Thanks to everyone involved in the preparation of these updates, your efforts are much appreciated. If you prefer, you may read these updates as a PDF.

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

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

• Details of our forthcoming May 2025 meeting;;

• Links to current AIUK activities;

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

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

May 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 8th May 2025 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

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

• Further discussion on activities to celebrate 2025 being the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International in Glasgow; and

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

Updates From Amnesty

Local Groups Updates

April 2025 into May's Local Groups update can be found here.

This month's Local Groups update discusses the latest Office Led Campaigns, has information on Actions Across Amnesty, updates on Fundraising (including a note about our group's recent fundraising comedy night at The Stand!) and Community Organising, info on new courses and training at AIUK, what local groups have been up to and upcoming dates of events and actions around the UK.

A selection of updates as wel as upcoming dates are reproduced in their own section below for convenience, but the full set up updates from AIUK can be read here.

Hong Kong Programme – 1st Anniversary of Article 23

Protest outside the Parliament on 19 Mar, with AIUK CE Sacha Deshmukh, Hong Kong exiled activist Chloe Cheung, MP Blair McDougall and other activists to call on the UK government to step up protection for activists at risk

To mark the 1st anniversary of Hong Kong's Article 23 last week, Amnesty UK issued a joint NGO letter to Prime Minster Keir Starmer, co-signed by 7 UK-based exiled wanted Hong Kong activists and 20 organisations and diaspora community groups, with our joint calls on the UK government to step up protection for activists at risk.

In May, AIUK is supporting an Archiving exhibition, "Ways of Remembering" hosted by Hong Kong Action Archive. It takes place from 17 May to 26 May 2025 at Hoxton Arches, Arch 402 Cremer St, London in London. This exhibition brings together artefacts, personal stories, and collective memories from Hong Kong’s social movements over the past decades. It also showcases examples of activism-informed archival projects to inspire our audience to reflect on the underexplored power of remembering as a means of resistance. (More info can be found on this IG page: https://www.instagram.com/hkaa.co/)

AIUK is going to organise a side event - a panel discussion with archivists from various diaspora communities. It is intended to be held on 24 May (Sat), 6 - 8 pm. The topic will cover the sharing of experiences, challenges and solutions of developing infrastructures and strategies in archiving at-risk information or documenting human rights violations for different territories, as well as the significance of this work to human rights activism for diaspora communities and people in the territories. Through this panel sharing, we hope to offer a meaningful opportunity for the Hong Kong community and civil societies in the UK to engage in dialogue and foster cross-movement solidarity.

Rainbow Network – Pride Pack & More

We are delighted to let groups know that the Pride Pack for 2025 is now available on the website.

The pack features actions and information to support your pride presences nationwide, including information on how to order resources for your march or stall. We do also have a limited number of t-shirts available - you can ask Supporter Communications to include a few in your resource order (with 2 designs and 8 sizes in each, providing individual codes isn't practical!)

You will have seen in the news that the UK supreme court made a ruling this month regarding protections under the Equalities Act based on sex, and to whom they apply. The ruling was disappointing, frustrating, and will cause a lot of uncertainty for a lot of people. Amnesty UK was an intervener in the case, and our initial response to the ruling can be found here:

UK: Supreme Court outcome 'disappointing' but court affirms right of trans people to protection from discrimination and harassment

Disabled People’s Human Rights Network

Do you want to help the Disabled People’s Human Rights Network lobby MPs?

Members of the committee are organising a mass lobby of MPs in parliament on 21St May from 1-4pm. The idea of a mass lobby is that we all go to Westminster and request meetings with our MPs to talk about our opposition to their cuts to social security for disabled people.
If you are available to join but unsure of what to say, or if you’d like a buddy to join you, please come to the HRAC at 12.30pm on the day and you can travel over to Westminster with Holly, the community organiser supporting the Disabled People’s Human Rights Network.

For information contact Holly Harrison-Mullane.

Upcoming Dates

• 8 May 6:30pm - 8pm Manchster - Amnesty UK has launched a new report - SOCIAL INSECURITY: THE DEVASTATING HUMAN RIGHTS IMPACT OF SOCIAL SECURITY FAILURES IN THE UK. Join us online or in-person in Manchester. Book your tickets here.
• 8 May 9:00am - 10:00am Royal Courts of Justice - Action: Solidarity with the Bodo community in the Niger Delta.
• 13 May 6:00pm - 7:30pm - Training: "A Briefing on the UK Government’s Prevent Duty". Tickets here.
• 21 May 1:00pm - 4pm - Disabled People’s Human Rights Network lobby MPs - Action: "Mass lobby of MPs in parliament ". For information contact Holly Harrison-Mullane.
• 27 May 6:00pm - 7:30pm - Training: "How to Community Fundraise". Tickets here.
• 30 May 7:30pm - 10pm - Youthsayers Gig for Amnesty International. Music event organised by Blackheath and Greenwich Group. 53 Norman Road, Unit 24 Greenwich Centre Business, Pa London SE10 9QF. Tickets here.
• 31 May 10:00am - 4:00pm - East Midlands Regional Gathering: "Looking to the Future". All-Day in-person Event. Tickets here.
• 5 June 7:00pm - 8:30pm - Central England Network Online Event: "Immigration Detention in the UK: what’s going on?" (PDF). Register here.
• 21 June 10:00am - 4:00pm - Training: "Human Rights Education in Your Activism Day 1". Tickets here.

See more on the Amnesty Events page.

Take action to help individuals at risk and defend human rights

Help take action on the issues below and many others: Actions from Amnesty UK.

Amnesty in Scotland

Click on the link for information about AI issues in Scotland.

Scottish Regional Gathering

7th June 2025

A time for Scottish Amnesty International activists to gather. More info from the Scottish office:

On the 7th of June, activists in the Scottish Region will be meeting in Perth for an event to rejuvenate campaigning and actions in the area.

Join us for an exciting opportunity to meet and collaborate with Scottish Groups and Activists.

It has taken far too long for us to come together for a day of discussion, action and inspiration.

This gathering will:
bring together local Amnesty activists and communities
facilitate collaborative campaigning on pressing human rights issues
allow us to engage with local communities and create partnerships
inspire and mobilise the nation to take public action on human rights campaigns
The event will feature in-depth discussions led by experts on key issues for Palestine (IOPT) and we welcome our friends from the Perth Minority Association to talk about pressing issues in Kashmir.

Please see link to the Eventbrite page to book you place.

Looking forward to you joining us.

If you would like more information or if you would like to participate, please contact: philippa.griesbach@amnesty.org.uk

To book: see Eventbrite

Amnesty UK products

The Amnesty Shop has a range of Amnesty products, ethical goods and special offers available direct from Amnesty.

April 2025 Minutes & Updates

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 10th April 2025 Minutes

Link to April meeting email via Mailchimp.

1. Welcome and apologies

   1. Attendees: Luca, Andrew, Mhairi, Clara, Cait, Claire, Merle, Carol, Kirstie, Neil

   2. Apologies: Mal and Paolo

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes – Google Docs link

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

      1. postage from letters: £16.80

      2. web hosting renewed: £14.68

      3. Current balance: £871.75

   2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)

      1. Cait still needs access to SM accounts

      2. Update on Twitter/Bluesky discussion? https://www.helloquitx.com/ (not yet)

   3. Local Political Outreach

      1. Paulo email Neil Cowan w update - ask next tactics re. civil society pushing for it so SNP commit to it? & what other orgs we can link up with - open letter

      2. Ailig to let us know next Kaukab surgery drop-in. Our msg to her is we can help her progress it, we care, How can we assist? - not at meeting

      3. → UPDATE 10.04.25 (as Paolo can't come to the meeting): Neil Cowan replied saying AI Scotland is part of the Scottish Government's new Human Rights Incorporation Implementation and Oversight Board (chaired by Kaukab Stewart) which is intended to hold the SG accountable for the commitment to continuing to develop the proposals.

         Linked up Paolo with Liz in AI Scotland office, who is to send through a 2-page background briefing for us to help us engage w Kaukab. - no email sent as of 10.04.25!

         Kaukab replied saying Paolo needs to take the email that he sent to her constituency office and, instead, send it to her Ministerial office! - Paolo will do so this week

   4. Regional/Country focus

      1. South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal) - no updates

      2. Korea (Clara) - Cait emailed charity re. disability rights campaign, charity said they couldn't get involved

   5. Theme focus - US Death penalty - Mal to inform Death Penalty Network (California) - no updates

   6. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk Update (Cait - India BK16) - no updates

4. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

   1. Fundraising: Paolo is running the Paris Marathon for Amnesty - pls share: https://www.justgiving.com/page/paolo-grifa-humanrights

      • £500 raised!

      • Claire to ask Cait/Mal to share on SM - see if we can tag national office

      • Andrew to see if Scotland AI can share on national SM (They already had promoted it)

      • Andrew to link up Paolo with student amnesty group - done

   2. Eritrea human rights talk at Daytime Group - Luca, Carol and Andrew attended, interesting talk

   3. Who went to Edinburgh Campaign Effectiveness training (29.03.25)? Claire, Paolo, Clara, Motaz

   4. CCA Seenaryo film screening during Refugee Festival in June - Mhairi to check w CCA/Seenaryo if we can also have a stall at the screening

5. Suggestion to move letter-writing to mid-meeting to ensure it gets done and have more team-bonding time!

   Urgent Appeals - Merle

   14 letters sent 🙂 - group agreed motivating to write the total number of letters sent each meeting in the minutes.

6. 2025 is Glasgow West AI group's 50th anniversary! - see Ideas doc here, inc. suggestion from Paolo re. community meal. Suggested that we ought to think about getting a keynote speaker along to the community meal event.

   1. All encouraged to suggest ideas / lead on events - large or small - to mark 50 years of AI in Glasgow.

   2. Andrew will contact Council to explore possibility of tree planting to mark 50 years of Amnesty in Glasgow.

   3. Andrew to contact Strathclyde University Journalism and Human Rights course leaders to see if they have students interested in developing some stories around the Group's archive materials. The purpose would be to publicise the work of Amnesty inGlasgow and, hopefully, encourage others to volunteer.

   4. Pride March (19.07.25) early registration. Price before 20.04 = £15 for march (couldn't see info on stalls yet) - agreed to register, Claire will do

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

8. Planning AI Scotland Gathering in Perth (7th June) - next planning meeting is Wednesday 23.04.25 6-7pm - if you can go, please do! (Teams meeting link from Andrew - please email him).

9. AOB

   • Registration for AIUK AGM is open! Clara is able to go on behalf of our group - thanks Clara!

   • Local Updates from Scotland office - see meeting agenda email re. updates on Human Rights Bill and lobbying Scottish Enterprise

   • Clara: journalist from Somalia - gave a talk at SW Conference on human rights in Somalia. We can invite him. Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation costs

   • AIUK Local Group Updates – March link here. Some of the items included in the Update are:-

     • “How Social Security in the UK erodes human rights and dignity.” - online meeting - Thursday 8 May 2025, 6.30pm. Register your spot here: Registration.

     • Sign and share our new action to the Prime Minister, calling for him to stop the cuts to social security in this country and build a fair, compassionate system that protects everyone: Read more here.

     • Individuals at Risk: Ahmed al-Doush - On 31 August 2024, British citizen Ahmed al-Doush was arrested while trying to return home to the UK from a family visit. He was targeted by Saudi authorities over a social media post and an alleged link to a government critic. Since then, he has been held in solitary confinement, denied legal representation for months, and remains arbitrarily detained. Ask the UK government to ensure his release; Ask the Saudi authorities for his release

     • 22 April 6:00pm - 7:30pm - Workshop: "How to build community partnerships (including mapping)": Tickets here.

     • Refugee Week will be celebrated from June 16–22, 2025 with the theme “Community as a Superpower”, focusing on the power of community, collaboration, and shared humanity.

     • Country co-ordinator vacancies - The update lists a range of country co-ordinator volunteer positions that are open for application.

     • AIUK is also recruiting for a number of regional co-ordinator vacancies, including a post for Scotland. Nomination deadline is April.

     • New online courses - Gender Justice and Human Rights (online); Activism Skills Training: Digital Campaign Strategy (23rd Sept).

     • 5th/6th July - AIUK AGM - new location Warwick Uni

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

10. Next meeting - Thurs 8th May 2025

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 9th January 2025

• Thursday 13th February 2025

• Thursday 13th March 2025

• Thursday 10th April 2025

• Thursday 8th May 2025

• Thursday 12th June 2025

• Thursday 10th July 2025

• Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

Thanks to everyone involved in the creation of these updates- your efforts are appreciated. If you wish, you can read these updates in PDF format.

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

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

• Details of our forthcoming April 2025 meeting;
• Information on our local Group member Paolo's fundraising marathon run for Amnesty;
• Links to current AIUK activities;
• The minutes from our local Group's March 2025 meeting; and
• A note of our local Group's monthly meeting dates for the year ahead.

April 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

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

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

• Update on a planned gathering for all AI Groups based in Scotland to take place in Perth on 7th June 2025;

• Further discussion on activities to celebrate 2025 being the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International in Glasgow;

• Feedback from our Group Chair on a recent AI Training event;

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

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

Group Member Paolo Grifa is Running a Marathon (And Fundraising!)

Photo: Paolo Grifa

Paolo Grifa has been a supporter of Amnesty International for many years in Italy.

He participated at the World Social Forum in Genova 2001 and in Florence 2002. Paolo campaigned in particular for LGBTQ rights in Italy and also about the conflict in Palestine.

He moved to Glasgow with his family 10 years ago but never got involved with AI UK. Last year he saw in the Amnesty newsletter that they were looking for runners for the Paris Marathon and he thought \\I could participate that way, fundraising".

Although not a big runner, Paolo has done a couple of marathons in the past. It gave him strong motivation to do something for Amnesty International.

Then I got more curious and involved and started to attend the local group meetings in Glasgow. I really had always admired AI for everything they've been doing for many decades. The 'what can we do' attitude of its members, which I found has not changed in the years and is not different between Italy and the UK. It is really an international movement."

To donate Paolo's journey, please visit his dedicated fundraising page.

Thank you!

Paolo's fundraising page

AIUK Local Updates

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

Selected updates are included below.

Social Security in the UK

Invitation to Amnesty Interanational UK event:

How Social Security in the UK erodes human rights and dignity.

Thursday 8 May 2025, 6.30pm.

Join in-person (central Manchester) or online: Register your spot.

Our social security system should be a secure and stable foundation.

But for too many people, that foundation is crumbling. Life's challenges: a missed payday, your landlord raising your rent, getting ill, can quickly create a domino effect.

One setback leads to another, making it harder to keep up with rent, stay healthy, or move forward in life.

Join us on Thursday 8 May 2025, 6.30pm, either in-person (central Manchester) or online to hear about Amnesty International UK's new report into the realities of social security in the UK.
A panel of expert speakers, including people who have been affected directly, will discuss:

• Why social security is a human right.

• Why – when that right is violated – it impacts so many of your other human rights.

• Why poverty is a political choice and what can be done about it.

Action: Take action to stop the cuts!

Please sign and share our new action to the Prime Minister, calling for him to stop the cuts to social security in this country and build a fair, compassionate system that protects everyone: Prime Minister: Stop the Cuts.

For any questions, please contact the IAR team.

Register here

Amnesty Disabled People's Human Rights Network

Amnesty Disabled People's Human Rights Network would love to keep you updated about other areas of our work, including information about our campaigns, fundraising appeals and events – and the impact we have by working together.

Please let us know if you would like to receive these emails: you can sign up for our newsletter here.

Follow us on:

• Bluesky
• Instagram

More Details and Updates

For further details of the above and other items featured in most recent AIUK Local Groups' Update, click on this link.

Updates from AI Scotland Office

Please click this link for the latest updates from AI's Scotland Office. An excerpt of some of the activities is set out below.

What We've Been Up To

The Scottish Government must now finally acknowledge that […] Scottish Enterprise's human rights checks […] are simply not credible. At best, they are insufficient. At worst, they risk complicity with the most serious of international humanitarian law violations.

Neil Cowan, Scotland Programme Director

Read the full article in The National (note: requires a subscription).

Gaza genocide

After months of research into the atrocities in Gaza, Amnesty International finally launched its report concluding that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza in early December.

Given clear evidence of genocide, we renewed our previous calls on the Scottish government to prevent Scottish Enterprise from awarding grants to arms companies manufacturing weapons used to breach international law.

The report and its potential implications for Scottish Enterprise received front-page news coverage, which you can read here and here. On 5 December, the National also published an op-ed by Neil urging for immediate government action.

In January, Mercedes Villalba MSP submitted a parliamentary motion on Amnesty's genocide report. The motion called on the UK to uphold its legal obligations and to immediately end all arms transfers to Israel. It also flagged the risk that, given Scottish Enterprise's ongoing support for arms companies, Scotland may also be at risk of complicity. Thank you to everyone who contacted their MSP and asked them to support the motion, which you can read here. Your urgent action helped it to achieve cross-party support.

There's still time to get involved: Download our template emails to Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Minister for Business Richard Lockhead and your MSP here to help us hold the government to account.

Human Rights Bill

Updates on our campaign to make international human rights treaties part of Scots law

Over the break, we responded to a consultation on the Scottish government's Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy. The strategy will affect how public bodies develop policy, deliver services, and decide how money is allocated and spent. The Amnesty Scotland team highlighted the importance of:

1. fully incorporating international human rights treaties into Scots law
2. using a robust evidence base on human rights and equality
3. ensuring resourcing is sufficient to make mainstreaming is effective.

Upcoming Dates / events

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

March 2025 Updates

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 13th March 2025

Minutes

1. Welcome and apologies

   • Attendees: Ailig, Paolo, Andrew, Neil, Carol, Claire, Kirstie, Clara & Luca.

   • Apologies: Mal, Cait, Merle & Mhairi.

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes here

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

      1. The Stand Comedy Night

         1. our current bank balance = £903

         2. £1,890 raised for AIUK Charitable Wing; £466 through raffle & collection tins. Plus £20 post-event - Thank you, Jean!

         3. Mal spent £20 as a donation on social media advertising the event – Thank you, Mal!

      2. Fundraising: Paolo is running the Paris Marathon for Amnesty - pls share: https://www.justgiving.com/page/paolo-grifa-humanrights

      3. Claire to ask Cait/Mal to share on SM - see if we can tag national office

         • Andrew to see if Scotland AI can share on national SM

   2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)

      • Update on Twitter/Bluesky discussion? https://www.helloquitx.com/ - no update, both absent

   3. Local Political Outreach

      • Paolo - invite Kaukab Stewart, MSP to come to a meeting (Neil Cowan suggested)

        1. invited - she's busy, maybe future meeting, but seems unlikely in short term.

        2. we could look to have a collab with another org so be stronger

        3. one of us could go to a drop-in MP surgery

        4. Indicated that there is likely to be a proposed Human Rights Bill in the SNP manifesto, but in an amended format from the previous proposal.

        5. Next steps:

           1. Paulo email Neil Cowan w update - ask next tactics re. civil society pushing for it so SNP commit to it? & what other orgs we can link up with - open letter. Important to lobby across political parties, esp if likelihood of a coalition government.

           2. Ailig to let us know next Kaukab surgery drop-in. Our msg to her is we can help progress it, we care, how might we assist?

   4. Regional/Country focus

      1. South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal) - absent, no update

      2. Korea (Clara) - no Korea update; June 4th Commemoration of Tiananmen Square - last year was in Edinburgh with HK group, this year maybe in Glasgow

   5. Theme focus - US Death penalty - Mal to inform Death Penalty Network / follow up work on California - absent, no update

   6. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk Update (Cait - India BK16 - update held over from previous month) - absent, no update

4. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

   1. Seenaryo (Lebanon) film screening - postponed until ~September

   2. Andrew to link up Paolo with student amnesty group - done, but Paolo not managed to link up yet

   3. The Stand Comedy Night - 150 tickets were sold, raising a total of £1,890 for AIUK's charitable trust. £369 in cash; £97 from card reader machine

      1. Save the date - Thurs 19th Feb 2026 for the next one!

5. Invite from Philippa (AI Local Groups Administrator – Community Organising):

   Scotland has been identified as one of the three Office-led AI Gatherings 🥳 "We have been working with the Perth Group and in collaboration with the Perth Minority Group in organising the event in early June 2025 (7th). We are now in the process of forming a Working group to collaborate on setting the agenda and programme for the event and would like to invite members of the Glasgow West Group to join the Working Group.

   More info on the gatherings:

   The Regional Gathering will foster connection by bringing together local Amnesty activists and like-minded communities to address pressing human rights issues. By building collective power, the gathering will expand the movement through meaningful engagement with communities beyond Amnesty, establishing impactful partnerships. Furthermore, it aims to reinvigorate regional action, inspiring and mobilising attendees to champion human rights campaigns with renewed energy and dedication.

   • Andrew to let Philippa know there were no volunteers from our group to help organise, but that we are definitely interested in attending!

6. Glasgow Daytime group invite: Alex Jackson will be giving a presentation on Human Rights in Eritrea at our next meeting, Thursday 20 March at 13.00 - all welcome - at The Wee Retreat in the Southside

7. Activist Training:

   1. Activism Skills Training: How to Recruit New Members - Tuesday, March 25 · 6 - 8pm GMT

   2. Campaign Effectiveness 101 Tickets, Sat, Mar 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

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

   • Do we want to organise events to mark it? Ideas:

     1. Publicity in local press to help raise awareness of AI, recruit new members & raise funds

     2. Historical Resources:

        1. Andrew received resources from former Group secretary, Brian Donnelly, who was active from the 1970s.

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

           • It was suggested to involve John Gerard & wife Margaret - previous members - Mal has contact details

           • also Jill Young - Christine has contact details

   • Andrew to link up with Daytime Group to ask if they too would like to participate / organise events, etc - hopefully speak at their March meeting

   • More ideas!

     • Press articles over this year - Andrew to look at

     • interview previous members - get into local press/SM

     • Alexander Dakar painting of Chile football stadium could link to previous 1970's football tournament human rights campaign

     • Exhibition in a Library - Mitchell Library? Ailig volunteered to ask Mitchell in the future

     • Link in w film screening - e.g. “All Static and Noise” - Uighurs / “She's in Jail” - HK - no volunteers at meeting to look into this

9. Urgent Appeals - Merle:

   1. Ukraine/Russian Federation: Respect The Rights Of Injured Pow

   2. Iran: Women's Rights Defender Resentenced To Death

   3. Kirstie got a return to sender from the Write for Rights Tunisia case

10. AOB

    1. Scottish Government is undertaking a review of funding by Scottish Enterprise given to companies who create armaments

    2. AIUK Regional Organisers - Clara is advocating for Scotland to be one of the pilot regions and will seek input from other Scottish Groups to the application process over the next week or so.

    3. AIUK Local Group Updates – February link here. Some of the items included in the Update are:-

       • /Refugee Week will be celebrated from June 16–22, 2025 with the theme “Community as a Superpower”, focusing on the power of community, collaboration, and shared humanity in the face of displacement. /

       • Country co-ordinator vacancies - The update lists a range of country co-ordinator volunteer positions that are open for application.

       • AIUK is also recruiting for a number of regional co-ordinator vacancies, including a post for Scotland. Nomination deadline is April.

       • /New online courses - Gender Justice and Human Rights (online); Activism Skills Training: Digital Campaign Strategy (23rd Sept). /

       • 5th/6th July - AIUK AGM - new location Warwick Uni

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

11. Next meeting – Thursday 10th April 7.30pm – 9pm

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 9th January 2025

• Thursday 13th February 2025

• Thursday 13th March 2025

• Thursday 10th April 2025

• Thursday 8th May 2025

• Thursday 12th June 2025

• Thursday 10th July 2025

• Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

Thank you to everyone involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are much appreciated. These can be read as a PDF if desired.

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

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

• Details of our forthcoming March 2025 meeting;

• Links to current AIUK activities;

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

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

March 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 13th March, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 13th March 2025 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

• Discussion on a planned gathering for all AI Groups based in Scotland to take place in Perth on 7th June 2025;

• 2025 is the 50th anniversary of Glasgow West AI Group and we will be discussing potential activities to plan around this significant occasion;

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

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

Amnesty International – Paris Marathon Fundraiser

Our local Glasgow West AI Group member, Paolo, is running the Paris Marathon to raise funds for Amnesty International.

The event takes place on 13th April 2025 and Paolo will be running the 26miles 385 yards (42.2km), with every penny raised going directly to AIUK.

Paolo shared his motivation for undertaking this challenge:

“As a dedicated supporter of Amnesty International for many years, I am thrilled to announce my participation in the Paris Marathon 2025 to raise funds for Amnesty. I have followed and participated in Amnesty campaigns for over 30 years, both in Italy and the UK. I deeply admire and am moved by Amnesty's tireless work for everyone's rights - an inspiring example to follow. It's an exhausting endeavour that demands immense tenacity, mental strength, clarity of purpose, and even rigorous training, much like running a marathon. I'm proud to wear Amnesty's colours at the Paris Marathon. I started running just a few years ago, and a marathon is still a significant challenge for me. Being able to contribute to Amnesty's cause is a powerful motivation.”

Please visit Paulo's ‘Just Giving' page if you would like to support his efforts:

Paolo's JustGiving Page

Human Rights in Eritrea– Invitation

to a Presentation / Discussion

Glasgow Daytime Amnesty International Group member, Alex, will be giving a presentation and leading a discussion on Human Rights in Eritrea. Alex has long been involved in campaigning on this issue and he will provide an insight into the human rights challenges and the work of Amnesty International within the country.

The event takes place at 1pm on Thursday 20th March 2025. It will be held at ‘The Wee Retreat', 2 Myrtle Park, Glasgow, G42 8UQ. All are welcome to attend.

AIGW Glasgow Comedy Event raises £2,350

for Amnesty International

Our Glasgow West AI Group held our latest annual Comedy Fundraiser for Amnesty at The Stand comedy club, Glasgow in February.

This year, we sold 150 tickets, which raised £1,890 for AIUK Charitable Trust.

In addition to the ticket sales, the event also raised an additional £466 via a raffle and collection tins. This money will be used to support the campaigning work and related expenses of our local Glasgow West AI Group. So, overall, a grand total of just over £2,350 was raised for Amnesty at the event.

As usual, The Stand Comedy club was fantastic, arranging the performers, giving their premises and staff time free of charge.

A special mention goes to the comedians, each of whom donated their time completely free of charge to Amnesty.

The fantastic line-up of four comedians comprised Marc Jennings, who acted as compere for the event, Amanda Dwyer, Kai Humphries and headliner Christopher MacArthur-Boyd. All of the acts were very well received by the enthusiastic audience, as was our Group member Mal, who provided a brief update about the work of Amnesty and gave thanks on the night to all who had made the event such a success.

Finally, a ‘thank you' is also due to everyone who bought a ticket for the event and for those who donated raffle prizes.

This fundraiser is a firm fixture on the Glasgow Amnesty calendar and a date for next year's Fundraiser has already been set with The Stand for Thursday 19th February 2026!

AIUK Local Updates

The latest updates for Local AI Groups produced by AIUK can be found the AIUK website.

Below is a sample of some of the items included in this latest update.

Will Writing Service

Write your Will for FREE during Amnesty International UK's Make a Will Month!

This March, you and your loved ones can write or update your Will for free with our annual Make a Will Month. We've made it even simpler for you, by partnering with the National Free Wills Network, Co-op Legal Services, and Farewill. Our partners provide you with the option to write your Will in the most convenient way to you, whether that's face-to-face, online or over the phone.

There's no obligation to include a gift to Amnesty International UK when you write your Will, but any gift you do include will make sure humanity can keep winning. Go to Free will Service to get started.

Sign up here

Spring Raffle

Play the Amnesty Spring raffle today!

More info:

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

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

By playing the Amnesty Spring Raffle, that winning feeling – and the cash – could be yours. Every entry counts in the fight for human rights.

Enter Now

For further details of the above and other items featured in most recent AIUK Local Groups' Update, see AIGW Local Updates.

Upcoming Dates / events

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

Updates on AIUK Campaigns

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

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 13th February 2025 Updates

1. Welcome and apologies

   Attending: Claire (Chair), Daisy, David, Luca, Merle, Paolo, Neil, Cait and Andrew.

   Apologies: Mal, Kirstie, Carl, Mhairi and Clara.

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes here.

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer

      It was noted that a request from the Glasgow AI Daytime group for a donation to assist with Write for Rights postage costs was subsequently withdrawn, as it was no longer required due to the Group having recently received a substantial donation.

      Report submitted by Kirstie in advance of meeting: 4 transactions in Jan: annual affiliation to AI, reimbursement for write for rights postage, plug/ charging cable for sum up card machine, and a cheque donation. Current balance is £418.79

      Write for Rights postage costs: Hillhead event £82.77, uni event £7, Sunday Assembly £30 (Kirstie donation covered Sunday Assembly) group event ~£35 (Claire donation £21.40; Merle ~£7 donation, Luca ~£7 donation)

      Fundraising: Paolo is running the Paris Marathon for Amnesty on Sunday 13th April - Pls share: https://www.justgiving.com/page/paolo-grifa-humanrights *

   2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)

      We spent £20 on an advert across Facebook and Instagram to promote the comedy night:

      5,182 people were reached, with 7,339 impressions (i.e. some people saw the advert more than once); 154 clicks on link to buy tickets (£0.13 per click); 31 tickets bought during 4 day period that the advert was running.

      We can't tell how many of the tickets sold were people who saw the advert, but in the previous month we sold 43 tickets. Equally, some people who saw the advert may yet buy tickets before the show. Those 31 tickets will contribute over £300 to Amnesty, suggesting it was likely a good return on investment, but also demonstrates paid social media advertising is not a ‘silver bullet' to raising awareness of our group activities.

      Please continue to like / share / comment on all our social media activities!

      Discussion re. Leaving Twitter/ X - should our Group's Twitter / X account be closed? Option to move to BlueSky?

      Suggestion: stay on Twitter/X while still got a lot of people we can influence

      Cait/Mal to check engagement on Twitter/ X. Look into moving

      More people “similar to us” on BlueSky (as in people in the Amnesty bubble who are likely to engage with us)

      Suggestion: open blue-sky

      Vote:

      1. close Twitter/X later, for now mirror → almost unanimous vote for this option!

      2. close now and open bluesky [no - seen as too big a risk as we may lose current Twitter / X followers]

   3. Local Political Outreach (Neil)

      Neil Cowan suggestion from a previous meeting to Ask if Kaukab Stewart - SNP Minister for Equalities - would like to come and meet our group to talk about the shelved Scottish Human Rights Bill (Amnesty report here) / Scotland's use of the UK government's "Prevent" policy (Amnesty work on it here). Christine from our group has been in contact with Kaukab's Admin Assistant in the past (her constituency is Glasgow Kelvin) and gave her email address: Bryony.Lovett@parliament.scot.

      Claire had asked group member Neil H if able to follow up on this. Neil H couldn't do so, but Paolo offered to contact Kaukab Stewart.

      Our focus - upcoming elections for Scottish Parliament May 2026; what can we do to help lobby candidates / parties to raise Scottish Human Rights Bill as a priority?

      David suggestion: ask her about getting Human Rights into school

      • Scottish Youth Parliament

      • Claire to share AI speaker in schools information

   4. Regional/Country focus

      1. South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal)

      2. Korea (Clara)

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

   6. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk (Cait beginning to look into this case - India BK16 two released on bail)

4. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

   Seenaryo (Lebanon) film screening: Mhairi No update - held over from previous months regarding the previously planned (February) screening & panel discussion at Glasgow University inc. lecturer from Dept of Middle East studies & AIUK Country Coordinator (Clara re. Lebanon)

5. 2025 AI Glasgow West AGM 1 Team Roles.docx

   Current group:

   1. Chair: Claire (since Sep 2022) - agreed to continue but hoping for a co-Chair this year!

   2. Secretary: Andrew (since Sep 2022) - agreed to continue but hoping for a co-Secretary this year!

   3. Treasurer: Kirsty (since ~Sep 2022) - agreed to continue but hoping for a co-Treasurer this year!

   4. UAs: Merle (since forever) - agreed to continue and happy to support someone else with this role

   5. Social Media: Mal / Cait (since forever / ad hoc) - Mal happy to continue; Cait recommitting!

   Suggestion: Paolo suggestion about promoting greater diversity / inclusion in the Group's membership and activities. For example, by getting students more involved in our group, via LGBTQ+ groups / shared campaigns. Joint activities with Glasgow University Amnesty Group may be a useful starting point for this - (Emma is the secretary - mail@guamnesty.org.uk)

   NB to all to note that the Group is always open to suggestions for guest speakers

6. Planning for Comedy Night fundraiser at The Stand Comedy Club - Thursday 20th February 2025 - all to share AIGW - Tasks for Comedy Fundraiser - Feb 2025: https://www.thestand.co.uk/performance/18996/benefit-in-aid-of-amnesty-international/20250220/glasgow

   Tickets: £13 / £11 - NB all entrance ticket sales proceeds will go to Amnesty UK charitable arm.

   Doors Open – 7pm ; Starts – 8pm approx. ; Finishes – 10pm approx. ; [planning doc here]

   90 tickets sold as of 13.02.25

   Mal has lots of things he will bring. Still need: raffle tickets (Andrew will bring); Up to date group contact details/meeting info leaflets/business cards required – volunteer?

   Pre Stand Fundraiser event actions:

   • Christine - Glasgow Times - will seek to liaise with local press on getting publicity for the event.

   • Mal to share info on social media

   • Andrew will check with The Stand if we need to do anything else – at doors, etc

   • Cait - flyer → people print & put up around town

   6.45pm arrive - Luca, Andrew, Merle

   AI publicity materials - Mal will bring the AI Banner, Posters, Lanyards, Badges, etc

   Raffle!

   • Prizes /(e.g. Bottles of alcohol, boxes of chocolates, etc; more basic gifts can be grouped into gift bags)/*:* All to bring raffle prizes

   • Posters: Mal print this poster (stating that AI Glasgow West will be the beneficiary of the raffle); Andrew will email a copy of this to The Stand.

   • Raffle tickets: Andrew to bring from box in church hall

   • Raffle Ticket Sellers: Luca, Carol, others tbc 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 (Treasurer).

   Collection Tins: Mal/Andrew will bring two AI Collection Tins for cash donations (follow around behind raffle sellers while people have their wallets open!)

   Photographs / Social Media:

   • Photo consent: Paolo - Stand manager / Host for the evening announces that photos are being taken (make sure he does/we do)

   • Paolo will take photographs at the event for use in publicity, inc. providing social media updates on the night

   AI Input on the night - Lead: Mal Tasks:

   • liaising with the host and asking him 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 (/Kirstie /(Treasurer) to reimburse cost from raffle proceeds).

   Follow-up:

   • Andrew will write a short article for the AIUK Local Groups Update on the Fundraiser and include photos from Paolo.

   • Funds Raised - Once the final total raised for AIUK Charity is notified to Andrew by The Stand, he will contact Richard at AIUK and arrange for him to send an invoice to The Stand for the net amount raised on behalf of AIUK Charitable Trust.

7. Urgent Appeals - Merle

   • https://tinyurl.com/afghanistan25

   • https://tinyurl.com/iran25

8. AOB

   • Glasgow Film Festival - starting ~21st Feb

   • Paisley Film Festival - on now (Jan-March)

   From the Group Signal chat:

   • Outside In (https://www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk/outsidein) is a migrant-led interactive photography exhibition, organised by Migrant Voice, which tells stories of how migrants bring the world to Scotland and have made it their home. Outside In features people from 21 countries, from across the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, exploring how migrants have influenced different areas of life, from fashion to tea brewing and martial arts. Visitors can not only learn but also contribute their insights about migrant communities and Scottish links to their countries. Visit the exhibition:

   • Open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm until 21st of February.

   • Maryhill Burgh Halls, 10-24 Gairbraid Avenue, Glasgow, G20 8YE

   • Free entry

   • (Maryhill Burgh Halls has wheelchair access, accessible toilets and large print materials.)

   AIUK Local Group Updates – January link here Some of the items included in the Update are:-

   • Protect UK nationals arbitrarily detained abroad

   • Local Groups' Planning Pack here (This resource is designed to help groups plan their year, by providing information, resources and connection across the movement that will help you campaign effectively for human rights, grow your impact and audience, and raise funds to support your group's activity)

   • An update on AIUK's 2024 Write for Rights Campaign /(featuring both Glasgow West and Glasgow Daytime Groups' input amongst many other Groups across the UK) /

   • Toolkit and funding to encourage regional gatherings of Amnesty activists. In addition, it is noted that there will be an AI office-led Gathering in Scotland during Q2 of 2025 (date tbc).

   • Refugee Week will be celebrated from June 16–22, 2025 with the theme “Community as a Superpower”, focusing on the power of community, collaboration, and shared humanity in the face of displacement. If you are interested to organise a Refugee Week community event in your local area, please feel free to apply for a grant by clicking on the below button, the deadline to apply is 17 February.

   • Activism in Action for International Women's Day Join us on Saturday 8 March for International Women's Day, to mark the occasion with a series of feminist activism focused sessions. Sat, 8th Mar 2025 10:00 - 18:00, Location: Human Rights Action Centre, London

   • Country co-ordinator vacancies - The update lists a range of country co-ordinator volunteer positions that are open for application.

   • AIUK is also recruiting for a number of regional co-ordinator vacancies, including a post for Scotland. Nomination deadline is April.

   • New online courses - Gender Justice and Human Rights (online); Activism Skills Training: Digital Campaign Strategy (25th Feb or 23rd Sept).

   Other upcoming dates / events:

   • 18 Feb 6pm - 7:30pm - Campaign Connect: A briefing on Israel's Genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - Tickets here

   • 20 Feb 6:30pm - 7:40pm - Predictive Policing Report launch. The event will be hybrid, offering the option of joining in person at the HRAC - Tickets here

   • 26 Feb 10:30 - 1pm - Refugee Week 2025 Conference - Tickets here

   • 1-2 March - Amnesty UK Student Festival - Tickets here

     Please note that this is a students only festival but you can spread the word!

   • 8 March - International Women's Day

   • 8 March 10am - 6pm - Activism In Action for International Women's Day by the Amnesty Feminist Network, HRAC London - Tickets here

   • 5th/6th July - AIUK AGM, Birmingham - : 7th March is the deadline for self-nomination to be on AIUK board and also for submitting any AGM resolutions

9. Date of Next AI Glasgow West Group Meeting – Thurs 13th March 7.30pm – 9pm

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 9th January 2025

• Thursday 13th February 2025

• Thursday 13th March 2025

• Thursday 10th April 2025

• Thursday 8th May 2025

• Thursday 12th June 2025

• Thursday 10th July 2025

• Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

Thanks to everyone involved in producing these updates, your efforts are much appreciated. You can also read these updates as a PDF.

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

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

• Details of our forthcoming February 2025 meeting;

• Information on current AIUK activities;

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

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

February 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 13th February 2025 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

• Final planning for our annual Comedy Fundraiser event, which takes place on Thurs 20th February 2025;

• Our local Group's AGM;

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

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

\newpage

Amnesty International Comedy Fundraiser at The Stand, Glasgow

Thursday 20th February 2025, 8PM

Last Chance to Get Your Ticket!

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

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

For details of the comedians performing, click on the link below.

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

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

AIUK Local Updates

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

Below is a sample of some of the items included in this latest update.

• Local Groups' Planning Pack here (This resource is designed to help groups plan their year, by providing information, resources and connection across the movement that will help you campaign effectively for human rights, grow your impact and audience, and raise funds to support your group's activity)

• An update on AIUK's 2024 Write for Rights Campaign (featuring both Glasgow West and Glasgow Daytime Groups' input amongst many other Groups across the UK)

Glasgow Daytime AI Group's Write for Rights event at Langside Library

Glasgow West AI Group's Write for Rights event at Hillhead Library

• Toolkit and funding to encourage regional gatherings of Amnesty activists. In addition, it is noted that there will be an AI office-led Gathering in Scotland during Q2 of 2025 (date tbc).

• Refugee Week will be celebrated from June 16–22, 2025 with the theme “Community as a Superpower”, focusing on the power of community, collaboration, and shared humanity in the face of displacement. If you are interested to organise a Refugee Week community event in your local area, please feel free to apply for a grant by clicking on the below button, the deadline to apply is 17 February.

• Activism in Action for International Women's Day - Join us on Saturday 8 March for International Women's Day, to mark the occasion with a series of feminist activism focused sessions. Sat 8th Mar 2025 10:00 - 18:00, Location: Human Rights Action Centre, London

• Country co-ordinator vacancies - The update lists a range of country co-ordinator volunteer positions that are open for application.

• AIUK is also seeking to recruit a number of regional co-ordinator vacancies, including a post for Scotland. Deadline to apply is April.

• New online courses - Gender Justice and Human Rights (online); Activism Skills Training: Digital Campaign Strategy (25th Feb or 23rd Sept).

Other upcoming dates / events

• 18 Feb 6pm - 7:30pm - Campaign Connect: A briefing on Israel's Genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - Tickets here

• 20 Feb 6:30pm - 7:40pm - Predictive Policing Report launch. The event will be hybrid, offering the option of joining in person at the HRAC - Tickets here

• 26 Feb 10:30 - 1pm - Refugee Week 2025 Conference - Tickets here

• 1-2 March - Amnesty UK Student Festival - Tickets here

(Please note that this is a students only festival but you can spread the word!)

• 8 March 10am - 6pm - Activism In Action for International Women's Day by the Amnesty Feminist Network, HRAC London - Tickets here

• 5-6 July - AIUK AGM, Birmingham -- (7th March is the deadline for self-nomination to be on AIUK board and also for submitting any AGM resolutions)

For further details of the above and other items featured in most recent AIUK Local Groups' Update, click on this link.

Amnesty Scotland Updates

Amnesty International's Scotland office recently introduced a bulletin, which can be found via this link.

AI Scotland's has template letters for activists in Scotland.

One current AI Scotland campaign relates to public funding being provided by Scottish Enterprise. An FOI request by AI indicated that funding may have been awarded to companies selling arms components to countries that are breaching international law. The AI Scotland campaign calls for proper due diligence concerning human rights checks in relation to public funding.

More general information is available on the work of Amnesty's Scotland office.

AIUK - Upcoming Dates & Events and Updates on Campaigns

Updates on planned AIUK training and events for AI activists, can be found on the AIUK website under 'events'.

Updates on current AIUK Priority Campaigns can also be found on the amnesty website (PDF link).

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Updates - Thursday 9th January 2025

Minutes

1. Welcome and apologies

Attending: Carol, Jim, Luca, Mal, Andrew, Kirstie, Merle, Christine, Claire (Chair), Paolo, Clara

Also Attending: Neil Cowan, AI Scotland Director

Apologies: Neil and Mhairi

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes: here

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

      1. December: W4R donations: £70 donation cash in tins; £2 donated by Kirstie(!)

      2. £82.77 costs of postage (& Merle/Luca costs)

      3. Current balance: £487.48

      4. A Christmas card containing a donation of £10 from Susie K was opened and the money was given to the treasurer.

      5. Kirstie has ordered us a SumUpSolo card reader for our group so we can collect money through contactless payments for our own group bank account. Cost = £95; no monthly charge; 1.69% transaction fee

         We can either:

         • only use our group card reader so all donations go to our local group and then we do yearly donations to central AIUK, depending on our bank balance; or

         • use two card readers, including one for AIUK.

         • The Group's agreement was to just use our local group's card reader

   2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait) - The Stand comedy fundraiser post - pls share / like / subscribe (The more people do this, the more coverage the post will achieve)

   3. Local Political Outreach (Neil) - not present at meeting

      1. Andrew to ask Neil to contact Kaukab Stewart re. attending a future meeting to talk re. Human Rights Bill

   4. Regional/ Country focus

      1. South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal) - no updates

      2. Korea (Clara) - Seoul metro campaign - UK Country Co-ordinator got a response, no other countries did - Clara will let us know next steps

      3. Ramadan Iftar event - Claire to share w Clara doc re. 2023 iftar to see overview of tasks

   5. Theme focus - US Death penalty - Mal to inform Death Penalty Network / follow up work on California - no updates

      • Happy news: Zimbabwe abolishes death penalty!

   6. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk Update (Han -?) / (Cait - India BK16)

      • Cait - BK16 action - letter to send prisoners directly / research local UK politicians? – Cait was not present at meeting and no update on this had been provided

4. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

   • Seenaryo (Lebanon) film screening: Mhairi update on February screening & panel discussion at Glasgow University inc. lecturer from Dept of Middle East studies & AIUK Country Coordinator (Clara re. Lebanon CC) – Mhairi was not present at meeting and no update had been provided

   • Update on 2024 Write for Rights case Neth Nahara - she has been released following a presidential pardon.

5. Guest Speaker: Neil Cowan (Programme Director for Scotland Amnesty)

   • Neil was welcomed to the meeting. He advised that he had been in post for just less than a year and that he was keen to meet local groups. Amnesty's Scotland office has four staff – Neil (Director) Stewart (Policy Manager, dealing primarily with legal and related matters) Liz Thomson and Jackson (Admin / office management). The email address for the AI Scotland office is Scotland@amnesty.org.uk

   • Neil referenced the recent AI report on the Gaza genocide (“You Feel You are Subhuman: Israel's Genocide in Gaza”)

   • Neil also spoke about the Prevent duty, which is intended to stop people becoming terrorists and which the Scottish Government has a responsibility for delivering within Scotland. The major AIUK report on the Prevent Duty in 2024 set out a wide range of concerns about the unfair and unintended effects implementation of the policy was having.

   • c.75% of the work of AI's Scotland Office involves a focus on seeking to influence the Scottish Government and/or interpreting AIUK policy to ensure coherence with the unique Scottish policy context in order that it properly reflects the situation in Scotland. This also includes advising AIUK staff of particular issues relating to Scotland.

   • A major focus had been on working with the Scottish Government and other key stakeholders on the development of a Scottish Human Rights Bill. This proposed policy has since been deprioritised by the Scottish Government with regard to the current Parliamentary business timetable. However, work is ongoing to seek to get this matter back on the agenda of the various political parties.

   • The AI Scotland office team has also been campaigning on the issue of how organisations such as Scottish Enterprise appraise grant aid to companies in order to ensure public money is not spent in unethical ways. This included a focus on Scottish Enterprise allegedly providing grant aid to defence sector companies whose products may have been used in Israel's campaign in Gaza. Further details on this campaign are included in this AI Press Release. Also see the Appendix to the minutes (below), including a call to action.

   • Neil summarised AI Scotland's priorities for 2025 as 1.) a Human Rights Bill for Scotland, 2. Abolition of Prevent, 3. The Scottish Enterprise issue noted above, and planning ahead to the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.

   • A series of Q&A discussion then followed Neil's initial input. Neil was thanked for his input and he left the meeting.

6. Planning for Comedy Night fundraiser at The Stand Comedy Club - Thursday 20th February 2025 - all to share AIGW - Tasks for Comedy Fundraiser - Feb 2025: https://www.thestand.co.uk/performance/18996/benefit-in-aid-of-amnesty-international/20250220/glasgow

   Tickets: £13 / £11 - NB all entrance ticket sales proceeds will go to Amnesty UK charitable arm.

   Doors Open – 7pm ; Starts – 8pm approx. ; Finishes – 10pm approx. ;

   Planning Document.

   If ticket sales are low, we will take up the option of paying for social media advertising boosts. (Mal)

   Pre Stand Fundraiser event actions:

   • Chrstine - Glasgow Times - will seek to liaise with local press on getting publicity for the event.

   • Mal to share on social media

   • Andrew will check with The Stand if we need to do anything else – at doors, etc

   • Cait - flyer → people print & put up around town

   6.45pm arrive - Luca, Andrew, Merle

   • AI publicity materials - Mal will bring the AI Banner, Posters, Lanyards, Badges, etc

   Raffle!

   • Prizes (e.g. Bottles of alcohol, boxes of chocolates, etc; more basic gifts can be grouped into gift bags): All to bring raffle prizes

   • Posters: Mal print this poster (stating that AI Glasgow West will be the beneficiary of the raffle); Andrew will email a copy of this to The Stand.

   • Tickets:

     • Raffle tickets: Andrew / Kirstie to bring from box in church hall

     • Raffle Ticket Sellers: Luca, Carol, others tbc

       • 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 (Treasurer).

   Collection Tins: Mal/Andrew will bring two AI Collection Tins for cash donations (follow around behind raffle sellers while people have their wallets open!)

   Photographs / Social Media:

   • Photo consent: Stand manager / Host for the evening announces that photos are being taken (make sure he does/we do)

   • Clara will take photographs at the event for use in publicity, inc. providing social media updates on the night

   AI Input on the night - Lead: Mal/Clara. Tasks:

   • liaising with the host and asking him 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 (/Kirstie /(Treasurer) / /to reimburse cost from raffle proceeds).

   Follow-up:

   • Andrew will write a short article for the AIUK Local Groups Update on the Fundraiser and include photos from Clara.

   • Funds Raised - Once the final total raised for AIUK Charity is notified to Andrew by The Stand, he will contact Richard at AIUK and arrange for him to send an invoice to The Stand for the net amount raised on behalf of AIUK Charitable Trust.

7. Urgent Appeals - Merle

   • Tunisia: Unjustly Jailed Lawyer Treated Inhumanely

   • Niger: Prominent Human Rights Defender Detained

8. AIUK Local Group Updates – December link here

   • Refugees in Conversation: A Webinar - Thursday 30th January at 7:00-8:30pm

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

   To attend, register: here

   • See more on the Amnesty Events page.

   • Demand the UK suspend all arms transfers to Israel now - petition here (now closed – 30k contacted their MPs)

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

   • Protect UK nationals arbitrarily detained abroad

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

   • 5th/6th July - AIUK AGM

9. Next meeting – Thurs 13th Feb 7.30pm-9pm - AGM / final planning for The Stand event

   AGM Reminder: Pls consider roles (see list here) and feel free to ask current role holders for more info on the role responsibilities if you are at all interested!

   Feb meeting: 7th March - deadline for self-nomination to be on AIUK board and submitting any AGM resolutions

10. 2025 will be Glasgow West group's 50th anniversary!

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

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

    • Resources:

      1. Andrew has resources from former Group secretary, Brian Donnelly, who was active from the 1970s.

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

      3. Involve John Gerard & wife Margaret - previous member - Mal has contact details

      4. Jill Young - Christine has contact details

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

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

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

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

Additional Info

Email from Liz from the Scotland Office:

Some people had asked what they can do to support our recent work in the Amnesty Scotland office on Scottish public funding for arms companies.

We recently wrote to the Deputy First Minister calling for a review of the human rights due diligence performed before awarding companies public grants: read more about this on the AIUK website.

This also had some coverage on the BBC's news page and Reporting Scotland.

Freedom of Information requests we submitted showed that multiple arms manufacturers are being awarded grants by Scottish Enterprise, yet not a single company failed or was flagged as a concern by the due diligence procedures currently in place. Some of these companies have been linked to supplying states accused of war crimes, including Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Enterprise agencies administer public money. It is the Scottish government's overall responsibility to act if it is thought that public money could be caught up in supply chains linked to human rights abuses.

I have attached two template letters for anyone who would like to help by writing to politicians to underline our
calls. The first is a letter to the Scottish government's Minister for Business, Richard Lochhead, i have included his email address. The second is suggested wording for anyone who would like to write to their MSPs asking them to support our calls and raise the issue in parliament. As you are probably aware you can find contact details for your constituency and regional MSPs by entering your postcode here: https://www.parliament.scot/msps

I would really appreciate it if you could share any responses you get with me as it's hugely helpful for my advocacy work. The MSPs we have already spoke to about this include Patrick Harvie, Ross Greer (Scottish Green Party) and Katy Clark (Scottish Labour).

Letters here:

• Scottish Enterprise template letter - Minister for Business.docx
• Scottish Enterprise - letter to MSP.docx

AGM & National Conference: 5th-6th July 2025

Teaching & Learning Building, University of Birmingham

In 2025, Amnesty UK members and activists will be coming together for a weekend to celebrate our powerful movement, take part in AIUK democracy, meet, network and plan for the year to come.

We hope you enjoyed Amplify Festival 2024. In 2025, we'll be reimagining Amplify as a flagship moment for AIUK activists and members, a space for the movement to gather. Welcome to ‘Amplify Summit': a weekend bringing together the AGM alongside workshops and masterclasses.

We'll be…

• Participating in AIUK democracy in the 2025 AGM
• Meeting and networking with activists from across the movement
• Hearing amazing activists and campaigners speak in masterclasses
• Participating in campaigning and activism workshops
• Celebrating the incredible work of AIUK activists and members

The event will be open to AIUK Section members and activists only. It will not be a public event, but rather a gathering space for the AIUK movement. The event will incorporate both important AIUK governance and additional sessions designed to entertain, upskill, and spark conversation.

Whether you are a long-time activist in a local group, or a brand-new activist who has recently joined your student network, this event is for you. It will be the largest gathering of AIUK's base. We cannot wait to welcome you to the Amplify Summit.

We hope you will join us in Birmingham!

Please note that the AIUK AGM is open to AIUK Section members only. If you would like to become a member, you can join as an individual on the AIUK website or the group you are a member of can affiliate. Please join by the end of March to receive the official notice of the AGM. Please reach out to your Community Organising staff member for more information.

Tickets and more information will be launched in early 2025, so keep an eye out for that. We're delighted to say that we will be offering bursaries for travel and accommodation for attendees to come to Birmingham for the full weekend. There will be a specific process to follow for this, information to follow.

Important Governance Information

Deadline for Resolutions is 7 March 2025. Forms to submit resolutions will be available on the AGM page of our website from January 2025 at the latest.

Any questions, please email agm@amnesty.org.uk.

Elections for AGM and Board Roles

Amnesty International UK Section is a member-led movement. The Section Board and the key AGM officers are elected by the members. To keep our democracy healthy and to give members a choice of leaders, it is important that candidates put themselves forward. In 2025, we are seeking candidates for the following roles:

• AGM Chair: to ensure that our most important members' meeting runs smoothly and everyone feels welcome and included on the day

• One member of the Standing Orders Committee: to help the AGM Chair by interpreting the AGM rules and ensuring that they are followed by everyone.

• Three members of the Members and Directors Appeals Committee: to act as an appeals body for members who have been expelled from the membership, or Board members who have been removed from the board. It is an important role but one that is, thankfully, rarely called on.

Four Board members:

• One who is a member aged between 18 and 23 on 25 July 2025
• One member over the age of 16 years on 25 July 2025, who must be nominated by a local group
• Two “unreserved seats” meaning that any member over the age of 16 years can stand

The deadline for nominations for all of these roles is 7 March 2025. Further information about the roles and the nomination process will be available on the AIUK website before the end of the year. Please note that for the Board member roles, candidates must have been a member of the Section since at least 7 September 2024.

We know that these roles can seem daunting but support will be provided. If you have any questions, would like to find out more, or would like an informal discussion, please contact the Nominations Sub-Committee by emailing nomcom@amnesty.org.uk.

Any questions about the event, please contact activistevents@amnesty.org.uk

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 9th January 2025

• Thursday 13th February 2025

• Thursday 13th March 2025

• Thursday 10th April 2025

• Thursday 8th May 2025

• Thursday 12th June 2025

• Thursday 10th July 2025

• Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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

Happy New Year to all our email subscribers!

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

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

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

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

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

January 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

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

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

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

Annual Comedy Fundraiser at The Stand, Glasgow

Raising funds for Amnesty International UK

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

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

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

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

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

Write for Rights

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

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

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

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

AIUK Local Updates

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

Below is a short excerpt from the latest update.

Refugees in Conversation: A Webinar

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

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

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

To attend, register here.

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

Amnesty Scotland Updates

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Dates / events

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

Updates on AIUK Campaigns

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

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting - 12th November 2024 Updates

1. Welcome and apologies (introductions round table)

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

   Apologies: Neil and Kirstie

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes here

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

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

   b. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)

   c. Local Political Outreach (Neil)

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

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

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

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

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

4. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   Seenaryo (Lebanon) film screening: Actions - Mhairi

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

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

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

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

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

   Agreed → Action - Andrew to send

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

   Dear Helen and Andrew,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   Yours sincerely

   Secretary, Glasgow West AI Group

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

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

   Tickets: £13 / £11

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

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

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

7. Urgent Appeals - Merle → Write for Rights

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

8. AIUK Local Group Updates – November link here

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

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

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

   Protect UK nationals arbitrarily detained abroad

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

9. AOB

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

   5th/6th July - AIUK AGM

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

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 9th January 2025

• Thursday 13th February 2025

• Thursday 13th March 2025

• Thursday 10th April 2025

• Thursday 8th May 2025

• Thursday 12th June 2025

• Thursday 10th July 2025

• Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

Thank you to everyone who was involved in these updates, all your efforts are appreciated. You can read these updates as a PDF here.

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

This email includes:

• Details of our forthcoming December 2024 meeting
• Information on current AIUK activities
• The minutes from our Group's November 2024 meeting
• A note of our local Group's meeting dates for the year ahead.

December 2024 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 12th December 2024 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

• Reviewing our 2024 Write for Rights event.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For further information, click on this link.

AIUK Local Updates

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

"In Conversation with…" Sacha Deshmukh

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

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

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

Amnesty Feminists 16 Days of Activism

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

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

Follow here.

Amnesty Shop catalogue

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

Amnesty Shop Catalogue

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

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

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

Amnesty Scotland Updates

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

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

Future local events

Visit from AI Scotland Director

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

Annual Comedy Fundraiser at The Stand

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

Get tickets here.

Write for Rights

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

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

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

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

How Write for Rights Works

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

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

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

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

JOIN WRITE FOR RIGHTS TODAY

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

Upcoming Dates / events

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

Updates on AIUK Campaigns

For updates on current AIUK Priority Campaigns Click on link.

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

1. Welcome and apologies (introductions round table)

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

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

   Apologies: Tim and Carol.

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

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

3. Agreement of previous meeting minutes here

4. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

      1. rent paid till March 2025

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

      3. Balance: £523.09

      4. Online banking set up

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

   3. Local Political Outreach (Neil) - no update

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

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

   NB from Claire's meeting w Thea:

   The IAR is smaller than before and stretched. Suggestion:

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

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

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

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

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

5. Cait requests support for BK16 action

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

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

   3. Suggestion: research local UK politicians

6. Actions from previous meeting Minutes:

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

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

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

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

      Tickets: £13 / £11

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

      • All to save the date in diary if possible

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

   (Petition will be shared soon)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. see note above re. IAR

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

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

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

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

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

14. Seenaryo film screening: Mhairi update

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    • 12-1 Andrew, Mhairi, Mal

    • 1-2 Merle and Christine

    • 2-3 Neil, Cait

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

    • & Claire whole day

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

    Cards - all to check if have

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

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

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

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

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

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

20. Resources:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    events we're excited about that you might find interesting

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

23. AIUK Local Group Updates – October link here

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

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

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

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

    • Protect UK nationals arbitrarily detained abroad

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

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

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

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

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 9th January 2025

• Thursday 13th February 2025

• Thursday 13th March 2025

• Thursday 10th April 2025

• Thursday 8th May 2025

• Thursday 12th June 2025

• Thursday 10th July 2025

• Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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

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

This email includes:

• Details of our forthcoming October 2024 meeting;

• Information on current AIUK activities;

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

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

October 2024 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 10th October 2024 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

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

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

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

AIUK Local Updates

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

Below are some of the highlights extracted from the update.

Demand the UK suspends all arms transfers to Israel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amnesty Amplify

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

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

The event will offer:

• Leading campaigners and activists in conversation

• Creative workshops

• Family-friendly activities

• Live music

• Opportunities to come together, meet and share stories

• An inspiring, energising and fun day out!

For full details, click here.

Join Amnesty's Online Teacher Training Course

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

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

Apply here

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

Upcoming Dates / events

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

Updates on AIUK Campaigns

For updates on current AIUK Priority Campaigns Click on link.

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 12th September 2024 Updates

Minutes of Meeting

1. Welcome and apologies (introductions round table)

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Possible political activism actions:

      1. find out who is in what constituency

      2. find out which politicians we can develop relationships with

      3. invite politicians to events

      4. support group members to contact CouncillorsMSPsMPs

      5. contact new MPs and introduce ourselves

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

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

3. Agreement of previous meeting minutes here

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

   Actions from previous meeting Minutes:

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

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

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

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

4. Scotland-wide Conference

Scotland-wide One-day Conference

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Join Zoom Meeting: Zoom meeting link

Meeting ID: 786 4811 7272

Passcode: 9mwwa3

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

• writing ideas directly into the googledoc

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

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

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

• Volunteering to join the planning committee

• ‘Guest' speaker:

Guest Speaker: Clara

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Glasgow University AI Group Update

GUAI Group Update

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

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

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

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

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

   1. Manahel al-Otaibi, Saudi Arabia

   2. Maryia Kalesnikava, Belarus

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

8. AIUK Local Group Updates – August link here

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

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

Full details available via the link above.

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Next meeting – Thurs 10th October 7.30pm - 9pm

2024 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 11th January 2024

• Thursday 8th February 2024

• Thursday 14th March 2024

• Thursday 11th April 2024

• Thursday 9th May 2024

• Thursday 13th June 2024

• Thursday 11th July 2024

• Thursday 8th August 2024

• Thursday 12th September 2024

• Thursday 10th October 2024

• Thursday 14th November 2024

• Thursday 12th December 2024

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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

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

This update includes:

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

August 2024 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 8th August 2024 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.
Further details on Facebook - https://fb.me/e/24A3jSi3e

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

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

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

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

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

AI Glasgow West at the recent Pride March & Rally Glasgow

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

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

AIUK Local Updates

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

Below are some of the highlights extracted from the update.

Call on the new PM to protect human rights

Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

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

Orkney Amnesty Gaza Vigils

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Dates / Events

Details on the Amnesty Events page.

Updates On AIUK Campaigns

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

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 11th July 2024

Minutes

1. Welcome and apologies (introductions round table)

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

1. Agreement of previous meeting minutes

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

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

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

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

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

   d. Regional / Country focus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Actions from previous meeting Minutes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. AIUK AGM 22.06.24 - Clara and Mal attended.

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

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

   c. Mal encouraged us all to attend next year!

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

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

7. UK Election

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

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

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

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

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

11. Pride march & stall - Saturday 20th July

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

    b. Music = 2-8pm at the Barras

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

    d. Arr 8.30am to set up stall

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

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

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

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

    • Bangladesh

    • Argentina

    • Azerbaijan

13. AIUK Local Group Updates - June here

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

14. AOB:

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

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

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

2024 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 11th January 2024

• Thursday 8th February 2024

• Thursday 14th March 2024

• Thursday 11th April 2024

• Thursday 9th May 2024

• Thursday 13th June 2024

• Thursday 11th July 2024

• Thursday 8th August 2024

• Thursday 12th September 2024

• Thursday 10th October 2024

• Thursday 14th November 2024

• Thursday 12th December 2024

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS