Categories
minutes

July 2026 Meeting & June Updates

At a time when fundamental rights are under threat across the globe, join Amnesty International, get involved with our local Amnesty Group and play your part in helping to promote and defend vital human rights across the world.

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

This email includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming July 2026 meeting;
  • Updates on recent and planned events and actions;
  • A summary of AIUK's latest Local Group updates;
  • The minutes from our local Group's June meeting; and
  • A note of all our monthly meeting dates for 2026.

July 2026 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The Glasgow West Amnesty Group's next meeting will take place on Thursday 9th July 2026 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands Methodist Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

Anyone curious about Amnesty International is most welcome to just turn up and join our meetings. We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

  • Guest Speaker – Florence Oulds from the Equality Network, who will speak on topics including EHRC;
  • Final planning for our Group's input to the Glasgow Pride event;
  • An update from our Group delegates who attended the recent AIUK AGM;
  • Discussion and planning on upcoming future events/actions, including a potential stall at Kelvinbridge Farmers' Market; and
  • Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Join our Meetings online

Anyone unable / unavailable to physically come along, is welcome to join our monthly meetings online via this link.

(It will be the same link for all subsequent meetings).

Guest Speaker: Florence Oulds (Equality Network)

Florence Oulds from the Equality Network will attend our July meeting to discuss a range of issues, including the EHRC's guidance affecting trans people.

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Anti-Racism Demonstration Update

On 13th June, members of the Glasgow West Amnesty Group gathered at Buchanan Street, Glasgow, alongside hundreds of other protestors to demonstrate against racism.

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The anti-racism protestors significantly out-numbered the couple of dozen racist / fascist demonstrators.

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Amnesty International UK AGM & Amplify Summit

AIUK's annual AGM and Summit took place on 26th – 27th June in Brighton and was attended by several members of the Glasgow West Group.

The photo below shows some of the members from various Scottish Groups who attended the event. The Scottish members hosted a stall at the event, showcasing some of Amnesty's human rights work that is taking place across Scotland.

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Further information on the AIUK 2026 AGM & Summit are available via this link.

Glasgow's Pride 2026

The Glasgow West Amnesty Group is, once again, participating in the Glasgow Pride March and Festival.

The 2026 event will take place on Saturday 18th July. Our Group will host a stall at the event, where we can showcase the work of Amnesty in Glasgow, raise awareness of human rights and, hopefully, recruit additional supporters.

Further information on Glasgow's Pride 2026 is available via this link.

Glasgow to Edinburgh Fundraising Walk for Amnesty

A fundraising walk will take place along the route of the Millennium Canal, starting on Sunday 2nd August. The event is being organised by the Perth Amnesty Group and will involve members from other groups, including Glasgow west. All are welcome to join in and participants have options to join for all or part of the route.

The link below is to the fundraising page:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/scottishamnestygroups-canalwalk

Amnesty UK Local Updates

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

This month we have featured a number of updates, themetic stories and new items. The full set of items can be read on our Local Groups Updates archive.

New & Coming Up

Uyghur Solidarity Month This August

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This August, Amnesty International UK is launching Uyghur Solidarity Month: a volunteer-led campaign weaving together language, art, and activism in solidarity with Uyghur people.

Every day in August, you'll receive a daily newsletter delivering one Uyghur word donated by an Uyghur creative or cultural leader, one spotlight on Uyghur artistic work, one creative output from our network of thirty local activist groups - think digital murals, knitting stunts, community meals!! - and one clear, practical action that YOU can take for Uyghur rights.

The month culminates in a London showcase on 31 August, marking the anniversary of the UN OHCHR report on the Uyghur crisis, with live traditional music, community voices, and an exhibition of everything we've built together.

This is grassroots solidarity at its most creative and we'd love you to join us.

For information and contact Emily Upson and Clara Candat-Bazile - or find visits our Amnesty Community Platform

Take Part in the Uyghur Solidarity Month

Introducing: Country Coordinator – UK

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Hello everyone,

For the first time in the history of Amnesty there is a Country Coordinator for the UK, and this is the first newsletter. I am very honoured to have been given the role and will do my best to make it effective, but:

Why do we need a Coordinator for the UK you might ask, and: Why now?

Here's why! – There is increasing evidence that human rights in the UK are under serious threat and there is a worrying steady slide towards authoritarianism that threatens our democracy. We have evidence of:

  • Increasing restriction and criminalisation of protest.
  • Erosion of democracy with increasing use of secondary legislation and statutory instruments taking power away from Parliament and giving it to the Executive.
  • Increasing use of multiple big databases where our highly personal information is gathered and shared. We can't know who accesses it, what exactly is on it or what it is being used for.
  • I to inform decisions made about us, despite well documented flaws in the technology.
  • A rise in racism which is becoming “normal” and is seldom challenged.

We need to know about these frightening developments. We need to help others to know what is going on. We need to turn our concerns into actions.

You or your local group can opt in on the Amnesty website and Community Platform to receive Actions, Campaigns and Updates on the UK.

We need to turn our concerns into actions, and for that I will need your help.

We invite you to read the full UK Human Rights Newsletter.

For more information contact Elena Fowler - United Kingdom Country Coordinator

Read the full Newsletter

Thematic Networks Actions

Queer Rights Network – Queer Stories Covenant

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Support Amnesty's Queer Rights Network campaign against creeping library censorship

As you might be experiencing in your communities, the UK is experiencing a wave of censorship in our public and school libraries, especially on books or displays with LGBTQI+ themes. In some cases, this is the result of direct instruction from management or local authorities - Index on Censorship have documented that 53% of school librarians have been asked to remove books and a third of public libraries have been asked to censor their collections. In other cases, the chilling effect of anti-rights violence and pressure is causing libraries to self-censor, desperate not to attract attention and attacks.

Library staff and LGBTQI+ communities are sounding the alarm and need our support. The creeping pressure that seeks to erase experiences, voices and lives from our shelves and from public life must be met and countered.

Amnesty Queer Rights Network's "Reading for Resistance" campaign asks libraries and bookshops to sign up to a covenant that unifies them in solidarity in their determination to be safe and representative spaces. Can you help by asking your local library and bookshops to become one of the founding signatories of the Queer Stories Covenant? Ask them to sign up here. They'll receive a poster to display proudly in their window and be part of a vibrant network against censorship of any kind.

🏳️‍🌈 For more information please see our Pride Pack for 2026, and/or Join the Queer Rights Network

Amnesty Feminist Network – Oppose the Visa `Brake' Policy

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Right now, women and girls' rights are under horrific and systemic attack. Women from Afghanistan, as well as Sudan, Myanmar and Cameroon, who have worked tirelessly to achieve offers to UK universities are now being denied the opportunity to study under the UK government's new visa ‘brake' policy. This ‘emergency visa brake' will not stop those in danger from seeking their right to safety and asylum; it is designed to stop people in danger from accessing their right to asylum. This policy is therefore not only cruel and ineffective but undermines the UK's obligations under international human rights law.

Call on the Home Secretary to immediately reverse the decision to put a brake on student visas from Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar and Cameroon.

The #RiseWithAfghanWomen Campaign is led by the Amnesty Feminist Network. To find out more about the campaign and how to get involved, please follow us on Instagram @amnestyfeminists or email Amnesty Feminist Network

Updates

IAR and Defending the Right to Protest

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I wanted to share an focus of our Individuals at Risk work – supporting our Right to protest campaign including working with Defend our Juries and training and managing teams of observers who have been attending recent court dates and peaceful protests.

You may have seen recently, an important and deeply concerning update on the ongoing legal challenge to the government's proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act. On Monday 15 June the Court of Appeal overturned the earlier High Court decision that had found the ban unlawful. This means the original proscription is reinstated: Palestine Action remains banned, and expressing support for the group continues to be treated as a criminal offence.

Amnesty UK intervened in this case because we believe this represents a serious misuse of counter-terror powers to suppress protest. We remain clear: using terrorism legislation in this way risks undermining fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Palestine Action has announced its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court. If the case proceeds, Amnesty will again seek to intervene to ensure human rights arguments are heard at the highest level.

Amnesty UK along with colleagues from the IS have been managing teams of observers at these actions, observing the position of the event and arrests. Many gathered in solidarity, while others — including activists from Defend Our Juries — peacefully held signs, only to be arrested one by one. Their courage and commitment are a powerful reminder of why defending protest rights matters.

This is a difficult moment, but it is not the end. Now more than ever, we must speak out.

👉 Take action today: Sign and share our petition calling on the UK government to end the prosecution of peaceful protesters. Together, our voices can challenge this shameful chapter and push back against this erosion of our rights.

Sign the Petition

Palantir Campaign Update

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Dear Activist,

It's been so wonderful to see so many local groups activists participate in local onboarding calls for the No Palantir in our NHS campaign. We've held over 20 campaign meetings, connecting existing campaigners from Healthworkers for a Free Palestine and Medact with Amnesty local groups and new activists joining the movement. If your local group or Network has any questions about how to get involved in joining or forming a local campaign to lobby your NHS Trust or ICB, please do reach out to Amika.

Last week, I joined a protest outside the NHS' annual conference, the ConfedExpo, alongside our brilliant Manchester group. Alongside healthworkers, patients, activists and other organisations, we turned up (in the pouring rain!) to raise awareness of Palantir's worrying influence in our health system, and to show NHS England that the local community is backing the break clause in 2027.

Pressure is mounting on the Government to make this decision. On 3 June, the cross-party House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee called for the government to terminate NHS England's contract with Palantir because the company supports "highly controversial policies and activities."

We've got big things planned for this campaign over summer. Keep an eye out for more updates and as always, reach out for any support or questions.

If you have any questions about how your group or Network join an existing campaign, reach out to Amika – Community Organiser, Local Activism

Detailed info on how to get started can be found in this downloadable campaign pack.

In solidarity, Amika – Community Organiser, Local Activism

Community Platform Launch 🎉

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We are excited! The Online Platform the Amnesty Community has launched on 27 of April!

The Community Platform will offer a much more effective way to connect with other Amnesty Activists and Amnesty staff and strengthen the movement.

What will happen on the Amnesty community?

  • Join groups, networks or campaigns
  • Post and receive updates and announcements
  • Contact other activists
  • Share or find activist created resources
  • Find or share activist events in shared calendar

Who will be on the Amnesty community?

  • Local groups
  • University groups
  • Country Coordinators
  • Thematic Networks
  • Regional networks
  • Activist and Staff campaigners
  • Amnesty staff

What we're asking you to do Please read and share the flyer and find out more.

Come and join us! 🙌

Join the Community Platform

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June 2026 Updates

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 11th June 2026

Minutes

Link to June meeting email here.

  1. Welcome and apologies
    1. Attendance: Claire, Kirstie, Merle, Christine, Lachlan, Kayden, Yvonne, Lauren, Paolo, Carol, Luca, Clara
    2. Apologies: Andrew, Ken, Mhairi
  2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link
  3. Guest Speaker! Refugees at Home Phoebe and Kate
    • 1-3 months host on average; in big cities sometimes shorter - never open-ended agreement, always an end date
    • A powerful form of quiet activism
    • Top guest origin countries: Eritrea Sudan Ukraine Afghanistan Iran
    • Urgently need hosts for 2 females in Glasgow
    • Volunteer Hub in Scotland - meet regularly; Katie happy to chat with people
    • 18yrs+ or parent & child
    • Refugee Week 15-21 June https://refugeeweek.org/events/
  4. Team Updates (list of roles here):
    1. Treasurer
      1. current balance: £1815.27 balance
        1. To check: All community meal expenses/donation complete? - still a bit of £ to pay, waiting on them to invoice us, and from Paolo
        2. NB Maryhill Against Racism said thank you, our stall was worthy, and they don't want our donation!
      2. We now have a bank account card, which will make certain payments easier
    2. Social Media & website (Lauren): no updates, but thanks to Lauren for advertising the meetings - 3 newbies today!
    3. Regional/Country focus (Clara)
      1. Uyghur campaign: inviting in August people to take part in the Uighur solidarity month - learn 1 word/day for the month of August
        1. Glasgow West group's Uyghur word is “affection” (mehr) - July meeting - word creation
        2. Arts & crafts stall at Kelvinbridge Farmers' Market Sat 11th July to encourage people to come and create something e.g. candle / banner so we can talk to them about the Uyghur rights crisis; will also have petition / letters to local MPs
          1. Agreed to do fabric banner with fabric pens
          2. Suggestion to say e.g. “We need mehr solidarity” play on words
        3. Clara to: Research any Uyghur groups active in Glasgow and invite them to join us; share info leaflet; speak to Lauren re. August Social Media
          1. Not found Uyghur groups in Glasgow - if anyone has any links/ideas, pls tell Clara
        4. Webinar on Uyghur rights abuses - recording via Clara (internal only due to confidentiality)
    4. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk (Mhairi) - not present, no updates
    5. Not currently active: Theme Focus US Death Penalty
  5. Updates from previous activities
  6. Updates from local groups (Daytime / Glasgow Uni / AIUK)
    1. Anti-racism rallies in Belfast and Glasgow on Saturday 13th, 1pm Buchanan
      1. Meet 12.45pm at Waterstones
  7. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo) / Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat
    1. Amnesty Scotland Post-Election Update for Activists (27 May) & Kerry Moscogiuri, the new Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK, about her vision for the organisation in the years ahead - any updates?
    2. “Persuasive Conversation Activation Session” 26.04.06 - next steps?

      1. Persuasive Conversations Resources - Suggestion: do a training & canvassing session with our group to encourage people to contact their new MSP to discuss HR Bill / other HR issues e.g. Thursday Aug meeting - Training 7-8, then to Kelvingrove Park for an hour?

        & Encourage all to join the recurring training sessions - link here: https://calendly.com/events-amnesty

    3. Message from Barrie/the Perth group about a joint fundraiser walk Glasgow –> Edinburgh, weekend of Aug 1/2.
      1. head off from Glasgow (Maryhill locks) to Edinburgh via Kilsyth → Falkirk.
      2. Some will go the whole way, with a couple of overnight stops, others will probably stop at Kilsyth and head back and carry on from Kilsyth at a later date.

      3. We will be setting up a page on the Just Giving site which can be used for supporters of the walkers and bikers to make their donations to Amnesty's Charitable wing.

        & The berry picking fundraiser is on again this year so will let you know the dates for our stalls when known.

        & We will be inviting Chakar and family for a weekend visit and garden party probably in August, so great if you can make that too.

    4. Scotland-wide Gathering - end of September. 2 day event?
      1. Idea: Day 1: Stirling ; Day 2: Edinburgh

  8. Urgent Appeals - Merle # of letters written during meeting: [ ] Tally for the year: [ ]

    There are two Individuals At Risk actions on the UK website that can be done by post. They give you the option to send an email or print out a letter, but there are no PDFs to download:

    Protect the Bille Residents in the Niger Delta

    Release Arbitrarily Detained British National Ahmed Al Doush

    These two are online only:

    Release Hospital Director Dr Hussam Abu Safiya

    Help Free Oqba

  9. Pride! AIUK Pride Pack - Debra looking through the pack, preparing our stall petition for 18th July Pride in Glasgow), sharing other accessible actions, ordering leaflets/bunting
    1. Clara to email Glasgow Pride to ask about transparency / email (based on concerns re their sponsorship last year)
    2. Clara (with car), Claire, Debra, Luca
      1. 9.30am-10am: Clara, Debra
      2. 10am-11.30am: Debra & Luca
      3. 11.30am-1pm: Debra
      4. Clara on the march
    3. No update on No Pride in Genocide / Pride group
  10. 2026 Plan for the year ahead - Glasgow West 2026 Planner.docx
    1. NB Amnesty “Amplify” Summit and AGM - 27/28 June 2026, Brighton - Clara, Claire, Carol and Paolo confirmed - others attending?
    2. AGM: Annual General Meeting of Amnesty International United Kingdom Section ;
      1. 2026 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Resolutions
        1. Voting as a group - how shall we do this?! Signal gform again?
      2. Scotland Amnesty will have a table on the HR Bill / Manifesto
        1. Paolo to get a pull up banner
  11. Discussion/brainstorm:
    1. How can we get new active members?
    2. How can we keep active members?
    3. Any suggestions for the current/new role-holders on how to conduct their role?
  12. AOB
  13. Next meeting - Thurs 9th July 2026
    • Suggestion: Paolo will invite LGBT+ org speaker
  14. Potential Speakers for 2026:
    • [Refugee Action - potentially joint event with Daytime group - awaiting update from Graham in Daytime Group]
    • Clara: journalist from Somalia - Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation
    • Paulo: law professor re. UK supreme court ruling that affects trans rights.
    • AIUK Equality Network speaker - Ailig to look into - how to have conversations w family and friends

    • Ebba: Palestinian researcher:

      https://sgsahblog.com/2025/01/27/activist-ethnography-in-palestine/

    • [Amicus: after find out about Death Penalty network - admin@amicus-alj.org - Allan]

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2026 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 8th January 2026
  • Thursday 12th February 2026
  • Thursday 12th March 2026
  • Thursday 9th April 2026
  • Thursday 14th May 2026
  • Thursday 11th June 2026
  • Thursday 9th July 2026
  • Thursday 13th August 2026
  • Thursday 10th September 2026
  • Thursday 8th October 2026
  • Thursday 12th November 2026
  • Thursday 10th December 2026

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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Categories
events

Anti-Racism Rally At Buchanan Steps, Saturday 13th June 2026

Amnesty International is supporting anti-racism rallies in Belfast and Glasgow this Saturday in response to the dreadful racist violence seen in Northern Ireland and Scotland this week.

Those seeking to exploit incidents like the shocking knife attack in Belfast to stir up division are pursuing agendas that are deeply cynical, divisive, and harmful.

We would like to invite Amnesty International supporters to join with their neighbours in solidarity to take a stand against racism and to defend the rights of all to live free from violence and hatred.

Time: 1pm, Saturday 13 June
Locations: Belfast City Hall and Buchanan Steps, Glasgow

Organised by United Against Racism Belfast and Stand Up to Racism Glasgow.

Stand Up to Racism Glasgow has also put out a press release on their Facebook page.

If you can please join them in solidarity and to stand against attempts to spread violence and hatred in our communities. ✊🏽

Please stay safe and heed all directions from rally stewards and police.

Categories
minutes

June 2026 Meeting & April Updates

Thanks to all involved in the creation of these minutes, your efforts are appreciated. If you prefer, you can read these updates as a PDF.

At a time when fundamental rights are under threat across the globe, join Amnesty International, get involved with our local Amnesty Group and play your part in helping to promote and defend vital human rights across the world.

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

This email includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming June 2026 meeting;
  • Updates on recent and planned events and actions;
  • A summary of AIUK's latest Local Group updates;
  • The minutes from our local Group's May meeting; and
  • A note of all our monthly meeting dates for 2026.

June 2026 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 11th May, Woodlands Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The Glasgow West Amnesty Group's next meeting will take place on Thursday 11th June 2026 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands Methodist Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

Anyone curious about Amnesty International is most welcome to just turn up and join our meetings. We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

  • A Guest Speaker from the Refugees at Home organisation;
  • A brief review of our recent activities;
  • Discussion and planning on upcoming future events/actions; and
  • Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Join our Meetings online

Anyone unable / unavailable to physically come along, is welcome to join our monthly meetings online via this link.

(It will be the same link for all subsequent meetings).

Come Along and hear our latest Guest Speaker from Refugees at Home

We are delighted to welcome to our June meeting a guest speaker from the organisation Refugees at Home. This is a UK charity which connects those with a spare room in their home to refugees and people seeking asylum who are in need of somewhere to stay.

Volunteer refugee host, Katie, will speak about the work of the organisation and her own experience of hosting a refugee within her home in Glasgow.

To date, the organisation has connected over 7,500 refugees with leave to remain status or who are seeking asylum in the UK, to people with a spare room.

All are very welcome to come along and hear about this interesting and impactful initiative.

The State of the World's Human Rights – Amnesty's Annual Report

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The 2026 edition of Amnesty International's annual report has been published. ‘The State of the World's Human Rights', assesses national, regional and global developments across a wide range of human rights themes.

It highlights how states have undermined the international rules-based system, hindering the resolution of problems that affect the lives of millions. It also identifies trends regarding armed conflicts, repression of dissent, discrimination, economic and climate injustice, the abrupt halt of humanitarian aid, and the misuse of technology.

The report documents human rights concerns during 2025 in 144 countries, connecting global and regional issues and looking to the future. The full report can be read as a PDF on the Amnesty International website.

Amnesty International UK AGM and Amplify Summit

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AIUK's annual AGM and Summit will take place on 26th – 27th June in Sussex.

Several members of the Glasgow West Group will be joining colleagues from across Scotland to travel down to participate in the event. There are plans for the Scottish Groups to host a stall at the event to showcase the range of activities being undertaken by Amnesty Groups across the country.

At our local Group's June meeting, members will consider how our Group's vote should be cast on the various resolutions being presented to the AGM.

Further information on the AIUK 2026 AGM & Summit are available via eventbrite.

Glasgow's Pride 2026

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The Glasgow West Amnesty Group is, once again, planning to participate in the Glasgow Pride March and Festival.

The 2026 event will take place on Saturday 18th July. The intention is to host a stall at the event, where we can showcase the work of Amnesty in Glasgow, raise awareness of human rights and, hopefully, recruit additional supporters.

More detailed information will be available for inclusion in our Glasgow West Amnesty Newsletter / email in July.

In the meantime, general information can be found Glasgow's Pride 2026 website.

Scottish Parliamentary Election 2026 – Follow-up

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Following the recent Scottish Parliamentary Election, Amnesty's Scotland office has arranged a webinar for Amnesty activists, aimed at providing a post-election update. This will include reflecting on the 2026 Scottish Parliament election result and what it means for Amnesty's work.

Activists from across Amnesty's Scottish Groups campaigned during the run-up to the Scottish Parliamentary Election to promote a Human Rights Bill for Scotland. This is linked to the human rights manifesto published a few months ago by Amnesty International, which urged the next Scottish government to create a fairer, more equal Scotland by prioritising human rights.

The webinar will also be an opportunity for Amnesty activists to hear from Kerry Moscogiuri, the new Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK, about her vision for the organisation.

Amnesty UK Local Updates

Below is a selection of some of the issues featured in the latest monthly update for Local Groups from Amnesty UK. Full details of the latest AIUK monthly Local Groups Update can be viewed on our local archive.

End the prosecution of peaceful protestors in the UK

The arrest of peaceful protestors is a violation of the UK's international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. This can't go unchallenged.

Amnesty International has condemned the use of counter-terror powers to target peaceful protestors.

The Chief Prosecutors of England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland now have the power to decide whether to prosecute the individuals who have been arrested.

We are urging them to end all prosecutions against these peaceful protestors.

Will you join us? Sign the Petition

Social Security – Webinar on Poverty in the UK: 23 June 2026

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A conversation with an expert panel on how poverty disproportionately affects women, disabled people and racialised communities.

Poverty in the UK is getting worse - and it is often those from marginalised communities who are most affected. People are having to make impossible choices, between heating their home and feeding their family - or being left traumatised and stigmatised by a cruel system that doesn't provide the support they need.

  • 📅 23 June 2026
  • 🕑 7:00pm - 8:15pm
  • 📍 Online Webinar
  • 🎫 Free to join

Join Amnesty International UK and a panel of expert speakers for an online conversation around the realities of poverty in the UK.

  • How disabled people, people from racialised communities and women are disproportionately impacted by poverty and let down by the system.
  • Why poverty is a political choice - and how the UK Government could choose, instead, to improve people's lives.
  • How we can all play our part in working towards a fairer society.

Speakers to include:

  • Sajid Mohammed is the CEO and Director of Himmah, a Nottingham-based grassroots social justice charity, addressing poverty, race, and education inequalities. Initiatives include providing food banks, community meals, and anti-racism campaigns.
  • Dan White, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Disability Rights UK (DR UK), working issues such as on social security, food insecurity, and disabled children's rights.
  • Eva Neitzert, Head of Research and Policy at UK Women's Budget Group, a feminist think tank that raises awareness of and provides evidence for a gender equal economy.

Chaired by Jen Clark, Amnesty International UK's Economics, Social and Cultural Rights Lead.

Register for this free webinar now on Eventbrite. A Teams joining link will be sent out 24 hours before the event.

Join the Webinar

South America – How Governments Are Weaponising Regulation Against Civil Society

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Authoritarianism is on the rise globally, and Latin America is no exception. Across the region, there has been a devastating assault on civil society. Under the guise of “transparency”, “national security”, and “public oversight”, governments are introducing laws that severely restrict the work of civil society organisations, human rights defenders and grassroots movements. What may appear to be administrative regulation is, in practice, reshaping civic space and weakening the very communities that defend democracy, accountability and human rights.

In “*Tearing Up the Social Fabric: Impact of Restrictive Laws on Civil Society Organisations in the Americas*”, Amnesty examines how Venezuela, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Nicaragua and El Salvador have enacted or expanded so-called “anti-NGO laws”. These measures impose excessive registration requirements, intrusive financial controls, vague legal obligations and punitive sanctions that place organisations at constant risk of closure, surveillance or criminalisation.

The report reveals strikingly similar patterns across the region. Authorities and pro-government media increasingly portray civil society groups as “foreign agents”, “internal enemies” or threats to national stability. This is fuelling distrust and hostility toward organisations working on human rights, environmental justice, anti-corruption, Indigenous Peoples' rights, women's rights and LGBTQI+ advocacy. They are left in a climate of fear.

Amnesty documents how these laws are tearing apart the social fabric that sustains communities. Human rights defenders interviewed for the report describe emotional exhaustion, exile, loss of leadership and the collapse of vital support networks for vulnerable populations. Entire communities are left with fewer protections, less access to justice and diminished capacity to challenge abuses of power.

This report offers an urgent warning: the erosion of civic space is not isolated to a single country but part of a broader regional trend toward authoritarianism. It also highlights why protecting freedom of association is essential to protecting all human rights.

You can download this report from the South America section on the Community Platform (where we are already active) or our website.

(If you would like to receive our team's informative monthly newsletter, please email David Rogers - Country Coordinator for Argentina and Chile.)

Individual Giving

YOUR GIFT TODAY COULD HELP END THE SUFFERING OF MILLIONS

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Advanced age can often leave people more vulnerable to injury, disease, and illness. But instead of living in safety, Israel's unlawful and inhumane actions in Gaza are leaving older people without access to critical healthcare, medications, food and shelter. According to UN reporting, at least 5,100 older people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli forces since October 2023 – and this figure doesn't even include indirect deaths due to destroyed health infrastructure.

Despite promises made in the October 2025 ‘ceasefire', older people are still faced with unlawful attacks, severe food deprivation and the collapse of essential services. With tens of thousands suffering, there is no time to waste.

But it's not just in Gaza. Older people are living in dangers conditions in so many countries around the world. Your donation could help Amnesty International expose human rights abuses against older people; and help the campaign to ensure that older people are properly protected by international law.

GIVE TODAY

CEN – Refugee Webinar

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“Universal Rights, Local Action”

All are warmly invited (you don't have to be an Amnesty member!) to this upcoming online event with Q&A

Speakers are:

  • Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty UK's Programme Director for Refugee and Migrant Rights
  • Tony Samuel, Co-Chair of Asylum Welcome Oxford

Details:

  • 📅 Wednesday 17 June 2026
  • 🕑 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • 📍 Online - Zoom

Register here

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May 2026 Updates

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 14th May 2026

Link to May meeting email here

  1. Welcome and apologies
    1. Attendance: Kirstie, Andrew, Claire, Luca, Clara, Debra
    2. Apologies: Ken, Paolo, Lauren, Neil, Carol, Merle
  2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link
  3. Team Updates (list of roles here):
    1. Treasurer
      1. postage from letters: £6.15
      2. other expenditure: some funds from our recent Community Meal has still to be processed, including a reimbursement due to Paolo for event-related expenditure that he personally paid upfront; Our Group's £50 donation to the Palestinian support group Ele Elan Elak is being made via Paolo
      3. donations: £30 from Kirstie's friend
      4. Current balance: £1,815.27
        1. Still to make Maryhill Against Racism donation - awaiting for lead officer to provide bank transfer details
    2. Social Media & website (Lauren): / No update available
    3. Regional/Country focus (Clara)
      1. Uyghur campaign: inviting in August people to take part in the Uighur solidarity month - learn 1 word/day for the month of August
        1. Glasgow West group's Uyghur word is “affection”
        2. Could do stall at Hillhead Library / Kelvinbridge Farmers' Market to encourage people to come and create something e.g. candle / banner so we can talk to them about the Uyghur rights crisis
        3. We ought to research any Uyghur groups active in Glasgow and invite them to join us - Clara
        4. Will also have petition / letters to local MPs
      2. Clara to share info leaflet
      3. Zine Library / stall on the high street - Claire to contact Zine library
      4. Clara to speak to Lauren re. August Social Media plan - Clara
      5. 7pm Webinar on Uyghur rights abuses - Clara to share link
      6. July meeting - word creation
    4. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk (Mhairi - No update available
    5. Not currently active: Theme Focus US Death Penalty
  4. Updates from previous activities
    1. North Glasgow Against Racism event - Sunday 12.04.26
      • Agreed donation of £50 from our Group to the Glasgow North Against Racism Group - As above (3,a,iv), Donation not yet made, Claire to follow up
    2. Stand Up to Racism Southside Unity March - 19.04.26

  5. Updates from local groups (Daytime / Glasgow Uni / AIUK)

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    1. Partner update: Freedom from Torture - Photography Competition:

      Freedom from Torture invites photographers of all ages, nationalities, and skill levels to take part in this year's Photography Competition. The theme is Hope and Sanctuary, open to interpretation and creative expression. 📅 Entry period: 13 April – 25 May

    2. Music Evening - Our Lady and St George's Church Hall, Friday 15th May, 7:30pm for an 8:00pm start

      This is another Freedom from Torture event that we have been asked to promote. “Join us for a relaxed evening of live music in support of Freedom from Torture. Local musicians will perform a mix of folk and other songs, with singers accompanied by acoustic guitar and piano. The evening will also include a raffle, along with a licensed bar and refreshments. £3 on the door (no booking required, cash only)”.

  6. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo) / Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat
    1. “Persuasive Conversation Activation Session” 26.04.06 - next steps?
      1. Persuasive Conversations Resources
      2. Agreed the name is misleading - it's more like “exploratory / connecting / listening conversations” - being a listening, reflective ear
      3. Suggestion: do a training & canvassing session with our group after the election to encourage people to contact their new MSP to discuss HR Bill / other HR issues
        1. E.g. Thursday June 11th - Training 7-8, then to Kelvingrove Park for an hour?
          1. Very small attendance today, so pause this till next meeting to gauge interest.
          2. Claire to share resources in Signal
    2. Encourage all to join the recurring training sessions - link here: https://calendly.com/events-amnesty
    3. A Million Acts of Hope - https://millionactsofhope.org/about - 13 to 20 May 2026
      1. Amnesty International UK is joining hundreds of other charities and organisations around the UK to take part in ‘A Million Acts of Hope', a week of action from 13 to 20 May. At a time when division may feel loud, A Million Acts of Hope is all about doing small or big acts of kindness to bring people and communities together. Some ideas:
        1. Putting up an Amnesty postcard in your window
        2. Giving out messages of kindness in your community
        3. Donating food – or running a neighbourhood collection for your local food bank
        4. Joining local community events (e.g. at places of worship, community centres) if they are taking place
        5. Hosting a local community meal
        6. Taking part in an Amnesty campaign or action – either by yourself or with an Amnesty group or network
        7. Visiting an Amnesty bookshop
      2. Email us on millionacts@amnesty.org.uk to tell us what you're doing (and share pictures or info when you do it)

  7. Refugee Week 15-21 June https://refugeeweek.org/events/ - would anyone like to organise anything / partner with another organisation?

    Request: Refugees at Home have contacted us to ask if we'd like a speaker during Refugee Festival Scotland (Friday 12 to Sunday 21 June). Our next meeting is Thurs 11th June so we could do it then?

    1. Would anyone like to liaise with them on this? Claire to reply and confirm we are interested to hear / meet this Group, but also be open that we don't think any of our members will necessarily have capacity to host a refugee
    2. Vital for SM sharing and newsletter - one-off email / on the mailing list
    3. Claire to confirm date → ask AIUK to share with our postcodes
  8. Urgent Appeals - Merle # of letters written during meeting: [ ] Tally for the year: [ ]
  9. Pride! AIUK Pride Pack - can anyone lead on organising our Pride Actions this year? (e.g. looking through the pack, preparing our stall petition for 18th July Pride in Glasgow), sharing other accessible actions, ordering leaflets/bunting) - thank you Debra!
    1. Clara to email Glasgow Pride to ask about transparency / email (based on concerns re their sponsorship last year)
    2. Clara (with car), Claire, Debra, Luca
      1. 9.30am-10am: Clara, Debra
      2. 10am-11.30am: Debra & Luca
      3. 11.30am-1pm: Debra
      4. Clara on the march
  10. 2026 Plan for the year ahead - Glasgow West 2026 Planner.docx
    1. NB Amnesty “Amplify” Summit and AGM - 27/28 June 2026, Brighton - Clara, Claire, Carol and Paolo confirmed - others attending?
  11. Discussion/brainstorm:
    1. How can we get new active members?
    2. How can we keep active members?
    3. Any suggestions for the current/new role-holders on how to conduct their role?
  12. AOB
  13. Next meeting - Thurs 11th June 2026
  14. Potential Speakers for 2026:
    • [Refugee Action - potentially joint event with Daytime group - awaiting update from Graham in Daytime Group]
    • Clara: journalist from Somalia - Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation
    • Paulo: law professor re. UK supreme court ruling that affects trans rights.
    • AIUK Equality Network speaker - Ailig to look into - how to have conversations w family and friends

    • Ebba: Palestinian researcher:

      https://sgsahblog.com/2025/01/27/activist-ethnography-in-palestine/

    • [Amicus: after find out about Death Penalty network - admin@amicus-alj.org - Allan]

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2026 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 8th January 2026
  • Thursday 12th February 2026
  • Thursday 12th March 2026
  • Thursday 9th April 2026
  • Thursday 14th May 2026
  • Thursday 11th June 2026
  • Thursday 9th July 2026
  • Thursday 13th August 2026
  • Thursday 10th September 2026
  • Thursday 8th October 2026
  • Thursday 12th November 2026
  • Thursday 10th December 2026

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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Categories
minutes

May 2026 Meeting & April Updates

Thank you to everyone who was involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are appreciated. If you prefer, you can read them as a PDF.

At a time when fundamental rights are under threat across the globe, join Amnesty International, get involved with our local Amnesty Group and play your part in helping to promote and defend vital human rights across the world.

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

This update includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming May 2026 meeting;
  • Updates on recent and planned events and actions;
  • A summary of AIUK's latest Local Group updates;
  • The minutes from our local Group's April meeting; and
  • A note of all our monthly meeting dates for 2026.

May 2026 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 14th April, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The Glasgow West Amnesty Group's next meeting will take place on Thursday 14th May 2026 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

Anyone curious about Amnesty International is most welcome to just turn up and join our meetings. We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

  • A brief review of our recent activities;
  • Discussion and planning on upcoming future events/actions; and
  • Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Join our Meetings online

Anyone unable / unavailable to physically come along, is welcome to join our monthly meetings online via this link.

(It will be the same link for all subsequent meetings).

North Glasgow Against Racism Event

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Photo credit - Amnesty Glasgow West

In April, members of our local Amnesty Group participated in the North Glasgow Against Racism march and also hosted a stall at the subsequent event held in Maryhill Burgh Halls. There was a huge turnout, with live bands, food and a variety of stallholders. Our Amnesty stall attracted interest from and discussions with a wide range of attendees.

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Photo credit - Amnesty Glasgow West

Community Film Screening: Everybody to Kenmure Street

Sunday 17th May 2026, 4PM

Maryhill Against Racism, in partnership with Maryhill Burgh Halls, are hosting a community screening of the film ‘Everybody to Kenmure Street' (12a).

The film portrays the spontaneous act of civil resistance that sprang up as the multicultural community in Glasgow's Southside came together on a mission to stop their neighbours' deportation. The eight hour stand-off that ensued demonstrated the power of peaceful solidarity. The film won the Special Jury Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The screening takes place on Sunday 17th May at 4pm Further information via this link.

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Glasgow Southside March Against Racism

Sunday 18th April 2026, 1200

Another march against racism and to demonstrate unity is taking place on Sunday 19th April, assembling at 12noon in Newlands Park. Members of our Group are planning to attend.

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Scottish Parliamentary Election 2026

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Activists from across Amnesty's Scottish Groups campaigned during the run-up to the Scottish Parliamentary Election to promote a Human Rights Bill for Scotland. With support from AIUK and AI Scotland staff, volunteers undertook training sessions, held hustings and canvassed those standing in order to promote a Human Rights Bill as a key priority for the next Scottish Government's Programme for Government.

The human rights manifesto published by Amnesty International set out our calls for the next Scottish government to create a fairer, more equal Scotland.

Additional information and resources relating to the human rights manifesto can also be accessed via the above link.

Keep Palantir out of Scotland's NHS

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``No company that profits from widespread human rights violations should have a place in our NHS.'' — Neil Cowan, Scotland Programme Director, Amnesty International UK

Amnesty International has urged Scottish party leaders to commit to opposing any future NHS Scotland contract with Palantir – the U.S software company profiting from human rights violations, including the genocide in Gaza.

Palantir's tools are currently used by the Israeli military as they commit genocide against Palestinians in occupied Gaza. The company also supplies ICE with tools that are used to track and surveil migrants in the US.

In recent years, Palantir has been expanding into the UK. In 2023 NHS England awarded a £330 million contract to provide a new data platform.

In a letter to all Scottish party leaders, Amnesty's Scotland Programme Director Neil Cowan said voters deserve to know whether politicians will act to keep Palantir out of Scotland's NHS before casting their votes in the Scottish Parliament election.

Further details on this link. Note that Amnesty UK is also running a Palantir campaign, as detailed in the Palantir Campaign Update section.

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Amnesty UK Local Updates

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

Demand Justice For Unecebo Mboteni

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Demand justice for Unecebo Mboteni

The 19 of April 2026 marks two years since the tragic death of three-year old Unecebo Mboteni's from falling into a pit toilet in his pre-school. Many of you joined the call to demand justice for this unjust and preventable death by writing solidarity messages to his family in their time of need and sending appeals to the institutions that failed Unecebo and have neglected other nursery children from experiencing the simple joys of pre-school and safe sanitation. To use Unecebo's father Loyiso words ``My son died in a death trap set up for poor people … his death will not be in vain''.

With this in mind, we are asking you to do any of the following actions:

Continue to write messages of solidarity to Loyiso and Andwisa to Nandi Luneta (AIUK South Africa, Lesotho & Eswatini Country Coordinator) since the 2025 Write for Rights page is now closed. Nandi will send these on to local campaigners who will be meeting Unecebo's family soon.

For educators to use the Safety and dignity in education toolkit to enable young people to take action for justice by writing to the Minister of Basic Education.

Take Action Now

A Million Acts of Hope

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JOIN US IN A MILLION ACTS OF HOPE: 13 to 20 May 2026

Amnesty International UK is joining hundreds of other charities and organisations around the UK to take part in `A Million Acts of Hope', a week of action from 13 to 20 May.

At a time when division may feel loud, A Million Acts of Hope is all about doing small or big acts of kindness to bring people and communities together.

Whether big or small, every act of kindness counts. Some ideas could be:

  • Putting up an Amnesty postcard in your window
  • Giving out messages of kindness in your community
  • Donating food – or running a neighbourhood collection for your local food bank
  • Joining local community events (e.g. at places of worship, community centres) if they are taking place
  • Hosting a local community meal
  • Taking part in an Amnesty campaign or action – either by yourself or with an Amnesty group or network
  • Visiting an Amnesty bookshop

If you are doing planning to do something – or have any questions - please get in touch!

Email us on millionacts@amnesty.org.uk ** to tell us what you're doing (and share pictures or info when you do it)

For more information, visit the `A Million Acts of Hope' website.

Thank you! 🙏

Get involved!

Palantir Campaign Update

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Thanks to everyone who joined our webinar on Tuesday 28 April to hear about the No Palantir campaign. It was fantastic to see so many local group activists interested in joining or launching a local campaign, to lobby NHS Trusts and ICBs to say no to Palantir. If you missed it, you can watch the recording.

Excitingly, the campaign is gaining momentum, and the Government are definitely feeling the pressure.

On 16 April, a Parliamentary debate saw MPs from all sides criticise Palantir, with almost half referencing Palantir's links to human rights abuses. This is a win, but we need to keep up the pressure to make sure the Government is pushed to terminate the contract!

On Saturday 18 April, at the Midlands Regional Gathering, the brilliant Leicester-based activists from Health Workers for a Free Palestine led a workshop on their local campaign and how to get involved. We then held a protest to draw attention to the University Hospitals of Leicester Trust's lack of response to local activists calling for the Trust to say no to Palantir's FDP, as Greater Manchester ICB did last year.

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Over 1,000 new activists have now signed up to join the campaign through our webpage, and 25 local groups have committed to joining or creating a local campaign. If you're a local group planning to campaign against Palantir locally, please make sure you've designated a campaign lead and communicated this to me via email.

Further events:

Reach out to me with any questions about how to get involved, and see more detailed info on how to get started in this downloadable campaign pack.

A big thanks to all the groups, Networks, and individuals who have committed to joining this campaign so far! 🙏

In solidarity, Amika – Community Organiser, Local Activism

Downloadable Campaign Pack

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April 2026 Updates

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 9th April 2026

Minutes

Link to April meeting email here

  1. Welcome and apologies
    1. Attendance: Clara, Kirstie, Claire, Debra, Ken, Carol, Paolo, Andrew, Luca, Lauren, Adah, Mark
    2. Guest speaker - Ashraf from AIUK
    3. Apologies: Mhairi, Fatma, Merle, Pam
  2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link
  3. Team Updates (list of roles here):
    1. Treasurer
      1. postage from letters: / (no letters last meeting)
      2. other expenditure: Meal - total £798.98 (Kirstie has breakdown)
      3. donations: £40 extra , £548 card, £591 cash, £34 tins
        1. £400 donation from our Group to the Ele Elan Elak organisation - Kirstie donating through website/bank transfer
    2. Social Media & website (Lauren): Our Twitter account is now closed 🙂
      • New Community Platform - thanks to Lauren and Rob for setting up our page on the platform & doing the training
    3. Regional/Country focus (Clara): Uighurs Solidarity Month - 19.04.26 webinar; Clara will share the link
    4. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk (Mhairi) - Mhairi has been in touch with the Los Angeles group about Eren Keskin but not yet heard back.
    5. Not currently active: Theme Focus US Death Penalty
  4. Updates from local groups (Daytime / Glasgow Uni / AIUK)
    1. Happy news for Daytime Group - c.8 members attending the most recent meeting in their new venue of Partick Library, including a number of new members
  5. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo) / Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat

    1. “Persuasive Conversation Activation Session” - Ashraf & Mike from AIUK will do a training session followed by canvassing session on Sunday 19.04.26, 10am-3.30pm - 90 minutes training, and 2x 90 minute door-knocking sessions with a break for lunch. Are people available/interested? More info: https://6AQ2Ay.short.gy/67orxR

      1. People interested, but not very available! Other dates: Saturday 18 April, Sunday 19 April, Saturday 25 April, Sunday 26 April - Claire to ask Mike for availability - 26th - Carol, Claire, ?Ken

      Guest Speaker: Ashraf

      Q: Why do the training/canvassing?

      • Goal 1: we learn as individuals
      • Goal 2: recruitment drive for AIUK
      • Goal 3: wider issue how we campaign during elections

      Q: How to deal with political aspect as a non-political org

      • Say that we are not party political. We are encouraging voters to support HR Bill ; when people are voting, pls support HRs ; we encourage people to contact their MSP candidates re HR Bill
      • Pushback: Can we say what parties' responses have been e.g. SNP and Greens say they want to re-introduce the HR Bill?
      • Yes, we could do this - stating factual info and asking people to contact candidates themselves
      • Suggestion: AI Scotland staff need to lobby civil servants, politicians and their key political advisors to ensure that the proposed HR Bill is prioritised in the political Party negotiations that will commence immediately following the election regarding the priorities (and resource allocation) that will feature in the new Scottish Government's Programme for Government.
      • Encourage all to join the recurring training sessions - link here: https://calendly.com/events-amnesty
      • @Lauren to share on SM
    2. Tuesday 13.04.26, 3pm: meeting with Neil Cowan, AI Scotland Office Lead, re. Human Rights Manifesto. Contact Paolo for joining link
  6. Urgent Appeals - Merle # of letters written during meeting: [ ] Tally for the year: [ ]
  7. Reflections on the Community Meal (22.03.26)
    1. Fantastic teamwork as always, esp flexibility on the day to take on roles/pick up where needed
    2. Lots of non-AIUK folk, but most within the activist bubble
    3. Chefs were amazing, food was fantastic - “best falafel ever tased” “best sticky toffee pudding” “brilliant lentil soup”
      1. Urn took ages - needs to be put on fast
    4. Timing (Sunday, 11-3) - perfect; some people showed up late; finished around 2.30
    5. £ to Amnesty local group plus external org; clear line between funding pots
    6. Card reader great, as always!
    7. Guest speakers
      1. ?Too many speakers and too long
      2. Challenges to get people to commit / clear briefing beforehand on purpose of the speakers; call to action for speakers is important and setting clear time limits on each speaker
      3. Mic quality wasn't good ; prepare speakers so they speak v clearly
    8. Stalls: more stalls would be good; shops
    9. Raffle prizes
      1. Photos were sent to Jangling Spaces of the raffle prizes they donated. They were v pleased and said they'd happily donate prizes for future events
      2. Lauren, SM post to thank everyone & tag orgs - done
      3. For future events, we need to allow more time to get raffle prizes
    10. Invitations / publicity
      1. Need to remember to invite politicians - Councillors / MSPs / MPs - & journalists
      2. Missed the 3-week deadline to get AIUK to send to local members from their contact list - look at Glasgow postcodes that they use, as they do not seem to cover wider members who might attend a Glasgow event
    11. Let's get a stand up banner (?Perth group has template maybe); c£40
    12. It was helpful for the event to focus on a specific subject, not just a general AIUK meal
    13. Venue was very expensive. Could try Pyramid at Anderston (in the summer, no heating!)

  8. North Glasgow Against Racism event - Sunday 12.04.26 - who can come - march & stall

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    11.30am: Maryhill Burgh Halls open for stalls set up.

    • 11am - Claire and Andrew for stall
    • 11.30-12pm- Paolo, Clara, Claire
    • 1.30pm - Carole
    • Clara - can take stuff at the end in car
    • Petition: make letter to the new First Minister - Paolo to write, Luca to print, Paolo to pick up
    • Claire to print off the Glasgow poster re contact MSP
    • Prevent petition - Claire to bring laptop

    12pm: Marchers meet at the entrance to Maryhill Park on Maryhill Road. → Tesco Extra, loop around the back of the store and finish at Maryhill Burgh Halls

    1.30pm Marchers arrive at Maryhill Burgh Halls Greeted by SheBoom; bands. Food available; Stalls

    2.00pm-3.40pm: Speeches, music, stalls, food!

    @Lauren - pls share on SM.

    No cost, but have asked for a donation to Maryhill Against Racism

    • Agreed £50 donation - & share on SM

  9. Stand Up to Racism Unity March - 19.04.26

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    • Starting from Newlands Park, G43 2RN at 12pm
    • End Kenmure Street
    • Free to attend, any donations greatly appreciated
  10. 2026 Plan for the year ahead - Glasgow West 2026 Planner.docx
    1. Anyone attending Amplify Summit and AGM - 27/28 June 2026, Brighton
  11. Discussion/brainstorm:
    1. How can we get new active members?
    2. How can we keep active members?
    3. Any suggestions for the current/new role-holders on how to conduct their role?
  12. Community mapping - anyone interested?

  13. AOB

    Potential Speakers for 2026:

    • [Refugee Action - potentially joint event with Daytime group - awaiting update from Graham in Daytime Group]
    • Clara: journalist from Somalia - Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation
    • Paulo: law professor re. UK supreme court ruling that affects trans rights.
    • AIUK Equality Network speaker - Ailig to look into - how to have conversations w family and friends

    • Ebba: Palestinian researcher:

      https://sgsahblog.com/2025/01/27/activist-ethnography-in-palestine/

    • Refugees at Home - have contacted us to ask if we'd like a speaker
    • [Amicus: after find out about Death Penalty network - admin@amicus-alj.org - Allan]
  14. Next meeting - Thurs 14th May 2026

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2026 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 8th January 2026
  • Thursday 12th February 2026
  • Thursday 12th March 2026
  • Thursday 9th April 2026
  • Thursday 14th May 2026
  • Thursday 11th June 2026
  • Thursday 9th July 2026
  • Thursday 13th August 2026
  • Thursday 10th September 2026
  • Thursday 8th October 2026
  • Thursday 12th November 2026
  • Thursday 10th December 2026

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

candle.png

Categories
minutes

April 2026 Meeting & March Updates

Thank you to all involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are appreciated. If you prefer, you can read these updates as a PDF.

At a time when fundamental rights are under threat across the globe, join Amnesty International, get involved with our local Amnesty Group and play your part in helping to promote and defend vital human rights across the world.

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

This email includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming April 2026 meeting;
  • Updates on recent and planned events and actions;
  • A summary of AIUK's latest Local Group updates;
  • The minutes from our local Group's March meeting; and
  • A note of all our monthly meeting dates for 2026.

April 2026 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The Glasgow West Amnesty Group's next meeting will take place on Thursday 9th April 2026 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

Anyone curious about Amnesty International is most welcome to just turn up and join our meetings. We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

  • A brief review of our recent Community Meal for Palestine event;
  • Discussion and planning on upcoming future events/actions; and
  • Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Join our Meetings online

Anyone unable / unavailable to physically come along, is welcome to join our monthly meetings online via this link.

(It will be the same link for all subsequent meetings).

Scottish Parliamentary Elections – Keeping Human Rights to the Fore

As the country heads towards the Scottish Parliamentary Elections on 7th May, Amnesty International is seeking to ensure that candidates and parties understand and promote the importance of human rights in their policies. As part of this, Amnesty Scotland has worked with a range of other civil society organisations to develop a Human Rights Manifesto for Scotland.

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People in Scotland want to see a fair and just society, where nobody has to struggle for essentials like housing, food, healthcare, and a safety net for life's uncertainties.

That's why Amnesty is calling on candidates in the Scottish Election to support its call for a new Human Rights Bill that would help protect the rights that everyone needs for a decent standard of living.

Click this link for further information and to email your local candidates and urge them to support a Human Rights Bill in the next Scottish Parliament.

Amnesty International Urges Police Scotland to Drop Facial Recognition

Amnesty International has demanded that Police Scotland abandon plans to explore the use of live facial recognition technology on Scotland's streets, describing the technology as ‘incompatible with Scotland's human rights obligations.

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Amnesty warned that implementing facial recognition technology would represent a historic shift in the relationship between the police and the public.

For further information, click on this link.

Glasgow Amnesty's Community Meal for Palestine

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Volunteers from across the three Glasgow Amnesty Groups, together with Ashraf from AIUK, at the Community Meal for Palestine event (Photo credit – Amnesty Glasgow West Group)

Posters from the Gaza Faces campaign provided the poignant backdrop to a recent community event organised by the Glasgow West Amnesty Group.

The focus of the event was on bringing local people together for a community meal, raising awareness of the immense ongoing challenges within Palestine, whilst also raising funds for a voluntary organisation that provides a range of practical support for Palestinians.

Over sixty people attended the event held in Woodside Halls, Glasgow on Sunday 22nd March.

A wide range of contributors spoke of the ongoing crisis and egregious human rights abuses that continue to take place within Palestine, despite the supposed ceasefire.

Speakers included representatives of Hadeel, a Fairtrade shop based in Edinburgh which exclusively sells Palestinian goods; Palcafe; a community-owned charity based in Glasgow, which aims to tackle poverty, promote education and support ethical trade in Palestine; Ashraf from AIUK; Emma from Amnesty's Student Action Network; and Deline Abushaban, a Palestinian author, based in Glasgow who recited poems she had written conveying her feelings on the loss of close family relatives and the wider injustices visited upon the Palestinian people. The event was MC'd by Paolo from the Amnesty Glasgow West Group, who developed the idea for the event and whose energy and enthusiasm helped drive it to successful fruition.

The meal included traditional Palestinian food, as well as dishes from other regions. Raffle prizes and some of the foodstuffs were donated by local businesses and Amnesty supporters. This included stunning stained glass panels donated by Glasgow's Jangling Space artists' co-operative.

The event raised £400 for Ele Elna Elak, a volunteer-driven initiative dedicated to supporting Palestinian families in need.

We are grateful to everyone who made the event such an outstanding success, including each of the speakers, the chefs, those buying tickets or making donations and the volunteers from across the three Amnesty local Groups.

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A drawing produced by Kelvin, one of the young people attending the Community Meal for Palestine event (Photo credit – Amnesty Glasgow West Group)

North Glasgow Against Racism

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Our local Amnesty Group is hoping to both take part in the march, as well as hosting a stall, at the North Glasgow Against Racism event on Sunday 12th April.

Amnesty UK Local Updates

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

You can read more on our local LGU archive.

Scotland 2026: Campaigning for Human Rights

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Our Scotland team has produced a toolkit setting out what Amnesty activists can do to promote and campaign for human rights in the run up to the Scottish parliamentary election on 7 May 2026.

The toolkit includes practical guidance on engaging with candidates and local media in your constituency or region with the aim of demonstrating local support for human rights and securing commitments to advancing Amnesty's policy asks in the next parliament.

If you have any questions about its contents, please don't hesitate to get in touch by emailing scotland@amnesty.org.uk

Get the Toolkit here

Together Alliance March Against The Far Right

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On Saturday 28 March hundreds of Amnesty members across the country took part in the Together Alliance march in London.

The march was a loud and proud celebration of love, unity, and togetherness in response to rising division, and with an estimated half a million joining, was the largest anti-racist demonstration in UK history. The Amnesty bloc was at least 400 strong, with many local groups standing alongside members from our anti-racism, feminist, trade union, queer rights, and disabled people human rights networks. \emoji{raised-fist-medium-skin-tone}

Together we sent a powerful message that when human rights are under attack, Amnesty activists will be there to fight back.

Thank you so much to everyone who marched, let's keep up this momentum to support everyone inspired by Saturday to turn that fire and hope into sustained organising for human rights in their communities.

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Right To Repair & `Drained'

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Revise the Current 'Right to Repair' regulations

We demand that the UK Government revise the current ‘right to repair' regulations to include smartphones, cordless phones, tablets, and laptops.

Right to repair regulations make it law that when you buy certain products, you have a right to repair them when they break - but it does not include smartphones, tablets or laptops. This means that people are trapped in a constant cycle of replacing these pieces of tech.

This is bad for the environment, bad for your pocket, and only good for the profit of huge companies.

Sign the Petition

Drained: Exposing the Hidden Cost of Technology

The AIUK Anti-Racism Network recently hosted a webinar on 12 March, introducing their Drained campaign and shining a light on how big tech's extractionist practices fuel global injustice.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the discussion.

You can catch the full recording on YouTube

Access the full Recording

Sudan – Individual Giving

Help women and girls in sudan fight back

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Sudan is facing a catastrophic humanitarian collapse. As rival factions fight, civilians are being shot and tortured, and women and girls are suffering the most. Please help stop sexual violence being used as a weapon of war.

Every day in Sudan, as women and girls are used by armed fighters as weapons of war, Amnesty International researchers are interviewing survivors who speak out because they desperately want their stories to be told on the world stage to enable justice.

Amnesty International is helping them fight back and you could help too. Donations could help fund evidence gathering and investigations in Sudan and other countries around the world where human rights are being violated. With your support, women in Sudan that share their experiences with our investigators can feel some hope that the justice and accountability they seek will be served. Please give what you can today.

GIVE TODAY

Learning at Amnesty UK

This month the Human Right's Education team is highlighting one new course and two trainings opportunities!

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Check out our new activist education pages with links to a wide range of self-paced learning courses and training: Activist Education.

This month ahead of the local and Scottish elections you might be interested in exploring the course on "An Introduction to Human Rights Advocacy" which will introduce you to the essential principles of advocacy and explore practical skills to make your efforts effective: Defending Human Rights

In Solidarity the Human Rights Education Team!

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March 2026 Updates

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 12th March 2026

Minutes

Link to February meeting email here

  1. Welcome and apologies
    1. Attendance: Clara (Chair), Carol, Ken, Pam, Merle, Andrew, Kirstie, Christine & Luca.
    2. Apologies: Claire, Neil, Lauren, Paolo, Mhairi
  2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link
  3. Team Updates (list of roles here):
    1. Treasurer
      1. postage from letters:
      2. other expenditure: AI affiliation fees - £336 pa
      3. donations: £425 raised from raffle and collection tins at Comedy Fundraiser. £1,688 raised via ticket sales which went directly to AIUK Charitable Trust.
      4. current balance: £1,495
      5. The Stand Fundraiser
    2. Social Media & website (Lauren): Coming off Twitter: post on the Group's Twitter that we will no longer use Twitter / X and will include in that message links to our alternative social media accounts - done? (Lauren not at the meeting to provide SM update)
      • New Community Platform - any update?
    3. Regional/Country focus (Clara)
    4. Local Political Outreach (Paolo)

    5. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk (Mhairi)

      Not currently active: Theme Focus US Death Penalty

  4. Updates from local groups (Daytime / Glasgow Uni)

    Carol updated that Daytime Group would now meet in Partick library, 305 Dumbarton Rd on the third Thursday of each month at 2pm.

  5. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo) / Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat
    1. Updates from Tuesday 17.02.26 meeting with liaisons from all AIUK groups in Scotland & Ashraf?

    2. Do we want to organise “Persuasive Conversation Activation Session” ahead of the election? Ashraf can come and help train and coordinate the sessions. More info: https://6AQ2Ay.short.gy/67orxR

      Clara also updated on the issue of community organising / storytelling in collaboration with other via the AIUK training programme. Likewise, Carol highlighted the description by Josh of AIUK of the Montgomery, Alabama, being a highly organised boycott, with the economic impact causing bus companies and other authorities to change policy.

    3. Encourage all to join the recurring training sessions - link here: https://calendly.com/events-amnesty

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  6. Amnesty Scotland Hustings - As part of the Human Rights Consortium Scotland. Event takes place on 1st April at 7pm - 8.15pm. Online event. Register via link below.

    Eventbrite Link

  7. Urgent Appeals - Merle # of letters written during meeting: [ ] Tally for the year: [ ]

    Ongoing issues with Urgent Actions due to AI website changes. Currently digital UAs available from UK website and International website; US website includes some downloadable UAs.

  8. Meal! Community Meal Sunday 22.03.26
    1. Huge thanks to Ken & Luca for emailing hundreds of orgs! Local organisations / stakeholders) (Including Jangling Space, who donated artwork for our raffle)
    2. Get & print Action from Amnesty -
    3. Get / check: tablecloths, power outlet; extension cables, water containers, urns for coffee, takeaway boxes for leftover food, cloth for wiping table; dishcloths for drying, bin bags, scissors, mic & sound system, Vegware crockery/cutlery/cups
    4. Buy more raffle tickets books & gather raffle ticket prizes - Kirstie
    5. Take from the our stock: donation tins, card reader, generic Amnesty flyers, badges, stickers, archive materials, media consent poster/raffle poster - Andrew
    6. Musicians? Check: if venue has PRS licence for playing music - Paolo
    7. Time: 10am set-up, 11.30am-12.30pm Speakers; Lunch 12.30pm-2pm; Mingle 2pm-3pm - need to confirm programme & include on posters
    8. - Actions: we'll only have the Palestine Action petition that is on the Amnesty website to not overwhelm folks. Link to be shared in the chat so Merle can create a QR code to it
    9. - We agreed that the proceeds from ticket sales would go back to the group to cover the event's expenses. The proceeds from the raffle and donations would go to Ele Elna Elak, as we've advertised the event as a fundraiser
    10. - @Lauren Turriani : could you please boost the event on Facebook to get more ticket sales?
    11. Rota needed for us to check toilets every hour - Claire to draw up rota
    12. Roles:
      1. 6 “stewards” needed - Mhairi, Clara, Andrew, Lucile, Emma, others tbc
      2. Volunteers to wear Amnesty t-shirts, if possible
      3. Entrance Desk - collect payments/donations; make people aware of food re. allergies / vegan etc
      4. Sell raffle tickets (suggest at a second entrance desk
      5. 10 am at venue to set up: Paolo, Clara, Carole, Christine, Claire, Andrew
      6. Claire / Christine / Kirstie to be at the door to welcome guests, take payment, ask for dietary restrictions. Kirstie to keep track of how much should go recoup expenses and how much should go to Ele Ena Elak.
      7. Paolo to act as MC at the event
      8. Prizes so far: champagne, Palestinian olive oil, stained glass. Please bring a little something for the raffle, if you can
  9. Apple Demo April 1st - unlikely to be a priority for us
  10. 2026 Plan for the year ahead - Glasgow West 2026 Planner.docx
  11. Discussion/brainstorm:
    1. How can we get new active members?
    2. How can we keep active members?
    3. Any suggestions for the current/new role-holders on how to conduct their role?
  12. Community mapping - anyone interested?

  13. AOB

    AIUK Local Group Updates

    Next meeting - Thurs 9th April 2026

    Future Meeting

    • Suggestion: MSP candidate hustings (April 1st = candidate announcement deadline)

    Potential Speakers for 2026:

    • [Refugee Action - potentially joint event with Daytime group - awaiting update from Graham in Daytime Group]
    • Clara: journalist from Somalia - Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation
    • Paulo: law professor re. UK supreme court ruling that affects trans rights.
    • AIUK Equality Network speaker - Ailig to look into - how to have conversations w family and friends

    • Ebba: Palestinian researcher:

      https://sgsahblog.com/2025/01/27/activist-ethnography-in-palestine/

    • Refugees at Home - have contacted us to ask if we'd like a speaker
    • [Amicus: after find out about Death Penalty network - admin@amicus-alj.org - Allan]

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2026 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 8th January 2026
  • Thursday 12th February 2026
  • Thursday 12th March 2026
  • Thursday 9th April 2026
  • Thursday 14th May 2026
  • Thursday 11th June 2026
  • Thursday 9th July 2026
  • Thursday 13th August 2026
  • Thursday 10th September 2026
  • Thursday 8th October 2026
  • Thursday 12th November 2026
  • Thursday 10th December 2026

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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Categories
minutes

March 2026 Meeting & February Updates

Thank you to all involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are appreciated. If you prefer, you can read these updates as a PDF.

At a time when fundamental rights are under threat across the globe, join Amnesty International, get involved with our local Amnesty Group and play your part in helping to promote and defend vital human rights across the world.

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

This update includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming March 2026 meeting;
  • An article published in the latest Amnesty UK magazine on fifty years of Amnesty in Glasgow;
  • Updates from AIUK's latest Local Group updates;
  • The minutes from our local Group's February meeting; and
  • A note of all our monthly meeting dates for 2026.

March 2026 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 12th March, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The Glasgow West Amnesty Group's next meeting will take place on Thursday 12th March 2026 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

Anyone curious about Amnesty International is most welcome to just turn up and join our meetings. We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

  • Planning for our Group's next major event – a Community Meal to raise funds for and awareness of the ongoing plight of Palestinians;
  • A brief review of our recent Comedy Fundraiser event; and
  • Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Join our Meetings Online

Anyone unable / unavailable to physically come along, is welcome to join our monthly meetings online via this Teams link.

(It will be the same link for all subsequent meetings).

A Community Meal for Palestine

Our Group is organising a local community meal on Sunday 22nd March to raise awareness of the ongoing issues affecting Palestine and to raise funds for Ele Elna Elnak, an organisation that is helping provide essential aid in Gaza.

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The event will take place in Woodside Halls, in the North of Glasgow. It will include displays, speakers on Palestine, food and an opportunity to hear more about the current situation and how we can help.

Join us to enjoy tasty vegetarian food, meet like-minded people in a safe, welcoming environment, hear from interesting international speakers, and help raise money for human rights.

This event is for anyone interested in learning more about human rights, particularly in Palestine, and Amnesty Scotland's campaign on a Human Rights manifesto.

Please arrive by 11.15 to enter our raffle!

Everyone's welcome – let's eat, learn, and fundraise together!

This is an inclusive event for all. We particularly welcome our LGBTQIA+ friends and people with experience of forced migration.

For further information on the event including details of venue, times, speakers, etc please click on this link. That page also includes the Eventbrite link where you can register to attend. The community meal is a ‘pay what you can on the day' event.

Fifty Years of Amnesty in Glasgow

The spring edition of the Amnesty Magazine includes a piece covering fifty years of Amnesty International in Glasgow, reproduced here with permission.

‘Glasgow’s first local Amnesty group, Glasgow West, was started in 1975 by members of St Mary’s Episcopalian Cathedral, where meetings were held for many years,’ says Christine Alison, who joined the group in 1983. ‘I was just out of university when I stopped at an Amnesty stall and learned about the campaign against torture. I was horrified and felt so naïve about the world. The start of my Amnesty career was stuffing envelopes with Urgent Action appeals and posting them to volunteers. ‘Across the city several other groups grew: Glasgow City, Glasgow Central, South Side, East End, Milngavie and Bearsden and Paisley. Today there are three: Glasgow West, Glasgow University and Glasgow Daytime. At the time Amnesty’s main objective was securing the release of prisoners of conscience (POCs) – to receive letters or visits from them reaffirmed the importance of our work.

‘An important strand to our work was – and is – fundraising. Immense book sales, pub quizzes and ceilidhs, dancing til all hours. Our comedy night has taken place annually for over 20 years. ‘Two particularly impressive campaigns stand out. In 1990, when Glasgow was European Capital of Culture, we worked for the release of Malawian poet Jack Mapanje, South Korean artist Hong Song-dam and Vietnamese poet Nguyen Chi Thien, all eventually released. In 1995, the Freedom Festival launched with a spectacular gala concert followed by over 100 events in the city linked to freedom.

‘I value the sense of personal solidarity. To hear POCs speak so full of forgiveness and with great dignity inspires me. I remember the news of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, and the day after throwing red roses into the River Clyde in memory of those who died. Fifty years holds a lot of stories.’ To celebrate the 50th anniversary, the Deputy Lord Provost of Glasgow City Council hosted a civic reception on 28 October 2025, with speeches and an archive display, followed by a tree- planting ceremony on 21 November.

Says Andrew McGuire, who helped compile the display: ‘The archive material is a testament to the countless hours of work the volunteers have put in. One letter from Peruvian teacher and trade unionist Elmer Vasquez particularly hit home. He’d been arbitrarily detained, accused of treason, tortured and sentenced to life imprisonment. He spoke of the “joy and comfort” he’d felt on realising people cared about the injustice. ‘Glasgow City Council has also played its part, with joint events and hosting former POCs. The anniversary has provided pause for reflection on all that still needs to be done. All around the world, including on our own doorstep, new human rights challenges arise. We cannot be complacent.’

Another Successful Comedy Fundraiser for Amnesty International

Our local Group's annual Comedy night fundraiser took place at The Stand Comedy Club, Glasgow's on 19th February 2026, raising over £2,100 for Amnesty.

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A star-studded line-up was hosted by Gareth Mutch (photo: centre right), who was accompanied by Rosco McClelland (top left), Ifrah Qureshi (top right), Karen Dunbar (bottom left) and headliner Fred MacAulay (bottom right). Photo credit: Paolo Grifa.

Each of the performers generously gave their input free of charge, as did the Stand management who provided the venue and organisation for the event.

£1,688 was raised from ticket sales, which went directly to Amnesty UK's Charitable Trust. A further £425 was raised through the raffle and collection tin donations. This will be used by the local Glasgow West Amnesty group for our local campaigning and running expenses.

We would like to thank the staff at The Stand, the performers and everyone that bought a ticket to make it such a successful and fun-filled evening.

Amnesty UK Local Updates

Below is a selection of some of the issues featured in the latest monthly update for Local Groups from Amnesty UK. The full updates can be read on our local archive.

Palantir - Get Involved!

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No Palantir in the NHS campaign

You might have seen Palantir - a US Artificial Intelligence company co-founded by controversial Trump donor Peter Thiel - in the news recently. 

Last year, Amnesty published this briefing naming 15 corporations actively enabling Israel's genocide, unlawful occupation, and other crimes under international law. It called for immediate divestment from these companies, and for civil society and activists globally to campaign for their government to do so.

Palantir was one of them, as in January 2024, the company signed a deal with the Israeli Occupation Forces to supply additional tools and increase its “advanced technology provision” and warfare tools to Israel, facilitating the ongoing genocide in Gaza.  

Palantir is also entrenched in Trump's US Government, supplying products and services for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to enable the tracking and surveillance of those being targeted for unlawful deportations and detentions.

In November 2023, NHS England signed a £330 million contract with Palantir to run the Federated Data Platform (FDP).

We object to Palantir's military and surveillance technology, currently used to commit genocide in Gaza, being used to handle NHS data.

So – on 19 March, Amnesty UK are launching a new campaign demanding that this contract is terminated.

As the success of the FDP depends on local adoption, with enough dissent and resistance from Trusts, we can pressure NHS England to cancel the contract altogether – but this can only be done by building strong local campaigns and power in communities.

Amnesty's local groups will be crucial in this campaign, so please get involved! If you or your group are interested, please reach out to me directly Amika George to set up a chat or if you have any questions or express your interest in getting involved in the campaign.

In solidarity, Amika – Community Organiser, Local Activism

Expression of Interest Form

Individual Giving - Help Women And Girls In Sudan Fight Back

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Sudan is facing a catastrophic humanitarian collapse. As rival factions fight, civilians are being shot and tortured, and women and girls are suffering the most. Please help stop sexual violence being used as a weapon of war.

Every day in Sudan, as women and girls are used by armed fighters as weapons of war, Amnesty International researchers are interviewing survivors who speak out because they desperately want their stories to be told on the world stage to enable justice.

Amnesty International is helping them fight back and you could help too. Donations could help fund evidence gathering and investigations in Sudan and other countries around the world where human rights are being violated. With your support, women in Sudan that share their experiences with our investigators can feel some hope that the justice and accountability they seek will be served. Please give what you can today.

GIVE TODAY

Political Organising Training

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Make human rights count. Join Amnesty UK's new Political Organising Training Programme

Across the UK, human rights are under attack. They are treated by many political leaders as optional, inconvenient, or too risky to defend, while anti rights movements grow more organised and confident. Amnesty UK's Political Organising Training Programme helps activists build the skills this moment demands.

Through practical online sessions, you will learn how to connect with your community, hold persuasive and non polarising conversations, grow a team of local leaders, and develop a strategy to make human rights count before, during and after elections.

This programme is for both new and experienced activists who want to act with purpose and confidence. Whether you want to prepare for the Scottish, Welsh, or local elections this May, strengthen your local Amnesty group or build a human rights campaign, these trainings will help you and your team make human rights count.

Sign up now for this FREE online training programme.

There are 8 modules in total, with multiple slots available for each. They work as a progression, so book each session in a chronological sequence, starting with 1. Amnesty UK & Politics 101.

Training content

The programme first covers four foundational skill sessions:

  • Amnesty UK & politics 101
  • Community Organising 101
  • Storytelling 101
  • Building relationships 101

This is followed by intermediate skills:

  • Persuasive Conversations 201
  • Recruit and retain Volunteers 201
  • and an optional Community fundraising 101

Skills are then applied through Action Sessions – door knocking and phone banking for elections.

Register here!

Join Our Thematic Networks

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Join Amnesty UK's specialist networks and projects focused on Trade Unions, gender rights, gender identity and sexuality, children's human rights, anti-racism, disabled people's human rights and the death penalty.

Our networks are activist led, bringing together experience and expertise from across the Amnesty movement to campaign for human rights change in their areas of focus.

Join Our Networks:

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February 2026 Minutes

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 12th February 2026

Minutes

Link to February meeting email here

  1. Welcome and apologies
    1. Attendance: Neil, Claire, Deborah, Clara, Andrew, Ken, Lucile, Emma, Ada, Paolo, Lauren, Mhairi, Merle
    2. Apologies: Kirstie, Carol, Pam
  2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link
  3. Team Updates (list of roles here):
    1. Treasurer
      1. postage from letters:
      2. other expenditure:
      3. donations:
      4. current balance: £1,494
        1. AIUK affiliation fee & church quarterly hire fee due soon
    2. Social Media & website (Lauren):
      • Thanks to Rob, our website has a new menu item called "campaigns". Paolo has created two pages, one about JCB and one for the Humans Rights manifesto. https://www.glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk/campaigns/humanrightsscotland/
      • Twitter/Bluesky discussion: raised again with recent news of Grok images etc, more organisations leaving; Claire asked in the Amnesty Scotland WA chat to see if other local groups have come off Twitter
        • Only 1 Edinburgh group responded - they came off ~2 years ago
        • E.g Clyde College just came off it with the line "X (formerly Twitter), in its current form and editorial approach, is no longer aligned with the college's values and we will no longer use it for communications"
          • Arguments for / against → vote
          • Clara: China & East Asia team are coming off Twitter, increasing Insta presence
          • Agreed: There was unanimous agreement across the Group to no longer use Twitter / X. Lauren will post on the Group's Twitter that we will no longer use Twitter / X and will include in that message links to our alternative social media accounts,
      • New Community Platform - looks great!
    3. Regional/Country focus:
      1. China & East Asia: International Secretariat published a Press Release on North Korea (corruption / human rights) - Reports of N. Koreans embracing any aspect of S. Korean culture are being targeted by the regime. Clara to share in the chat for minutes
      2. Uighurs Campaign in August , artistic campaign with 1 word - every day in August have 1 word on SM for people to learn. 21/08/26 - event
    4. Local Political Outreach
      • A HUMAN RIGHTS MANIFESTO - Scotland 2026 - Published by AI Scotland office will be ready for May 2026 elections! Will launch in February
        • Scotland office is developing a toolkit for local groups - wait till next meeting
        • & when new MSPs elected - we should go and speak with them / send letters / invite to our meeting
        • Hustings?
  4. Not currently active: Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk; Theme Focus US Death Penalty
  5. Updates from local groups (Daytime / Glasgow Uni)
    1. Daytime Group: From February onwards the Daytime Group will meet on the third Thursday of the month at 2pm in Partick Library, 305 Dumbarton Rd, Partick, Glasgow G11 6AB. Message from Graham, the Group's Chair - “Thank you for your support and help as we looked for a new venue.”

    2. Edinburgh Central AIUK group: “We are having an open discussion (with any amnesty supporters) Monday 16th at 6pm on UK human rights and what we can do to defend them.”

      Hybrid - f2f: The Crannie, 9 Cranston Street (near Waverley Station) or on Zoom.

  6. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo) / Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat
    1. Training programme for members on how to campaign better/tools for activism - 10 modules, v interactive - Paolo to share link in the Signal chat. Led by Ashraf, who will attend our next meeting.
    2. Urgent Actions - cut from new website. Lots of discussions around it - hopefully will be reinstated
    3. Tuesday 17.02.26 7pm: online meeting with liaisons from all AIUK groups in Scotland to catch up on current activities of each group. Ashraf will talk about Scottish elections and the political / activist training programme.
      1. Who can attend? Please contact Paolo for the link - maybe Andrew/Clara
    4. Claire attended “Group Planning Pack and Community Platform 2026” meeting: Group Planning Pack 2026 is here. Community Platform:
      1. Group webpages on the AIUK website will contain the "About" for each Group and the Community Platform is where Group will post, blog and share about recent or upcoming events
        1. Abi.odell@amnesty.co.uk is happy to help us to move our website onto the platform.
        2. Can also keep our own website https://www.glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk/
      2. Anyone who “follows” our group (on the platform) would be notified of any events we put on our webpage.
        1. Can also set “reminder” emails (like eventbrite)

      3. Hope is that we won't need to send out any emails from mail@ - would all be done through this platform.

        1. BUT that means everyone who has signed up to our mailing list would need to join the platform. “To continue to receive our updates, please join our platform”

        BUT some people on our mailing list are “passive” readers - likely won't sign up to the platform - so maybe we want to keep doing the emails for the time being. There could also be an option to reduce to, say, quarterly in the future.

        People don't have to be an AIUK member/UK-based to join the platform

  7. Reminder: midnight tonight (12.02.26) is the deadline for completing the Earned Settlement Government Consultation - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/earned-settlement
    1. Amnesty Guide: https://media.amnesty.org.uk/documents/Amnesty_International_UK_-_Guidance_Consultation_Response_-_A_Fairer_Pathway_t_7hsH4ns.pdf
  8. We sent in our JCB petition to Glasgow Council, but Gabriel from Dundee has made a new one - if anyone wants to send it in email form (good links in it) - it's here.
    1. Would anyone like to send this in / lead on being JCB-Council contact?
      1. Paolo can update the website with the new letter
  9. Actions/updates from previous meeting
    1. Re AI Scotland manifesto - Paolo - did Liz reply to our qs re. Is this the first in a series of launch events re. the manifesto / Should we as a group come / e.g. do a petition / & did you tell her we feel there should be more communication between us / Ashraf / Amnesty Scotland office
      1. Confirmed the initiative that Amnesty Scotland was involved in was led by another organisation
      2. Toolkit will be first step to work together
  10. Our Stand gig: Thurs 19 Feb 2026, doors 7pm show 8pm, duration 2hrs
    1. Benefit in aid of Amnesty International - The Stand Comedy Club
    2. NB new venue cap 200 cabaret style (or can increase to 250 theatre style)
    3. 18+, ticket price £13/11 ; as of 11.02, only 45 tickets sold!

    4. Who can come? Carol, Kirstie, Claire, Paolo, Lauren, Andrew

      Pre-event tasks:

      • Contact press: ??
      • Share on SM: Lauren
      • Take materials from the hall (AI banner, posters, badges, leaflets re. Manifesto ; group flyers), raffle proceeds poster, raffle books, collection tins:
      • Prizes /(e.g. candles / alcohol (champagne/whisky/wine/gin ‘ box of chocs; more basic gifts can be grouped into gift bags (e.g. bath sets)/*:* Neil, Andrew, Claire
      • 6.45pm arrive: Clara, Ken, Debra, Andrew, Lauren, Claire
      • Sell tickets: NB prices - £2 for 1 strip; £5 for 3 strips. (N.B. Do not detach individual tickets from strips!)
        • money collected: sellers to give funds raised from raffle to Kirstie
          • Mhairi, Lauren, Clara, Debra

      Photographs / Social Media:

      • Photo consent: Stand manager announces that photos are being taken (make sure he does/we do)
      • take photographs at the event for use in publicity: Paolo

      AI Input on the night - Lead: Ashraf. Tasks:

      • liaising with the host and asking them to lead the raffle
      • providing a brief overview of the work of AI during the interval
      • thanking The Stand, the performers and others giving freely of their time
      • liaising with the host on buying the performers a drink ( _ / (Treasurer) / /to reimburse cost)

      Follow-up:

      • Andrew to write a short article for the AIUK Local Groups Update on the Fundraiser and include photos. (Funds Raised - Once the final total raised for AIUK Charity is notified by The Stand, AIUK arranges re. invoice)
        • Line-up: Fred Macaulay headlining
        • Pay for ads to boost sales
  11. Review of 2025 & thanks to past & current role-holders.

  12. AGM (Team Roles)

    NB one of Amnesty's (and our group's) goals is to form new leaders in this field - please ask/step up if you'd like to be mentored/coached this year to be able to take on a role next year. You can be “apprentice” or “vice” this year. Remember you can then add this to your CV/ask for a reference!

    1. Chair / Vice-Chair (could include e.g. alternating Meeting Chairs) - Claire, Clara
    2. Secretary / Vice-Secretary - Andrew, Luca to assist (after May)
    3. Treasurer / Vice-Secretary - Kirstie
    4. Social Media Coordinator; Content Creator - Lauren
    5. Urgent Actions - Merle
    6. PoC (IAR) Lead - Mhairi
    7. Country/Region Lead
    8. Action Days / Events / Campaigns Coordinator
    9. Amnesty Group Liaison - Paolo
    10. Welfare and Diversity Coordinator - vacant
    11. Political Outreach Coordinator - vacant
    12. Community Outreach Coordinator - vacant
    13. Press Coordinator - vacant
  13. 2026 Plan for the year ahead - Glasgow West 2026 Planner.docx
  14. Discussion/brainstorm:
    1. How can we get new active members?
    2. How can we keep active members?
    3. Any suggestions for the current/new role-holders on how to conduct their role?
  15. Urgent Appeals - Merle # of letters written during meeting: [ ] Tally for the year: [ ]
  16. Meal! Review Community Meal Sunday 22.03.26 & sign up to roles
    1. Main qs:
      1. confirm target audience: people who are interested in human rights / Palestine
      2. volunteer to put on eventbrite - Claire
      3. volunteer to email contacts (v overachieving list here! Local organisations / stakeholders) - Luca, Ken
      4. Agree: Screen, mic, speakers - loan theirs ~£100
      5. Need: 5/6 “stewards” - Mhairi, Clara, Andrew, Lucile, Emma, others
      6. Time: 10am set up, 11.30am-12.30pm Speakers; Lunch 12.30pm-2pm; Mingle 2pm-3pm.
      7. Musicians - Paolo will look into
      8. Raffle: yes - We need to buy more tickets
      9. Action from Amnesty - Pip; JCB petition
  17. Claire can't attend next meeting - anyone to Chair? → Clara

  18. AOB

    • 27.02.26: deadline for AIUK AGM resolutions - does our group want to co-propose resolution on independent review into AIUK finances? - agreed YES, Clara to liaise with other groups
    • Did you know you can support Amnesty International UK by taking on a challenge event? From running, cycling, swimming to trekking, there's something for everyone, have a look and see if there's anything you fancy taking on in 2026!

    AIUK Local Group Updates (none received)

    Next meeting - Thurs 12th March 2026 - Guest Speaker Ashraf re. AIUK local group campaigning

    Future Meeting

    • Suggestion: MSP candidate hustings (April 1st = candidate announcement deadline)

    Potential Speakers for 2026:

    • [/Waiting/: Refugee Action - potentially with Daytime group]
    • Clara: journalist from Somalia - Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation
    • Paulo: law professor re. UK supreme court ruling that affects trans rights.
    • AIUK Equality Network speaker - Ailig to look into - how to have conversations w family and friends

    • Ebba: Palestinian researcher:

      https://sgsahblog.com/2025/01/27/activist-ethnography-in-palestine/

    • Refugees at Home - have contacted us to ask if we'd like a speaker
    • [Amicus: after find out about Death Penalty network - admin@amicus-alj.org - Allan]

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2026 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 8th January 2026
  • Thursday 12th February 2026
  • Thursday 12th March 2026
  • Thursday 9th April 2026
  • Thursday 14th May 2026
  • Thursday 11th June 2026
  • Thursday 9th July 2026
  • Thursday 13th August 2026
  • Thursday 10th September 2026
  • Thursday 8th October 2026
  • Thursday 12th November 2026
  • Thursday 10th December 2026

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

candle.png

Categories
minutes

February 2026 Meeting & January Updates

Thank you to all involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are appreciated. If you prefer, you can read these updates as a PDF.

At a time when fundamental rights are under threat across the globe, join Amnesty International, get involved with our local Amnesty Group and play your part in helping to promote and defend vital human rights across the world.

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

This email includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming February 2026 meeting;
  • Links to current AIUK activities;
  • The minutes from our local Group's December 2025 meeting; and
  • A note of all our monthly meeting dates for 2026.

February 2026 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 12th Jan, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The Glasgow West Amnesty Group's next meeting will take place on Thursday 12^{th} February 2026 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

Anyone curious about Amnesty International is most welcome to just turn up and join our meetings. We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

  • Our Annual General Meeting, where members will be invited to put themselves forward for a wide range of roles, all of which are up for grabs. Brief details of each role and current holders can be found via in this link ;
  • A look ahead to planning our campaigns and other activities throughout 2026.
  • Finalising arrangements for the Amnesty Comedy Night Fundraiser (details below);
  • Consideration of the Human Rights Manifesto for Scotland, which was recently published by Amnesty's Scotland office;
  • Next steps on finalising arrangements for a Glasgow Amnesty community meal event, provisionally pencilled in for March 2026; and
  • Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Join our Meetings online

Anyone unable / unavailable to physically come along, is welcome to join our monthly meetings online via this link.

(It will be the same link for all subsequent meetings).

Comedy Night Fundraiser – 19th Feb 2026

standcomedyclubimage-withaicandle.png

Our local Group's annual Comedy night fundraiser will take place at The Stand Glasgow's new venue on the evening of Thursday 19^{th} February 2026.

Doors open at 7pm, with the event running from 8pm – 10pm.

As well as the bar, food will also be available the venue up until the end of the interval.

Following a change of premises last year, the Stand Comedy Club is now located at a bigger and better venue at 420 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9JA.

Tickets are priced £11 / £13 are available now from The Stand's website.

Details of the host for the evening and the line-up will be announced closer to the event.

All proceeds from ticket sales (minus booking fees) will go to Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust (SC039534). Funds raised from the raffle will be used by the local Glasgow West Amnesty group for local campaigning.

Petition: End the Prosecution of Peaceful Protestors in the UK

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AIUK are running a petition calling for an end the the arrest of peaceful protestors:

Police have made 2300+ arrests under terrorism laws in the UK for *protesting peacefully *against the banning of Palestine Action.

  • It is a violation of the UK’s international obligations.
  • It is disproportionate to the point of absurdity.
  • This cannot go unchallenged.

Sign the petition!

Amnesty UK Local Updates

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

The full January 2026 update from AIUK can be read via our static archive.

Racial Justice – Government immigration consultation

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Government immigration proposals and consultation

The Government has announced proposals to make very harmful changes to the immigration system.

The proposals would affect many people living in the UK – including people born here and people who have lived here for many years. The Government is currently consulting on its proposals via an online survey.

Amnesty is encouraging people to object to them by completing that survey no later than 12 February 2026, using the Amnesty Guide to do so.

The proposals:

In summary, most non-British citizens – save for very high earners, some higher earners and people in senior positions in public services – will be expected many more years, in some cases decades, in the immigration system before they may be permitted to become permanent residents (or then naturalise). Many will have to make many more applications to the Home Office to continue their lives in the UK.

Pay even more high application and other fees.

Continue to be excluded from public funds, even if their lives are changed by illness or injury.

All at risk the Home Office may change its rules and refuse to permit someone to stay even though they continue to meet the conditions originally set for them. Refugees are among those most severely affected.
This has dramatic implications for people and their families, including children born and growing up in the UK. Amnesty is strongly opposed to these proposals.

What you can do:

Government consultations take especial notice of the number rather than quality of responses, so please:

  • take some time (around 20-30 minutes) to register your opposition (or other opinion) by following the Amnesty Guide, which includes the link to click to take the Government's online survey;
  • encourage others to do so; and
  • note that some questions are deceptive (so the Amnesty Guide is useful to avoid answering in a way that is taken by the Government to mean something different to what you intended).

Amnesty Guide to responding to the consultation

Upcoming Webinar: From Prevent to Proscription

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UPCOMING WEBINAR – 3 MARCH, 7PM

FROM PREVENT TO PROSCRIPTION: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE NAME OF ‘NATIONAL SECURITY'

In the UK and abroad, we are facing increasing repression in the name of ‘national security'. From the Prevent duty being used to suppress solidarity with Palestinians to the proscription of protest groups as ‘terrorists', the alarming and increasing use of counter-terror powers harms us all – especially racialised communities.

Save the date to join our webinar on Tuesday 3 March, 7pm to 8.15pm to hear about the harms and human rights violations caused by the UK government's counter-terror powers. With an expert panel, we'll be talking about Prevent, proscription and the wider counter-terror infrastructure. Importantly, we'll be exploring rights-respecting alternatives to the hard security measures we see today.

Full speaker line-up to be announced.

This will be an online session. A more detailed communication including an Eventbrite link will be shared early February with all joining instructions.

We hope you can join us for this fascinating and vital discussion.

if you have any questions, please email Rebecca Barnes or Philippa Griesbach

Hong Kong – She Is In Jail

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Screening of She Is In Jail

We would like to invite local groups to collaborate on a community screening of She Is In Jail, a documentary about the Hong Kong human rights defender Chow Hang-tung.

Following the screening, we would be happy to share our perspectives on the latest developments in human rights in Hong Kong.

Chow is also an individual case currently being advocated by Amnesty International. We would be pleased to coordinate with other Country Coordinators and local groups to organise screening events over the next six months.

More information on She Is In Jail: https://mubi.com/en/gb/films/she-s-in-jail

If you are interested in organising a screening or want more information, please contact Andrew Shum and Eric Lai.

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January 2026 Minutes

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 8th January 2026

Agenda

Link to January meeting email here

  1. Welcome and apologies
    1. Attendance: Claire, Carol, Paolo, Kirstie, Neil, Lauren
    2. Apologies: Ken, Andrew, Clara, Merle
  2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link
  3. Team Updates: (list of roles here)
    1. Treasurer
      1. postage from letters: £63.61
      2. other expenditure: /
      3. donations: /
      4. current balance: £1494

    2. Social Media & website (Lauren): more followers on Facebook; will try to be more consistent

      Twitter/Bluesky discussion [agreed not urgent until AIUK moves]; Claire asked in the Amnesty Scotland WA chat to see if other local groups have come off Twitter

    3. Local Political Outreach

      A HUMAN RIGHTS MANIFESTO - Scotland 2026 - Published by AI Scotland office will be ready for May 2026 elections! Will launch in February

      • Ashraf is looking for volunteers to help in building this manifesto and bringing it to political activism in different target constituencies in Glasgow
      • If you'd like to hear more about the laws and policies Amnesty thinks should shape the next Scottish government's agenda you can join us on 2 February 2026 for the online launch of our manifesto and read more about our calls here.
      • AI Scotland office are doing a launch event Friday 6.02.26, 1pm, lunch, speakers, Strathclyde Uni - launch of “Restoring New Scots Rights; Fair Housing for All”
        • Paolo to ask Liz
          • Is this the first in a series of launch events re. the manifesto
          • Should we as a group come / e.g. do a petition
        • Say that we feel there should be more communication between us / Ashraf / Amnesty Scotland office
      • Paolo's HR Bill leaflet (see here) for Feb ‘26 hustings; confirm for website. - Paolo has updated website (https://www.glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk/) with AIUK resources
        • Paolo to update link & share webpage in Signal chat.
    4. Not currently active:
      • Regional/Country focus
      • Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk
      • Theme Focus US Death Penalty

  4. Updates from local groups (Daytime / Glasgow Uni)

    Daytime group: still no meeting venue, this month meeting in a member's house, hopeful to find a meeting venue

  5. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo) / Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat
    1. Pilot of Community Platform will run till 2.04.26. Hoping that the community platform can host online meetings
    2. First IT development that will be published in April = each group has its own webpage on the main AIUK website OR its own standalone website OR websites for each region.
    3. 2 webinars to enable AIUK's activists to ask questions and receive further information about AIUK's current financial outlook and the steps we need to take to return to a balanced budget.

      1. Wednesday 21 January 7.30pm – 8.30pm. To register for this event, please go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1976732382769?aff=oddtdtcreator

        Paolo went to the previous webinar. Key Updates:

        1. They said that they didn't raise as much in 2025 because of a fall in membership and donations in 2025 so that's why budget outlook is poor. They thought they could sell the HRAC building in London easier/faster but they couldn't - is sold but not got the money yet.
        2. Main expenses in last 2 years = IT costs (needed to rebuild whole AIUK infrastructure (website / community platform / email security etc)
        3. Local groups fundraising potential wasn't mentioned
  6. Actions/updates from previous meeting
    1. W4R events - all good; definitely worth having card machine AND donation tins - we raised a fair bit of money through it
    2. JCB petition - sent in to Council.
    3. Feb meeting will be AGM - any qs/suggestions? Anyone interested in taking on roles, pls chat with any current members / have a look at the 1 Team Roles.docx.
  7. Urgent Appeals - Merle # of letters written during meeting: [ ] Tally for the year: [ ]
  8. Meal!
    1. “Fundraiser & Campaigning Meal” 22.03.25 (availability at Woodside Halls that date 10am-3pm)
    2. Budget: ~£1000-£1,500 - event needs to cover the cost of itself, present it as a fundraiser

    3. Venue: Woodside Halls, in Maryhill - 120 people max; tables & chairs there ; mic & sound system

      total £500 for venue (room & kitchen) - deposit of £125 hall and kitchen deposit of £250 = £375 deposit (10am-3pm) / or without kitchen = £200 less

      Email from John, member of the group:

      I am in charge of the hall lettings for a church in the West End (Kelvinside Hillhead in Observatory Road) and look after the various bookings we get.

      If you are looking for a place for your own meal planned for March, then our main hall can take 80 - 100 for such purposes and has the usual facilities, including an adjacent good-sized kitchen.

      I note mention of PalCafe, a group with which we already have a close link and who now regularly use the premises for a ceilidh every couple of months or so. Our charge for social events is £20 an hour although we would consider a reduction for a charity like Amnesty.

      The only issue to note however, is that if you were still looking for 22nd or 29th March - both of them Sundays - then I'm afraid the hall would not be available until after 2pm.

    4. Food: Look into Palestinian caterer (PalCafe https://palcafe.org/ ), buffet, prepared in advance and warmed up in the kitchen - expect ~£5 per person.
      1. Kirstie will talk to PalCafe people
    5. Target audience / number of invites:
      1. ??activists, supporters & their families
      2. ?? OR open event for all /community meal to provide people with hot food during winter time
    6. Tickets:
      1. ?? free ticket on eventbrite and people PWYC on the door? (easier than linking eventbrite up w a bank acc and maybe simpler for people).
        • labels e.g. “concession” / “cover costs” / “solidarity [pay for 1.5 meals]” / “additional donation”
        • Could use card reader so people can pay by card/cash? & donation tins
    7. Entertainment/Activities:
      1. Clear campaign focus e.g. Palestine
        • The event could be a collaboration with PalCafe, meaning some of any funds raised after costs could be shared with them
      2. Exhibition (same as at Civic Reception)
      3. Speakers: The Palestinian woman who was at the Perth gathering - Clara will ask Jack for contact; could invite Jack?
        • Paolo has asked
      4. Musicians? E.g. Musicians in Exile / MIN Choir
    8. Update 8.01.26:
      • Paolo will meet with PalCafe next week
      • The date is also ok with the other caterer so both options
      • Paolo to check re. disabled access to Kelvinside Hillhead Church / see if available Sat 28.03.26
        • If all ok, prefer the church because cheaper; we'd need to prepare the room but we can do that
      • Aim to get all confirmed by the end of next week
  9. Our Stand gig for next year is already confirmed: Thurs 19 Feb 2026, doors 7pm show 8pm, duration 2hrs
    1. Benefit in aid of Amnesty International - The Stand Comedy Club
    2. NB new venue cap 200 cabaret style (or can increase to 250 theatre style)
    3. 18+, ticket price £13/11
    4. Who can come? Carol, Kirstie, Claire, Paolo, Lauren
  10. Potential Speakers for 2026:
    1. (Waiting: Refugee Action - potentially with Daytime group)
    2. Clara: journalist from Somalia - Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation
    3. Paulo: law professor re. UK supreme court ruling that affects trans rights.
    4. AIUK Equality Network speaker - Ailig to look into - how to have conversations w family and friends

    5. Ebba: Palestinian researcher:

      https://sgsahblog.com/2025/01/27/activist-ethnography-in-palestine/

    6. Refugees at Home - have contacted us to ask if we'd like a speaker
    7. (Amicus: after find out about Death Penalty network - admin@amicus-alj.org - Allan)
  11. Any other ideas/requests/suggestions for 2026?
  12. AOB
    • Did you know you can support Amnesty International UK by taking on a challenge event? From running, cycling, swimming to trekking, there's something for everyone, have a look and see if there's anything you fancy taking on in 2026!
    • PalCafe monthly ceilidh - next one = Friday 30.01.25 in Kelvinside Hillhead Church
    • AIUK Local Group Updates – January link (As always, the latest Local Groups' Update link is also included in the monthly newsletter that is sent out to our mailing list via Mailchimp)
    • Next meeting - Thurs 12th February 2026 = AGM
    • Local Groups Planning Pack 2025 from central AIUK, Calendars with key events/trainings.

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2026 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 8th January 2026
  • Thursday 12th February 2026
  • Thursday 12th March 2026
  • Thursday 9th April 2026
  • Thursday 14th May 2026
  • Thursday 11th June 2026
  • Thursday 9th July 2026
  • Thursday 13th August 2026
  • Thursday 10th September 2026
  • Thursday 8th October 2026
  • Thursday 12th November 2026
  • Thursday 10th December 2026

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

candle.png

Categories
minutes

January 2026 Meeting & December 2025 Updates

Thank you to all those involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are appreciated. if you prefer, you can read these as a PDF.

At a time when fundamental rights are under threat across the globe, join Amnesty International, get involved with our local Amnesty Group and play your part in helping to promote and defend vital human rights across the world.

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

This post includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming January 2026 meeting;

  • An update on December's Write for Rights

  • Links to current AIUK activities;

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

  • A note of all our monthly meeting dates for 2026.

January 2026 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 8th Jan, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The first Glasgow West Amnesty meeting of 2026 will take place on Thursday 8th January 2026 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

Anyone curious about Amnesty International is most welcome to just turn up and join our meetings. We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

  • A brief review of our annual Write for Rights event, which took place in December;
  • Discussion on a potential Glasgow Amnesty community meal event, which is provisionally pencilled in for March 2026;
  • Planning for our group's Annual General Meeting; and
  • Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Join our Meetings online

Anyone unable / unavailable to physically come along, is welcome to join our monthly meetings online via this link.

(It will be the same link for all subsequent meetings).

Update on our recent Write for Rights Event

Our annual December Write for Rights card writing session took place on Sunday 14th December 2025 in Hillhead Library, Glasgow. We also held a smaller event earlier that same day at the Sunday Assembly in the West End of Glasgow.

Write for Rights is Amnesty International's flagship annual letter writing campaign, which focuses on individuals / groups that have been persecuted, jailed or abused for standing up for human rights.

Each year, people around the world write millions of messages both pressuring authorities to act, and providing comfort to those under threat.

Our Group's Write for Rights events in December resulted in a total of 91 cards being sent, as well as £116 received in donations.

We would like to provide a very big thank you to all Amnesty volunteers and members of the public who participated!

Updates from Amnesty

Amnesty Scotland: 2026 Human Rights Manifesto

Amnesty International's Scotland office has published a human rights manifesto for 2026 setting out our calls on the next Scottish government to create a fairer, more equal Scotland.

From a Human Rights Bill to enshrine strong legal protections for everyday rights, to a ban on mass surveillance technologies in policing - we want to see bold action from our next parliament and government.

As political parties prepare their own manifestos and party leaders begin their pitch to form Scotland's next government, Amnesty and our supporters want to see a wide range of commitments.

Further information is available from the Amnesty website.

AIUK: Parliamentary Briefing on the ECHR

AIUK recently published a parliamentary briefing on the European Convention on Human Rights, published to mark the 75th anniversary of the ECHR.

The briefing note can be downloaded from the AIUK website.

Comedy Night Fundraiser for Amnesty International

Our local Group's annual Comedy night fundraiser will take place at The Stand Glasgow's new venue on the evening of Thursday 19th February 2026.

Doors open at 7pm, with the event running from 8pm – 10pm.

As well as the bar, food will also be available the venue up until the end of the interval.

Following a change of premises last year, the Stand Comedy Club is now located at a bigger and better venue at 420 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9JA.

Tickets are priced £11 / £13 are available now from The Stand website.

Details of the host for the evening and the line-up will be announced closer to the event.

All proceeds from ticket sales (minus booking fees) will go to Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust (SC039534). Funds raised from the raffle will be used by the local Glasgow West Amnesty group for local campaigning.

December 2025 Minutes

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 11th December 2025

Agenda

Link to December meeting email here

  1. Welcome and apologies

    1. Attendance: Ken, Neil, Freya, Merle, Christine, Claire, Andrew, Clara, Paolo, Kirstie and Carol.

    2. Apologies: Lauren and Mhairi

  2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link

  3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

    1. Treasurer

      1. postage from letters: £15.34

      2. other expenditure: £14.51 on cards

      3. donations: Calder High School collection tins - dropped off at the church (Post-meeting update from Kirstie on our Signal Group - the tins contained £41,50. Kirstie will write to the school to thank them).

      4. current balance: £1,316

    2. Social Media & website (Lauren):

      • Twitter/Bluesky discussion [agreed not urgent until AIUK moves]; Claire asked in the Amnesty Scotland WA chat to see if other local groups have come off Twitter

    3. Local Political Outreach

      • A HUMAN RIGHTS MANIFESTO - Scotland 2026 - Published by AI Scotland office will be ready for May 2026 elections! Will launch in February

      • Ashraf is looking for volunteers to help in building this manifesto and bringing it to political activism in different target constituencies in Glasgow

      • On pause until more capacity: Paolo's HR Bill leaflet (see here) for Feb ‘26 hustings; confirm for website. Paolo to update website (https://www.glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk/) with AIUK resources & share webpage in Signal chat.

    4. Not currently active: Regional/Country focus; Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk; Theme Focus US Death Penalty /NB Paul Brides is the lead on Anti-Death Penalty Project: Paul.Bridges@amnesty.org.uk - no takers as yet, let's remove from agenda.

  4. Updates from local groups (Daytime / Glasgow Uni):

    1. Daytime Group Write for Rights 6.12.25 at Pollokshields Library

    2. Daytime Group: having to leave the Wee Retreat because of now being charged by venue £30/hour - any ideas of cheap venues? (For comparison, our group currently pays £14/hour for use of the church hall)

  5. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo) / Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat:

    1. Perth Group: proposed Kashmir Forum - looking for people who would be interested in getting involved, particularly those with family ties to Kashmir.

      The idea of a forum came from discussions with Perth Minorities Association(PMA) and Cherry Bird (AI India Coordinator). We know from attendance at the Iftar that we hosted last year together with PMA there seems to be a significant community in Glasgow who have family connections to Kashmir and which may be interested in getting involved in actions designed to address the human rights situation there. If you have any contact with this community pls spread the word about this forum & put them in touch with us.

      Info to share:

      Kashmir Forum - Following a successful Iftar which we held in 2024 together with Perth Minorities Association(PMA) we have developed a close working relationship with them on human rights issues.

      The focus of our work so far has been on Kashmir where some PMA members have family ties and where human rights are under threat. We have recently held online discussions with Cherry Bird, one of Amnesty's country coordinators who has a keen interest on the Kashmir situation, a leading member of PMA, and a Kashmir based human rights activist. The aim is to develop a forum with the purpose of raising awareness about the human rights situation in both the Indian and Pakistan administered regions of Kashmir and to develop actions that reinforce and complement Amnesty's Kashmir campaign.

      Membership: We are keen to widen the membership of this forum and it would be great to hear from anyone who would like to take part, but particularly from people who have family ties to Kashmir.

      For more information please contact: Barrie Rutherford, Perth Amnesty Group, j.rutherford725@btinternet.com

  6. Actions/updates from previous meeting:

    1. Did anyone attend the AIUK training sessions on A Guide to Direct Action? - no!

    2. Tree planting: Friday 21st November - beautiful poem, thanks Carol; beautiful plaque, thank you Paolo and Andrew! Thanks Andrew for sending out Press Release on our 50th anniversary events & to Local Updates / Amnesty letter

  7. Urgent Appeals - Merle # of letters written during meeting: [ ] (to beat: 15!)

  8. 2025 Glasgow West AI group's 50th anniversary! - see Ideas doc here, inc.

    1. Write for Rights: Hillhead Library 12-4pm Sunday 14th December.

    2. Thanks to Kirstie for sending out a Press Release! Press Release: Amnesty International Glasgow groups Write for Rights press release 25.11.25

    3. Note that Kyrgyzstan case (Journalist Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy) has been withdrawn from W4R due to a deteriorating political situation in the country. Cross out this case from the W4R booklets and do not write any cards for it.

    4. NB pack of Refugees at Home materials for table at the W4R event (To encourage people to consider hosting a refugee in their home)

    5. Kirstie and Carol will, once again, set up a Write for Rights session at the Sunday Assembly meeting in the West End of Glasgow. This will also be on 14th December, taking place prior to our main W4R event at Hillhead library.

    6. Rota for Hillhead library:

      1. 12pm-1pm (set up, needs car): Merle, Christine

      2. 1pm-2pm: Neil, Claire

      3. 2pm-3pm: Claire

      4. 3pm-4pm: (pack up, needs car): Kirstie

        1. Also Sunday Assembly that day - Carol & Kirstie - 11am-1pm

        2. NB take JCB petition https://www.amnesty.org.uk/jcb. → submit to Council

  9. Meal!

    Paolo to check 22nd and 29th March 10am-3pm - total £500 for venue (room & kitchen) - deposit of £125 hall and kitchen deposit of £250 = £375 deposit (10am-3pm) - by 28.12.25

    1. Or without kitchen = £200 less

    2. Budget: ~£1000-£1,500

    3. To discuss: do we want to break even / make a profit / accept a loss?

      1. Venue: Woodside Halls, in Maryhill - 120 people max; tables & chairs there ; mic & sound system

      2. Food:

        1. Palestinian caterer (PalCafe https://palcafe.org/ ), buffet, prepared in advance and warmed up in the kitchen - expect ~£5 per person

        2. OR professional caterer, but then we'll need to serve

        → ticket price tbc??

      3. could do PWYC on eventbrite invite with labels e.g. “concession” / “cover costs” / “solidarity [pay for 1.5 meals]” / “additional donation” - starting at £0 so that people who can't afford (or aren't comfortable with online banking) can come. We can have donation tins at the venue to help recoup some of the costs.

        • OR just free ticket on eventbrite and people PWYC on the door? (easier than linking eventbrite up w a bank acc and maybe simpler for people). Could use card reader so people can pay by card/cash?

    4. Target audience / number of invites: activists, supporters & their families OR open event for all /community meal to provide people with hot food during winter time

      1. Entertainment:

        1. Exhibition (same as at Civic Reception)

        2. Speakers

        3. Musicians?

      2. NB running costs for the year (Pride march / website / postage / church hall / AI affiliation) = ~£1000, the Stand raffle raises ~£500 for our Group. Current balance = £1,316.

        • Could we do the meal as a fundraiser? Present it as a fundraiser? Prepare it like a proper event.

        • Could push it to summer? So not so close to The Stand

        • Kirsty will talk to PalCafe people

        • The event could be a collaboration with PalCafe, meaning some of any funds raised after costs could be shared with them

        • That amazing Palestinian woman who was at the Perth gathering - Clara will ask Jack for contact - could invite Jack?

        • Sunday 22nd or, Sunday 29th March as potential dates? (Post-meeting update - Paolo confirmed on our Signal Group there is availability on 22nd March)

        • Do it as a campaign event - agreed that this would give teh community meal more of a focus.

        • Need to cover the cost

  10. Our Stand gig for next year is already confirmed: Thurs 19 Feb 2026, doors 7pm show 8pm, duration 2hrs - plan in January!

    1. Benefit in aid of Amnesty International - The Stand Comedy Club

    2. NB new venue cap 200 cabaret style (or can increase to 250 theatre style)

    3. 18+, ticket price £13/11

  11. AOB

    Petition about asylum accommodation in army barracks:

    https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stop-accommodation-centres

    AIUK Local Group Updates – December link

    (As always, the latest Local Groups' Update link is also included in the monthly newsletter that is sent out to our mailing list via Mailchimp)

    “Netanyahu Wanted by ICC” posters - available to order. Do we want to order to put up around town?

    • There isn't any action e.g. petition, etc. Instead, the action would be whether any of our local activists would want to put up posters within the community.

    • The group decided not to take this forward at the present time

    2 webinars to enable AIUK's activists to ask questions and receive further information about AIUK's current financial outlook and the steps we need to take to return to a balanced budget.

  12. Next meeting - Thurs 8th January 2026 (Apologies submitted from Andrew) - AGM?

    As before:

  13. Potential Speakers for 2026:

    1. (Waiting: Refugee Action - which is being organised by Daytime group per discussion with them in Sept)

    2. Clara: journalist from Somalia - Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation

    3. Paulo: law professor re. UK supreme court ruling that affects trans rights.

    4. AIUK Equality Network speaker - Ailig to look into - how to have conversations w family and friends

    5. Ebba: Palestinian researcher: blog link

    6. Refugees at Home - have contacted us to ask if we'd like a speaker

    7. [Amicus: after find out about Death Penalty network - admin@amicus-alj.org - Allan]

  14. Local Groups Planning Pack 2025 from central AIUK, Calendars with key events/trainings.

2026 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 8th January 2026

  • Thursday 12th February 2026

  • Thursday 12th March 2026

  • Thursday 9th April 2026

  • Thursday 14th May 2026

  • Thursday 11th June 2026

  • Thursday 9th July 2026

  • Thursday 13th August 2026

  • Thursday 10th September 2026

  • Thursday 8th October 2026

  • Thursday 12th November 2026

  • Thursday 10th December 2026

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

Categories
minutes

December 2025 Meeting + November Updates

Thanks to all those involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are appreciated. If you prefer, you can read this as PDF.

At a time when fundamental rights are under threat across the globe, join Amnesty International, get involved with our local Amnesty Group and play your part in helping to promote and defend vital human rights across the world.

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

This post includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming December 2025 meeting;
  • Links to current AIUK activities;
  • The minutes from our local Group's November 2025 meeting; and
  • A note of all our monthly meeting dates for 2026.

December 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 11th Dec, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The final Glasgow West Amnesty meeting of 2025 will take place on Thursday 11th December 2025 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

New members are most welcome to just turn up. We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

  • Mulled wine, mince pies and chocolates!;
  • A brief review of recent activities, including the Amnesty tree-planting ceremony and the Unity Rally held in Falkirk to oppose racism;
  • Final planning for our forthcoming annual Write for Rights event;
  • Discussion on a potential Glasgow Amnesty community meal event to be held in the new year; and
  • Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Join our Meetings online

Anyone unable / unavailable to physically come along, is welcome to join our monthly meetings online via this link.

(It will be the same link for all subsequent meetings).

Write for Rights 2025

Our annual December Write for Rights card writing session will take place on Sunday 14th December 2025 @ 12noon - 4pm in Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Rd, G12 8AP.

Write for Rights is Amnesty International's flagship annual letter writing campaign. This year, it will focus on ten individuals / groups that have been persecuted, jailed or abused for standing up for human rights.

Each year, people around the world write millions of messages both pressuring authorities to act, and providing comfort to those under threat.

All Amnesty supporters and members of the public are encouraged to get involved. Please come along for even just 15 mins. Please get involved and show your support by writing a few cards.

Comedy Night Fundraiser for AIUK in February 2026

Looking for an ethical Christmas gift for your friends or relatives?

Why not get them a tickets for Amnesty's Comedy night fundraiser at The Stand Glasgow's new venue?

The fun-packed event takes place on Thursday 19th February 2026.

Doors open at 7pm, with the event running from 8pm – 10pm.

Details of the host and line-up will be announced on The Stand website.

Food will also be available at The Stand's new venue - 420 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9JA.

Tickets are priced £11 / £13. All proceeds from ticket sales (minus booking fees) will go to Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust (SC039534). Funds raised from the raffle will be used by the local Glasgow West Amnesty group for local campaigning.

50 Years of Amnesty in Glasgow

From 1975 — 2025, there has been an Amnesty International presence in Glasgow. Two events took place recently to mark this milestone.

Civic Reception

Speakers' notes and photographs from our fifty year celebration events are available via the Glasgow West shared drive. Click on the following links for speeches and photographs.

Tree Planting Ceremony

To celebrate Amnesty International having a local group presence in Glasgow since 1975, the City Council's Deputy Lord Provost, Bailie Christy Mearns, unveiled a plaque and helped plant a Ginkgo tree in the grounds of Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery.

The ceremony, which was held on a crisp and sunny November morning, was attended by Amnesty supporters from the City's local groups.

Amnesty UK Local Updates

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

Central Europe - 16 Days of Activism: Voices of Resistance

Join Amnesty International UK Europe Team for a powerful event advocating for human rights for all women.

As part of Amnesty International UK's 16 Days of Activism, this event, Voices of Resistance, brings together courageous women from around the world who are standing up against oppression, violence, and injustice.

Through conversation, testimony, and reflection, our speakers will explore what it means to resist, to raise your voice, even when it's dangerous to do so, and how global solidarity can spark change.

Speakers include:

  • Olga Borisova (from Pussy Riot) – Artist, activist, and member of the world-renowned feminist protest collective Pussy Riot, speaking on resistance, art, and dissent in Russia.
  • Homira May – Afghan human rights activist advocating for women's education and safety under the Taliban regime.
  • Łucja Jastrzębska-Hawking – Country Co-ordinator for Amnesty International UK, actor and campaigner for bodily autonomy in Poland.

Together, they will discuss the realities of activism under authoritarianism, the personal costs of resistance, and the collective power of speaking out.

Get your tickets here!

West and Central Africa - Women in Ghana accused of witchcraft

In Ghana witchcraft accusations lead to untold suffering, discrimination and violence. The victims, mostly older women, face severe human rights violations including brutal attacks, displacement, and social exclusion. Accusations of witchcraft usually start within the family or among community members following a tragic event such as illness or a death. Older women living in poverty, with health conditions or disabilities are at greater risk, as well as women who do not confirm to stereotypical gender roles.

The tragic case of Akua Denteh, a 90-year-old woman from Kafaba in the Savannah Region is just one terrible example. On 23 July 2020, after being accused of witchcraft, Akua Denteh was brutally beaten to death.

Many other hundreds of people have endured torture or been driven out of their communities to live in camps – the only place they have to go. Earlier this year Amnesty's report ‘*_Branded for life: How witchcraft accusations lead to human rights violations of hundreds of women in North Ghana*' documented the situation across four informal camps where people, primarily older women, were living after witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks forced them to flee their communities fearing for their lives. At the time of Amnesty's visits in November 2023 and April 2024 there were more than 500 people living in the camps, with insufficient access to health services, food, safe housing, clean water and economic opportunities.

The Anti-Witchcraft Bill, developed through extensive consultation, aimed to address this issue, including by:

  • Making it illegal to accuse individuals of witchcraft
  • Establishing protective measures and support systems for those who have been accused, including safe havens, psychological support and reintegration programmes into society
  • Providing a clear legal pathway for victims to seek justice and compensation

The bill was passed by Parliament in July 2023 but never signed into law by the former President. The Bill was reintroduced in March 2025 and once passed should be signed into law by the new President John Mahama.

Please sign the petition calling on President John Mahama to sign the Anti-Witchcraft Bill into law to protect women victimized by these accusations.

Sign the petition here!

Garment Workers in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Two executive summary reports

The campaign on garment workers is to be launched on 27 November as a result of two years of Amnesty research work. Our Activist Led Campaign will focus on violations of workers' right to freedom of association in the four target countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the steps that brands must take.

Two executive summary reports are now available:

1. Stitched Up: Denial of Freedom of Association for Garment Workers.
Examines the different ways in which workers are adversely affected by the restrictions on the right to freedom of association by states and by their employers.

Stitched Up Executive summary

2. Abandoned by Fashion: Examines the Urgent Need for Fashion Brands to Champion Workers' Rights. Provides an insight into the policies, commitments and active promotion of the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining in key fashion brands and retailers' supply chains. It identifies the steps that brands can take to promote the right to freedom of association, and, at the same time, help mitigate the endemic human rights abuses found throughout the industry, such as low wages, overwork, harassment and systemic gender discrimination and sexual violence.

The research surveyed 21 brands, though only six fully responded. The UK is particularly important because we are the home of more of the brands than other countries.

Abandoned by Fashion Executive summary

Most of these workers are women. Harassment and discrimination are important aspects of this campaign. Caste and minority discrimination is also an important consideration. The informal out-sourcing of some manufacture to precarious suppliers will be considered.

This Activist Led Campaign needs support from UK activists. Please contact Jerry Allen for more details.

Full details of the latest AIUK monthly Local Groups Update can be viewed on our local archive.

Amnesty Christmas Raffle 2025

Every ticket counts in the fight for human rights

You could turn £1 into £10,000 in our Christmas Raffle!

That could mean a dream holiday, a new car or a chance to treat your nearest and dearest.

https://amnesty.thecharityraffle.co.uk/

November 2025 Minutes

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Minutes - Thursday 13th November 2025

Link to November meeting email here

  1. Welcome and apologies

    1. Attendance: Lauren, Neil, Christine, Merle, Paolo, Kirstie, Andrew, Ken and Claire

    2. Apologies: Clara, Carol, Ailig and Luca

    3. Guest! Our regular November meeting guest - Sara from Freedom from Torture

      • Sara provided a brief intro about the work of FfT in supporting torture survivors. Sara noted that FfT had required to close two of its centres in the UK over the past year due to funding shortages. It was noted that the Glasgow FfT Group itself was very fragile with a limited active membership Sara then set out her range of FfT Xmas cards and prints for sale, with proceeds going towards FfT.

      • NB The Stand Comedy Gig in aid of Freedom from Torture: 16th November, 4 pm. Doors open 3pm. Tickets: £10/£12. Venue: 420 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9HZ. www.thestand.co.uk

  2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link

  3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

    1. Treasurer

      1. postage from letters: £33.74

      2. other expenditure: bottle of olive oil for speaker £15.25

      3. Donations: 2 donations made to our local group! £1,000 & £50, both with a connection to former prominent Glasgow West Amnesty group activist, Richard Brown - one from his wife, the other from his brother

      4. current balance: £1,343.

    2. Social Media & website New volunteer Lauren was welcomed to the Group. Lauren had responded to a Facebook message seeking a volunteer to lead our social media efforts.

      • Twitter/Bluesky discussion [agreed not urgent until AIUK moves] - Claire to ask in the Amnesty Scotland WA chat to see if other local groups have come off Twitter

    3. Local Political Outreach

      • On pause until more capacity: Paolo's HR Bill leaflet (see here) for Feb ‘26 hustings; confirm for website. Paolo to update website

        (https://www.glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk/) with AIUK resources & share webpage in Signal chat./*Not currently active: Regional/Country focus*; *Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk; Theme Focus US Death Penalty */

  4. Updates from local groups (Daytime / Glasgow Uni):

    1. Perth group: raised over £600 from their 3 blueberry picking sessions! Thanks to all who came

    2. Daytime Group: "Write for Rights" - Saturday 6.12.25, 10.30-4 pm in Pollokshields Public Library (30 Leslie Street, G41 2LF). All welcome!

  5. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo) / Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat

    1. Amnesty Scotland WhatsApp channel:

      https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb726HL8F2pBQU619W3d

    2. The Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat now includes the Orkney group! See their Gaza vigil here: We Remember Them, The #Gaza Genocide - The ‘Gaza Faces' posters shown in the Orkney video were provided by activists in Ullapool. They would love to distribute more sets around the country so please get in touch if your group could display them at vigils or events, see link above for further information and contact details. The posters are laminated so are perfect for the Scottish weather!

      https://www.joyfulsaleofbrokenobjects.net/other-pages-and-information-1

      and a fundraiser: https://www.joyfulsaleofbrokenobjects.net/shop2

    3. Paolo attended: Civil Society Working Group 2026-31 Manifesto For Scotland 2026-2031 Launch | Events on advancing human rights in Scotland / the Human Rights Bill / the fact that we would be the first country in the world to incorporate human rights in law

      • Civil Society Working Group on Incorporation 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election Manifesto

      • BUT lack of clarity on if HR Bill is ready to be launched in Parliament / who “owns” it at the moment.

      • Plan: is to lobby SNP & Greens in Jan/Feb BUT no clear plan on how to reach the people of Scotland with this info e.g. slogans / being visible on SM. Paolo also noted that he would work with Ashraf from AIUK on identifying practical ideas and messages that will help communicate the concept of a Human Rights Bill to the public.

      • Campaign specifically in some constituencies

    4. Exciting new movement by AIUK student groups: Defend Dissent - launched 11.11.25 f2f in Edinburgh; online launch is 27.11.25, 6.30pm: see: Eventbrite - Defend Dissent (it says “host a watch party” but it's the same link for individuals)

      More info: Across the UK, a chilling effect is sweeping through our universities. Once vibrant spaces of free expression, debate, and dissent are becoming places of fear and censorship. Amnesty UK's latest research shows a disturbing trend: instead of protecting the right to free expression and protest, universities are bowing to pressure from governments and lobbyists - shutting down those who dare to speak out. This isn't just campus politics. It's part of a wider authoritarian shift that threatens the very foundations of human rights. When a generation of young people - those most ready to question power and demand change - is silenced, society loses one of its strongest forces for progress. That's why the Amnesty UK Student Movement is launching the Defend Dissent campaign: to build a big movement to push back against this crackdown and to have a Defend Dissent Charter adopted at every university across the UK. To win, the students need our support! You're invited to join us at the launch of a new campaign, bringing together students, faculty, alumni, and community members to Defend Dissent.

    5. 4.11.25 was the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Sadly week after week, politicians use the ECHR as a scapegoat. But now, almost 300 organisations, from Liberty and Amnesty, to Shelter, Mind and many more, have come together to say enough is enough. The ECHR is fundamental to our democracy. Born from the horrors of World War II, it was built to protect everyone's dignity and to hold those in power to account. The UK helped to write it, and for 75 years, it's helped people across the country live freely and safely. These aren't abstract ideals. The ECHR and our Human Rights Act have:

      1. Protected victims of sexual violence.

      2. Helped families seek justice after Hillsborough and Windrush.

      3. Upheld dignity for LGBT+ people, journalists and mental health patients.

      4. Supported peace in Northern Ireland through the Good Friday Agreement.

      These hard-won protections are under attack. There are people in powerful positions who want us to believe we'd be better off without the ECHR! For decades our human rights laws have underpinned all of our daily lives by giving us the ability to speak freely, love who we want, and live in peace. These rights were hard-won – and we must not allow governments now or in the future to take them away. The ECHR protects us, we need to protect it.

      Defend our Human Rights – Tell Your MP to Back the ECHR

    6. Thank you to Andrew for completing the Local Groups Audit for Philippa (Qs here - the deadline was such that we couldn't discuss as a group, but if anyone would like to look and give feedback, Philippa is always open to it!)

      Local Group Audit 2025

    7. There will be a new online platform for AIUK by April next year.

    8. AIUK is updating their website - we need to decide what we want to include on the website. - Paolo will do

  6. Actions/updates from previous meeting:

    1. Working with Schools: Carol thinking to contact Rosshall Academy; Ailig to contact Youth Groups coordinator

    2. JCB event protest: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/jcb.

      Group to add sigs to Council petition (currently 43 signatures from JCB protest day in October) → submit by post

    3. Scotland Demands Better rally in Edinburgh Saturday 25.10.25 - https://www.scotland-demands-better.com/ - Claire, Carol, Paolo & Edinburgh group members

    4. Did anyone attend the AIUK training sessions on Prevent / W4R?

      1. Prevent: Claire - anyone who'd like to see info, ask Claire

    5. Civic Reception (28.10.25)

      1. Over forty attendees; Photos here: Photos of Civic Reception

      2. Speeches from the event are being collated into a single document and will be shared via Signal group when available (still waiting on one speech to be forwarded). This document has been added to our archive.

    6. Claire asked Philippa re.:

      1. AIUK coming off Twitter: “there has been consideration on how to proceed with Twitter. AIUK is still maintaining its Twitter account and feed. The current stance is that by remaining on Twitter we have a continuous presence and remain visible, as well as our message to Twitter users.

      2. Difficulties in contacting thematic activist networks (e.g. Anti-Death Penalty Project): Apologies - Paul Bridges is the lead on this Project and does reply quite quickly on: Paul Bridges Paul.Bridges@amnesty.org.uk

  7. Urgent Appeals - Merle # of letters written during meeting: [ ] (to beat: 15!)

  8. 2025 Glasgow West AI group's 50th anniversary! - see Ideas doc here, inc.

    1. Write for Rights: Hillhead Library 12-4pm Sunday 14th December. Rota:

      1. 12pm-1pm (set up, needs car): Merle, Christine

      2. 1pm-2pm: Neil

      3. 2pm-3pm:

      4. 3pm-4pm: (pack up, needs car): Kirstie

        1. Also Sunday Assembly that day - Carol & Kirstie - 11am-1pm

    2. Tree planting: Friday 21st November, 11am, in Kelvingrove adjacent to the Museum on the Argyle Street side:-

      1. Anyone wishing to attend should meet at the steps outside the Argyle Street entrance to the museum at 10.50am.

      2. Depute Lord Provost will officiate at the ceremony (again!). All supporters and friends of Amnesty International are very welcome to attend this event (Claire has emailed eventbrite Civic Reception sign ups).

      3. We need to agree speaker(s) from Amnesty Groups to provide a short input on the day. Volunteer?

        Ask Jill to speak ; Jim for guitar

        Ashraf - Itinerary

        1. Local Speech

        2. Ashraf Speech

        3. Carol poem

        4. Jim guitar

        5. It would be good to give this short event more focus / impact by having some sort of entertainment type input e.g. Singer / Choir / Poetry reading - ideally relevant to human rights. We need suggestions for this ASAP and a volunteer to make it happen! Carol - poem

        6. Plaque has been ordered; eventbrite & old-members & current mailing list have been emailed

    3. Group's archive materials: Archive material on display at the Civic Reception event is likely to be added to.

      Academic engagement with archive material is now unlikely to be taken forward.

      Archive will be passed to the Mitchell Library at some point in the first quarter of 2026.. All to check if they have anything else they'd like to put in the archive.

    4. Meal in New Year

      Date / time: Sat/Sun afternoon, e.g. 12pm-3pm so daylight

      Budget: ~£1000-£1,500 - £300 for venue - 22.02.25

      Target audience / number of invites: activists, supporters & their families OR open event for all /community meal to provide people with hot food during winter time

      Could do PWYC on eventbrite invite with labels e.g. “concession” / “cover costs” / “solidarity [pay for 1.5 meals]” / “additional donation” - starting at £0 so that people who can't afford (or aren't comfortable with online banking) can come and have plenty of donation tins at the venue.

      Venue/food options:

      1. external caterer - ~£10pp (venue can be without kitchen)

      2. OR professional cooks in a kitchen [need venue with a kitchen e.g. KPC, £450] - £2/3pp

      Entertainment options:

      1. Exhibition (same as at Civic Reception)

      2. Speakers

  9. [If anyone can face thinking about 2026!] Our Stand gig for next year is already confirmed: Thurs 19 Feb 2026, doors 7pm show 8pm, duration 2hrs

    1. Link to event page on The Stand Website

    2. NB new venue cap 200 cabaret style (or can increase to 250 theatre style)

    3. 18+, ticket price £13/11

  10. AOB

  11. AIUK Local Group Updates – October link (As always, the latest Local Groups' Update link is also included in the monthly newsletter that is set out via Mailchimp)

  12. Next meeting - Thurs 11th December 2025 - mulled juice & W4R!

    As before:

    Petition: Last year was the deadliest year for journalists. Add your voice to defend press freedom.

    Ban Israeli Settlement Goods Campaign Pack - here, general info here, launch presentation here - calling on the UK Government to end its trade and business complicity in illegal Israeli settlements, and to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    Does anyone want to take a lead on this? Getting us:

  13. Potential Speakers for 2026:

    1. [/Waiting/: Refugee Action - organised by Daytime group]

    2. Clara: journalist from Somalia - Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation

    3. Paulo: law professor re. UK supreme court ruling that affects trans rights.

    4. AIUK Equality Network speaker - Ailig to look into - how to have conversations w family and friends

    5. Ebba: Palestinian researcher: https://sgsahblog.com/2025/01/27/activist-ethnography-in-palestine/

    6. Refugees at Home - have contacted us to ask if we'd like a speaker

    7. [Amicus: after find out about Death Penalty network - admin@amicus-alj.org - Allan]

  14. Local Groups Planning Pack 2025 from central AIUK, Calendars with key events/trainings.

2026 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 8th January 2026

  • Thursday 12th February 2026

  • Thursday 12th March 2026

  • Thursday 9th April 2026

  • Thursday 14th May 2026

  • Thursday 11th June 2026

  • Thursday 9th July 2026

  • Thursday 13th August 2026

  • Thursday 10th September 2026

  • Thursday 8th October 2026

  • Thursday 12th November 2026

  • Thursday 10th December 2026

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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