to the Iftar event would be circulated. It would be helpful to get press and social media publicity relating to this – Silvia / Hala?

Event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/human-rights-iftar-glasgow-tickets-575683122717

Claire indicated that much planning had yet to take place and volunteers to assist would be appreciated.

Amjar, Kirstie, Sabrine and Claire indicated they would be available to attend the event. Christine may be able to attend later on in the day.

A follow-up session to the Iftar event will also take place on 14 May at 2.30pm.

May Day event

Mal indicated that there was an opportunity for AI to have a stall at the May Day rally at Glasgow Green. It was agreed in principle that we should do this. Other local AI Groups may wish to join with this.

Planning for this event will be discussed in more detail at a future meeting.

Urgent Actions

Christine circulated Urgent Actions (which Merle had passed to her) and colleagues undertook letter writing on those cases.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 13th April 2023, 7.30pm - 9pm @ Woodlands Methodist Church, 229 Woodlands Road, G3 6LW.

2023 Meeting Dates

New Members welcome!

The Group meets every 2 Thursday 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 12 January 2023

• Thursday 9 February 2023

• Thursday 9th March 2023

• Thursday 13th April 2023

• Thursday 11th May 2023

• Thursday 8th June 2023

• Thursday 13th July 2023

• Thursday 10th August 2023

• Thursday 14th September 2023

• Thursday 12th October 2023

• Thursday 9th November 2023

• Thursday 14th December 2023

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS