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Monthly Mailing for Amnesty UK Local Groups View AIUK version

Hi friend,  
 

Welcome to your October 2025 Local Group Mailing. ☀️

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


Deadline for November's content is 21 November 2025.
Please send your entries and stories to Philippa.

Please do get in touch with any questions or queries.

Wishing you all a lovely November!

The Local Activism Team!

Office Led Campaigns

IOPT

Netanyahu is still a wanted man

While a fragile ceasefire is setting in in Gaza, we know that there can be no peace without justice and no justice without accountability. Last year the International Criminal Court put out an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu – Israel’s Prime Minister who has presided over a genocide in Gaza. Remind your community of this fact and demand his arrest by putting up these wanted posters in public spaces around your community.

You can order your poster by contacting the Activism Team.   
 

Social Security in the UK

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TELL THE UK GOVERNMENT


 
Thank you so much to everyone who sent us their photo with the phrase ‘Social Security is a Human Right’ over the last few months (we even had one dog take part!). Last week – to mark International Eradication of Poverty Day - we turned all of your photo messages into a banner and took it to the Houses of Parliament. We also took quotes from some of the people we’ve spoken to who have been impacted by the system.
 
See our video here:
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NOW… PLEASE SIGN OUR NEW ACTION TO BUILD A BETTER SYSTEM


 
Social security is meant to support all of us when we need it. Instead, years of successive government decisions means that we now have a system that is hard to access, doesn’t provide enough to live on and punishes people for things outside of their control. Political choices have led to support being chipped away whilst prices soar and public services collapse.
Join us in calling for a better system that works for us all. Our new petition calls on the Prime Minister to:
 
  • Make sure that those affected are able to help shape the solution
  • Set up a Social Security Commission with the power to ensure the system works for us and our communities
  • Make tax and spending choices that advance our everyday rights
Please add your name to our petition today
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EVERYDAY RIGHTS - RESOURCES


 
A selection of badges and Stickers can now be ordered. 
 
  • ESCR Stickers - Poverty = Political Choice 15 PER SHEET
  • ESCR Stickers - I (heart) Everyday Rights 15 PER SHEET
  • ESCR Badges - Poverty = Political Choice SINGLES
  • ESCR Badges - I (heart) Everyday Rights SINGLES
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LAST CHANCE TO CALL FOR A BAN ON ‘CRIME PREDICTING’ TECHNOLOGY
 

Earlier this year, we launched our Automated Racism report, highlighting the racist impacts of so-called ‘crime predicting’ technologies used by almost three-quarters of police forces in the UK.

These technologies work by treating entire communities as potential criminals, targeting people by their postcode, socio-economic background or the racialised patterns embedded in policing data. It’s essentially a high-tech way of profiling, that entrenches discrimination against racialised and economically marginalised communities. 

‘Predictive’ policing violates many of our fundamental rights – it fuels discrimination undermines the right to privacy, and the presumption of innocence. And there’s no evidence it makes anyone safer.

We’ll be closing our petition calling for a ban on these technologies on 17 November 2025 so please add your name now!

Watch our explainer video HERE

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Crisis and Tactical

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

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Niger Delta

Three Decades, No Justice: Ogoni 9 Remembrance and Fighting with Environmental Defenders around the World

This year, it has been 30 years since the Ogoni 9 were executed after a blatantly unfair trial, in their fight for justice against Shell in the Niger Delta. For these 30 years, people in the Delta have been tirelessly fighting for justice for the nine men and for justice for all who live in the region.  

This day, 10 November 2025, marks the exact date on which the Ogoni 9 were executed 30 years ago. This day also marks the start of COP30, a day on which Environmental Human Rights Defenders and communities most impacted by the climate crisis should be centred in decision-making by those in power, and it should not be corporates centred in these processes.  

Unfortunately, this day marks even more than these two anniversaries. Every day marks another day on which Shell has not done the clean-up needed to bring people justice, another day on which the Ogoni 9 have not been exonerated. The human rights abuses caused by Shell’s operations have only gotten worse, and Environmental Human Rights Defenders continue to put themselves on the frontlines every day to push Shell to clean up their mess and pay for the damages done. 

We cannot let oil companies like Shell continue to get away with destroying people’s lands and livelihoods, in the Niger Delta and around the world. If we do not speak out in the UK and around the world in places where these large corporates are headquartered, we risk this going unnoticed and the calls of people whose lives have been most impacted to be ignored. 
 
You can read more on Shell’s complicity in the arbitrary execution of the Ogoni 9 here: Nigeria: In the dock: Shell’s complicity in the arbitrary execution of the Ogoni Nine
 
Join the vigil outside Shell on 10 November 
What: Vigil for the commemoration of the Ogoni 9 and Environmental Human Rights Defenders around the world. Bring your own candles.  
When: 10 November – 4:30-5:00pm silent vigil, followed by poetry and speeches 5-6pm 
Where: Outside Shell’s HQ – Shell Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 7PB 
 
Organise your local vigil on 9 or 10 November in solidarity 
If you are unable to travel to London, but you would like to organise your own vigil, this would be a great show of solidarity with people in the Niger Delta and Environmental Human Rights Defenders around the world. 
 
How to organise your own vigil 
We suggest that you organise the vigil on a time and at a place which you feel is appropriate in your community, in a similar format to the vigil taking place in London. 
 
  • Bring candles and ask people to bring these too 
  • Start with 30 minutes silent vigil 
  • Follow up with people reciting poetry. We suggest poetry by Ken Saro-Wiwa, one of the Ogoni 9 and a leading human rights defender, whose words strongly remind us of the power of activism and art in the fight for justice.  
  • Print photos or quotes of the Ogoni 9 to hold at the vigil 
  • Invite local press to join too – make sure to highlight the 30-year commemoration of the Ogoni 9 and the start of COP30 as the reason they should be interested in covering your vigil.  
  • Share pictures and videos of your vigil with us via social media or email us.
 
You can read more about the campaign here, and find additional resources to download and print here.
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10 November – Vigil outside of Shell HQ

This year, it has been 30 years since the Ogoni 9 were executed after a blatantly unfair trial, in their fight for justice against Shell in the Niger Delta. For these 30 years, people in the Delta have been tirelessly fighting for justice for the nine men and for justice for all who live in the region.  

This day, 10 November 2025, marks the exact date on which the Ogoni 9 were executed 30 years ago. This day also marks the start of COP30, a day on which Environmental Human Rights Defenders and communities most impacted by the climate crisis should be centred in decision-making by those in power, and it should not be corporates centred in these processes.  

Unfortunately, this day marks even more than these two anniversaries. Every day marks another day on which Shell had not done the clean-up needed to bring people justice, nor have the Ogoni 9 been exonerated. The human rights abuses caused by Shell’s operations have only gotten worse, and Environmental Human Rights Defenders continue to put themselves on the frontlines every day to push Shell to clean up their mess and pay for the damages done. 

We cannot let oil companies like Shell continue to get away with destroying people’s lands and livelihoods, in the Niger Delta and around the world. If we do not speak out in the UK and around the world in places where these large corporates are headquartered, we risk this going unnoticed and the calls of people whose lives have been most impacted to be ignored.  

Together with Justice 4 Nigeria (J4N) we are organising a vigil outside of Shell’s HQ to commemorate the Ogoni 9 and EHRDs around the world.

Join the vigil outside Shell on 10 November 
What: Vigil for the commemoration of the Ogoni 9 and Environmental Human Rights Defenders around the world. Bring your own candles.  
When: 10 November – 4:30-5:00pm silent vigil, followed by poetry and speeches 5-6pm 
Where: Outside Shell’s HQ – Shell Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 7PB 
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13 November: Film screening ‘Esther and the Law’ 
Followed by panel  

This November marks 30 years since the Ogoni 9 were executed after a blatantly unfair trial, in their fight for justice against Shell in the Niger Delta. For these 30 years, people in the Delta have been tirelessly fighting for justice for the nine men and for justice for all who live in the region, including family members. 

We will be joined by Esther Kiobel, who has been fighting for justice for her husband for many years, including through going to court in the Netherlands,  Simeon B. Kpoturu from MOSOP, and Emma O’Brien who is part of the Leigh Day legal team working on several court cases against Shell in the UK. More speakers TBC. 

Every day marks another day in which we must continue the call for justice. Please join us for this screening and panel event, learn about the ongoing fight for justice, and get involved. 

Read more about in this briefing assessing Shell’s complicity in the arbitrary execution of the Ogoni 9.  

What: Screening of the film ‘Esther and the Law’, followed by a panel 
When: 13 November, 18:00h.  
Where: Genesis Cinema, 93-95 Mile End Road, London, E1 4UJ 
Who: Esther Kiobel, Simeon B. Kpoturu (MOSOP), Emma O'Brien (Leigh Day)
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Book your ticket here
 

Hong Kong Programme

Hong Kong Film Festival 2025


AIUK x Hong Kong Film Festival comes back in November in Manchester and Birmingham!

Dear representatives of local groups,

Hope this email finds you well, and nice to e-meet you!

I'm Thomas from Hong Kong Programme of AIUK, and thank you very much for your interests and dedication in Hong Kong human rights! 

I am writing this email as I would like to share our collaboration with Hong Kong Film Festival UK in upcoming November in Manchester and Birmingham. We are going to have 3 screenings starting from 2 Nov to 9 Nov in Manchester area, and 1 screening in Birmingham on 23 Nov. 

During this period of time, we are planning to organise some outreach activities with Hong Kong community groups and AIUK local activists groups, to demonstrate solidarity with our IAR cases, and foster mutual understanding of the Hong Kong Human Rights issues. 

We would greatly appreciate your interest in this collaboration, and we are more than happy to get in touch with you online this week or early next week. Please feel free to share with us your thoughts and idea about this, and we are looking forward to hearing from you!

Finally below is the details and info links of the relative screenings. Feel free to share with your activists' network! Thank you very much!

2 Nov (Sun), 3 pm, Savoy Cinema, Stockport
Book ticket here


23 Nov (Sun), 3 pm, Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham 
Book ticket here
 


• No Time for Goodbye  風繼續吹


One of the first key features produced by new Hong Kong immigrants in the UK, Don Ng’s feature debut is a tale of the heartbreaking choices behind forceful exile, the realities of British migrant policies, and the pains of protecting liberties. It is also a stark reminder of the complexities of post-2019 Hong Kong and the trauma left on its youth. Selected as one of the WIP projects at the Taipei Golden Horse Film Project Promotion, this film has won Best Narrative Feature Film at the London Independent Film Festival, and Best Feature and Best Social Justice Film at the New York International Film Awards. 
 




• 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 be a Director Q&A with the producer and director, Mr Ng Ka Leung. He is also a featured artist for AIUK Uncensored Stories Series!
 
 




8 Nov (Sat), 3 pm; Northern Light Cinema, Manchester 
 
Book ticket here



9 Nov (Sun), 3 pm, Northern Light Cinema, Manchester 


 
Book ticket 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 filmmakers Q&A, and a Lecture performance with Clara Cheung, an exiled community artist and former legislative councillor. She is also a featured artist for AIUK Uncensored Stories Series!
 
 

Action Across Amnesty

Country Coordinators

South Asia

Freedom of speech under threat in South Asia

Bangladesh: Dalit Women Sanitation Workers and the Fight for Water and Dignity

A new report, ‘Left Behind in the Storm: Dalit Women Sanitation Workers and the Fight for Water and Dignity’, documents the huge barriers faced by Dalit (sometimes called “Untouchable”) women sanitation workers in Bangladesh, in accessing safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.  It also highlights their vulnerability and exclusion in climate change relief programmes.   A new campaign will call on the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the rights of Dalit Sanitation Workers and urgently address access to water for the community,

Please see the Blog and please see the full report.
If you would like to know more about this campaign, please contact – jerry.allen@amnesty.org.uk

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AGM Decision Update

Update October 2025

Every three months it is intended to update groups on progress towards the implementation of resolutions passed at Amnesty AGMs. These are now known as AGM Decisions and details of these can be found at https://www.amnesty.org.uk/annual-general-meeting

Each AGM Decision is allocated to a Section Board member who works with the proposer of the resolution and Amnesty UK staff on their implementation. At the above website address the document called ‘Update on the Implementation of AGM Decisions’ will be revised every month to include developments as they occur. This is the best source of information if groups wish to be kept abreast of developments. That document has now been updated to include the resolutions which were passed at the recent 2025 AGM.

Since the last update in the Groups Newsletter in July 2025:
 

  • Since the publication of the September report, leadership of all AGM Decisions have been allocated to a named Board member. This update will be reflected in the October report.
  • Work has begun on 12 of the 17 Ordinary Decisions with one completed. The single Special Decision has been completed also.
  • As required by Decision 07 (Improving engagement and communication between activists and the Board of Amnesty UK), all regions/nations now have a named Board liaison and Board members are making contact with Regional/National Activism representatives and/or local groups.
  • The Terms of Reference for a Working Group to review the Activists Code of Conduct Complaints Process have been agreed. This group will be led by Chris Ramsey, Chair of the Truro Group and Country Coordinator.
  • The implementation of some AGM Decisions from 2024 cannot be completed until other, longer-term areas of work have been completed. These include: the Amnesty-wide Digital Transformation Project, a Training Needs Analysis being undertaken by the Human Rights Education Team and the completion of the Activism and Education Strategy.

    Once these are completed it will be possible to report on the progress of more resolutions.

If you have any queries regarding the Decisions please email me using the address below.
Stuart Penny
Vice Chair Amnesty UK Section Board
stuart.penny@amnesty.org.uk
 

Thematic Networks

Amnesty Feminists Network

Amnesty Feminists go to Parliament

The Amnesty Feminist Network held a powerful roundtable in Parliament on 14 October in collaboration with Make it Mandatory, sponsored by MP Helen Maguire, on raising the age of compulsory relationship and sex education to the age of 18. Currently 16–19-year-olds experience the highest rates of domestic abuse yet according to Refuge, less than half of this age group have received or are due to receive education on domestic abuse and controlling or coercive behaviour. The event was standing room only, saw participation from multiple MPs and heard powerful testimony on the impact extending mandatory RSE could have, including from survivors themselves, parents who have lost their daughters to domestic violence and front-line workers. Amnesty Feminists are continuing to work tirelessly to close this gap in the law that leaves vulnerable young people without this vital education at a time when they will be having some of their first sexual and romantic relationships.

Action: Support the call to extend RSE to 18 here by signing this survivor and youth-led petition

Join Amnesty Feminists in defending reproductive rights amidst the rise of the anti-rights movement

On 12 November at 12pm, Amnesty Feminist’s My Body My Rights campaign, Write for Rights and Abortion Support Network (ASN) are coming together to hold an important online session on the rise of the anti-rights movement, their attacks on reproductive freedom and how to resist this roll back of human rights. Part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the webinar will hear from AIUK’s Gender Justice Director, ASN’s Director as well as volunteers on the frontline of supporting safe abortion access across Europe. The crucial role Amnesty Local Groups and activists play in defending reproductive rights in the UK will be a key part of the discussion, including sharing example solidarity actions. There will also be space to ask panellists any questions you might have.
Register here
 
 

October Fundraising Update

Individual Giving 

Christmas Raffle

Play the Amnesty Christmas raffle and you could win £10,000 or one of 86 other amazing prizes! Buy your tickets today to help play your part in the fight for human rights.
PLAY TODAY

Fund the Fightback against Authoritarianism

Donations could help fund the developments of reports that expose attempts to curb our right to protest and could help mobilise thousands to raise their voices and make sure parliament hears our demands to protect our freedom of expression.

Your gift could also help support legal challenges against worrying new authoritarian laws and secure rulings that safeguard the rights and freedoms future generations will depend on.
GIVE TODAY

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Local Group Fundraising Update

Local Group Fundraising Update - October 2025
 

In this month’s local group fundraising update, we celebrate the achievements of the Bromley and Orpington Amnesty Group who have donated £111,000 to Amnesty International UK in the 63-years they have been operating. They are just one of many groups who currently exist or have existed each making a remarkable contribution to human rights locally, nationally and all over the world with their hard work. There’s also news of a growing collaboration between a group and a local pub – we love to see groups and local businesses teaming up!

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.

October Fundraising Report
 
 

Community Organising
 

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 
  • 6pm, 11 November 2025 
  • The Pleasance, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ 

Newcastle 
  • 6pm, 12 November 2025 
  • Tyneside Cinema, 10 Pilgrim St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6QG  

London launch 
  • 6.30pm, Tuesday 25 November    
  • Sheikh Zayed Theatre, London School of Economics 54 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LJ  

Online launch 
  • 6.30pm, Thursday 27 November 
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
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.

We have also attached an email template to send out to your local group members to sign them up to the platform. We are trying to get more general members to sign up so this will be appreciated.

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
 

Regional Gatherings

The East Anglia Amnesty Local Groups are inviting you to their

Amnesty East Anglia Regional Gathering


Where: Chelmsford
When: Saturday 1 November, 10:30am - 4:30pm
 
Connect with like-minded Amnesty activists from the East Anglia region for a day of learning, activism, networking and building community power!
 
You can register and find more info here:

We are looking forward to you joining us!
Register 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.
 
 

Your Local Group Mailing

If you would like to message Amnesty supporters in your Local Area, you can do this by requesting a Your Local Group mailing - YLG to be sent to out.

Requesting a Your LG Mailing to invite members and supporters in your region.

To request the mailing please email Activism team activism@amnesty.org.uk
 
  • Advising them the Post codes you wish to send the mailing to
  • When you are looking to send out the mailing (date). Please note that we normally require a notice of 7-10 workdays
  • Provide the Blurb and any links and images you wish to share
 

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: 
 

  • NatWest: this is free if you’re a customer with them already. More details here
  • Co-Operative: this is free if you’re a customer with them already. More details her
 
 

Learning at Amnesty UK

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

Write for Rights – Campaigning for Individual’s at Risk 

Tuesday 11 November- 18:00 - 19:30
Write for Rights – Campaigning for Individual’s at Risk 

This year, as part of the campaign, we invite you to join us at our Write for Rights Event which will take place online to find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved.
This Write for Rights online event is a great opportunity to:

  • Find out more about the Write for Rights campaign and its impact.
  • Explore how you can most effectively use your voice to add strength to a global campaign.
  • Come together with other amnesty groups to share creative ideas to spread awareness and make a difference.
Register here
 

A Guide to direct Action

Tuesday 25 November - 18:00 - 19:30
A Guide to direct Action

Come along to this training to gain an understanding of some of the direct action tactics which can be used, when it is strategic to escalate to direct action and knowledge of risk analysis, safeguarding and the practical things you need to consider before undertaking direct action.
 
Register here
 
 

What you have been up to

Orkney Amnesty Group


                         Amnesty Orkney Group – “Vigil for Palestine”

The Orkney Group's Gaza vigils have been taking place every Saturday, at 1pm for an hour in front of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, since the end of October 2023.

"We had a few weeks when we didn’t meet during the last ceasefire, but soon came back together again and we have agreed to continue gathering for the foreseeable future.

Over the two years we have had hundreds of people join us from around the world including locals, independent tourists and passengers from cruise ships. We have also been joined by Palestinians, some who were here visiting with our members and others who were travelling and just came across us! Needless to say, they were heartened. One of our members is an artist and did a painting of our vigil. Over the months we have had those attending for the first time to sign and write a message of support on the back. We are now on our 6th print! We send photos of them to our friends in Palestine to give them hope.

There is lots more we have done, such as our kites in solidarity with Gaza events, film screenings, art exhibition, Palestinian cookery demonstration, tapestry projects."

You can access the full story of the Orkney Amnesty Group's initiatives for Palestine here.

Please see the YouTube link for photos and more information on the initiatives.
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Chelmsford Amnesty Group


As part of the global solidarity action to mark the anniversary of the last public dissident poetry reading in Moscow on 25 September 2022, when Artyom Kamardin and Yegor Shtovba were arrested and sentenced to 7 years and 5.5 years respectively for anti-war poetry, Chelmsford Local Group held actions associated with local artists and sculptors.
__________

Exeter Amnesty Group


Exeter Group have had a busy Autumn. On 19 October, they had a successful fundraising walk in Budleigh Salterton; 11 supporters walked nine miles in the wind and the rain, raising over £800.

Some of this went direct to AIUK via their JustGiving page and some went to our group funds. The following Saturday, 25 October, and following nearly three months of weekly counter-protests against British Unity's anti-immigrant presence at the Exeter Airport Hotel, they joined an Exeter is for Everyone event in the city centre.

A broad coalition of groups, including Exeter Amnesty, organised a counter event in response to a British Unity march through the city centre. Over 800 people came together to show their support for the diversity that makes Exeter special- there was an amazing atmosphere and a lot of support from Saturday shoppers.

Later in the afternoon, 14 members and supporters of the group met in a local cafe to write nearly 20 letters for recent Urgent Action cases. The Group members are looking forward to attending an Anti-Racism event at the end of November in Exeter City Library, and our annual Write for Rights coffee morning on 13 December.

__________


Chipping Norton Group

To mark UN Day on 24 October supporters of the Chipping Norton Group raised the United Nations flag on the town's flagpole for all to see.  Our Chair reminded everyone of the centrality of human rights for both Amnesty International and the United Nations and, in the light of the current gender apartheid in Afghanistan and Amnesty's Feminist Network's campaign, Rise With Afghan Women, drew attention to UN Women's new strategic plan for 2026-2029.

__________
 


Ipswich Amnesty Group

The Ipswich group hosted another successful concert in September with popular electric ukulele band D'Ukes at Two Sisters Arts Centre in Trimley, raising £355. (See picture).

D'Ukes have played internationally and play popular music from 1970s to present day.

They have now forged a strong association with Ipswich Amnesty, and this was their fourth concert for us.

__________

Colwyn Bay Amnesty Group


The Colwyn Bay group was delighted to be able to show Anoosheh Ashoori’s exhibition “Surviving Evin” in both Welsh and English at the Amnesty Wales National Gathering in Aberystwyth on 18 October.

The exhibition was viewed with much interest and contributed to the discussions and experience of a busy and successful day.

__________


On Saturday 25 October Amnesty Colwyn Bay collaborated  with “Stand up at the Seaside”, comedy nights In Colwyn Bay, North Wales, for an evening In October dedicated to the memory of the Python Terry Jones, a local lad and great supporter of Amnesty - remember “The Secret Policeman’s Ball”?

It was a very successful, crowded and laughter-filled evening, raising the profile of Amnesty’s aims and of our local Amnesty group.
With many thanks to MC Dave Rothnie!

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Wharfdale Amnesty Group


On Thursday the 9 October Local Group meeting, members of Amnesty Wharfedale celebrated Alaa Abdel Fattah's release from prison (picture right)

And group member's letter- writing at the same meeting. (pictures left)

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Mid-Gloucestershire Amnesty Group


On 18 October the Mid-Glos Amnesty Group joined the Stroud Peace Fair at their local church. Several local groups got together to highlight the theme of Peace.
There were several talks running in a different venue to support the same theme.

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Harrogate Amnesty Group

Harrogate & Knaresborough Group
Special letter writing session for
Harrogate Week of Peace


 

The Harrogate and Knaresborough Group were pleased to focus on letters about peace around the world in our monthly letter writing session on 18 September at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate, as part of the Harrogate Week of Peace organised by UNA Harrogate.

Other UNA events during the week included a service for Peace at Pannal Methodist Church, a UNA meeting with a presentation on the work of the UN and a presentation from Zero Carbon Harrogate on “Setting the Climate for Peace”.

They look forward to further activities where we can combine resources with other local groups in the future.

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Harrogate & Knaresborough Group
Action for the International Day Against the Death Penalty

The Harrogate and Knaresborough Group held a pop-up street protest in Harrogate on Saturday 11 October to mark the International Day Against the Death Penalty.

Volunteers held up End the Death Penalty placards which could be turned around to reveal information about the numbers of executions carried out by the ten most prolific countries, while a roll call was read out naming each country and the number of executions held by each in 2024.

On the whole the reception by the public was positive and we gathered 45 signatures on each of two petitions calling for an end to the Death Penalty, which were sent to leaders in Saudi Arabia and Iran.

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Newcastle Amnesty Group

Newcastle upon Tyne action for Abdulrahman Al Sadan (Saudi Arabia)


 

Abdulrahman Al-Sadhan is imprisoned for his public satire criticizing conservative religious establishments and figures. 
On 12 March 2018, security agents from the Presidency of State Security reportedly arrested Al-Sadhan, a humanitarian aid worker, from his workplace at the Red Crescent Society in Riyadh. Authorities accused Al-Sadhan of running two anonymous Twitter accounts known for mocking and being critical of public officials, religious establishments, the connection between religion and politics, and other social and economic issues facing the country. One of the accounts assumed the persona of an online, conservative religious cleric, inspired by a character from a famous Saudi comedy show. Al-Sadhan was held incommunicado for two years before being allowed to make a one-minute phone call to his family. Following that call, he was held incommunicado for another year. He is currently being held incommunicado.

On 5 April 2021, the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) in a closed-door trial sentenced Al-Sadhan to 20 years in prison followed by a 20-year travel ban on charges related to his peaceful online activism and expression. Charges included “preparing, storing and sending material prejudicial to public order and religious values." Al-Sadhan was denied proper due process and adequate legal counsel.
On October 5, 2021, an appeals court upheld Al-Sadhan’s sentence.

Coincidentally, on the 7 October 2021, the takeover of Newcastle United F.C. by a consortium of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), PCP Capital Partners, and the Reuben Brothers was successfully concluded - hence in the action one of the (club-official) versions of the Newcastle United Football club away shirts with a (controversial for its supply chain and human rights issues in that) Saudi sponsor and in 'Saudi colours'

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Hassockfield - Immigration Removal centre, County Durham -National Demo last Saturday 18 October
 

Juli Ward (York, and Country Coordinator), Rebecca Patterson (Sunderland, Wearside & Newcastle Local Group) and Richard Kotter( Newcastle local Group, Country Coordinator and Section Board Member from AIUK took parti in the national demo, with speeches and music etc. outside the Derwentside (Hassockfield) Immigration Removal Centre in County Durham.

Present were representatives from lived experience rights-holders and survivors (not all their relatives have) from the asylum and immigration (detention) system/process, and with folk from supporter and campaign groups from Liverpool/Merseyside (see story link below), Manchester, Sheffield/South Yorkshire, Nottingham, Oxford, London, Teesside, Durham and Newcastle.

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Special Mentions

Mid-Warwickshire Amnesty Group

Denise Fowler

A Special Thank you to Denise Fowler, who is originally from France, who has been very active in our Mid-Warwickshire Amnesty Group since joining in 1981, including as Chair and most recently as Vice-Chair. She has been a tireless campaigner for human rights but just shy of her 90th birthday she has decided to step back from active membership though she'll still be supporting events and will be at our fundraising concert in January.

"I was born in 1936 in Strasbourg and in 1939. The second world war broke out and that is when my memories start. We were evacuated to Périgueux in the Dordogne in the so-called 'Free France' but it lasted a year then the whole of France was invaded by the German army. We were lucky because we were not bombed except once at lunch time when a bomb fell in the swimming pool when the place was empty! When the war ended in 1945. we returned to Strasbourg which I did not like, it was all black with some ruins, and people talked Alsatian which to me was German. I was 8. I went to Paris to study at the Sorbonne and then at Sciences Po (the equivalent of LSE). I got a bursary to go to the Edinburgh Festival in the summer of 1961, which is where I met my husband, David. We married in 1962, and I ended up in Manchester. where I became an assistant in French at the University, then did research for a year among the immigrant community from Barbados. Then we moved to Warwick with our two children as David was appointed lecturer in Mathematics. Tired of academia I went to Birmingham to study to become a Language and Speech Therapist. I joined CND in 1970 and started a local group then in 1981 I joined the Mid-Warwickshire Amnesty Group, the culmination of a long, meandering journey." - Denise Fowler

Thank you Denise for your incredible work as Amnesty Activist. We wish you all the best for your next chapter in your life!  Bouquet
 
Upcoming Events

Harrogate Amnesty Group

Amnesty International - Harrogate & Knaresborough Group

The Surviving Evin Prison Exhibition
1 – 16 November 2025


The Amnesty and Knaresborough Group of Amnesty International is pleased to announce our free exhibition in Ripon Cathedral, from 1 to 16 November.

The launch event is on 31 October from 6.15-7.45pm and will be attended by Harrogate MP Tom Gordon as well as Anoosheh Ashoori, the creator of the exhibition.

It gives a visual account of Anoosheh’s imprisonment in the notorious Evin Prison in Iran.

Anoosheh is a retired British–Iranian civil engineer formerly detained in Evin jail in Iran. Iranian authorities arrested Ashoori in August 2017, when he was in the country to visit his sick mother. In August 2019, the Iranian judiciary sentenced Anoosheh to 12 years in prison; 10 years for allegedly "spying for Israel's Mossad" and two years for "acquiring illegitimate wealth", charges which Ashoori denies. He had never held any political post and had never visited Israel. He has been a UK resident for many years along with his family and has dual nationality. He was released in 2022 alongside Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe after the UK government paid a long outstanding debt to Iran.

The Exhibition will run from 1 to 16 November, every day during Cathedral opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm.

If you would like to attend the launch event but cannot come on the Friday evening, please do come on Saturday morning, 1 November when Anoosheh will be available to talk to visitors.

For information contact Linzy Lyne. 

 
 

Upcoming Dates

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

1 November  10:30am - 4:30pm - Regional Gathering: East Anglia Book your ticket here

10 November  6:00pm - 7:30pm - Niger Delta Campaign Silent Vigil London, Belvedere Road You can find more details here

11 November  6:00pm - 7:30pm - Online Training: "Write for Rights – Campaigning for Individual’s at Risk" Register here

13 November  6:00pm - 7:30pm - Niger Delta Campaign Film Screening London: "Esther and the Law’" Register here

25 November  6:00pm - 7:30pm - Online Training: "Online, A Guide to Direct Action" Register here

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