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