Thanks to everyone invilved in producing these updates, your efforts are much appreciated. For those who prefer to read a PDF version of these updates, that will follow soon.

Happy New Year to all our email subscribers!

Looking for a New Year resolution that will make a difference?

Why not make 2025 the year you become an active Human Rights Defender?

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 January 2025 meeting;
• A summary of our recent Write for Rights events;
• Information on current AIUK activities;
• The minutes from our Group's December 2024 meeting; and
• A note of our local Group's meeting dates for the year ahead.

January 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 9th January 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:

• A discussion with our guest for the evening, Neil Cowan, Scotland Director of Amnesty International.
• Planning for our annual Comedy Fundraiser event, which takes place on Thurs 20th February 2025.
• Updates from our local group co-ordinators on their activities; and
• Undertaking letter writing in response to recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Annual Comedy Fundraiser at The Stand, Glasgow

Raising funds for Amnesty International UK

Our Group's annual fundraiser will take place at The Stand comedy club, Glasgow on Thursday 20th February at 8pm – 10pm.

The host for the evening and all the performers have generously given their time for free in order to help raise funds for AI.

For details of who will be appearing click on the link below.

Tickets priced £11 / £13 are on sale now via The Stand. All entrance ticket sales proceeds will go to Amnesty UK charitable arm.

Previous AI Comedy Fundraisers at The Stand have sold out, so don't delay - Get tickets your tickets now via this link.

Write for Rights

For this year's Write for Rights campaign, our local Glasgow West AI Group sent a total of 167 messages of support to human rights defenders who have been unjustly detained / messages of protestation to those responsible for these human rights abuses.

Amnesty International's annual Write for Rights campaign is the biggest human rights campaign in the world. In the twenty years since its launch, over 56million actions have taken place and over 100 activists have been freed.

Local Amnesty members and members of the public participated in the events, writing letters of solidarity to support individuals around the world who have been unjustly treated for their work in promoting human rights, and letters of protest to those responsible for their unfair detention.

A big thank you to all the local volunteers and members of the public who supported this most worthwhile of causes.

AIUK Local Updates

The latest updates for Local AI Groups produced by AIUK can be found via the following link.

Below is a short excerpt from the latest update.

Refugees in Conversation: A Webinar

Thursday 30th January at 7:00-8:30pm

You are invited to join the Amnesty Central England Network and the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Campaign Group at an online event.

A rare chance to hear the voices of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, and explore their journeys, struggles, and paths to well-being. With keynote speaker Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council and panellists talking about their lived experience of various stages towards refugee status.

To attend, register here.

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

Amnesty Scotland Updates

Amnesty International's Scotland office recently introduced a bulletin. The latest update can be found via this link. Below is an excerpt from the bulletin.

When we win it's because of you! We've included the latest Amnesty actions that feed directly into our team's work below. Click on the links within each box for further details.

• HELP US TO SCRAP PREVENT
• SAY NO TO ARMING ISRAEL
• SHARE OUR BENEFITS SURVEY
• WRITE TO KATE FORBES

More general information on the work of Amnesty's Scotland office can be found via this link.

Upcoming Dates / events

For updates on planned AIUK training and events for AI activists, Click on this link.

Updates on AIUK Campaigns

For updates on current AIUK Priority Campaigns Click on this link.

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting - 12th November 2024 Updates

1. Welcome and apologies (introductions round table)

   Attending: Claire (Chair), Clara, Mhairi, Lucca, Merle, Christine, Andrew and Elaine

   Apologies: Neil and Kirstie

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes here

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   a. Treasurer (Kirstie): We raised £360 for AIUK through card reader, as well as £70 other cash donations (including for t-shirts), which will be put into our local group's bank account; £510 is the current balance (after £82.77 postage costs)

   b. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)

   c. Local Political Outreach (Neil)

   d. Regional/ Country focus – South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal); Korea (Clara)

   e. Korea / disability rights - petition? - activism linked to Seoul metro; Write for Rights targeted Seoul metro and Seoul metro has replied → Action - Clara working on response

   f. Theme focus - US Death penalty - Mal to inform Death Penalty Network / follow up work on California Action - Mal

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

   h. Cait - BK16 action - letter to send prisoners directly / research local UK politicians?

4. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

   a. AI Scotland office online meeting (27.11) about Scotland's Human Rights Bill being deprioritised

   b. Write for Rights - Southside / Sunday Assembly / Library; did anyone email organisations with particular cases?

   128 cards total & 39 in this meeting = 167 Total number of messages posted by Glasgow West Group

   • Angola: 25 & 3 in this meeting
   • Turkiye: 20 & 5 in this meeting
   • Saudi Arabia: 19 & 3 in this meeting
   • Egypt: 16 & 4 in this meeting
   • Belarus: 13 & 5 in this meeting
   • Argentina: 10 & 5 in this meeting
   • South Korea: 9 & 7 in this meeting
   • Canada: 8 & 7 in this meeting
   • Vietnam: 8 & 5 in this meeting

   c. [@c] St Andrew's Day 30.11.24

   d. Neil Cowan (Programme Director for Scotland Amnesty) has previously confirmed his attendance for Jan meeting (09.01.24)

   Action - Andrew to email Daytime and Univ groups to invite them

   In light of Neil Cowan of AI Scotland attending, it was agreed to move our AGM from January to February

   AGM Reminder: pls start considering roles (see list here) and ask current role holders for more info on the role responsibilities if you are at all interested! Action - All to consider

   Seenaryo (Lebanon) film screening: Actions - Mhairi

   February screening & panel discussion at Glasgow University inc. lecturer from Dept of Middle East studies

   Ask Country Coordinator from Amnesty to come - Action - Clara to check Lebanon CC

   Also, there will be a June 2025 screening to take place in CCA for Refugee Festival Action - Mhairi

   Clara suggested a donation tin is available for those attending the screenings.

5. Email received from Watford group: to ask for your support in lobbying the AIUK Section Board to respect democracy and implement the decision that was made at the 2024 AIUK AGM regarding resolution O10, which stated: “Delay the sale of the Human Rights Action Centre until a full and transparent consultation with the AIUK membership has been undertaken.” This resolution was passed at the AGM with over two thirds of the vote, yet the AIUK Section Board has decided not to implement the decision, thereby calling into question the serious nature of democracy within AIUK. Please can you support us by emailing this letter (or a similar letter in your own words) urging the Chairs of both the Section and Charitable Trust Boards to implement Decision O10 – ideally before 31 December 2024. - Do we want to send letter?

   Agreed → Action - Andrew to send

   Post meeting: The following text was sent to the Chairs of AIUK Section Board and AIUK Charitable Trust:-

   Dear Helen and Andrew,

   I am writing on behalf of the Glasgow West AI local group regarding the decision by the AIUK Section Board to ignore the resolution 010, which was passed at the 2024 AIUK AGM.

   As you know, Resolution O10 called for the delay to the sale of the Human Rights Action Centre until there has been a full and transparent consultation with the membership of AIUK, with options then voted on at a subsequent AIUK AGM.

   Following the Watford AI Group's meetings with both of you, it is clear that the Section does indeed have a say in the decisions made by the Charitable Trust. Andrew Lines said in this meeting that if the Section were to express any desire to delay the sale or rethink the decision, then they would reconsider.

   This is contrary to what the Section Board has been saying in their “Implementation of AGM resolutions - September 2024” update.

   We are therefore asking you to immediately take the HRAC off the market and, instead to respect and implement the results of 2024 AGM Decision O10.

   At our recent local AI Group discussion in Glasgow, the major concern amongst our local membership was not neccesarily about the proposed sale of the property. Rather, it was about the apparent failure to follow the spirit of the decision taken at the AGM, with the consequent effect of raising concerns about the legitimacy of the Board's mandate and its apparent willingness to undermine democratic principles.

   We look forward to hearing from you with regard to how you propose to address these concerns.

   Yours sincerely

   Secretary, Glasgow West AI Group

6. Planning for Comedy Night fundraiser at The Stand Comedy Club - Thursday 20th February 2024 - see planning doc here

   Event link is now live!: https://www.thestand.co.uk/performance/18996/benefit-in-aid-of-amnesty-international/20250220/glasgow

   Tickets: £13 / £11

   Action – Cait to update flyer and share for people to print and put up around town

   Action – Mal to advertise the Comedy Fundraiser on our social media

   Action – All to save the date in diaries, buy tickets, and encourage others to also do so

7. Urgent Appeals - Merle → Write for Rights

   Most of the evening was devoted to writing further cards for the W4R cases.

8. AIUK Local Group Updates – November link here

   Thea of AUIK Activism team has now left her role and the new contact will be Philippa.

   Demand the UK suspend all arms transfers to Israel now - petition here

   -> Write to your MP - General Letter; Lib Dem, SNP, Greens Letter; Sinn Féin Letter

   Protect UK nationals arbitrarily detained abroad

   AIUK 2024 Priority Campaigns here; Amnesty training courses: Activist Education; & Updates from various local AI Groups across the UK

9. AOB

   7th March - deadline for self-nomination to be on AIUK board and submitting any AGM resolutions. We need to add this to the agenda for the Feb meeting

   5th/6th July - AIUK AGM

10. Next meeting – Thurs 9th January 2025 @ 7.30pm - 9pm – The planned visit by Neil Cowan (AI Scotland Programme Director) will be main item on the agenda.

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

Thank you to everyone who was involved in these updates, all your efforts are appreciated. You can read these updates as a PDF 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 December 2024 meeting
• Information on current AIUK activities
• The minutes from our Group's November 2024 meeting
• A note of our local Group's meeting dates for the year ahead.

December 2024 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 12th December 2024 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:

• Reviewing our 2024 Write for Rights event.

• Planning for our annual Comedy Fundraiser event, which takes place on Thurs 20th February 2025.

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

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

Amnesty International investigation concludes Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza

Amnesty International's research has found sufficient basis to conclude that Israel has committed and is continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, the organization said in a landmark new report published today.

The report, 'You Feel Like You Are Subhuman': Israel's Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza, documents how during its military offensive launched in the wake of the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, Israel has unleashed hell and destruction on Palestinians in Gaza brazenly, continuously and with total impunity.

“Amnesty International's report demonstrates that Israel has carried out acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. These acts include killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm and deliberately inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction. Month after month, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhuman group unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating its intent to physically destroy them,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

“Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this is genocide. It must stop now.

For further information, click on this link.

AIUK Local Updates

The latest updates for Local AI Groups produced by AIUK can be found via the following link. Below are some excerpts from that update.

"In Conversation with…" Sacha Deshmukh

To mark International Human Rights Day and, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, City Lit's Principal, Mark Malcomson will be “In Conversation….” with Sacha Deshmukh, the Head of Amnesty UK.

They will discuss human rights, what has been achieved over the last 75 years and what there is to do, and the ongoing role of Amnesty UK.

• What? Talk/Training
• Date: 10th December 2024
• Time: 12:00 - 13:00 (GMT)
• Location: Online and in-person (Book your ticket by clicking on the right link!)
• Price: Free

Amnesty Feminists 16 Days of Activism

Amnesty Feminists have a lot coming up for the 16 Days of Activism, which marks the international day for the elimination of violence against women.

• 📢 We're launching our brand-new report: Women's Rights Around the World
• 📱 Daily feminist actions and resources on our Instagram
• 🎤 Come and meet us in London at Amplify and see a live recording of the Guilty Feminist podcast
• 💥 And so much more to come! Stay tuned!

Follow here.

Amnesty Shop catalogue

This year, we are pleased to be able to offer local groups 10% off everything at the Amnesty Shop, as well as FREE P&P, on orders over £75. We know that Local Groups and Student activists do amazing work for Amnesty. Buying and sending out cards and gifts from the Amnesty Shop is another way in which you can get involved and help spread our message. As always, we really appreciate your on-going support.

Amnesty Shop Catalogue

Many groups also buy cards and gifts at the discounted rate, to sell at your stalls or Write for Rights events. All the money you make goes straight to your group fundraising efforts. Christmas cards are always very popular, so make sure to stock up on those for your stalls!

Order online here and set yourself up with an account and log-on. Enter the code 10AMNGRP into the Gift & Promo Codes box on the Payment Options stage of the checkout to receive your 10% off and FREE P&P (minimum spend: £75). Email SCT to a request a copy of our new catalogue.

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

Amnesty Scotland Updates

Amnesty International's Scotland office has recently introduced a regular bulletin. The latest update can be found via this link.

More general information on the work of Amnesty's Scotland office can be found via this link.

Future local events

Visit from AI Scotland Director

Neil Cowan, Programme Director at Amnesty Scotland will join our meeting on 9th January. All are welcome to attend.

Annual Comedy Fundraiser at The Stand

Our Group's annual fundraiser will take place at The Stand, Glasgow on Thursday 20th February at 8pm – 10pm. Tickets priced £11 / £13 are on sale now via The Stand. All ticket sales proceeds will go to Amnesty UK charitable arm.

Get tickets here.

Write for Rights

Amnesty International's Write for Rights 2024 campaign is the biggest human rights campaign in the world. In the twenty years since its launch, over 56million actions have taken place and over 100 activists have been freed.

The Glasgow Daytime Amnesty Group held a Write for Rights event on Saturday 7th December in Langside Library, Sinclair Drive, Glasgow.

Glasgow West Amnesty Group ran two events on Sunday 8th December. The first will took place at the Sunday Assembly, Partickhill Bowling Club. This was followed by an event at Hillhead Library, Byres Road, Glasgow later that afternoon.

Local Amnesty members and members of the public participated in the events, writing letters of solidarity to support individuals around the world who have been unjustly treated for their work in promoting human rights, and letters of protest to those responsible for their unfair detention.

How Write for Rights Works

People in more than 200 countries and territories write millions of letters, emails, tweets and petitions…

…for people who've been harassed, threatened and locked up, just for who they are …

…and put pressure on governments, leaders and decision-makers…

…to make change happen – releasing activists and protecting people who champion what's right.

JOIN WRITE FOR RIGHTS TODAY

When we all act together, we are more powerful. That is the driving force behind Write for Rights. Take action now and change a life forever via this link.

Upcoming Dates / events

For updates on planned AIUK training and events, Click on link.

Updates on AIUK Campaigns

For updates on current AIUK Priority Campaigns Click on link.

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Updates: Thursday 14th November 2024

1. Welcome and apologies (introductions round table)

   Attending: Claire (Chair), Caitlin, Mal, Mhairi, Neil, Kirstie, Christine, Lucca, Clara and Andrew.

   Also Attending: Sara, Freedom From Torture (FFT)./(For initial part of meeting only)/

   Apologies: Tim and Carol.

2. Guest speaker/card-seller: Sara from Freedom from Torture

   Sara from FFT spoke about the background of the organisation, it's roots having grown out of Amnesty and about the work it does to provide medical and other practical support to victims of torture, including assisting with asylum claims. Sara had brought along a mix of Xmas cards, calendars and prints, which members bought to help raise funds for FFT. Sara also reported that FFT's recent Comedy Fundraiser had been successful. A number of our Group had attended that. event.

3. Agreement of previous meeting minutes here

4. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

      1. rent paid till March 2025

      2. 2nd key for Church door got - thanks Kirstie

      3. Balance: £523.09

      4. Online banking set up

   2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait) - pls follow & share

   3. Local Political Outreach (Neil) - no update

   4. Regional/ Country focus – South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal) - no update; Korea (Clara) - see below

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

   NB from Claire's meeting w Thea:

   The IAR is smaller than before and stretched. Suggestion:

   • If someone wants to focus on a country, link up directly with Country Coordinator to get a case from that country. NB country coordinators work with Amnesty International so have more info than the IAR team.

   • If someone wants to focus on a theme, link up with the AIUK networks. These have been given more autonomy from central AI and are v proactive.

   • The most active current networks are death penalty network, feminist network and anti-racism network.

   • There is also the children's human rights network and trade union network (less active)

   • There is also the rainbow network (in the process of re-forming – will be ready Jan hopefully) and the disabled people's human rights network [formed 2024, more fluid, no specific committee/campaign]

5. Cait requests support for BK16 action

   1. Kirstie wrote a letter, which was signed by members of our group and which will be sent to the Indian Govt

   2. Cait to prep letter to send prisoners directly - contact Cherry / look at W4R booklet

   3. Suggestion: research local UK politicians

6. Actions from previous meeting Minutes:

   1. Continuing action: emailing MPs asking them to sign EDM on Balochistan.

   2. Reminder: our group's AGM takes place in January. Please can people start considering roles (see list here) and ask current role holders for more info on the role responsibilities if you are at all interested!

   3. For people to start thinking about: Planning for Comedy Night fundraiser at The Stand Comedy Club - Thursday 20th February 2024 - Doors open 7pm / Starts 8pm / Ends 10pm. see planning doc here

      Event link is now live!: AIGW Comedy Night on The Stand's website

      Tickets: £13 / £11

      • Cait to update flyer and share for people to print and put up around town!

      • All to save the date in diary if possible

   4. Korea / disability rights - Clara/Cait; 3rd December is the UN's International Day of People with Disabilities

   (Petition will be shared soon)

7. Mitchell Library might be able to take our archive (thanks Merle!) - Mitchell Library asked us to, firstly, confirm that neither AIUK nor AI Scotland Office wished to host the archive.

   1. AIUK responded to Andrew confirmed they have no objection and that they think the Mitchell Library is a good solution for depositing the archive.

   2. No response has been received from AI's Scotland Office regarding this.

   3. Andrew suggested we may wish to delay depositing the archive in the Mitchell in case we wish to utilise some of the historic information in publicity events to help raise awareness of the work of AI.

8. FfT benefit at The Stand (20.10) - great night! / Alaa Abdel Fattah's book event (22.10.24) - no-one was able to attend. / All Static and Noise screening in Edinburgh (3.11.24) - Luca went; good discussion w director after the film

9. AI Scotland office online meeting (initially scheduled for 30.Oct) - postponed till 27 Nov at 6.30pm: Teams Link

10. Claire met Thea (Local Activism Team) as part of AIUK “Local Group Audit” - meeting minutes here. Follow-up survey here (request to pls complete by mid-Nov/asap)

11. see note above re. IAR

12. Asked re. merch from central office/discounts on shop. Thea says she's talking w the shop about this; loads of tshirts she can send us (helps her because is clearing out London office)

    • Suggestion: email Marie Jackson (scotland@amnesty.org.uk) from AI Scotland office as they have loads of stock, including “Scottish human rights” stickers

13. Neil Cowan (Programme Director for Scotland Amnesty) confirmed for Jan meeting (09.01.24)

    • Andrew emailed Neil to ask if he had a preferred topic focus, but no response received yet.

    • Andrew will email Daytime and Uni groups to invite them nearer the time.

14. Seenaryo film screening: Mhairi update

    • See minutes from previous meeting for other ideas, including the offer of a venue and assistance to screen at Glasgow University from Omar, with preferred dates specified in order to maximise attendance!

    • Volunteers: Cait, Clara (re. uni contact), Mal (general)

    • Our group could put a contribution towards venue payment - Mhairi to speak to GFT and see

    • Other venue idea - Arlington Baths, which has a monthly film screening. Holds c.100. Mhairi may wish to contact the secretary of the film club to discuss.

15. US Death penalty - agreement over which US state to adopt? - Wyoming, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, California —> California voted for → Mal to inform Death Penalty Network - Cait/Christine/Mhairi to support Mal

16. 2024 Write for Rights Campaign - confirm roles/take merch home

    1. Sunday 8.12.24 - Hillhead Library & on the same day “Sunday Assembly” organisation

       1. Omar offered 2/3 uni students to support!

       2. All members: encouraged to email organisations with specific cases e.g. environmental case (Vietnam) share w Green party / artists / musicians / lawyers

          1. ask them to let us know how many have been sent - → add to our tally

       3. Andrew had contacted AIUK asking for 12 booklets & posters

       4. Mal to create QR code poster for people to sign up to AIUK; Kirstie to make “business cards” for the group

    Sunday Assembly at Partickhill bowling club in Partick: slot 11am-12pm; Kirstie organising materials & introduction with Carol; expected ~10-30 people - no more vols needed

    Hillhead Library: 12pm-4pm - Kirstie liaising with library. Suggestion to make poster for the library so visitors to the new Hillhead market see it. Rota needed so 2 at the stall

    • 12-1 Andrew, Mhairi, Mal

    • 1-2 Merle and Christine

    • 2-3 Neil, Cait

    • 3-4 Neil, Kirstie ; NB to take photos of the stack for Chinese W4R for Clara

    • & Claire whole day

17. NB Daytime Group Write for Rights event = Saturday 7 Dec 10.30am - 3pm in Langside Library, Sinclair Drive, Glasgow. Pls go along to support if you can.

    Cards - all to check if have

18. St Andrew's Day, Sunday 30th November 2024 - anti-racism event organised by Stand-Up To Racism and the STUC - https://www.stuc.org.uk/st-andrews-day-2024/

    10.30am Glasgow Green - march at 11am - rally at 12pm in the city centre

19. [Longer-term idea for people to start thinking about]

    2025 will be Glasgow West group's 50th anniversary!

    • Do we want to do an event to mark it? Ideas:

    • Publicity in local press to help raise awareness of AI & recruit new members & raise funds

20. Resources:

    • Andrew obtained resources from widow of former Group secretary, Brian Donnelly, who was active from the 1970s, which are in our space in the church hall cupboard.

    • Merle has a collection of carefully collated minutes and correspondence covering the period from the Group's founding in 1975 until 2002. This includes local press cuttings and information on the planning and events associated with our Freedom Festival, which was an art festival that took place in the city over several months in 1995.

    • Suggestion to Involve John Gerard & wife Margaret, who were previous members of our Group - Mal has contact details

21. Urgent Appeals - Merle passed a number of UA cases to Christine, who distributed them amongst the Group.

22. Scotland office have started sharing a “AI Scotland Bulletin”! Link here

    “From now on, AI members will receive regular updates about:

    the day-to-day work we're doing to uphold human rights across Scotland

    events we're excited about that you might find interesting

    the actions you can take to amplify our work in Scotland”

23. AIUK Local Group Updates – October link here

    • AIUK pilot Small Grants Programme for supporting local organisations involved in human rights activities. ~10-15 grants ranging from £3,000 to £4,000, for activity set to start in January 2025. Colleagues asked to consider and forward the information to any relevant groups.

    • Thea is stepping down as Community Organiser Local Activism on 18.12.24. We will miss her collaborative support and fast replies to emails. Thank you Thea!

    • Demand the UK suspend all arms transfers to Israel now - petition here

    • Write to your MP - General Letter; Lib Dem, SNP, Greens Letter; Sinn Féin Letter

    • Protect UK nationals arbitrarily detained abroad

    • Amplify Human Rights Festival - 7 December 2024, Woolwich Works, London, SE18 6HD

    • AIUK 2024 Priority Campaigns here; Amnesty training courses: Activist Education; & Updates from various local AI Groups across the UK

24. Other interesting articles/news shared in the past month in our Signal chat (open to all members, contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk to join!): Thank you for demanding Sasha's release

25. Next meeting – Thurs 12th December 7.30pm - 9pm - mulled wine & cake!

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

Thank you to AMG for these updates. If you would prefer to read them in PDF format, 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 October 2024 meeting;

• Information on current AIUK activities;

• The minutes from our Group's September 2024 meeting; and

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

October 2024 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 10th October, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 10th October 2024 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:

• Guest Speaker - Omar, who is AIUK Student Action Network (STAN) Chair and Scotland student representative;

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

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

AIUK Local Updates

The latest updates for Local AI Groups produced by AIUK can be found via the following link.

Below are some of the highlights extracted from the update.

Demand the UK suspends all arms transfers to Israel

The human rights crisis in Gaza is catastrophic and every day, it is getting worse.
As you may know, earlier this month, the UK government suspended roughly 30 arms export licences to Israel out of a total of 350 – but stopping some arms isn't enough.

With the International Court of Justice warning of a risk of genocide against Palestinians by the Israeli authorities, continuing to allow some arms transfers is not in line with international legal standards. There should be no UK arms to Israel.

Stop the UK from transferring all arms to Israel. Take action now.

In addition to the action will you write to your MP to call for an immediate halt to ALL weapons transfers to Israel – and also ask them to show support for human rights more generally?

We've drafted template letters below for you to use – but please do edit and personalise:

General Letter
Lib Dem, SNP, Greens Letter
Sinn Féin Letter

If you aren't sure who your MP is, enter your postcode here (or the postcode of your group's location).

Amnesty Amplify

We're excited to be sharing details of Amnesty's new Human Rights Festival, Amplify, taking place in London on 7 December.

Amplify will bring together leading thinkers, community organisers and changemakers, while connecting you with fellow Amnesty supporters. We all understand the power of conversation and hope this event will provide ample opportunity to challenge, inspire and empower attendees to keep on or take up the fight for human rights change. We hope many of you will be able to join us to celebrate achievements, hear from inspiring success stories and explore next steps.

The event will offer:

• Leading campaigners and activists in conversation

• Creative workshops

• Family-friendly activities

• Live music

• Opportunities to come together, meet and share stories

• An inspiring, energising and fun day out!

For full details, click here.

Join Amnesty's Online Teacher Training Course

Amnesty International's Online Teacher Training Course will give you the expertise, resources and confidence to engage your students with human rights in your classroom. The course is free for PGCE students and anyone training to teach and will cover topics including, an introduction to teaching human rights, how to diversify your curriculum, developing anti-racist practice, teaching women's rights through dialogue, teaching refugee rights through picture books and exploring LGBTQ+ rights.

Previous participants have valued the ‘incredible' facilitators, ‘brilliant resources' and the chance to connect with other educators.

Apply here

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

Upcoming Dates / events

For updates on planned AIUK training and events, Click on link.

Updates on AIUK Campaigns

For updates on current AIUK Priority Campaigns Click on link.

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 12th September 2024 Updates

Minutes of Meeting

1. Welcome and apologies (introductions round table)

Attending - Mal (Chair), Merle, Clara, Caitlin, Andrew and Emma (from the Glasgow University AI Group).

Apologies – Claire, Carol, Kirstie, Neil and Mhairi.

2. Team Updates (list of roles from AGM here):

   1. Treasurer (Kirstie) – No report, in Kirstie's absence, but indication from previous minutes that the Group has approx. £700 bank balance.

   2. Social Media & website (Mal) – some updates have been made and others to follow by Mal relating to our Group's involvement in the recent George Square rally.

   3. Local Political Outreach (Neil) - In absence of Neil, it was agreed to hold over consideration of this item so that he can lead the discussion. ACTION - Neil

      Possible political activism actions:

      1. find out who is in what constituency

      2. find out which politicians we can develop relationships with

      3. invite politicians to events

      4. support group members to contact CouncillorsMSPsMPs

      5. contact new MPs and introduce ourselves

   4. Regional/ Country focus – South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal); Korea (Clara); Pakistan (Chakar) See separate presentation below from Clara. No update on other areas.

   5. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk Update (Han) In absence of Han, there was no update.

3. Agreement of previous meeting minutes here

   The minutes of the August meeting were agreed by those who had been present.

   Actions from previous meeting Minutes:

   1. Still open ACTION from last month - All to consider emailing MPs asking them to sign John McDonald MP's Early Day Motion on Balochistan. (To date, just two MPs have signed the motion).

   2. Perthshire (Blairgowrie) blueberry picking fundraiser on Sunday 29th September (see previous minutes for more details). Andrew provided brief information on this event.

   3. Far right protest. Half a dozen members of our Group attended the counter-demonstration in George Square, Glasgow on Saturday 7th Sept. The large numbers of counter–protestors vastly outnumbered the small group of far right activists present, sending a very positive message.

   Mal noted that a further anti-racism event was being planned for weekend of St Andrew's Day, 30th November 2024. This is being organised by Stand-Up To Racism and the STUC. ACTION – Claire - We should put this on the agenda for our November meeting.

4. Scotland-wide Conference

Scotland-wide One-day Conference

Joseph Patumba of Perth AI Group is the new AIUK Scotland Activism Rep. He has suggested organising a one day conference for AI Groups and members, likely to be held on 16th November 2024, with Perthshire as the likely location. ACTION – All members are encouraged to attend and note 16/11/24 as the proposed conference date. Further details to follow when available.

Discussion took place on the proposed Scotland conference and all were enthusiastic about the attempt to better join up local Amnesty groups.

A conference organising Group is being formed from across Scotland's AI Local Groups.

ACTION - Colleagues are asked to consider helping with this and getting involved in the WhatsApp group and Zoom calls. ACTION – All Contact Claire if you wish to join the WhatsApp Group and/or Zoom calls.

ACTION - It was suggested that Professor Angela O'Hagan, the recently appointed Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, might be suggested as a keynote speaker at the conference.

It was agreed in principle that, if required, our Group should make a donation to help cover the cost of the conference. Further discussion on this to take place once Kirstie (Treasurer) is present and when fuller information is known about the likely costs and funding mechanisms for the conference. ACTION – To be discussed further at next meeting, if required.

Claire had attended the first online planning meeting for the conference on 1st Sept - minutes here. A further Scotland conference organising online Zoom meeting is planned for Sunday 15th September at 8pm. ACTION – Any members interested in helping with the conference organisation or feeding in ideas re content / format, etc, are encouraged to attend this online meeting, via the following Zoom link:-.

Join Zoom Meeting: Zoom meeting link

Meeting ID: 786 4811 7272

Passcode: 9mwwa3

Other related ACTIONS: everyone to read minutes and give feedback asap by:

• writing ideas directly into the googledoc

• messaging in the WhatsApp Scotland-wide group / Glasgow West Signal chat

• emailing ideas to Claire or Joseph.Patemba@amnesty.org.uk

• inputting to the next Conference planning Zoom meeting (15.9.24 @ 8pm)

• Volunteering to join the planning committee

• ‘Guest' speaker:

Guest Speaker: Clara

(AIUK Volunteer Country Co-ordinator for South Korea and North Korea)

Clara delivered a presentation and led discussion on human rights in South Korea, with particular reference to disability rights.

The South Korean disability rights campaigner Mr Kyung Seouk Park will feature in AI's 2024 Write For Rights campaign.

Clara outlined the background to Mr Park's activities. He is a 63yr old who was paralysed below the waist in a sporting accident circa twenty years ago. He has campaigned on the limited access that many disabled people have to the Seoul subway system. A number of disabled citizens have been injured and a few have died as a result of inadequate access facilities. Seoul Transport Authorities' promises to improve facilities have not materialised. Following peaceful protests at subway stations, there has been a systematic crackdown on protests, which are deemed to be ‘illegal'. This included hundreds of police being mobilised to break up protests, cordoning off elevators to halt access and trains not stopping at stations where protests are taking place. Mr Park was physically dragged out of his wheelchair during one protest.

The wider accusation is that the South Korean authorities do not consider people with disabilities as having the same rights as other citizens.

3rd December is the UN's International Day of People with Disabilities and further activities are planned to co-incide with this.

Discussion at our meeting included colleagues registering surprise that disability rights in South Korea seem to be so far behind what we consider the norm. It was noted, for example, that South Korea had a relatively limited number of athletes competing at the recent Paris Paralympics. The question was also asked whether AIUK has considered collaborating with specialist disability rights campaign groups, such as Disability Rights UK on these sort of issues.

Caitlin offered to assist with undertaking further research on the issues and post it on our Signal Group – ACTION - Caitlin

Clara will continue to work with AIUK colleagues in helping to lead as Volunteer Co-ordinator for South and North Korea and will provide further updates to our Group, including highlighting opportunities for us to assist with ongoing campaigns. ACTION – Clara

It was also noted that we ought to put the 2024 Write for Rights Campaign on the Agenda of our next Group meeting in October. ACTION – Claire / Kirstie

6. Glasgow University AI Group Update

GUAI Group Update

Emma was welcomed to the meeting and invited to give an update on the activities of Glasgow University's AI Group. In the past year, the University Group has raised over £1,000 for Palestinian causes and has worked on issues such as abortion rights and the NI hate crime Bill.

It was noted that the Glasgow West and Glasgow University AI Groups had collaborated in the past on a range of issues. Both Groups are keen to do more of that in the future, albeit it was recognised that the nature / membership of the two Groups is such that they will often work in slightly different ways. Nevertheless, there was definitely seen to be many opportunities for collaboration.

Emma is the Secretary of the Glasgow Univ AI Group and Andrew agreed to add her details to our Group's monthly mailing list and send her information on any events, etc. Likewise, Emma agreed to reciprocate by alerting our Group to opportunities for potential collaboration, etc. ACTION – Andrew and Emma

One example of a potential collaboration opportunity was the Write for Rights event 2024. It was also noted that the next annual Comedy Night fundraiser for Amnesty International, held at The Stand Comedy Club, will be taking place on Thursday 20th February 2024. ACTION – Emma to share details with her colleagues and further discussion will take place nearer the time.

7. Urgent Appeals - Merle circulated details of two current Urgent Actions:-

   1. Manahel al-Otaibi, Saudi Arabia

   2. Maryia Kalesnikava, Belarus

ACTION – All to follow up by taking action online via the links above.

8. AIUK Local Group Updates – August link here

Mal and Andrew provided a summary of some of the latest Local Group Updates for the past month.

It was noted that this latest AIUK-wide update include information and photographs from two of our Group's recent activities – our participation in the Pride Rally in Glasgow and the collaborative event held with the artist.

Full details available via the link above.

• Amplify Human Rights Festival - 7 December 2024, Woolwich Works, London, SE18 6HD

• AIUK 2024 Priority Campaigns here; Amnesty training courses: Activist Education; & Updates from various local AI Groups across the UK

9. AOB – Human Rights Artwork / Neil Cowan AI Scotland Director

   Andrew noted that Neil Cowan, Scotland Director of AI, had recently taken one of the pieces of artwork donated by the artist Alexander Dakars following our Group's recent collaboration event. That painting will be hung in AI's Edinburgh office.

   Neil agreed to think about potential organisations that may be suitable for accepting the other pieces of artwork that had been donated to our Group.

   Neil also indicated that he would be keen to attend a future meeting of our Group. Andrew provided him with a copy of the meeting dates for the remainder of this year. ACTION – Claire for next agenda - We should consider a suitable date for inviting Neil along to chat with our Group.

10. Next meeting – Thurs 10th October 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

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 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 update includes:

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

August 2024 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 8th August 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:

• 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;

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

• Discussing feedback from our Group members who attended the recent Pride event in Glasgow; and

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

AI Glasgow West at the recent Pride March & Rally Glasgow

Many thousands joined in the event as the 2024 Glasgow Pride march wound its way through the city centre, culminating in a large scale music event and stalls at the historic Barras area of the East End.

The AI stall enabled members to raise awareness of the work of AI and encourage attendees to sign current petitions. A number of people also signed up to the Group's mailing list and almost £110 was raised in donations, which will be used to support the Group's campaigning activities.

AIUK Local Updates

The latest updates for Local AI Groups produced by AIUK can be found via the following link.

Below are some of the highlights extracted from the update.

Call on the new PM to protect human rights

Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images

The new Prime Minister has previously promised to centre human rights in everything his government does. Now, we need to remind him. A lot needs fixing, and the UK desperately needs a fresh start on human rights.

The new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has said that human rights will be central to everything his government does - but promises need to be put into action.

In 2023, Keir Starmer said: “I've spent a lot of my life fighting for human rights. We need to make sure they are absolutely foundational when it comes to anything that we do in government.”

A lot needs fixing - and human rights provide solutions to these challenges. From ending homelessness, to the crisis in Gaza and fairly treating people seeking safety - human rights are the answer.

We must ensure the new UK government makes good on its promises. Email the new Prime Minister today and demand his government takes action to protect human rights and uphold international law.

Together let's remind the new Prime Minister of his promise to protect human rights. Your voice is crucial - take action now.

Orkney Amnesty Gaza Vigils

Orkney Amnesty Group has been organising a Gaza vigil every single Saturday in rain, wind, snow and sun since October in front of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney. The group has had hundreds of participants over the many months, including lots of tourists and cruise ship passengers. Above are members of the group at the vigil last week. Thank you so much for your relentless commitment Orkney group!

People, Power, and Politics: Influencing Political Decision-Makers on Human Rights

After the recent election, take this course to build your knowledge of human rights and British politics and learn key strategies to influence and advocate for human rights with your MP.

Link to the course
You can access all activist education resources and trainings on this page: Activist Education

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 AIUK Campaigns

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

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 11th July 2024

Minutes

1. Welcome and apologies (introductions round table)

Attending - Claire (chair); Mal, Carol, Neil, Clara, Andrew, Kirstie, Jean. Merle, Sophie, Han & Chakar.

1. Agreement of previous meeting minutes

2. Team Updates (list of roles from AGM here)\:

   a. Treasurer (Kirstie) - £128.49 donated at art event; balance £665.04; Kirstie has requested AIUK to allow us to hold on to credit card reader.

   b. Social Media & website (Mal) - no reshares re. art event but lots of new followers.

   c. Local Political Outreach (Neil) - Labour is in. Need to keep pressure on government; email the PM/MPs re. Scotland Amnesty's Human Rights manifesto

   • Action: email PM - template here - all to consider signing online petition.

   d. Regional / Country focus

   • South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal) - Mal will give talk in August meeting;

     • AI action on aviation fuel being supplied to Myanmar
     • September action = contact local MPs re. Myanmar. UK is “pen holder” for Myanmar at UN Security Council (UK drafts communiques/drafts documents)

   • Pakistan (Chakar) - Balochistan - report June 2024 - >80 people forcibly abducted by Pakistan army, 54 still missing; multiple cases of suicide after abductees released → shared with Cherry Bird (India & Pakistan Country Coordinator)

     • Today - protest in Quetta (capital city of Balochistan) - police opened fire/teargas

   • Korea (Clara) - Clara can do presentation for our group in September - re. Write for Rights IAR.

     • Film Screening “All Static and Noise” - need to find venue - Clara thinking end of Sep/start of Oct - Glasgow uni - Andrew to share contact w Clara

   e. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk Update (Han) - ongoing

3. Actions from previous meeting Minutes:

   a. AI Group's Collaboration with artist Alexander Dakers (28.06.24) - Carol's speech was excellent!; lots of people signed AIUK torture trade petition; £128 raised; display table perfectly organised by Andrew; lots of interest in Amnesty; great atmosphere; 3 people added to mailing list

   Suggestion for the future: Carol to be group speaker!; method to count number of people who sign online petition

   Artist has donated 5 pieces of art to Amnesty - currently stored in Andrew's house!

   • Waiting for AI Scotland office to reply re. taking artwork

   • Potentially consider giving to Mitchell Library / Scottish University human rights dept?

   • Artist has indicated he will assist our Group in finding a suitable use / home for the artwork

4. AIUK AGM 22.06.24 - Clara and Mal attended.

   a. all resolutions were passed including re. delaying sale of Amnesty UK HQ building in London

   b. hopefully 2-day joint AGM/conference next year

   c. Mal encouraged us all to attend next year!

5. Film screening of Turkish documentary film The Decree - Mhairi - no update

6. Hong Kong petition - Clara - group signed petition for IAR

7. UK Election

   a. Opportunity still exists to forward the link to Amnesty Scotland's manifesto to MPs. (Neil?)

   b. Amnesty Scotland election hustings on human rights - went well - Kirstie attended

8. Amnesty Global Assembly Consultation Meetings were held on 08 & 10 July. No-one from our Group attended.

9. Claire & Barrie from the Perth Amnesty group have made a WhatsApp group chat “Scotland Amnesty” for members from the central belt groups (Perth, Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh) so we can work closer on campaigns more easily. If you'd like to join, welcome! Please ask Claire for the joining link.

10. Perth Amnesty is holding an Amnesty Information stall in the Birnam Arts Centre on Sunday 28th July - all welcome to join! Birnam is on the opposite bank of the Tay from Dunkeld and so the group are thinking of going on a low-level walk around there on the day also, for people who want to. If you are interested to attend, please message Claire/the Glasgow email.

11. Pride march & stall - Saturday 20th July

    a. Starting point: Festival Park. The route will leave Festival Park and head over the squinty bridge to Broomielaw and up to Argyle Street before heading through the Merchant City and ending at Glasgow Green, where it is a short distance to the Glasgow Barrowlands, which will host the market, mainstage, and community stages.

    b. Music = 2-8pm at the Barras

    c. Stall at the Pride Hub, the Barras Market.

    d. Arr 8.30am to set up stall

    e. With laptop for petition / printed; merch / posters / badges / t-shirts, donation tins, etc

    f. March – Arrival Time: Festival Park by 10:00 AM. Group Check-In: 1 member of each group to take the lead. Please look for the designated check-in points upon arrival at Festival Park. We need at least 1 steward. There's a 10 minute training video & then a gform quiz, then on the day you wear a hi vis! Organisations are required to have at least 1 person for every 10 people in your group complete the providing training successfully. Info video here; assessment here - Claire has completed & done assessment.

    • Mal - set-up stall → march
    • Claire & Clara to be at Festival Park 9.30am
    • Kirstie - at the stall at 1-3pm
    • Han - at the stall sometime in the afternoon
    • Chakar - hopefully around!
    • ?? Mhairi, Chloe, Jim - Claire/Mal to msg
    • Daytime group - Carol to invite
    • Clara to msg uni group
    • Iona (Russian County Coordinator) - bringing actions

12. Urgent Appeals - Merle circulated the undernoted Urgent Actions (and also subsequently posted them to our SIgnal Group).

    • Bangladesh

    • Argentina

    • Azerbaijan

13. AIUK Local Group Updates - June here

    • AIUK 2024 Priority Campaigns here; Amnesty training courses: Activist Education; & Updates from various local AI Groups across the UK

14. AOB:

    a. Carol - response from Russian Prosecutor's Office re. urgent action letter

    b. Neil Cowan (Scotland AI Head) coming to Glasgow Daytime meeting 18.07.24 1pm @ The Wee Retreat, Govanhill, Glasgow to talk about role of AI's Scottish Office and also Amnesty Futures movement

15. Next meeting – Thurs 8th August 7.30pm - 9pm - Speaker: South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal)

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

Thanks to AMG for these updates. If you 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 April 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.

April 2024 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 11^th April 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:

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

• Discussion on potential future projects / campaigns; and

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

AIUK Local Updates

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

Photo – AI Romsey Group's Solidarity vigil for Alexi Navalny

This month's Local Groups' Update provides information of activities carried out by AI Groups across the UK, including solidarity actions for Gaza, events marking International Women's Day and a vigil for Alexi Navalny.

Our own local Group's recent fundraiser event was given a write-up in the AIUK Fundraising round-up.

Updates on Current AIUK Campaigns

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

Photo by Mike Kemp via Getty Image

These include campaigns relating to Israel / Palestine; Economic, Social & Cultural Rights; campaigning for progressive Human Rights in the forthcoming General Election; and Protect the Protest.

To sign the joint AIUK / Liberty petition calling on the Home Secretary to scrap the anti-protest measures, click on this link.

Shop Amnesty

Amnesty Shop – Browse Amnesty International's wide range of ethical gifts and everyday items via this link.

Minutes of Meeting held on 14th March 2024

1. Welcome and apologies (introductions round table)

   • Attendees: Andrew, Kirstie, Merle, Neil and Clara.

   • Apologies: Claire, Jean, Mal, Sophie, Han and Cait.

   • Andrew chaired the meeting in Claire's absence.

   • A particular welcome was given to Clara, who was attending the group for the first time. Clara had recently been appointed as a Volunteer Co-ordinator for AI, covering North Korea and South Korea and was currently undergoing induction training. It was suggested that Clara might provide an update on her role at a future meeting, once she has been undertaking the duties for a while.

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes

   • The minutes of the 8^th February meeting were agreed, with any matters arising being covered in the agenda.

3. Team Updates

(list of roles from AGM here)

a. Treasurer (Kirstie)

• Main outgoings in past month have been postage, as well as raffle tickets bought for next year's fundraiser.

• The Group's bank balance is currently £725.70.

• Known future expenses are to cover our Group's annual AIUK affiliation fee (£72) and the quarterly payment for hire of the meeting room (£78).

b. Social Media & website (Mal & Cait)

• No update.

c. Local Political Outreach (Neil)

• No update.

• Neil asked for clarification on this role, beyond what was covered in the summary circulated at the recent AGM (link above in this item). It was suggested that forthcoming elections in the year ahead might present an opportunity to engage with local politicians and encourage them to support key human rights issue within their manifestos. It was noted that AIUK had designated the UK General election as one of its Priority Campaigns for 2024. It was also suggested that engaging local MPs, MSPs and Councillors in various ongoing campaigns would be another approach, as we had successfully done in recent ‘Write for Rights' events.

d. Regional/ Country focus – South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal)

• No update.

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

• No update.

f. Wellbeing/D&I Update (Sophie)

• No update.

4. The Stand 12.02.2024 comedy night fundraiser

1. Thanks were given to everyone who bought tickets, contributed to the raffle / helped with promoting / sold raffle tickets & helped organise on the night of the fundraiser event.

2. £1,630 was raised for the AI charitable arm from the ticket sales. Confirmation has been received from AIUK Charitable Trust that those funds have been sent to them by The Stand.

3. £442 was raised for our local AI Group (via donation tins £36.74 + 5 euro and raffle £402).

4. Overall, therefore, a total of £2,072 was raised at this year's event. (The 2023 total was £3,500, with the main difference being that the 2023 show was sold out and the tickets were sold for a higher price, due principally to Frankie Boyle being on the bill).

5. Another Stand Comedy night fundraiser has already been booked for Thurs 20.02.25.

5. `Prevent' AIUK Report Launch

Read more on AIUK's website: Prevent AIUK Report

1. Discussion took place on AIUK's report, published in Nov 2023, concerning the multiple failures highlighted in the design and implementation of the ‘Prevent' strategy, which was intended to discourage individuals from terrorism, but evidence indicates has led to numerous and significant human rights failings.

2. AIUK had asked if our Group wished to help launch a Glasgow event concerning AIUK's Prevent report. Due to an absence of local volunteers within our Group to assist with the planning of such an event, it was agreed that we could not agree to this.

6. Uyghur film screening in April

1. Nabila (China Country Coordinator) had linked up with the director of the film "All Static and Noise" for its April UK tour, which will include an AIUK ‘Individual at Risk' case - Ilham Toti - and his daughter Jewher, the latter who will be on the panel and coming from the USA.

2. There will be a screening in Edinburgh. It was noted that, as of this meeting (14/3/24), no date had yet been announced online for the planned Edinburgh showing.

3. No members of our group were free to help organise a showing in Glasgow.

7. Human Rights Scotland Bill – Webinar event on 24 April at 7pm

1. It was noted that the Amnesty Scotland Team had invited Groups to join a Webinar on Scotland's forthcoming Human Rights Bill.

2. The background to this is that the Scottish Government has committed to introducing a new piece of legislation designed to strengthen the legal human rights framework in Scotland. This is an exciting step which holds the potential to transform how people in Scotland access and enforce a wide variety of human rights. If you would like to learn more about the Bill, how Amnesty Scotland are working on it, and how you can get involved, there will be an online briefing on 24 April at 7pm. This will also be an opportunity to meet some new members of the AI Scotland Team.

3. Details below to join the briefing via computer, mobile app or room device.

Please follow link below to the webinar at the time:-

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 310 131 163 565

Passcode: u6U4ag

Download Teams Join on the web

Learn More Meeting options

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

8. Potential Collaboration with Artist

1. Andrew updated on a proposal by a Bournemouth-based artist, Alexander Dakers of Zander Art. Further information and background is included in a recent Glasgow Evening Times article.

2. The artist's grandfather was imprisoned during the 1973 Chilean coup and AI campaigned for his release. Alexander has since raised money for AI via sales of his artwork.

3. He has invited our Group to collaborate with him at his exhibition at a gallery in Glasgow City Centre this summer.

4. Following discussion, Group members were enthusiastic about this and potential examples of how we might be able to collaborate included the following:-

• 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 be to 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 there 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 for the local press to highlight the exhibition; and

• Inviting other local AI Groups and members to also engage with this project.

Action – It was agreed that Andrew would contact AIUK to discuss the previous AI fundraising work by the artist.

Thereafter, Andrew will contact the artist and invite him to consider our potential proposals for collaborating with him and invite him to propose other suggestions.

9. International Women's Day

1. It was noted that an invitation from the Ayrshire AI Group to join their Amnesty event to mark International Women's Day had been circulated. Unfortunately, no members of our Group were able to attend.

2. The Amnesty Feminists' network issued an action pack for International Women's Day. It included three actions that we discussed and undertook at the meeting.

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/international-womens-day-action-pack-2024.

Action - Andrew - The petitions within this were signed by those present and they will be returned to the Network via email.

10. Social Walk with Perth Amnesty - Sunday 7th April - near Perth

1. This is a low-level walk, suitable for all ages & abilities.

2. Lifts to and from the meeting point can be arranged.

3. It will provide a good opportunity to discuss how our respective Groups could work together on issues such as Balochistan and other Human Rights issues where there is a common interest.

4. Claire and Chakar have already committed to attend.

Action - Anyone else interested in going along should contact Claire.

11. AIUK Local Group Updates

29th Feb AIUK Local Group Updates email here:

https://email.amnestyuk.org.uk/q/1eXvKtM4YVqdNvXlB1fnP5x/wv

21 Mar 7 pm - 8.30 pm - ACEN Israel-Gaza: impacts, human rights and routes to peace. Online. Sign up here.

2 Apr 6 pm - 7.30 pm - What are Economic and Social rights and why is Amnesty working on them? Online. Sign up here.

New AIUK campaign on our everyday rights

Our human rights are under threat and it is not a distant problem, human rights violations are happening right here in the UK. Here at home, a chilling reality is unravelling – millions of families and individuals can't access what they need to live, from safe shelter to healthcare, food and more. This crisis does not come from a lack of resources, as we're often led to believe, it comes from political choices that drive inequality. To show this reality we have worked with actors Olivia Colman and Adrian Lester to show that this is happening before our eyes. Watch our new trailer for a drama series that sadly is not drama. It is a reality.

Please be aware this is a video which tells the story of violations of human rights which includes the death of a baby so please do look after yourself and don't watch unless you want to.

Housing, food, healthcare – these are all our human rights but they don't often get as much attention as rights such as free speech, protest and a fair trial. At Amnesty we are working on making sure we are campaigning for all our rights including the everyday rights that are often and too frequently ignored. Everyone should have a safe and secure place to call home, people should have enough food to eat and access to healthcare.

Watch here https://email.amnestyuk.org.uk/c/12cyALB1cSooTlT8W7faRIsmije6

Ongoing

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

• Amnesty training courses e.g. Delivering human rights education*;* Anti-racism and human rights course*;* Confronting and Countering Gender-Based Violence course* *

12. Urgent Appeals

1. Merle noted that the UK Urgent Actions webpage had not been updated. However, she got some from the US website, which appeared to be much better organised.

2. Merle circulated Urgent Actions concerning:

   • a detained Ethiopian journalist;

   • A Zimbabwian form MP;

   • And a terminally ill Palestinian prisoner,

Those present at the meeting wrote letters concerning these Urgent Actions and Kirstie took them for posting.

13. AOB

Parking charges on Woodlands Road.

Kirstie had circulated a notice form the church group highlighting that Glasgow City Council was considering extending parking charge times on various streets, including Woodlands Rd, to 10pm, 7 days pw.

This is part of the Council's budget options and had not yet been finalised / considered / agreed. The notice suggested that anyone concerned about this proposal may wish to raise concerns with local Councillors.

https://news.stv.tv/west-central/glasgow-city-council-parking-charges-to-be-extended-to-10pm-across-glasgow

14. Next meeting – Thurs 11th April @ 7.30pm - 9pm

Neil noted his apologies for the April meeting.

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