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November 2025 Meeting & October Updates

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

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

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

This update includes:

  • Details of our forthcoming November 2025 meeting;
  • Information on recent and upcoming events
  • Links to current AIUK activities;
  • The minutes from our local Group's October 2025 meeting; and
  • A note of our monthly meeting dates for the year ahead.

November 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

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

For all lapsed members, new members and those who are just curious about Amnesty, we would love to see you there!

(If you've not been in a while, remember you are always welcome back, no apologies/excuses needed!)

Our next meeting will include:

  • An external speaker, Sara Barry from Freedom from Torture, who will give a brief summary of FFT's work and who will be selling Xmas cards to raise funds for FFT's ongoing work (remember to bring cash if you want to purchase);

  • A brief review of the recent Civic Reception held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International in Glasgow;

  • Final planning for the Tree Planting Ceremony at Kelvingrove on 21st November as part of our 50th anniversary;

  • Planning for our annual Write for Rights event;

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

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

1975—2025: Celebrating Fifty Years of Amnesty in Glasgow

A centrepiece of celebrating Amnesty International being active in Glasgow since 1975 was the recent Civic Reception, held in Glasgow's City Chambers in October.

Glasgow's Deputy Lord Provost, Bailie Christy Mearns officiated at the event, which was attended by over forty past and present members of Amnesty's Glasgow Groups.

Photo: Members of Glasgow's three Amnesty Groups pictured with the Deputy Lord Provost and the Chair of AIUK's Board

Helen Horton, Chair of the Board of Amnesty's UK Section provided the keynote speech at the event, which also included short inputs from representatives of each of the three Glasgow Groups. The event was attended by over forty Glasgow-based Amnesty supporters, comprising both current and former activists, including a couple of original members from the formative days of Amnesty in Glasgow in the 1970s!

Photo: Helen Horton, Chair of AIUK Section Board, addressing the Glasgow Groups' Civic Reception

The Civic Reception included a display of materials from the Glasgow Amnesty groups' archive, covering posters, leaflets, documents and banners, primarily from the 1970s, 80's and 90's. This also encompassed a selection of photographs and letters from Prisoners of Conscience that had been freed following campaigning by the Glasgow Amnesty groups.

Come to our Tree Planting Ceremony at Kelvingrove on Friday 21st November

The next event taking place as part of the fifty year celebration will be a tree planting ceremony, which will be held in the grounds of Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery. Once again, the City Council's Deputy Lord Provost, Bailie Christy Mearns will officiate at the event. There will also be brief inputs from the Glasgow Groups.

A Ginkgo Tree has been selected and a plaque to mark the occasion of fifty years of Amnesty in Glasgow will be sited alongside.

All members, supporters and friends of Amnesty International are welcome to attend. Meet at the steps of Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery on the Argyle Street side at 10.50am on Friday 21st November 2025.

Scotland Demands Better

In October, members of the Glasgow West Amnesty group joined with colleagues from the Edinburgh Amnesty groups and many others to attend the demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament organised by the Scotland Demands Better coalition.

The Scotland Demands Better group set out a wide range of demands covering areas such as cost of living, fair wages, investment and social security.

Photo: Activists from the Glasgow West Amnesty Group took part in the Scotland Demands Better demonstration in Edinburgh

Write for Rights 2025 Glasgow Events

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

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

The Glasgow Groups will hold their annual December Write for Rights card writing sessions on the following dates:

Amnesty Glasgow Daytime Group - Saturday 6th December 2025* @ 10.30am - 4 pm in Pollokshields Library, 30 Leslie Street, G41 2LF

Amnesty Glasgow West Group – Sunday 14th December 2025 @ 12noon - 4pm in Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Rd, G12 8AP

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

Amnesty International Comedy Fundraiser — Thursday 19th Feb 2026

Benefit in Aid of Amnesty International. All proceeds from ticket sales minus booking fees will go to Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust.

Tickets have now gone on sale for the annual Glasgow West Comedy fundraiser, held in conjunction with The Stand Comedy Club, Glasgow.

The event takes place on Thursday 19th February 2026, 8pm – 10pm. Ticket prices £13 / £11.

Food is also now available at The Stand's new venue at 420 Great Western Road (2mins from Kelvinbridge station).

Tickets and further information available via The Stand website:

The Stand: Benefit In Aid of Amnesty International

Amnesty UK Local Updates

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

For all updates on planned AIUK training and events for AI activists, see the AIUK events page.

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

ECHR 75th Anniversary

The 4th of November marks the 75th Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). At a time when the UK's continued membership is fiercely under debate, we need your support in writing to your MP. You can simply take this action online, or if you want to write something personal, take a look at the Guidance - Write to your MP.

As you may know, the ECHR plays a crucial role in protecting human rights here in the UK.

Despite this, the UK's membership is facing growing opposition from politicians and media commentators. The Government have suggested they may weaken its protections, while both Reform and the Conservatives have declared that the UK should leave.

Now, more than ever, it is important that we mobilise in support of the ECHR and make sure future generations continue to have the same safeguards for their human rights.

Take Action Now

Amnesty Student Action Network

Stand with students: Defend Dissent campaign launches across the UK

Across the UK, a chilling effect is sweeping through our universities. Spaces once alive with debate, dissent, and free expression are becoming places of fear and censorship.

Amnesty UK's latest research reveals a deeply worrying trend: instead of protecting free expression and the right to protest, universities are bowing to pressure from governments and lobbyists - silencing those who speak out.

Students and academics raising their voices, particularly against the genocide in Gaza, have faced bans, surveillance, police involvement, and disciplinary action. But this isn't just about universities… it's part of a wider authoritarian shift that threatens the foundations of human rights in the UK.

When a generation of young people, historically those most willing to challenge power and demand change, is silenced, our whole movement is weakened.

That's why the Amnesty UK Student Movement is launching the Defend Dissent campaign: to push back against this crackdown, defend free expression, and stand up for the right to protest.

We're inviting local group members across the country to join the campaign launch events and connect with student organisers, hear their experiences, and explore how we can act together to resist repression and build solidarity between generations of activists.

Campaign Launch Events:

Edinburgh Launch

Newcastle

London launch

  • 6.30pm, Tuesday 25 November
  • Sheikh Zayed Theatre, London School of Economics 54 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LJ
  • Book your ticket here
  • Promo pack including mails, blurbs, flyers, social media to help spread the word here: Defend Dissent - London

Online launch

For the online launch, we will be joined by Amnesty Students from universities across the 4 regions of the UK, so do join if there is no in-person launch event near you. Please spread the word of these events with as many people as possible, whether it be to other concerned community members, students, or local activist groups.

Together, we can defend dissent on our campuses.

In solidarity,

Amnesty Student Action Network

Online Community Platform Pilot

As a prominent Amnesty activist, we would value your input into the next stage of our Online Community Platform.

This platform will help ensure a more streamlined communication system between all of Amnesty's activists. It will be a safe space where members will be able to collaborate and share.

We are actively recruiting for the pilot stage of this Community, and we want YOU to be involved. In the pilot we will have a limited number of participants from within the Amnesty community.

The pilot will run from 26 January to 2 April 2026.

Key dates of Community leader Pilot Participants

  • Attend an online Information & training session Monday the 26 January 17:30-19:00
  • Attend an online training session Wednesday 28 January 17:30-19:00
  • Complete feedback missions in your own time of the platform
  • Optional: Attend online Feedback Workshops (for those who wish to share further input)
    • Thursday 19 February 17:30-19:00
    • Tuesday 3 March or Thursday 5 March 17:30-19:00
    • Tuesday 17 March or Thursday 19 March 17:30-19:00
    • Tuesday 31 March or Thursday 2 April 17:30-19:00

We want to make sure we're building for community leaders like you, so your participation to this Pilot would be extremely helpful. We're building this online platform for people like you, so we want to know how we can improve it before we offer to the wider activist circle in the first half of 2026.

To commit to this pilot testing please fill out this form by 10 November. If you have any questions, please feel free to email abi.odell@amnesty.org.uk

In Solidarity

Abi Odell
Online Community Manager

Amnesty Christmas Raffle 2025

Buy your Christmas Raffle tickets - You could win £10,000. Every ticket counts in the fight for human rights You could turn £1 into £10,000 in our Christmas Raffle!

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

By taking part, you could help people in similar situations to Dorgelesse Nguessan. In 2020, Dorgelesse, a hairdresser, was arbitrarily arrested in Cameroon for participating in a peaceful protest against the rising cost of living. It was the first time Dorgelesse had ever joined a protest, but she was locked up for four years. Amnesty supporters around the world campaigned tirelessly to demand her freedom, and in January 2025 she was released from prison and reunited with her family. Enter the Amnesty Christmas Raffle today! You could win a cash prize and help support work that leads to freedom for more people like Dorgelesse.

Enter Today

Amnesty in Scotland

Click on the link below for AI Scotland's latest Bulletin, containing news and updates on the latest activities.

https://email.amnestyuk.org.uk/q/119A97mceH5k/wv

October 2025 Updates

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 9th October 2025

Minutes

Link to October meeting email here.

  1. Welcome and apologies

    1. Attendance: Clara (Chair); Christine (part of mtg), Merle, Andrew, Luca, Paolo, Carol, Jim (online, part of mtg), Rob T and Jed.

    2. Apologies: Claire and Kirstie

  2. Guest Speaker, Motaz, AI Country Co-ordinator for Yemen

    Motaz was welcomed to the meeting and he provided an overview of the extremely challenging issues in Yemen over an extended number of years. He referred to the highly complex political map in the context of a 10+ year ongoing war. Whilst there is a Government based in the capital city of Sanaa, in reality the Houthi militia operating throughout the country exert considerable control over many aspects of day-to-day life. Political, religious and tribal affiliations are factors in the ongoing conflict, whilst the overall corruption and ‘gangsterism' impacts the normal functioning of society.

    NGOs are unable to operate directly within Yemen and it is dangerous for local citizens to be seen to be co-operating with NGOs. Environmental justice and human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have sought to collaborate and this has led to some success, although the overall operating environment remains extremely challenging.

    Despite Yemen currently being ranked as the 2nd worst conflict in the world (behind Gaza), a general lack of media coverage of the situation in Yemen is an issue, resulting in a lack of awareness..

    The USA, Saudi Arabia and a range of other middle eastern countries are seen to be key influencers that might potentially help bring a resolution to the conflict, although it appears not to be a high priority at present.

    A series of questions and discussion followed the presentation and Motaz was thanked and invited to remain for the rest of the meeting.

  3. Agreement of previous meeting minutes (link)

  4. Team Updates (list of roles here):

    1. Treasurer (Update below provided by Kirstie in advance)

      1. postage from letters: £31.69

      2. other expenditure: £8 for the price increase for the church hall for Sept-Dec

      3. Donations: £0

      4. current balance: £311.60

    2. Social Media & website (Cait/Clara)

      • On pause until more capacity: Twitter/Bluesky discussion [agreed not urgent until AIUK moves]

      • Andrew noted that he had been contacted recently in response to our appeal for assistance with social media. He has forwarded the details to Claire so that she can follow up on her return from holiday.

    3. Local Political Outreach

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

        • Paolo to update website (https://www.glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk/) with AIUK resources & share webpage in Signal chat.

        • No progress on this, due to other priorities, including Paolo's new role (item 6 below)

    4. Theme focus - US Death Penalty [Cait] - no updates

    5. Not currently active: Regional/Country focus; Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk

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

    1. Perth group: Fundraising stall will be here Blueberries – Thomas Thomson Blairgowrie - Wednesday October 15th 1.30 -6.00pm

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

  6. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo)

    1. Paolo has created a Amnesty Scotland WhatsApp channel to pin our initiatives - you can join here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb726HL8F2pBQU619W3d

    2. He has been pulling together a proposal to encourage better sharing of documents, social media, resources, etc online across the Amnesty Groups in Scotland

    3. Scotland Amnesty meeting 01.10.25 - info on Scotland Demands Better campaign & rally in Edinburgh Saturday 25.10.25 - https://www.scotland-demands-better.com/

      1. Request to publicise the event! Can email them to get printed flyers, or just send emails/digital versions e.g. Community Council / Union meetings / Political parties / religious groups / other local orgs - https://www.scotland-demands-better.com/resources

      2. Does anyone want to go together? Claire is going - anyone else?

    4. September updates from Amnesty Scotland: https://glasgowwestamnesty.us12.list-manage.com/track/click

  7. Actions/updates from previous meeting:

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

    2. JCB event protest: Carol, Claire, Paolo and Kirstie and Edinburgh Jennifer went to this event on 20.09.25. Paolo and Carol updated on the protest. Used JCB campaign pack - petition for Glasgow Council & handed out info leaflets. More info: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/jcb. 43 signatures. Claire will bring in Nov meeting for group members to sign → submit ~Christmas.

    3. Stop Trump Protests: AIUK - London 17.09.25 - Carol attended

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

    Urgent Appeals was moved to the end of the meeting, as the agenda was over-running. Members were asked to complete the UAs online. Merle has uploaded the links to the Signal Group.

  9. 2025 Glasgow West AI group's 50th anniversary! - see Ideas doc here, inc.

    1. Civic Reception Tuesday 28th October 6pm - 7.30pm:

      1. Final details firmed-up with City Council.

      2. Liaison has taken place between Glasgow West, Daytime and University Groups.

      3. Venue - City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow (N.B. enter by side door on Cochrane St, as there is building works ongoing at George Square entrance)

      4. Format

        • Guests seated (for 6pm prompt!)

        • Civic Welcome by Lord Provost (c.5 mins)

        • Input from a representative of each of the three Glasgow Groups:-

        • Christine - from Glasgow West Group (c.5mins)

        • Andrew - from Glasgow University Group (c.5mins)

        • Graham (?) - from Daytime Group (5mins)

        • Keynote speaker: Helen Horton, Chair of AIUK Board of Directors (c.15 - 20mins)

        • Closing address - Liz Thomson, AI Scotland office (tbc) (c.5mins) (This is the only part that hasn't yet been confirmed)

        • Drinks reception with canapes / Opportunity to mingle and view items from the Glasgow Groups' archive, which will be displayed on side tables (set up in advance).

        • Close 7.30pm

    2. Invitations: Eventbrite link - all to share: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/come-to-a-civic-reception-to-celebrate-50-years-of-amnesty-in-glasgow-tickets-1632859790589

      • Has been shared with Glasgow Univ, Daytime & West Groups; with previous members from the list compiled by Merle & Christine; via an invitation sent to all on our mailing list (c.100), via the monthly newsletters for both Sept and Oct; and a recent request for AIUK to send it to all current AI members with a Glasgow postcode,

      • 32 have signed-up so far.

      • Room capacity is 50. (For catering purposes, we require to provide the Council with notice of the likely final figure 2wks in advance).

    3. Meal:

      Paolo updated on the challenges of securing a suitable venue in December. There is also a concern about the likely cost of £400 - £500 and how we would cover that via charging attendees.

      Merle noted that the Group had previously run successful meal events at the end of January.

      Agreed to postpone this event and rethink it in the New Year.

  10. Write for Rights

    The Daytime Group has secured Saturday 6th December for their Write for Rights event @10.30am - 4pm in Pollokshields Public Library, Leslie Street, G41 2LF.

    Members of our Group are encouraged to attend and assist.

    Kirstie has spoken to Hillhead library and there is availability. Given that the Daytime Group has agreed their booking, it is suggested that we go for the following weekend for the Glasgow West event.

  11. Tree planting: Friday 21st November @ 11am in Kelvingrove is the date offered by the Lord Provost's office.

    1. A prime site has been allocated adjacent to the Museum on the Argyle Street side (marked in red on the photo below):-

    2. The Council has also proposed the type for tree for the event:- (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkgo_biloba

    3. A Council Bailie will help officiate at the tree-planting ceremony and we will seek to encourage as many Amnesty supporters to attend as possible.

    4. The Council has recommended a supplier for a plaque.

    5. The Amnesty Groups will require to bear the cost of this. In order to get a high quality, durable plaque and fixing, engraved with the Amnesty logo and suitable wording, the cost could be over £200. We require to consider how we will fund this. (It was suggested to bring collection tins to the Civic Reception for this purpose)

    6. The above info has only just been received and we will now share it amongst the three Glasgow Groups.

    7. Group's archive materials - The archive was reviewed by a Journalism Dept lecturer at Strathclyde University, who ultimately concluded they did not see the material as being particularly suitable for student dissertations, etc. They did, however, provide a lecturer contact in Strathclyde's History Dept. Andrew is seeking to set up a meeting with him.

    8. 18.10.25: National Day of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention - co-organised by Right to Remain and No To Hassockfield, calling for an end to the inhumane and expanding system of immigration detention in the UK. Read the full write up here.

      Ways to get involved:

      1. Join the main demonstration at Derwentside (Hassockfield) detention centre in Durham. Right to Remain and No To Hassockfield are organising coaches from Manchester, Liverpool, Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland. Book here. SYMAAG are organising coaches from Sheffield.

      2. Organise a local solidarity event in your community: vigils, banner drops, creative actions, etc. If you have an idea for an action in your region, fill in this Google Form to connect with others who may be close to you.

      3. Advocate with your MP to oppose detention expansion and the Hostile Environment.

      4. Donate to support grassroots organisers and those most affected.

      5. Spread the word online using hashtags like #TheseWallsMustFall, #EndDetention, #NoOneIsIllegal, #SetHerFree. Open source graphics available, free to use and share & info flyers - here.

  12. AOB

  13. Social security: be a part of our stunt! More and more people in the UK are being pushed into poverty, without access to adequate social security support that hundreds of thousands of people need. We need the UK government to know that social security is a human right. Social security is the financial protection provided for people to ensure access to income when it's needed to afford food, housing and other necessities. Join us by emailing weekofaction@amnesty.org.uk a photograph of yourself with the message 'Social Security is a Human Right'. You can write it on a piece of paper, your hand, or your t-shirt! If you'd prefer not to show your face in the picture, that's absolutely fine.

    We'll be collecting as many pictures as possible from people all over the UK to show solidarity with those impacted by the current system. We'll use some of the individual photos on our social media channels, offline supporter content and other materials. We'll put all of the photos submitted (subject to moderation) onto a huge banner – using them to spell out the words Social Security is a Human Right. We'll take this banner to Parliament for the International Eradication of Poverty Day.

    For International Eradication of Poverty Day on 17 October, we want to make sure that the UK government gets the message loud and clear: SOCIAL SECURITY IS A HUMAN RIGHT!

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

  15. As before: Potential Speakers:

    1. Refugee Action - Andrew link up w Daytime group - organising for a September evening Oct Update Daytime Group has not got a date from Refugee Action. However they are in touch with Liz Thomson of AI Scotland who has offered to do an online event, Graham from the Daytime Group will share this with us so that our Group members will have the option of joining the online event..

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

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

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

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

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

  16. As before: Local Group Updates

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

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

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