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Monthly Mailing for Amnesty UK Local Groups

Hi there,  
 

Welcome to your August 2025 Local Group Mailing. ☀️

In this month's edition of the Local Group Mailing you will be able to read about:
 


Deadline for September's content is 22 September 2025.
Please send your entries and stories to Philippa.

Please do get in touch with any questions or queries.

Wishing you all a lovely September!

The Local Activism Team!

Office Led Campaigns

Social Security in the UK

HELP US TELL THE UK GOVERNMENT: POVERTY IS A POLITICAL CHOICE.

SEND US YOUR PHOTO SO WE CAN SPELL IT OUT, LOUD & CLEAR
 
The UK government is consistently choosing to push more and more people into poverty, instead of providing adequate social security support, that hundreds of thousands of people need.

For International Eradication of Poverty Day on 17 October, we want to make sure that MPs get the message loud and clear.
Join us by emailing us a photograph of yourself with one of the below messages (or another of your choosing):
 
  • Social Security is a Human Right
You can write it on a piece of paper, or your hand… or your t-shirt! And if you’d prefer not to show your face in the picture, that’s absolutely fine. We’ll use your photos in our work around this time, including on a banner that we’ll be taking to Parliament. 
Visit HELP US TELL THE UK GOVERNMENT: SOCIAL SECURITY IS A HUMAN RIGHT  to find out all the information and submit your picture. We want as many photos as possible to make sure the government gets the message!

So take a photo with your message and email it to weekofaction@amnesty.org.uk.
And we’ll take your message to the UK government.
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Upcoming Webinar: 

Learn about Amnesty’s Social Security Campaign
& how government cuts are harming rights!
 

Join us to learn more about Amnesty's campaign on Social Security as part of our work on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights or Everyday Rights! Successive governments have failed to protect basic rights.

Instead of dealing with what’s driving poverty and soaring living costs, this government is choosing to make cuts. It’s doing that by framing people who are disabled, ill, and unemployed as a ‘burden’. That narrative isn’t new, but it’s still working. Blame is being shifted onto the people most in need, while those in power avoid responsibility.

We will explore Amnesty's report Social Insecurity: The Devastating Human Rights Impact of Social Security Failures in the UK and how we are campaigning on this issue.


JOIN THE EVENT
09 September 2025
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Online

Looking forward to you joining us!
Click here to register
 

Crisis and Tactical

Ban Israeli Settlement Goods Campaign - Update

I’m sure we’re all watching in complete disbelief and horror as the genocide in Gaza escalates and reaches unimaginable levels of cruelty.  There are no words to describe the scale of suffering and devastation, as Israel has repeatedly violated international law and weaponised humanitarian aid to enable its genocidal project.  

Amnesty’s message remains the same – the UK must sanction Israeli officials implicated in international crimes; end all arms exports and military assistance; and end all trade that contributes to the genocide, illegal occupation, and system of apartheid against Palestinians. Every second that our Government refuses to act is another second of abject failure by the international community to defend human rights and prevent further crimes against humanity and genocide - as Agnès Callamard recently commented, “The time is now. Our humanity is at stake.” 

With Israel recently announcing worrying new plans for the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, it is so crucial that the UK Government is held urgently accountable for its complicity in incentivising this through trade and business. With many local groups engaging with this campaign to demand a ban on the import of settlement goods to the UK, the Amnesty UK Government team have reported that MPs and the FCDO are hearing us and feeling the pressure.  

Over 50 MPs have been lobbied by Amnesty groups and activists, and 71 MPs have now signed EDM 1266 (an underestimate, as some pending signatures will be confirmed following the summer recess). This is due to the dedication of Amnesty activists who, amongst several other actions you’re taking for Palestine, have run stalls to build local awareness around  the campaign, held public meetings and protests, started petitions (with some collecting over 200 signatures!), and organised community ‘Apartheid-Free Meals’ in collaboration with local PSC and Friends of Palestine groups. Recently, a group of young activists in south London organised a beautiful event featuring a Palestinian potluck and open mic poetry, to build momentum for the campaign, and I was fortunate to attend with a few AIUK colleagues (see photo above). One MP has also privately stated that a settlement goods ban will be his post-recess priority, following consistent pressure from his Amnesty activist constituents who collected 50+ signatures at a community Pride event. 

Thanks to everyone who has shared their MP’s response with me – supportive or not! - as I'm tracking political support and feeding this information to my colleagues across the organisation. As you may know if you’ve contacted your representative, Liberal Democrat policy calls for a settlement goods ban, but Labour MPs have consistently given diversionary responses, citing Government sanctions on settler violence or the lack of preferential trade agreements. This fails to address what we’re calling for. If you’ve received a reply along these lines, here’s a draft letter that might help as a response. 

A reminder that the idea of a community ‘Apartheid-Free Meal’ was a suggestion for building visibility and a campaign coalition, but might not feel like an appropriate tactic given the horrific levels of mass starvation and the denial of aid we’re seeing in Palestine. It’s up to your local group to plan and design an event or public moment that keeps up the pressure and build local awareness of the campaign, and this can take any form according to your local context and group’s capacity. 

I also wanted to acknowledge that, on a personal level, I know that right now nothing feels adequate as a form of protest or activism in the face of an escalating genocide, but as individuals we owe it to Palestinians to be courageous and refuse to lose hope, following their example.  

If you have any questions or need support on anything at all – related to this campaign or otherwise - please don’t hesitate to reach out to me
Amika.George@amnesty.org.uk 

In solidarity, 

Amika  
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Pod Save the UK: Stop Genocide - Live Special

Pod Save the UK: Stop The Genocide – Live Special, in partnership with Amnesty International, will raise awareness and support to end the genocide in Gaza. This urgent and timely discussion will delve beyond the headlines, exploring the personal stories of those that have lived through the genocide in Gaza. It will highlight the devastating realities and the glimmers of resilience and solidarity that persist and the urgent need to raise our collective voices to demand an end to the genocide.  
Date: Tuesday 2 September 
Time: 19:30-21:00 (doors open 19:00) 
Location: Kings Place, London 
Price: from £25 

Get your tickets today 

The hosts, Nish Kumar and Coco Khan, will be joined by an inspiring panel of guests, including award-winning Palestinian journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh, Gaza Bureau Chief of Al Jazeera, who will share first-hand experiences of reporting under unimaginable circumstances in Gaza, where at least 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israeli forces since the beginning of October 2023. 
Comedians and activists Jen Brister and Alexei Sayle will reflect on the importance of speaking truth to power and the role of art and activism in a time of immense crisis. Internationally acclaimed Palestinian musician Adnan Joubran will perform live on the oud, bringing the strength and spirit of the Palestinian people to life through his moving and powerful music. 

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Stop Trump

SAVE THE DATE AND JOIN US – TRUMP STATE VISIT MARCH AND RALLY – 17 SEPTEMBER 2PM!

President Trump is coming to the UK for an official state visit on 17-19 September, and will likely be visiting London and Windsor. This is an important moment for us to come together resisting his anti-rights agenda and to show UK political leaders that we reject the rise of hate around the world.
The Stop Trump Coalition is organising a march in London on 17 September 2025, from 2pm, followed by a rally starting from 5pm. There will be organisations from across movements calling on Trump to stop the rollback on rights, and you can join our Amnesty bloc! As part of the bloc, you will receive campaigns materials such as placards, stickers and t-shirts (first come first serve!), and be able to join our social afterwards.
JOIN THE PROTESTS  

The Stop Trump Coalition is organising a march and rally in London!
 

  • 17 September 2025
  • from 2pm
  • followed by a rally starting from 5pm.


Not in London?
We have some provision for bursaries for travel to the march. Please email activism@amnesty.org.uk to enquire, providing details of where you will be travelling from and whether you have a railcard. Please also let us know if you are a local group, youth group or student group member, or whether you belong to a particular Amnesty Network.

This march will just the start of our fight against the US’ authoritarian practices and call for the UK government to oppose them. Join us when Trump visits in September and become part of this movement!
The Stop Trump Coalition is finalising the route, and we will be allocated a zone to meet very soon. Register to join the bloc and keep an eye out on emails for more information coming your way.

There will be organisations from across movements calling on Trump to stop the rollback on rights, and you can join our Amnesty bloc!

We will have materials ready to order and available on the day.

Coming along? Join our evening event
Coming along to the march and curious about how to channel the days energy into next steps? We'll be hosting a relaxed evening of networking and Human Rights action planning after the march. Join us at The Abbey Centre (just 8 minute walk from the march end-point) from 18:30-20:30 on the day. A light dinner will be provided and you don't need to book. We'll email you closer to the time to remind you!
Register to Join!

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Niger Delta

Last month we shared some updates with you on the Niger Delta campaign, and we have been planning for the rest of the year. Read more about the general campaign here.
 
Coming up next in the campaign!
AIUK’s community organising team and campaigns team are working hard on developing materials, frameworks for events, and actions for you to take. Please mark the below in your diaries to look out for!
 
  • September – Online meeting for AIUK activists. We will communicate the date ASAP.
  • September – campaigning packs ready for order. Please contact Activism or Philippa Griesbach to order.
  • 10 November – 30 years since the hanging of the Ogoni 9. Organise your local events to draw attention to this moment and continued calls for a clean-up of the Niger Delta, using your campaigning packs
  • November – we are planning to launch a global campaign action, please do look out for this!
  • TBC this year – Bodo case outcome. The Bodo community took Shell to court in May to call for a clean up of their lands and waters. We expect a judgement to come later this year. We will want to mobilise for an action when the Bodo case judgement comes – so keep an eye out for this!
 
We’ve also started planning for 2026 – keep an eye out for more details!
 

Individuals at Risk

'Surviving Evin'

Iran: Deliberate Israeli attack on Tehran’s Evin prison must be investigated as a war crime – new evidence

Anoosheh Ashoori was detained in Evin prison - he shares his concern for the wellbeing of the inmates and his friends currently imprisoned.

We are currently working on supporting Local Group in display Anoosheh's 'Surviving Evin' exhibition in their cities.  

The exhibition will be made of 15 to 20 A3 sized boards. We will not be able to ship actual objects from the original exhibition as the risk of losing or damaging them would be too high. 
We will also include guidance on how to set up an exhibition including a template press release and guidance on inviting your MP. 

You can access the Exhibition Activist Guide here.
For more detail please also see the FAQ document.

If your group is interested in hosting the exhibition, please sign up using this form.

To get involved, please visit our webpage.
__________
 

Hong Kong Programme

Work on transnational repression in the UK

On 30 July 2025, the Joint Committee on Human Rights of the parliament issued a report on transnational repression, echoing AIUK's calls to the UK Government to protect diaspora communities at risk of transnational repression.

We welcome the report as "an urgent wakeup call and important first step”, and we keep working with the community and activists to refine our recommendations and advocacy strategies to keep campaigning for stronger and more consistent Government action on TNR after parliamentary recess.  We will keep you updated on upcoming actions to support this work throughout the autumn. 

Read how AIUK contributed to the parliamentary inquiry here.

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Partnership with Hong Kong film festival and upcoming screenings

This September, Amnesty UK is partnering with Hong Kong Film Festival UK to explore human rights, censorship and resistance across Hong Kong and other regions through film. As part of the London programme, Amnesty is hosting three events with HKFFUK in London this year.


13 Sep (Sat), 6.30 pm, Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall
 
Book tickets here
 


• Afterimage: Short Film Programme - Young Perspectives

Three award-winning short films on identity, trauma and protest will be screened.
“Colour Ideology Sampling.mov”, a visual deconstruction of symbolism, design, and the power of colour in different political contexts.
Winner of the Best Documentary Short Film at the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2024. “Cyclone”, on 1 July 2022, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's sovereignty handover to China, the city braces for the arrival of a disastrous Typhoon Chaba.
 “The Land of Bliss”, A car crash transformed four youths into lost souls stranded between life and death, and each must reckon with their former lives. After the screening there’ll be a filmmaker Q&A.


 


• Tenth Anniversary: Screening of “Ten Years”

Ten Years is an anthology film by five up-and-coming filmmakers in 2015. It was the winner of Best Film at the 35th Hong Kong Film Award, but was then banned in China and Hong Kong. Ten Years explores questions of protest, community, preservation, and language. While many of its controversial predictions materialised only 5 years after its release, gentle optimism in the power of human connection and solidarity.

There will also be a panel bringing together creatives and activists from a variety of censored contexts and cultural backgrounds from East and South-east Asia, including Hong Kong.


 
 


14 Sep (Sun), 4 pm, Picturehouse Central, Great Windmill Street
 
Book Tickets here


18 Sep (Thu), 8:20 pm, Garden Cinema, Parker Street, Covent Garden, London
 
Book tickets here
 


• Lviv Diary: Screening of In Solidarity: A Hong Kong Filmmaker’s Eye on the Ukraine War


This is the world premiere of Tammy Cheung’s latest Ukraine war documentary plus director’s talk. She dives into the realities lived by Lviv and its people, her camera as her tool of solidarity, sharing the stories of ordinary citizens, refugees, drafted men, journalists, medics, and more.  
Lviv Diary is a sobering insight into the tears and trauma of war, shining a necessary spotlight on the people holding onto Ukraine’s fight for freedom and against authoritarian expansion. There’ll be a director’s talk afterwards
 
 

Protect The Protest - Urgent Action

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

Over 700 people have all been arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 for peacefully protesting the banning of Palestine Action in the UK.
 

  • It is a violation of the UK’s international obligations.
  • It is disproportionate to the point of absurdity.
  • And it simply can’t go unchallenged.


On the 9th August 2025, 522 individuals were arrested in the UK for peacefully expressing opposition to the ban on Palestine Action. This follows over 200 people who were previously arrested for taking similar actions.

But this hasn’t happened in a vacuum. It has been years of crackdown on our right to protest.

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

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

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

Will you join us?
Make your voice count!
 
 

Action Across Amnesty

Country Coordinators

South Asia

Bawm Prisoners IAR Case

The Bawm Prisoner IAR Case needs your support.  Since April 2024, 126 Indigenous Bawm people, including 30 women and children, have been arbitrarily arrested as part of an ongoing military operation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in southeastern Bangladesh.  They have been in prison for more than a year on trumped-up charges.  The entire Bawm nation is being blamed for the actions of an armed group. Amnesty International has been calling for the immediate release of all civilians who have been arbitrarily arrested and an end to the crackdown against the Bawm community.  Three of the Bawm prisoners have died in jail.

We are asking that you help to raise awareness of these prisoners by writing a letter or email to your MP.  
Please see suggested text for a letter to your MP and a summary description.

For further information please contact jerry.allen@amensty.org.uk
 

__________
 

Country Coordinator Blog Report on Global Human Rights

Amnesty works on almost every country on the planet. Our volunteer country specialists help us keep on top of reports and research about human rights abuses, and this is their take on our work. 

There are currently 20 Blogs available on the site with reports of human rights issues in many countries including Afghanistan, Peru, Algeria, Indian administered Kashmir, Central America and Sri Lanka.  Please contact the Country Coordinators responsible for the Blogs for more details on campaigns in these areas.
Access the Blog here
 
 

August Fundraising Update

Individual Giving 

ISRAELI FORCES ARE KILLING PALESTINIAN FAMILIES
Genocide in Gaza is happening right now. Please help stop these devastating human rights atrocities.

Civilians, including children are being bombed, starved and dehumanised every day. And we have to stop it.

The Israeli authorities are chillingly bold in their genocidal intent with their finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich stating in May 2025: “Gaza will be entirely destroyed”. We cannot look away. Your donation today could help Amnesty International carry out expert human rights monitoring, documentation, analysis, and reporting until the Israeli government can no longer persist in its genocide, apartheid, and illegal occupation.

When our investigators spoke to people in Gaza this spring, they found hunger at catastrophic levels. People said they’re not eating for days on end, trying to survive on wild plants and animal fodder. A shocking 18,741 children have been hospitalised for acute malnutrition since the beginning of this year. Medics say children in hospitals are so severely malnourished and dehydrated, they can’t move or even cry.

A parent in Gaza City told our researchers: “We don’t ask if food is fresh; that’s a luxury, we just want to fill stomachs. I don’t want my child to die hungry.”

The cruel denial of life-saving essentials, like food, fuel, and shelter, is a major violation of international law.
But you are not powerless.
Please give a donation and help stop the genocide.

It’s vital we keep up the pressure in the UK. The UK government must show real backbone by halting all arms exports to Israel because right now it is failing to prevent and punish genocide, as is its legal obligation. By donating to Amnesty International UK today, you could help fund the work of our campaigners who lobby the UK government to demand they take forceful and effective action against the Israeli government and stop selling arms to Israel.

When Amnesty International supporters put their values into action, human rights change happens. Please give what you can today to help us pressure parliamentarians, officials, and ministers to engage with our evidence and take effective action.
Please give a donation!

__________

Local Group Fundraising Update

Local Group Fundraising Update
 

It’s been a quiet month for fundraising but we do still have some wonderful recent fundraising events to showcase!
Read on for more details and please email fundraise@amnesty.org.uk to let us know about your recent fundraising ventures for consideration for future local group mailings.

August Fundraising Report
 
 

Community Organising
 

Community Platform

Join Us in Co-creating the Amnesty UK Community!

Let's come together to shape the future of the AIUK Community - your ideas and passion are what make this event special!

Over the past months, we’ve been reaching out in the community to talk about the Community Platform Project. We’ve sent surveys, interviewed community members, run some focus groups and chatted with folks at Amplify to help us figure out what a Community Platform for the AIUK community should look like. Now, we’re thrilled to invite you to a series of open community calls. Starting from the last week of August, we'll be running a series of interactive calls for anyone who is keen to join. Join us to contribute, collaborate, and make an impact! Each session we will cover a different topic.

Let's Build Something Amazing Together
The AIUK community is at the heart of everything we do. To ensure it thrives, grows, and remains inclusive and engaging, we're inviting YOU to help us design community strategies that reflect our shared values. Over three thoughtfully crafted calls, we'll work collectively towards an inclusive community strategy.

Why You Should Participate

  • Collaboration Opportunities: Work with us and your peers to build something for all of us.
  • Shape Your Community: Influence the community you will be a part of, ensuring strategies that meet your needs.
  • Build Connections: Strengthen relationships and build new collaborations within AIUK.


How to Join?
Sign up for one, two or all three calls:

AIUK is where collaboration meets impact. Join us in crafting the future of our community—let’s do this together! For any questions or more details, please get in touch.

Call 2: Shaping Our Community

  • When: Tuesday the 2nd of September, 17:00-18:00
  • Purpose: We’ll focus on content sharing and moderation to keep discussions vibrant and respectful.

Agenda:

  1. Easy onboarding –Discuss how we can create a welcoming space for all voices.
  2. Modular approaches – How can we collaboratively manage our community’s interactions? How can we make sure we moderate effectively?
  3. Open discussion – Address your thoughts and ensure everyone feels heard.


Call 3: Recognizing Our Contributions

  • When: Tuesday the 9th of September, 17:00-18:00
  • Purpose: Celebrate achievements with a badge system that acknowledges diverse contributions.

Agenda:

  1. Open Recognition – Highlight the importance of acknowledging each other’s work.
  2. Celebration of Milestones – Create criteria and categories for our recognition badges.
  3. Watercoolers and Backchannels – How else can we create social, welcoming spaces?
     
Sign up here!
 

New office Address

Please see below the New office address for Amnesty International UK
 
Amnesty International United Kingdom Section
2nd Floor, Peter Benenson House
1 Easton Street
London
WC1X 0DW
 

Editing Local Groups Webpages

Please see below guidance on editing Local Groups Webpages.
 
In order to start editing web pages we would need to assign editing rights to your e-mail address. To do so could you please be so kind and “register” via the following link. Sign in.
Once you have done this, please email Philippa with email address/es used to sign up with, and we will assign editing rights to your e-mail address.
 
 

Bank Account Set Up for Amnesty Local Groups

Please note that it has come to our attention that, over the past month, several banks and building societies have started charging interest on bank accounts held by Amnesty Local Groups.
We are very sorry if your local group has been affected by this issue. Although we do not currently have specific guidance on which banks or building societies align with Amnesty's values and ethical finance policies, we have been able to compile a list of banks and building societies which, to the best of our knowledge, are not currently charging interest bank accounts.

Please see below for current recommendations: 
 
 
 

Learning at Amnesty UK

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

A Briefing on Everyday Rights

Tuesday 9 September - 18:00 - 19:30
A Briefing on Everyday Rights

Join us to learn more about Amnesty's campaign on Social Security as part of our work on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights or Everyday Rights! Successive governments have failed to protect basic rights.
 
Register here
 

Digital Campaign Strategy

Tuesday 23 September - 18:00 - 19:30
Digital Campaign Strategy

This training will help you gain a better understanding of digital mobilisation, explore different tactics for mobilising supporters online, and apply those tactics to achieve your campaign objectives.
 
Register here
 

Teaching Young People about Human Rights

Continuing Professional Development for teachers and educators

Are you a teacher with a passion for human rights, equality and justice? Our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) teacher programme will give you the expertise to engage your students with human rights.
Our CPD programme will strengthen your skills in teaching and training colleagues and you will meet experts in human rights education to support your professional development. You will also receive the latest resources and try out exciting tools and methods to explore human rights issues in your classroom, your subject area and your wider school community.

Download our teacher training course overview (Word)
We will ask all course participants to commit to:
Contribute to a rights respecting learning space in line with Amnesty International UK Section’s Activist Code of Conduct, Equality & Diversity Policy and Safeguarding Policy.
Attend all three online training sessions. The dates for the 2025- 2026 training course are: 

  • Saturday 8 November 2025 (Online: 10:00-13:00)
  • Saturday 7 February 2026 (Online 10:00-13:00)
  • Saturday 20 June 2026 (Online 10:00-13:00)


More information about the course here.

Feel free to get in touch with any questions about the programme by emailing us at teachers@amnesty.org.uk or calling 020 7033 6478.
Apply for the Course here
 

How to plan an Event

Tuesday 7 October - 18:00 - 19:30
How to plan an Event

This session will explore how to organise an event, from coming up with the idea, to event delivery and beyond. Whether you've never organised an event before, or you have organised loads and curious to find out if there's anything else you could do, this session is for you.
This session will be delivered by Amnesty's Activist Events team.
Register here
 
 

What you have been up to

Mid Devon Amnesty Group


Back in 2023 and 2024, the group held two very well attended open meetings about the worsening situation in Gaza and Palestine. Additionally several members attend the weekly silent vigil held by the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign in Exeter.

As the months wore on and any potential ceasefire talks proved fruitless the main thing we were thinking and hearing from friends, family and neighbours was “I feel so helpless, what can we do?” 

As a result, on Thursday 21st August Amnesty International Mid Devon held another open meeting. It had been advertised locally with posters, Facebook groups and by word of mouth. We were therefore delighted when 120 people showed up with standing room only.  
We also understand we have recruited members to Amnesty!

As the evening drew to a close all the speakers were warmly thanked for giving up their time and Tony Lindsell rounded off the event with suggestions gleaned from our guests as to what we, as individuals can do, including the following:  
  1. Donate to charities that support Palestinians such as Medical Aid for Palestine 
  1. Put up a poster in your window 
  1. Pressure and lobby elective representatives like MPs & the PM with personal letters (try not to just send on templates from others)  
  1. Use social media (respectfully & carefully) 
  1. Be active - support local activists groups such as Palestine Solidarity Campaign through street vigils, demonstrations, actions & donate to their work.  
  1. Keep talking - make it an issue, share your views 
  1. Boycott Israeli goods and businesses (Starbucks, Barclays bank, McDonalds, Costa , Burger King, Next, L'Oreal and Ahava, Israeli produce in supermarkets) - if possible let them know why you aren’t buying their products. Use ‘No Thanks’ app to identify source of goods and food.  
  1. Buy products from Palestine. 
  1. If you have Jewish friends support them, talk to them and show them warmth.  
  1. Please do something  
We invite you to read the full details of the event and the contributions of the three  speakers, Liberal Democrat MP for Sidmouth and Honiton, Richard Foord, Daniel Maxwell, member of a group of Jewish supporters and Mike Gurney of Exeter Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
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Bury St Edmunds Amnesty Group

Left: Presentation by West Suffolk Hospital surgeon Goher Rahbour

Right:Councillor Cliff Waterman, leader of West Suffolk Council, was adding his signature to our letter to MP Peter Prinsley about the plight of Afghan women.

Two Amnesteas (one in Bury St Edmunds, one in Haverhill) raised funds for AIUK in June and July, and successfully spread the word about Amnesty, with, hopefully, one or two new members.

At the beginning of August, the Group hosted a presentation by West Suffolk Hospital surgeon Goher Rahbour. Goher's humanitarian work has been inspired by Nelson Mandela. He very recently spent a month working in Gaza with Medical Aid for Palestinians and has presented his eyewitness evidence on national television news and at Parliament.

Those attending - about 50 people - were profoundly moved by his account of the shocking situation there, affecting the general population as well as the medical staff themselves. The Gazan medics are subject to the same malnutrition and have also lost family members and friends, as well as their own houses. Despite appalling conditions and threats to their own safety, the medical staff are carrying out inspiring humanitarian work. During the presentation we thought about the Israeli hostages, as well as the trauma of the Israeli people, many of whom do not support the ongoing genocide of the Palestinians.

We are profoundly grateful for such courageous, skilled people.

__________

Fylde Coast Amnesty Group


The weekend of the 9 and 10 August the Fylde Coast Group attended the Rebellion Punk Festival in Blackpool, for the 3rd year.

It’s Europe’s biggest punk music festival, lasting 4 days, with attendees and performers from all over the world.
We had lots of interesting conversations about Human Rights worldwide, shared details of Amnesty’s current campaigns, especially the call for a ceasefire in Gaza, and encouraged festival goers to sign letters. We collected more than 250 letters in total for our 4 featured cases- Singer Yahaya Sheriff-Aminu in Nigeria Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli in Georgia Blogger Temirlan Ensebek in Kazakhstan Local activist Saleh Diab in Israel

The Group is a very small group of mostly retired people, and this has been one of their biggest actions over the last few years, as it takes place over 4 days. Several participants thanked them for being at the festival and for the work that Amnesty does both in the UK and in their countries.

I cannot wait wat to join the Fylde Coast Group next year - Philippa 

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Colwyn Bay Amnesty Group


The Colwyn Bay Group held their  “Fly a Kite for Human Rights” event on Colwyn Bay promenade in sunny weather and a good breeze!

The focus this year was on the plight women in Afghanistan and gender apartheid, in support of Amnesty Feminists and “Rise with Afghan Women”.
The petition gathered over 200 signatures, and people also spun the “Wheel of Misfortune” to answer questions while the children flew kites and toddlers held colourful windmills. 

The Colwyn Bay Group has done the "Fly a Kite for Human Rights" for the last 3 years. 
They buy the kites use Amnesty stickers to decorate them. They fly super well in a breeze and we were very lucky this year. 
 

A very successful day!

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Edinburgh and Newcastle Amnesty Groups


On Friday the 8 August and Saturday the 9 August, the 3 Edinburgh Amnesty Groups and the Newcastle Amnesty Group Group got together to hold a stall for the imprisoned women’s rights activist in Saudi Arabia Manahel al-Otaibi.

211 signatures obtained which we are sending to the Saudi embassy and Minister of Justice ahead of her court hearing on 21st August. They have been in touch with her sister who lives locally.

__________

Amnesty York Group

Amnesty York joined the stall of York’s Amnesty bookshop by the river Ouse on 9 August, promoting the protection of human rights in the ECHR and selling books on art.  We were joined by our York Central MP, Rachael Mankell (L), a staunch supporter of Amnesty.  
A number of rowing teams passed by us on the river during the day - unlike Reform MP Rupert Lowe of Great Yarmouth, we were not concerned that they were “illegal immigrants."

__________
 

The Kent Network

On Saturday 9 August activists From The Kent Network joined the Margate Pride.

The Kent Network took part in a very busy Parade alongside the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
The Parade was very well attended and a great opportunity to talk to groups and people about the work the Network and Amnesty does.
Thank you to all those that supported this event.  

__________

Reading Amnesty Group

The Reading Group took part in the second ever Basingstoke Pride on Saturday16 August.
They joined in their first ever parade which received a really warm welcome from the locals out and about on a Saturday morning. 
At the venue, we handed out over 100 postcards, asking the BBc to improve its coverage of trans people - these cards were well received by the festival goers. We circulated, handing out many Pride stickers and making good connections with groups for future events. 
 

__________
 

Silsden Amnesty Group

On Saturday 16 August the Silsden Amnesty Group held their Amnes-tea in the lovely garden of one of our members.

They raised £355.26  from the sale of tea and cakes, books and raffle tickets.  There was a quiz, and live music was provided by the daughter of one of our members.  They also collected signatures on a letter asking for the release of Nasser Zefzafi. 
It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon and the fact that we were raising funds for Amnesty made it even more worthwhile. 

__________
 
Spotlight

Moseley, Balsall Heath & Kings Heath

Six months on: Building a home for human rights in the heart of the U.K.

After some ongoing discussions from August 2024, a core group of us who were already members of Amnesty met more formally in February 2025 to launch a new local group for Birmingham’s Moseley, Balsall Heath and Kings Heath. Our inaugural meeting was supported by Ian and Maria from the Central England Network who joined us and provided some regional context.  Since that time the B12 B13 B14 group has gone from strength to strength and six months on, the steering committee is happy to report back to Amnesty International U.K. local groups network.

Who we are

We are a growing group of roughly forty members, representing many of the communities who make up our vibrant city. In the spirit of allowing space in the group for Amnesty organising to ‘look like us’, we have experimented with an innovative meeting structure that beyond a standard agenda format holds space for ‘member led time’. This is time set aside each meeting should an individual member have a particular campaign related issue that they wish to share and spend group time on. Proposed member led times have included readings from the works of British Egyptian prisoner of conscience Alaa Abd El Fattah, sharing the poetry of Gazan children, inviting a friend of celebrated Palestinian poet, Darwish to share his poetry and the British Supreme Court rulings on sex and the impact of this on the transgender people.

We hope to bring the structure furnished by Amnesty to profile human rights at a hyper local level. We also hope to work in harmony with broader Amnesty structures by collaborating with other local groups and encouraging members to also join regional and national networks, for example the Central England Network, Disabled People’s Human Rights Network, Anti-Racism Network and Amnesty Feminists.

Highlights so far

Although we are early in our formation as a group, we have been lucky to participate and organise several community events. It has been inspiring to be out in the local community, discussing human rights with so many engaged citizens. This has highlighted the need for effective grassroots organising, as the clear interest and support for many human rights-based campaigns in our broader community is evident.

Our inaugural event was the attendance of a Queer Pride in Solidarity with Palestine, followed by Eid in Kings Heath, a poetry evening with acclaimed Palestinian poet Dana Dajani and an event with Refugees Welcome at the Midlands Arts Centre. Queer Pride and the Dajani poetry event also served as fundraisers for both direct aid to queer Gazans and the MAP Gazan neonatal unit. A number of us also attended the Amnesty Amplify Conference this year actively taking part in the workshops and spirited debates and voting at this year’s AGM!

Live campaigns

As a grassroots group, our live campaigns include actively monitoring and advocating for the consular visitation rights and release from prison of British Egyptian prisoner of conscience Alaa Abd El Fattah. We will also be seeking to amplify the work to the Disabled People’s Human Rights Network during the upcoming Stephen Timms review of PIP. We have a subcommittee working on a mini human rights film festival for International Women’s Day, and members involved in wider Amnesty projects such as the AIUK Racial Justice Book Group. We also hope to collaborate with local solidarity movements for Palestine.

Interested in joining or collaborating?

As our area covers three areas, we rotate our monthly meetings between Moseley, (Moseley Hive) Balsall Heath (The Old Printworks) and Kings Heath (The Heath Bookshop). We would actively welcome collaboration around our key group campaigns of prisoner of conscience Alaa Abd El Fattah, human rights in Palestine and human rights to social security. Drop us an email at amnestyb12b13b14@gmail.com, we would be happy to hear from you!

You can also find out more at our blog site location.   

In solidarity

Dima, Alan, Bella, George, Nasreen, Jenny  & Catherine
(B12 B13 B14 Amnesty Local Group Steering Committee)
 
 
Call for Action

Daventry & Rugby Amnesty Group
JCB Action Initiative

The JCB Action initiative is now convening on a regular basis, but we are still needing to expand its membership across the UK, so that we can recruit activists to take part in local events, such as shows and displays where JCB will be publicising its products in various ways.

They  have two further meetings arranged, and we would be very grateful if you could please notify the secretaries of groups across the UK about these. They will also contact individuals who have already shown interest directly.

The details are as follows:

An Activist-led Amnesty campaign has now been confirmed with its key goal being to raise public awareness of JCB's complicity in the demolition of property, services and infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Kashmir and India.  Regular Activist Core Group Meetings will now take place to plan non-violent. legal activities to inform people about what is happening  and to educate them about how human rights are being eroded in the regions concerned.  

Please see below the Zoom links to the next two meetings:

Topic: JCB ACTION CORE GROUP
Time: Sep 3, 2025 06:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting here
Meeting ID: 876 5979 4717
Passcode: 060846

Topic: JCB ACTION CORE GROUP
Time: Sep 24, 2025 06:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 853 7565 2920
Passcode: 048156
 
 

Upcoming Dates

See more on the Amnesty Events page. Post your events on the website via this link.

2 September  5:00pm - 6:00pm -  Amnesty UK Webinar: "Join us in Co-creating the Amnesty UK Community" Register here

3 September 6:00pm - 7pm -  Local Group Webinar " JCB: Action Core Group meeting Join here

9 September  6:00pm - 7:30pm -  Online Training: "A Briefing on Everyday Rights" Register here

24 September 6:00pm - 7pm -  Local Group Webinar " JCB: Action Core Group meeting Join here

7 October  6:00pm - 7:30pm - Online Training: "How to plan an Event" Register here

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