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

At a time when fundamental rights are under threat across the globe, join Amnesty International, get involved with our local Amnesty 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 post includes:

• Details of our forthcoming January 2026 meeting;

• An update on December's Write for Rights

• Links to current AIUK activities;

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

• A note of all our monthly meeting dates for 2026.

January 2026 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The first Glasgow West Amnesty meeting of 2026 will take place on Thursday 8th January 2026 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

Anyone curious about Amnesty International is most welcome to just turn up and join our meetings. We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

• A brief review of our annual Write for Rights event, which took place in December;
• Discussion on a potential Glasgow Amnesty community meal event, which is provisionally pencilled in for March 2026;
• Planning for our group's Annual General Meeting; and
• Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Join our Meetings online

Anyone unable / unavailable to physically come along, is welcome to join our monthly meetings online via this link.

(It will be the same link for all subsequent meetings).

Update on our recent Write for Rights Event

Our annual December Write for Rights card writing session took place on Sunday 14th December 2025 in Hillhead Library, Glasgow. We also held a smaller event earlier that same day at the Sunday Assembly in the West End of Glasgow.

Write for Rights is Amnesty International's flagship annual letter writing campaign, which focuses on 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.

Our Group's Write for Rights events in December resulted in a total of 91 cards being sent, as well as £116 received in donations.

We would like to provide a very big thank you to all Amnesty volunteers and members of the public who participated!

Updates from Amnesty

Amnesty Scotland: 2026 Human Rights Manifesto

Amnesty International's Scotland office has published a human rights manifesto for 2026 setting out our calls on the next Scottish government to create a fairer, more equal Scotland.

From a Human Rights Bill to enshrine strong legal protections for everyday rights, to a ban on mass surveillance technologies in policing - we want to see bold action from our next parliament and government.

As political parties prepare their own manifestos and party leaders begin their pitch to form Scotland's next government, Amnesty and our supporters want to see a wide range of commitments.

Further information is available from the Amnesty website.

AIUK: Parliamentary Briefing on the ECHR

AIUK recently published a parliamentary briefing on the European Convention on Human Rights, published to mark the 75th anniversary of the ECHR.

The briefing note can be downloaded from the AIUK website.

Comedy Night Fundraiser for Amnesty International

Our local Group's annual Comedy night fundraiser will take place at The Stand Glasgow's new venue on the evening of Thursday 19th February 2026.

Doors open at 7pm, with the event running from 8pm – 10pm.

As well as the bar, food will also be available the venue up until the end of the interval.

Following a change of premises last year, the Stand Comedy Club is now located at a bigger and better venue at 420 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9JA.

Tickets are priced £11 / £13 are available now from The Stand website.

Details of the host for the evening and the line-up will be announced closer to the event.

All proceeds from ticket sales (minus booking fees) will go to Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust (SC039534). Funds raised from the raffle will be used by the local Glasgow West Amnesty group for local campaigning.

December 2025 Minutes

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 11th December 2025

Agenda

Link to December meeting email here

1. Welcome and apologies

   1. Attendance: Ken, Neil, Freya, Merle, Christine, Claire, Andrew, Clara, Paolo, Kirstie and Carol.

   2. Apologies: Lauren and Mhairi

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer

      1. postage from letters: £15.34

      2. other expenditure: £14.51 on cards

      3. donations: Calder High School collection tins - dropped off at the church (Post-meeting update from Kirstie on our Signal Group - the tins contained £41,50. Kirstie will write to the school to thank them).

      4. current balance: £1,316

   2. Social Media & website (Lauren):

      • Twitter/Bluesky discussion [agreed not urgent until AIUK moves]; Claire asked in the Amnesty Scotland WA chat to see if other local groups have come off Twitter

   3. Local Political Outreach

      • A HUMAN RIGHTS MANIFESTO - Scotland 2026 - Published by AI Scotland office will be ready for May 2026 elections! Will launch in February

      • Ashraf is looking for volunteers to help in building this manifesto and bringing it to political activism in different target constituencies in Glasgow

      • 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.

   4. Not currently active: Regional/Country focus; Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk; Theme Focus US Death Penalty /NB Paul Brides is the lead on Anti-Death Penalty Project: Paul.Bridges@amnesty.org.uk - no takers as yet, let's remove from agenda.

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

   1. Daytime Group Write for Rights 6.12.25 at Pollokshields Library

   2. Daytime Group: having to leave the Wee Retreat because of now being charged by venue £30/hour - any ideas of cheap venues? (For comparison, our group currently pays £14/hour for use of the church hall)

5. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo) / Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat:

   1. Perth Group: proposed Kashmir Forum - looking for people who would be interested in getting involved, particularly those with family ties to Kashmir.

      The idea of a forum came from discussions with Perth Minorities Association(PMA) and Cherry Bird (AI India Coordinator). We know from attendance at the Iftar that we hosted last year together with PMA there seems to be a significant community in Glasgow who have family connections to Kashmir and which may be interested in getting involved in actions designed to address the human rights situation there. If you have any contact with this community pls spread the word about this forum & put them in touch with us.

      Info to share:

      Kashmir Forum - Following a successful Iftar which we held in 2024 together with Perth Minorities Association(PMA) we have developed a close working relationship with them on human rights issues.

      The focus of our work so far has been on Kashmir where some PMA members have family ties and where human rights are under threat. We have recently held online discussions with Cherry Bird, one of Amnesty's country coordinators who has a keen interest on the Kashmir situation, a leading member of PMA, and a Kashmir based human rights activist. The aim is to develop a forum with the purpose of raising awareness about the human rights situation in both the Indian and Pakistan administered regions of Kashmir and to develop actions that reinforce and complement Amnesty's Kashmir campaign.

      Membership: We are keen to widen the membership of this forum and it would be great to hear from anyone who would like to take part, but particularly from people who have family ties to Kashmir.

      For more information please contact: Barrie Rutherford, Perth Amnesty Group, j.rutherford725@btinternet.com

6. Actions/updates from previous meeting:

   1. Did anyone attend the AIUK training sessions on A Guide to Direct Action? - no!

   2. Tree planting: Friday 21st November - beautiful poem, thanks Carol; beautiful plaque, thank you Paolo and Andrew! Thanks Andrew for sending out Press Release on our 50th anniversary events & to Local Updates / Amnesty letter

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

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

   1. Write for Rights: Hillhead Library 12-4pm Sunday 14th December.

   2. Thanks to Kirstie for sending out a Press Release! Press Release: Amnesty International Glasgow groups Write for Rights press release 25.11.25

   3. Note that Kyrgyzstan case (Journalist Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy) has been withdrawn from W4R due to a deteriorating political situation in the country. Cross out this case from the W4R booklets and do not write any cards for it.

   4. NB pack of Refugees at Home materials for table at the W4R event (To encourage people to consider hosting a refugee in their home)

   5. Kirstie and Carol will, once again, set up a Write for Rights session at the Sunday Assembly meeting in the West End of Glasgow. This will also be on 14th December, taking place prior to our main W4R event at Hillhead library.

   6. Rota for Hillhead library:

      1. 12pm-1pm (set up, needs car): Merle, Christine

      2. 1pm-2pm: Neil, Claire

      3. 2pm-3pm: Claire

      4. 3pm-4pm: (pack up, needs car): Kirstie

         1. Also Sunday Assembly that day - Carol & Kirstie - 11am-1pm

         2. NB take JCB petition https://www.amnesty.org.uk/jcb. → submit to Council

9. Meal!

   Paolo to check 22nd and 29th March 10am-3pm - total £500 for venue (room & kitchen) - deposit of £125 hall and kitchen deposit of £250 = £375 deposit (10am-3pm) - by 28.12.25

   1. Or without kitchen = £200 less

   2. Budget: ~£1000-£1,500

   3. To discuss: do we want to break even / make a profit / accept a loss?

      1. Venue: Woodside Halls, in Maryhill - 120 people max; tables & chairs there ; mic & sound system

      2. Food:

         1. Palestinian caterer (PalCafe https://palcafe.org/ ), buffet, prepared in advance and warmed up in the kitchen - expect ~£5 per person

         2. OR professional caterer, but then we'll need to serve

         → ticket price tbc??

      3. could do PWYC on eventbrite invite with labels e.g. “concession” / “cover costs” / “solidarity [pay for 1.5 meals]” / “additional donation” - starting at £0 so that people who can't afford (or aren't comfortable with online banking) can come. We can have donation tins at the venue to help recoup some of the costs.

         • OR just free ticket on eventbrite and people PWYC on the door? (easier than linking eventbrite up w a bank acc and maybe simpler for people). Could use card reader so people can pay by card/cash?

   4. Target audience / number of invites: activists, supporters & their families OR open event for all /community meal to provide people with hot food during winter time

      1. Entertainment:

         1. Exhibition (same as at Civic Reception)

         2. Speakers

         3. Musicians?

      2. NB running costs for the year (Pride march / website / postage / church hall / AI affiliation) = ~£1000, the Stand raffle raises ~£500 for our Group. Current balance = £1,316.

         • Could we do the meal as a fundraiser? Present it as a fundraiser? Prepare it like a proper event.

         • Could push it to summer? So not so close to The Stand

         • Kirsty will talk to PalCafe people

         • The event could be a collaboration with PalCafe, meaning some of any funds raised after costs could be shared with them

         • That amazing Palestinian woman who was at the Perth gathering - Clara will ask Jack for contact - could invite Jack?

         • Sunday 22nd or, Sunday 29th March as potential dates? (Post-meeting update - Paolo confirmed on our Signal Group there is availability on 22nd March)

         • Do it as a campaign event - agreed that this would give teh community meal more of a focus.

         • Need to cover the cost

10. Our Stand gig for next year is already confirmed: Thurs 19 Feb 2026, doors 7pm show 8pm, duration 2hrs - plan in January!

    1. Benefit in aid of Amnesty International - The Stand Comedy Club

    2. NB new venue cap 200 cabaret style (or can increase to 250 theatre style)

    3. 18+, ticket price £13/11

11. AOB

    Petition about asylum accommodation in army barracks:

    https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stop-accommodation-centres

    AIUK Local Group Updates – December link

    (As always, the latest Local Groups' Update link is also included in the monthly newsletter that is sent out to our mailing list via Mailchimp)

    “Netanyahu Wanted by ICC” posters - available to order. Do we want to order to put up around town?

    • There isn't any action e.g. petition, etc. Instead, the action would be whether any of our local activists would want to put up posters within the community.

    • The group decided not to take this forward at the present time

    2 webinars to enable AIUK's activists to ask questions and receive further information about AIUK's current financial outlook and the steps we need to take to return to a balanced budget.

    • Tuesday 16 December 2025, 7pm – 8.30pm. To register for this event, please go to:

    • https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1976718103058?aff=oddtdtcreator

    • Wednesday 21 January 7.30pm – 8.30pm. To register for this event, please go to:

12. Next meeting - Thurs 8th January 2026 (Apologies submitted from Andrew) - AGM?

    As before:

    • Petition: Last year was the deadliest year for journalists. Add your voice to defend press freedom.

    • 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.

    • Does anyone want to take a lead on this? Getting us:

      • engaged with MPs ; form coalitions with local Palestine Solidarity Campaign branch ; Organise community Apartheid-Free Meal

      • Resource - forward any replies from MPs to Amika (Amika.George@amnesty.org.uk)

    • 2 template letters to MPs

    • the template Press Release for an Apartheid-Free Meal

    • local procurement ask to councillors here are the materials

13. Potential Speakers for 2026:

    1. (Waiting: Refugee Action - which is being organised by Daytime group per discussion with them in Sept)

    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: blog link

    6. Refugees at Home - have contacted us to ask if we'd like a speaker

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

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

2026 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 8th January 2026

• Thursday 12th February 2026

• Thursday 12th March 2026

• Thursday 9th April 2026

• Thursday 14th May 2026

• Thursday 11th June 2026

• Thursday 9th July 2026

• Thursday 13th August 2026

• Thursday 10th September 2026

• Thursday 8th October 2026

• Thursday 12th November 2026

• Thursday 10th December 2026

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

Thanks to all those involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are appreciated. If you prefer, you can read this as PDF.

---

At a time when fundamental rights are under threat across the globe, join Amnesty International, get involved with our local Amnesty 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 post includes:

• Details of our forthcoming December 2025 meeting;
• Links to current AIUK activities;
• The minutes from our local Group's November 2025 meeting; and
• A note of all our monthly meeting dates for 2026.

December 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The final Glasgow West Amnesty meeting of 2025 will take place on Thursday 11^th December 2025 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

New members are most welcome to just turn up. We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

• Mulled wine, mince pies and chocolates!;
• A brief review of recent activities, including the Amnesty tree-planting ceremony and the Unity Rally held in Falkirk to oppose racism;
• Final planning for our forthcoming annual Write for Rights event;
• Discussion on a potential Glasgow Amnesty community meal event to be held in the new year; and
• Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK.

Join our Meetings online

Anyone unable / unavailable to physically come along, is welcome to join our monthly meetings online via this link.

(It will be the same link for all subsequent meetings).

Write for Rights 2025

Our annual December Write for Rights card writing session will take place on Sunday 14^th December 2025 @ 12noon - 4pm in Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Rd, G12 8AP.

Write for Rights is Amnesty International's flagship annual letter writing campaign. This year, it will focus on ten 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.

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

Comedy Night Fundraiser for AIUK in February 2026

Looking for an ethical Christmas gift for your friends or relatives?

Why not get them a tickets for Amnesty's Comedy night fundraiser at The Stand Glasgow's new venue?

The fun-packed event takes place on Thursday 19^th February 2026.

Doors open at 7pm, with the event running from 8pm – 10pm.

Details of the host and line-up will be announced on The Stand website.

Food will also be available at The Stand's new venue - 420 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9JA.

Tickets are priced £11 / £13. All proceeds from ticket sales (minus booking fees) will go to Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust (SC039534). Funds raised from the raffle will be used by the local Glasgow West Amnesty group for local campaigning.

50 Years of Amnesty in Glasgow

From 1975 — 2025, there has been an Amnesty International presence in Glasgow. Two events took place recently to mark this milestone.

Civic Reception

Speakers' notes and photographs from our fifty year celebration events are available via the Glasgow West shared drive. Click on the following links for speeches and photographs.

Tree Planting Ceremony

To celebrate Amnesty International having a local group presence in Glasgow since 1975, the City Council's Deputy Lord Provost, Bailie Christy Mearns, unveiled a plaque and helped plant a Ginkgo tree in the grounds of Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery.

The ceremony, which was held on a crisp and sunny November morning, was attended by Amnesty supporters from the City's local groups.

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.

Central Europe - 16 Days of Activism: Voices of Resistance

Join Amnesty International UK Europe Team for a powerful event advocating for human rights for all women.

As part of Amnesty International UK's 16 Days of Activism, this event, Voices of Resistance, brings together courageous women from around the world who are standing up against oppression, violence, and injustice.

Through conversation, testimony, and reflection, our speakers will explore what it means to resist, to raise your voice, even when it's dangerous to do so, and how global solidarity can spark change.

Speakers include:

• Olga Borisova (from Pussy Riot) – Artist, activist, and member of the world-renowned feminist protest collective Pussy Riot, speaking on resistance, art, and dissent in Russia.
• Homira May – Afghan human rights activist advocating for women's education and safety under the Taliban regime.
• Łucja Jastrzębska-Hawking – Country Co-ordinator for Amnesty International UK, actor and campaigner for bodily autonomy in Poland.

Together, they will discuss the realities of activism under authoritarianism, the personal costs of resistance, and the collective power of speaking out.

Get your tickets here!

West and Central Africa - Women in Ghana accused of witchcraft

In Ghana witchcraft accusations lead to untold suffering, discrimination and violence. The victims, mostly older women, face severe human rights violations including brutal attacks, displacement, and social exclusion. Accusations of witchcraft usually start within the family or among community members following a tragic event such as illness or a death. Older women living in poverty, with health conditions or disabilities are at greater risk, as well as women who do not confirm to stereotypical gender roles.

The tragic case of Akua Denteh, a 90-year-old woman from Kafaba in the Savannah Region is just one terrible example. On 23 July 2020, after being accused of witchcraft, Akua Denteh was brutally beaten to death.

Many other hundreds of people have endured torture or been driven out of their communities to live in camps – the only place they have to go. Earlier this year Amnesty's report ‘*_Branded for life: How witchcraft accusations lead to human rights violations of hundreds of women in North Ghana_*' documented the situation across four informal camps where people, primarily older women, were living after witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks forced them to flee their communities fearing for their lives. At the time of Amnesty's visits in November 2023 and April 2024 there were more than 500 people living in the camps, with insufficient access to health services, food, safe housing, clean water and economic opportunities.

The Anti-Witchcraft Bill, developed through extensive consultation, aimed to address this issue, including by:

• Making it illegal to accuse individuals of witchcraft
• Establishing protective measures and support systems for those who have been accused, including safe havens, psychological support and reintegration programmes into society
• Providing a clear legal pathway for victims to seek justice and compensation

The bill was passed by Parliament in July 2023 but never signed into law by the former President. The Bill was reintroduced in March 2025 and once passed should be signed into law by the new President John Mahama.

Please sign the petition calling on President John Mahama to sign the Anti-Witchcraft Bill into law to protect women victimized by these accusations.

Sign the petition here!

Garment Workers in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Two executive summary reports

The campaign on garment workers is to be launched on 27 November as a result of two years of Amnesty research work. Our Activist Led Campaign will focus on violations of workers' right to freedom of association in the four target countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the steps that brands must take.

Two executive summary reports are now available:

1. Stitched Up: Denial of Freedom of Association for Garment Workers.
Examines the different ways in which workers are adversely affected by the restrictions on the right to freedom of association by states and by their employers.

Stitched Up Executive summary

2. Abandoned by Fashion: Examines the Urgent Need for Fashion Brands to Champion Workers' Rights. Provides an insight into the policies, commitments and active promotion of the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining in key fashion brands and retailers' supply chains. It identifies the steps that brands can take to promote the right to freedom of association, and, at the same time, help mitigate the endemic human rights abuses found throughout the industry, such as low wages, overwork, harassment and systemic gender discrimination and sexual violence.

The research surveyed 21 brands, though only six fully responded. The UK is particularly important because we are the home of more of the brands than other countries.

Abandoned by Fashion Executive summary

Most of these workers are women. Harassment and discrimination are important aspects of this campaign. Caste and minority discrimination is also an important consideration. The informal out-sourcing of some manufacture to precarious suppliers will be considered.

This Activist Led Campaign needs support from UK activists. Please contact Jerry Allen for more details.

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

Amnesty Christmas Raffle 2025

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.

https://amnesty.thecharityraffle.co.uk/

November 2025 Minutes

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Minutes - Thursday 13th November 2025

Link to November meeting email here

1. Welcome and apologies

   1. Attendance: Lauren, Neil, Christine, Merle, Paolo, Kirstie, Andrew, Ken and Claire

   2. Apologies: Clara, Carol, Ailig and Luca

   3. Guest! Our regular November meeting guest - Sara from Freedom from Torture

      • Sara provided a brief intro about the work of FfT in supporting torture survivors. Sara noted that FfT had required to close two of its centres in the UK over the past year due to funding shortages. It was noted that the Glasgow FfT Group itself was very fragile with a limited active membership Sara then set out her range of FfT Xmas cards and prints for sale, with proceeds going towards FfT.

      • NB The Stand Comedy Gig in aid of Freedom from Torture: 16th November, 4 pm. Doors open 3pm. Tickets: £10/£12. Venue: 420 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9HZ. www.thestand.co.uk

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer

      1. postage from letters: £33.74

      2. other expenditure: bottle of olive oil for speaker £15.25

      3. Donations: 2 donations made to our local group! £1,000 & £50, both with a connection to former prominent Glasgow West Amnesty group activist, Richard Brown - one from his wife, the other from his brother

      4. current balance: £1,343.

   2. Social Media & website New volunteer Lauren was welcomed to the Group. Lauren had responded to a Facebook message seeking a volunteer to lead our social media efforts.

      • Twitter/Bluesky discussion [agreed not urgent until AIUK moves] - Claire to ask in the Amnesty Scotland WA chat to see if other local groups have come off Twitter

   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./*Not currently active: Regional/Country focus*; *Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk; Theme Focus US Death Penalty */

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

   1. Perth group: raised over £600 from their 3 blueberry picking sessions! Thanks to all who came

   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!

5. Updates from Scottish Activism Rep (Paolo) / Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat

   1. Amnesty Scotland WhatsApp channel:

      https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb726HL8F2pBQU619W3d

   2. The Scotland-wide WhatsApp group chat now includes the Orkney group! See their Gaza vigil here: We Remember Them, The #Gaza Genocide - The ‘Gaza Faces' posters shown in the Orkney video were provided by activists in Ullapool. They would love to distribute more sets around the country so please get in touch if your group could display them at vigils or events, see link above for further information and contact details. The posters are laminated so are perfect for the Scottish weather!

      https://www.joyfulsaleofbrokenobjects.net/other-pages-and-information-1

      and a fundraiser: https://www.joyfulsaleofbrokenobjects.net/shop2

   3. Paolo attended: Civil Society Working Group 2026-31 Manifesto For Scotland 2026-2031 Launch | Events on advancing human rights in Scotland / the Human Rights Bill / the fact that we would be the first country in the world to incorporate human rights in law

      • Civil Society Working Group on Incorporation 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election Manifesto

      • BUT lack of clarity on if HR Bill is ready to be launched in Parliament / who “owns” it at the moment.

      • Plan: is to lobby SNP & Greens in Jan/Feb BUT no clear plan on how to reach the people of Scotland with this info e.g. slogans / being visible on SM. Paolo also noted that he would work with Ashraf from AIUK on identifying practical ideas and messages that will help communicate the concept of a Human Rights Bill to the public.

      • Campaign specifically in some constituencies

   4. Exciting new movement by AIUK student groups: Defend Dissent - launched 11.11.25 f2f in Edinburgh; online launch is 27.11.25, 6.30pm: see: Eventbrite - Defend Dissent (it says “host a watch party” but it's the same link for individuals)

      More info: Across the UK, a chilling effect is sweeping through our universities. Once vibrant spaces of free expression, debate, and dissent are becoming places of fear and censorship. Amnesty UK's latest research shows a disturbing trend: instead of protecting the right to free expression and protest, universities are bowing to pressure from governments and lobbyists - shutting down those who dare to speak out. This isn't just campus politics. It's part of a wider authoritarian shift that threatens the very foundations of human rights. When a generation of young people - those most ready to question power and demand change - is silenced, society loses one of its strongest forces for progress. That's why the Amnesty UK Student Movement is launching the Defend Dissent campaign: to build a big movement to push back against this crackdown and to have a Defend Dissent Charter adopted at every university across the UK. To win, the students need our support! You're invited to join us at the launch of a new campaign, bringing together students, faculty, alumni, and community members to Defend Dissent.

   5. 4.11.25 was the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Sadly week after week, politicians use the ECHR as a scapegoat. But now, almost 300 organisations, from Liberty and Amnesty, to Shelter, Mind and many more, have come together to say enough is enough. The ECHR is fundamental to our democracy. Born from the horrors of World War II, it was built to protect everyone's dignity and to hold those in power to account. The UK helped to write it, and for 75 years, it's helped people across the country live freely and safely. These aren't abstract ideals. The ECHR and our Human Rights Act have:

      1. Protected victims of sexual violence.

      2. Helped families seek justice after Hillsborough and Windrush.

      3. Upheld dignity for LGBT+ people, journalists and mental health patients.

      4. Supported peace in Northern Ireland through the Good Friday Agreement.

      These hard-won protections are under attack. There are people in powerful positions who want us to believe we'd be better off without the ECHR! For decades our human rights laws have underpinned all of our daily lives by giving us the ability to speak freely, love who we want, and live in peace. These rights were hard-won – and we must not allow governments now or in the future to take them away. The ECHR protects us, we need to protect it.

      Defend our Human Rights – Tell Your MP to Back the ECHR

   6. Thank you to Andrew for completing the Local Groups Audit for Philippa (Qs here - the deadline was such that we couldn't discuss as a group, but if anyone would like to look and give feedback, Philippa is always open to it!)

      Local Group Audit 2025

   7. There will be a new online platform for AIUK by April next year.

   8. AIUK is updating their website - we need to decide what we want to include on the website. - Paolo will do

6. 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: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/jcb.

      Group to add sigs to Council petition (currently 43 signatures from JCB protest day in October) → submit by post

   3. Scotland Demands Better rally in Edinburgh Saturday 25.10.25 - https://www.scotland-demands-better.com/ - Claire, Carol, Paolo & Edinburgh group members

   4. Did anyone attend the AIUK training sessions on Prevent / W4R?

      1. Prevent: Claire - anyone who'd like to see info, ask Claire

   5. Civic Reception (28.10.25)

      1. Over forty attendees; Photos here: Photos of Civic Reception

      2. Speeches from the event are being collated into a single document and will be shared via Signal group when available (still waiting on one speech to be forwarded). This document has been added to our archive.

   6. Claire asked Philippa re.:

      1. AIUK coming off Twitter: “there has been consideration on how to proceed with Twitter. AIUK is still maintaining its Twitter account and feed. The current stance is that by remaining on Twitter we have a continuous presence and remain visible, as well as our message to Twitter users.

      2. Difficulties in contacting thematic activist networks (e.g. Anti-Death Penalty Project): Apologies - Paul Bridges is the lead on this Project and does reply quite quickly on: Paul Bridges Paul.Bridges@amnesty.org.uk

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

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

   1. Write for Rights: Hillhead Library 12-4pm Sunday 14th December. Rota:

      1. 12pm-1pm (set up, needs car): Merle, Christine

      2. 1pm-2pm: Neil

      3. 2pm-3pm:

      4. 3pm-4pm: (pack up, needs car): Kirstie

         1. Also Sunday Assembly that day - Carol & Kirstie - 11am-1pm

   2. Tree planting: Friday 21st November, 11am, in Kelvingrove adjacent to the Museum on the Argyle Street side:-

      1. Anyone wishing to attend should meet at the steps outside the Argyle Street entrance to the museum at 10.50am.

      2. Depute Lord Provost will officiate at the ceremony (again!). All supporters and friends of Amnesty International are very welcome to attend this event (Claire has emailed eventbrite Civic Reception sign ups).

      3. We need to agree speaker(s) from Amnesty Groups to provide a short input on the day. Volunteer?

         Ask Jill to speak ; Jim for guitar

         Ashraf - Itinerary

         1. Local Speech

         2. Ashraf Speech

         3. Carol poem

         4. Jim guitar

         5. It would be good to give this short event more focus / impact by having some sort of entertainment type input e.g. Singer / Choir / Poetry reading - ideally relevant to human rights. We need suggestions for this ASAP and a volunteer to make it happen! Carol - poem

         6. Plaque has been ordered; eventbrite & old-members & current mailing list have been emailed

   3. Group's archive materials: Archive material on display at the Civic Reception event is likely to be added to.

      Academic engagement with archive material is now unlikely to be taken forward.

      Archive will be passed to the Mitchell Library at some point in the first quarter of 2026.. All to check if they have anything else they'd like to put in the archive.

   4. Meal in New Year

      Date / time: Sat/Sun afternoon, e.g. 12pm-3pm so daylight

      Budget: ~£1000-£1,500 - £300 for venue - 22.02.25

      Target audience / number of invites: activists, supporters & their families OR open event for all /community meal to provide people with hot food during winter time

      Could do PWYC on eventbrite invite with labels e.g. “concession” / “cover costs” / “solidarity [pay for 1.5 meals]” / “additional donation” - starting at £0 so that people who can't afford (or aren't comfortable with online banking) can come and have plenty of donation tins at the venue.

      Venue/food options:

      1. external caterer - ~£10pp (venue can be without kitchen)

      2. OR professional cooks in a kitchen [need venue with a kitchen e.g. KPC, £450] - £2/3pp

      Entertainment options:

      1. Exhibition (same as at Civic Reception)

      2. Speakers

9. [If anyone can face thinking about 2026!] Our Stand gig for next year is already confirmed: Thurs 19 Feb 2026, doors 7pm show 8pm, duration 2hrs

   1. Link to event page on The Stand Website

   2. NB new venue cap 200 cabaret style (or can increase to 250 theatre style)

   3. 18+, ticket price £13/11

10. AOB

    • Training: 25/11/2025 at 6pm, online: A Guide to Direct Action

    • Petition about asylum accommodation in army barracks: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stop-accommodation-centres

    • Scotland's Climate March: 15.11.25, 11am-4pm assemble in Glasgow Green – march will set off at 12:https://www.globaljustice.org.uk/event/scotlands-climate-march-a-better-world-is-possible/

11. AIUK Local Group Updates – October link (As always, the latest Local Groups' Update link is also included in the monthly newsletter that is set out via Mailchimp)

12. Next meeting - Thurs 11th December 2025 - mulled juice & W4R!

    As before:

    Petition: Last year was the deadliest year for journalists. Add your voice to defend press freedom.

    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.

    Does anyone want to take a lead on this? Getting us:

    • engaged with MPs ; form coalitions with local Palestine Solidarity Campaign branch ; Organise community Apartheid-Free Meal

    • Resource - forward any replies from MPs to Amika (Amika.George@amnesty.org.uk)

    • 2 template letters to MPs

    • the template Press Release for an Apartheid-Free Meal

    • local procurement ask to councillors here are the materials

13. Potential Speakers for 2026:

    1. [/Waiting/: Refugee Action - organised by Daytime group]

    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. Refugees at Home - have contacted us to ask if we'd like a speaker

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

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

2026 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 8th January 2026

• Thursday 12th February 2026

• Thursday 12th March 2026

• Thursday 9th April 2026

• Thursday 14th May 2026

• Thursday 11th June 2026

• Thursday 9th July 2026

• Thursday 13th August 2026

• Thursday 10th September 2026

• Thursday 8th October 2026

• Thursday 12th November 2026

• Thursday 10th December 2026

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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

• 6pm, 11 November 2025
• The Pleasance, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ
• Book your ticket here
• Promo pack including mails, blurbs, flyers, social media to help spread the word here: Defend Dissent - Edinburgh

Newcastle

• 6pm, 12 November 2025
• Tyneside Cinema, 10 Pilgrim St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6QG
• Book you ticket here
• Promo pack including mails, blurbs, flyers, social media to help spread the word here: Defend Dissent - 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

• 6.30pm, Thursday 27 November
• On Zoom – details after you register.
• Book your ticket here
• Promo pack including mails, blurbs, flyers, social media to help spread the word here: Defend Dissent - Online

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.

   0. 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

   1. 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).

   2. 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

    • Training Courses

      • 14/10/2025 at 6PM, online: Campaigning to Scrap the UK Government's Prevent Duty

      • 11/11/2025 at 6pm, online: Write for Rights – Campaigning for Individuals at Risk

      • 25/11/2025 at 6pm, online: A Guide to Direct Action

    • As before:

      • Event at The Stand Comedy Club in aid of Medical Aid for Palestinians, 15.10.25: The UK, Gaza and the Media: In conversation with Peter Oborne - The Stand Comedy Club

      • Template email for MPs to support 40 young people in Gaza who currently have a place at UK universities: https://newscord.org/action/gaza-students - Currently, the UK gvt won't let them come as they need biometric ID for their visa. As they can't do that in Gaza the letter is asking for them to be allowed to come to the UK and do the biometric stuff here.

      • Petition: Last year was the deadliest year for journalists. Add your voice to defend press freedom.

    • AIUK Local Group Updates – September link (As always, the latest Local Groups' Update link is also included in the monthly newsletter that is set out via Mailchimp)

    • Next meeting - Thurs 13th November 2025

      (Discuss Write for Rights at Nov mtg!)

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.

    • Does anyone want to take a lead on this? Getting us:

      • engaged with MPs ; form coalitions with local Palestine Solidarity Campaign branch ; Organise community Apartheid-Free Meal

      • Resource - forward any replies from MPs to Amika (Amika.George@amnesty.org.uk)

    • 2 template letters to MPs

    • the template Press Release for an Apartheid-Free Meal

    • local procurement ask to councillors here are the materials

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

Thanks to everyone involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are much appreciated. If you prefer, 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 September 2025 meeting;

• Links to current AIUK activities;

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

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

September 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 11th September 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:

• Undertaking letter writing on recent Urgent Action alerts from AIUK;
• Updates on events relating to 2025 being the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International in Glasgow; and
• Updates from our local group co-ordinators on their activities.

Amnesty UK Local Updates

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

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

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!

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

Individual Giving - Gaza Fundraising

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 Groups Update in Full

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

Amnesty in Scotland

Article on prioritising a Human Rights Bill for Scotland / email John Swinney:

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/first-minister-scotland-needs-human-rights-bill

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/119A8vUCJSYI/wv

Upcoming Dates / Events

A Briefing on Everyday Rights

Tuesday 9 September, 18:00 - 19:30

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

A Guide to Direct Action

Tuesday 25th November 2025, 18:00 - 19:30

During this session you will:

1. Gain an understanding of some of the direct action tactics which can be used
2. Understand when it is strategic to escalate to direct action
3. Gain knowledge of risk analysis, safeguarding and the practical things you need to consider before undertaking direct action

Book Online

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

Celebrating Fifty Years of Amnesty in Glasgow

Amnesty International has been active in Glasgow since 1975. To celebrate fifty years of campaigning, fund-raising and awareness-raising for Human Rights, the AI Groups in Glasgow are undertaking a series of events.

A centrepiece of this is the invitation from the Lord Provost of Glasgow City Council to host a Civic Reception in the City Chambers to mark this occasion. The event will take place in the early evening of Tuesday 28th October 2025.

We are currently putting together an invitation list and we are keen to hear from current and past Amnesty members and activists from any of the AI Groups in Glasgow who would like to attend the event.

To register your interest or for further information, please email mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk.

August 2025 Updates

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 14th August 2025

Agenda

Link to August meeting email here

1. Welcome and apologies

   1. Attendance: Ailig, Andrew, Claire, Kirstie, Merle, Caitlin, Luca, Paolo, Ken, Ebba, Rob

   2. Apologies: Mhairi

      • So great to see some ex-members back again! If you've also not been in a while, remember you are always welcome back, no apologies/excuses needed!

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

      1. Pride: Cash donations on stall £62.45 and card donations £13.78 (after card charge of 22p)

      2. Donation - £10 cheque made out to Amnesty International sent by Susan from her recent AmnesTea event. Susan has now moved back to Orkney.

      3. Current balance: £427.81

   2. Social Media & website (Cait/Clara)

      • No updates - urgently needing SM support!

      • Ongoing: Update on Twitter/Bluesky discussion? https://www.helloquitx.com/ (not yet) [agreed not urgent until AIUK moves]

   3. Local Political Outreach

      1. Paolo's HR Bill leaflet (see here) to put in public spaces, like libraries with brief info & link to the AIUK petition (https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/first-minister-scotland-needs-human-rights-bill) & QR code pointing to our website and a page to explain a bit better about the Human Rights Bill. People to review leaflet draft → make poster. First page is the leaflet to print and put in noticeboards, second page what we could put in the website.

         Unactioned tasks from previous meeting:

         1. approach shadow Ministers of Equalities (Kaukab is difficult to reach)

         2. Daisy to write template email asking them to commit to Scottish HR Bill→ Clara/Ailig to review & then all to send to party offices (agreed probably past manifesto deadline)

         3. awareness-raising campaign on Human Rights Bill - SM post; prepare poster on the issue - AI Scotland could publish “manifesto” that we share with party offices - Paolo to write this and share w AI Scotland office for them to check]

            • Clara offered to make info into pamphlet

            • Paolo can make website webpage to upload blog posts (& for SM)

            • Paolo still no update from AI Scotland office - agree to move forward without them

            • All to review Paolo's text and add tangible examples

            • Timeline: Feb hustings ; attend hustings / host a hustings

            • Paolo to move forward via Signal to confirm info for website

         4. Theme focus - US Death Penalty - Cait to contact network

         5. Not currently active: Regional/Country focus [Korea (Clara)] ; Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk Update [no current IAR for our group]

4. Daytime Group Collaborations/Updates: How was the 27.07.25 Amnestea Fundraiser? Thanks to Susan - cheque for £10 received

5. Glasgow Uni Group Collaborations/Updates (on holiday) [Ailig] no updates

6. Actions/updates from previous meeting:

   1. Pride! Great march; thin on the ground for the stall - need to have time overlaps next year; people commented that they remembered our presence from the previous year - good for us to have a continuous presence; people asked what Amnesty does, what our group does (have brief written info on this for next year?)

   2. Uni of Strathclyde Staff Assoc that works on LGBT+ issues Trans Awareness Week 13-19 Nov asked if we'd like to be involved - do we want to be involved?

   3. → Paolo to get more info

   4. Anti-Trump Rally in Edinburgh! A great day AI Scotland Groups featured in photo and article in AIUK Local Updates

   5. Did anyone attend:

      1. Global Assembly Consultation meetings 16/17.07.25 - no-one from Group was able to attend

      2. How to do a Public Stunt training - no-one from Group was able to attend

7. Update re. new Scotland Regional Rep role: Initial Meeting 09.08.25; 10am-12pm

   As a group, we need to discuss and agree on the Key Tasks:

   1. Key Tasks (NB main purpose: infusing enthusiasm/ideas to groups)

   2. Organisation of annual f2f Scotland Gathering

   3. Organisation of quarterly online meetings for all local group & individual members (could have 1 key topic/meeting)

   4. Integration of local groups & coordinating with school / uni groups inc. coordinating a team of representatives from each local group to meet regularly

   5. Integration with AI UK and AI Scotland:

      NEXT STEPS

      1. Groups discuss: any questions / further discussion points / other ideas / more people who are interested in the role / choose a named “Rep Liaison”

      2. Once all groups in agreement, vote → nominated person does application form.

         1. All agreed Key Tasks are good

         2. Rep Liaison: Claire - Claire to feedback to central group

8. Urgent Appeals - Merle

   1. Number of letters written during meeting: 15 (to beat: 12!)

      • Canada: People Seeking Asylum & Safety At Risk

      • Uganda: Quash Human Rights Lawyer's Conviction

      • Ban Settlement Goods: Letters to MPs

      • Import of goods from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory - Early Day Motions

   2. Even if your MP has signed it, still email them!

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

   1. The Lord Provost's Office has suggested a Civic Reception for Amnesty Glasgow. Tuesday 28th October 6-7.30pm drinks reception & canapes - confirmed

   2. Speakers: Lord Provost (or one of their Deputes); Amnesty spokesperson about Amnesty in Glasgow over last 50 years.

   3. Discussed whether to have an external org speaker or only internal AI speakers

      1. Agreed only internal AI speakers

      2. Andrew to see if someone from Amnesty London office/board can come?

   4. Need to make a speech of what Amnesty has done over the last 50 yrs

      1. Take along key archive items for a small display

      2. ?? Christine to do a speech!

   5. Musician to provide background entertainment? People to ask through their networks

   6. Invitees: we've said we'll get 30 - set up eventbrite - Email AI office with email to go to all AI members

   7. Merle to review list of old members with Christine ; Andrew has asked Daytime group for suggestions - Thanks to Merle & Christine!

   8. Andrew has asked Rob for mailing list

   9. Claire to set Eventbrite link & share in Signal chat - no cap; Claire to monitor weekly; “close the sales” 2 days before

   10. Meal:

       1. Agreed best Saturday PM (Sat 13th December likely closest to co-incide with Write for Rights?)

       2. Could do meal and W4R combined - Human Rights Day this year = Wednesday 10.12.25 - do meal around then so people do letter writing and meal at same time - Sat/Sun in early Dec

       3. ?? Invite MPs / Councillors / MSPs

       4. ?? Apartheid free meal

       5. ‘Pay What You Can' tickets to cover costs

       6. Paolo to ask his catering friends for their input re format, etc

       7. Paolo spoke to someone from Maryhill Integ Centre

          • Council can suggest a community hall to do it

   11. Tree planting: Nov in Kelvingrove. Andrew in contact with Council re logistics, but still waiting on further info

   12. Andrew contacted Strathclyde University Journalism and Human Rights course leaders to see if they have students interested in developing some stories around the Group's archive materials.

       1. → looks like not a fit with current research - lecturer suggested we contact the Herald/Glasgow Times and gave us contacts

       2. Andrew has also contacted uni group & Daytime group to see if would like to be involved/if they have an archive also

       3. Andrew messaged Mal to see if there's any more. Mal has since liaised with Kirstie on documents / leaflets, etc that he had

10. Ban Israeli Settlement Goods Campaign Pack - here, general info here, launch presentation here

    1. calling on the UK Government to end its trade and business complicity in illegal Israeli settlements, and to hold Israel accountable for its flagrant violations of international law in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

       Does anyone want to take a lead on this? Getting us:

       • engaged with MPs

       • form coalitions with local Palestine Solidarity Campaign branch

       • Organise community Apartheid-Free Meal

       • Resources:

         • 2 template letters to MPs

         • the template Press Release for an Apartheid-Free Meal

         • local procurement ask to councillors here are the materials

         • Amika.George@amnesty.org.uk - forward any replies from MPs to Amika

11. Potential Speakers:

    1. Refugee Action - Andrew link up w Daytime group - maybe September

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

    3. Paulo: potential speaker (and try to invite all other AI Scotland groups to join online): 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. [Amicus, link through Uni group: after find out about Death Penalty network]

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

13. Local Group Updates

    1. Petition: Last year was the deadliest year for journalists. Add your voice to defend press freedom.

    2. Training: Tuesday 26 August - 18:00 - 19:30 - A Guide to Working with Schools

       1. Plan how you could work in schools, including discussing some key human rights case studies, including refugee rights and LGBTQ+ rights, and understand key duties that you have as an educator around safeguarding and inclusive practice.

    3. AIUK Local Group Updates – July link

14. AOB

    • Interesting press article: Starmer v Starmer: why is the former human rights lawyer so cautious about defending human rights? | Keir Starmer | The Guardian

    • Event at the Stand in aid of Medical Aid for Palestinians, 15.10.25: The UK, Gaza and the Media: In conversation with Peter Oborne - The Stand Comedy Club

    • This is a template to email your MP to support 40 young people in Gaza who currently have a place at UK universities: https://newscord.org/action/gaza-students - Currently, the UK govt won't let them come as they need biometric ID for their visa. As they can't do that in Gaza, the letter is asking for them to be allowed to come to the UK and provide the biometric requirements here.

    • Saturday 16.08.25 Demo for Gaza - Glasgow Green 12.30pm - organisation Glasgow Stop the War Coalition

    • Stop Trump Protest - 17.09.25, London - arranged by AIUK (Further info in Local Updates link)

    • Merle suggestion: We should refer to our organisation in full - Amnesty International, rather than the abbreviation AI. This is due to the increasingly common usage of the AI shorthand to refer to Artificial Intelligence. Agreed

    • Thanks to Claire, Kirsty & Andrew for sorting through a huge influx of resources from Mal's flat! We made this list of our current total leaflet / poster, banner, etc resources: Glasgow West Inventory - which will hopefully help us have more exciting stalls in future!

15. Next meeting - Thurs 11th September 2025, including GUEST SPEAKER! Motez Amer, AIUK Country Coordinator for Yemen & Saudi Arabia

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

- Thursday 9th January 2025

- Thursday 13th February 2025

- Thursday 13th March 2025

- Thursday 10th April 2025

- Thursday 8th May 2025

- Thursday 12th June 2025

- Thursday 10th July 2025

- Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

Thanks to those involved in the creation of these updates, your efforts are appreciated. If you prefer, you can read this as a PDF.

---

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

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

• Details of our forthcoming August 2025 meeting;

• Links to current AIUK activities;

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

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

August 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 14th August, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 14th August 2025 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

• Campaign planning

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

• Updates and discussion on events relating to 2025 being the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International in Glasgow; and

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

Glasgow Pride Festival 2025

Glasgow West Amnesty Group colleagues participated in the annual Pride march and rally, which took place on 19th July 2025. The annual spectacle celebrates LGBTQIA+ equality, inclusion and community through the Pride movement.

The loud and colourful march through the city culminated in a gathering in the iconic Barrowlands in the East End of Glasgow, featuring speakers, stalls, live music and food trucks.

Photo: activists from Glasgow West AI Group at our stall during Glasgow's 2025 Pride event 19-07-2025

No Red Carpet for Rights Abusers

Colleagues from a range of local Amnesty Group across Scotland joined with thousands of others to voice their concerns about Donald Trump's visit to Scotland.

Protestors highlighted the wide range of human rights abuses that were taking place under Trump's presidency.

The protest was organised by the Stop Trump Coalition: https://stoptrump.org.uk/who-we-are/

In addition to the gathering in Edinburgh, similar protests also took place in Ayrshire and Aberdeen.

Photo: Ativists from Glasgow West joined other local AI Groups outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, 26-07-2025

Salijon Abdurakhmonov, Uzbek Critic Jailed for a Decade After Disputed Conviction, Dies

Salijon Abdurakhmonov, an Uzbek journalist, human rights defender and former prisoner of conscience, has died aged 75. He was convicted after an unfair trial (drugs were alleged to have been planted in his car) and spent nearly 10 years in prison. He was released in 2017 and moved to Germany, where he died last month. He was sadly unable to clear his name.

The Times of Central Asia has Salijon's obituary.

Glasgow West AI Group campaigned on his behalf from 2013 to 2017.

Celebrating Fifty Years of Amnesty in Glasgow

Amnesty International has been active in Glasgow since 1975. To celebrate fifty years of campaigning, fund-raising and awareness-raising for Human Rights, the AI Groups in Glasgow are undertaking a series of events.

A centrepiece of this is the invitation from the Lord Provost of Glasgow City Council to host a Civic Reception in the City Chambers to mark this occasion. The event will take place in the early evening of Tuesday 28th October 2025.

We are currently putting together an invitation list and we are keen to hear from current and past Amnesty members and activists from any of the AI Groups in Glasgow who would like to attend the event. To register your interest or for further information, please email mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk.

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.

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
• Poverty is a Political Choice

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.

Meet the Amnesty Feminist Network

Meet the Amnesty Feminist Network

The Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021. Over the last 4 years, they have introduced increasingly devastating restrictions on the rights of women and girls, virtually erasing them from public and social life. Women and girls have been banned from attending secondary school, from working and earning a living, and from leaving their home without a chaperone. Any protests against the oppressive regime have been met with immediate violence. Despite this, women in and outside of Afghanistan continue to speak out.

Amnesty Feminists are passionate about advocating for the reinstallation and progression of women's rights through our Rise With Afghan Women campaign. This month we have launched our 2025 campaign pack! Everything you need to act is available in here, including: MP letter templates, petition links, ideas for community events, further reading and so much more! Access the pack here

If you would like help us amplify the voices of Afghan women,* join us on the 20^th August at 6pm* to hear all about the campaign and how you can get involved. In the session, we will cover:

• Who are the Amnesty Feminists? Our purpose and current campaigns

• What has happened to women's rights in Afghanistan? Understand the history of women's rights, impact of the Taliban's restrictions and the response from the international community

• What you can do? Learn about our current campaign actions which include: contacting your MP to support the International Court of Justice case against the Taliban and the recognition of Gender Apartheid; fundraising for Rukhshana Media, a women-run Afghan news platform; and raising awareness in your communities of the situation facing women and girls in Afghanistan and for Amnesty's petition to make Afghanistan a foreign policy priority.

Click here to register!

Surviving Evin Prison Exhibition with Anoosh Ashoori (Perth Amnesty Group)

Surviving Evin Prison Exhibition: Perth 27th June -Sunday 6th July

We were delighted that Anoosh Ashoori made the effort to come to Perth to speak at the launch of the exhibition which describes in detail his experience of being held prisoner, without justification, in Iran's notorious Evin prison.

He talked movingly about the awful conditions he and his fellow prisoners had to endure. His account of the many days of relentless cowardly and barbaric interrogation was particularly chilling but gave us a vivid insight to the depths of depravity the Iranian regime has sunk.

We heard about and were inspired and in awe of the actions he took during his incarceration to see him through his ordeal. What he has done to rebuild his life on release and highlight the plight of hostages held across the world has been truly remarkable.

We invited the local MP, local City Councilors, Community leaders and Trade Union Representatives to the launch. Leaflets advertising the exhibition were distributed at various venues throughout the city. We are grateful to the ‘hands on' practical help from Amnesty Scotland staff and Amnesty's PR team for securing interviews for Anoosh with BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland and the National Press about his prison experience and his presence at the exhibition's launch. This media exposure, in particular, inspired a number of people to visit the exhibition as well as highlighting Amnesty's role in its support for Anoosh to a national audience.

We were also grateful to staff and volunteers at St John's Kirk, an historic building and visitor attraction in the centre of Perth, for making the space available for the exhibition, welcoming visitors, and providing catering at the launch.

Over 170 people were recorded as visiting the church and exhibition over its 9 day run.

(via Perth Amnesty Group)

Amnesty Local Groups Link

Full details of the latest AIUK monthly Local Groups Update can be viewed online:

Amnesty Local Groups: July 2025

Amnesty in Scotland

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

AI Scotland Updates

Upcoming Dates / Events

Scotland Demands Better - Amnesty Scotland Update for Activists

The Amnesty Scotland team would like to invite you to another online update!

Join us for our latest webinar for activists in Scotland, where you'll hear from Lydia Murphy (The Poverty Alliance's Development Officer) on the organisation's Scotland Demands Better (SDB) campaign – which the Amnesty Scotland team is supporting as part of our work on everyday rights and poverty across Scotland. As well as the SDB interactive session, the Amnesty Scotland team will also give an update on its latest activities.

When: 27 August 2025 06:30pm - 07:30pm

Where: Online Webinar

Click here to register!

A Guide to Working with Schools

Tuesday 26 August - 18:00 - 19:30
Plan how you could work in schools, including discussing some key human rights case studies, including refugee rights and LGBTQ+ rights, and understand key duties that you have as an educator around safeguarding and inclusive practice.

Register here

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

July 2025 Updates

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 10th July 2025

Link to July meeting email here

1. Welcome and apologies
   1. Attendance: Mhairi, Neil, Andrew, Claire, Ailig, Kirstie, Merle, Luca, Clara, Paolo, Susan
   2. Apologies: Mal, Carol
2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link
3. Team Updates (list of roles here):
   1. Treasurer (Kirstie)
      1. Donations: £5 donation at last meeting; £1 donation from Kirstie
      2. £75 paid for Pride Stall + £15 for registering for Pride march
      3. postage from letters: £32
      4. current balance: £443.93
      5. Meeting donation: £1
      6. Seenaryo: £1
      7. Balance remaining £441
   2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)
      1. Clara got logins? Facebook yes; Insta not yet
         • Ongoing: Update on Twitter/Bluesky discussion? https://www.helloquitx.com/ (not yet) [agreed not urgent until AIUK moves]
   3. Local Political Outreach
      1. Paolo's HR Bill leaflet (see here) to put in public spaces, like libraries with brief info & link to the AIUK petition (https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/first-minister-scotland-needs-human-rights-bill) & QR code pointing to our website and a page to explain a bit better about the Human Rights Bill.
         1. First page is the leaflet to print and put in noticeboards, second page what we could put in the website.
         2. People to review leaflet draft by 27.06.25 and then ?Clara to make poster)
         3. [Unactioned tasks from previous meeting]:
            • email party offices (Ailig to share); approach shadow MInisters of Equalities; Daisy to write template email → Clara/Ailig to review & then all to send
            • awareness-raising campaign on Human Rights Bill - SM post; prepare poster on the issue - AI Scotland could publish "manifesto" that we share with party offices - Paolo to write this and share w AI Scotland office for them to check]
         4. Email from Neil Cowan, Scotland AIUK office:
            Paolo to get background briefing on the Bill from Stewart in AI Scotland Office
            Do keep us updated on some of the wider plans you mentioned too, particularly around public engagement. We would of course be keen to support wherever we can and we are really grateful that you're keen to help us push on it.
            • Andrew wrote a short briefing on this - see:
            • Human Rights - Right to Protest (8-6-22) HRA - Right to Protest 8-6-22 This document includes practical examples of how the UK Govt's existing Human Rights Act has been used to upload / enshrine rights, Paolo may find the examples in the AIUK link useful for illustrating the current debate,
              AI - Human Rights Bill Update 8-9-22.docx (This is just an abbreviated update with some additional information linked to the previous paper)
            • Paolo to get info from Stewart AI Scotland office
            • All to review Paolo's text and add tangible examples
            • Clara could make into pamphlet
            • Andrew to contact Rob about the possibility of giving Paolo the website password to directly upload blog posts (& for Social Media)
            • Timeline: August ready; attend hustings / host a hustings
            • [NB Neil Cowan of AI Scotland is now on paternity leave until New Year- Liz is cover Programme Director for 6 months]
   4. Regional/Country focus [Korea (Clara)]
   5. Theme focus - US Death Penalty - Mhairi to contact network as Mal is busy. Merle provided email address to contact - deathpenalty@amnesty.org.uk
   6. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk Update [previous - Cait - India BK16]
4. Daytime Group Collaborations/Updates:
   1. Fundraiser/stall at "Fundraiser Extravaganza" 27 July, 2-5pm, Finn's Place, 167 Ledard Rd, Glasgow G42 9QU - all welcome!
   2. Possibility of joint event around Refugee Action speaker - at Daytime groups venue - September date a possibility - Andrew to Liaise with Graham of Daytime Group.
5. Glasgow Uni Group Collaborations/Updates:
   1. Had a session with Amicus (a legal non-profit which advocates for those facing the death penalty) on human rights and the death penalty - do we want to invite them as a speaker? - medium interest! Wait till we have info from the Death Penalty network
6. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:
   1. CCA "Seenaryo" film screening 17.06.25 - how was it? any photos for SM?
      1. Thanks to Clara for making Amnesty Glasgow Card.docx and Glasgow West leaflet.pdf ! - pls can people print & stick up around town
      2. Went well; changed from CCA to Civic House because CCA hadn't signed PACBI.
         1. ~35 people attended
         2. Would be great to do another screening at university - could do panel
            • → Andrew to give Mhairi contact details for Uni Group Chair
         3. Linked up w Director in Beirut post-film
         4. £2 donation in tin
   2. AIUK AGM 5th/6th July -
      1. Thanks again to Clara, and Paolo, for making the G-form for us to vote on Signal as we got the motions through so late we couldn't do a meeting to discuss in the meeting, but could exchange views online - Feedback: "I found both of these things very straightforward and quick to do. Thanks to Paolo and Clara for setting up the online forms."
      2. How was it Clara/Carol/Ailig? Any suggestions/inspirations/actions for the group from it?
         1. Over 400 tickets "sold"
         2. All resolutions passed
            • Emergency resolution on Amnesty Bookstores - re. closing 4 of the 9 UK bookshops - asked for better review & of brand awareness - passed
            • Emergency resolution on Amnesty's portrayal of Israel/Iran conflict by Iran Country Coordinator - passed.
         3. Community mapping: building local power - Clara has asked for us to be sent workbook on it - great for partnership working
            → Do we want to focus on specific campaign for our group for the next 6 months?
            = agreed Refugees - Israel/Palestine - for the next 6 months, alongside our 50th Anniversary general activities

7. Legal Advice from AIUK on proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation by UK government 05.07.25 - please read here: Gmail - Palestine Action Proscription Email from Sacha (AIUK).PDF

   Key Points:

   • Emphasises the importance of the precision with which you will need to communicate so that nothing you say or do could be mis-interpreted or mischievously used to accuse you and your activism of supporting Palestine Action and, as a result, contravening anti-terrorism laws.
   • As a very clear example; even though that prior to proscription, a statement (however expressed, in whatever channel) such as "We do not believe that the Government should proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group" was perfectly legal to say; from Saturday 5th July it apparently became an offence under the Terrorism Act even to say that statement.
   • Even wearing a t-shirt which for example had a slogan supporting the proscribed organisation and wearing it in public would be an offence, and could result in anyone doing so being charged with a serious offence under the Terrorism Act.
   • To arrange or participate in a meeting (which is any get-together in any form of more than three people) that aims to discuss whether the proscription was right or wrong would be a criminal offence.
   • Please act as follows:
     • Do not proactively share information about the proscription of Palestine Action on any of your public Amnesty digital channels or in person events
     • Do not display logos, banners or any other promotional material related to Palestine Action at any of your Amnesty events
     • Do not discuss the proscription of Palestine Action at any of your Amnesty group/network or other meetings, including private meetings
     • Do not attend any meeting in your Amnesty capacity organised by others about or including Palestine Action
   • This is AIUK's statement for use if you are asked about Amnesty's position on this issue.
     “In light of legal advice we have received regarding the effect of UK anti-terrorism laws, we are no longer in a position to comment on the proscription of Palestine Action.
     We are, however, able to continue commenting on the state of counter-terrorism law in the UK and its implications for human rights. It has been Amnesty International's long-held view that the UK has a deeply flawed and overly broad definition of terrorism and overly broad and excessive restrictions on freedom of expression in relation to proscribed groups.
     Terrorism legislation hands the authorities massive powers to arrest and detain people, suppress speech and reporting, conduct surveillance and take other measures, such as criminalising holding a private work meeting that could be characterised as 'supportive' of a proscribed group. These sorts of restrictions would never be permitted in other circumstances and create a chilling effect on people's freedom of expression and right to protest.
     Where necessary and proportionate, existing criminal laws accompanied by human rights protections, are more than adequate.”
8. Due to advice received, we are unable to discuss this in our group meeting and can't make comments specifically about PA.
   Those wishing to know more can read AIUK's press release (from before the proscription), or can contact AIUK or their MP for further clarification.
   We can discuss the right to protest in general and if anyone would like to focus on group actions on this moving forward. AIUK has 'Protect the Protest' as one of its strategic priorities. It also published a major report a while ago, detailing numerous deficiencies in the design and implementation of the UK Govt's 'Prevent' anti-terrorism strategy. As indicated in the UK advice, it seems that these broader themes will be the approach that the national AI organisation and local groups will take forward in campaigning.
9. Urgent Appeals - Merle ; 14 letters written during meeting: (to beat: 12!)

10. Email from AIUK re. Amnesty Global Assembly Consultation – Meetings on 16 and 17 July

    The Global Assembly is Amnesty International's highest decision-making body. Comprised of delegates from every national Section and entity in the worldwide movement, it decides on major questions of global strategy, finance, governance and policy. This year, the Global Assembly will be asked to make some significant decisions on Amnesty's global governance. Ahead of the meeting, which takes place on 25-27 July, the Board and UK delegation are keen to share the motions that will be discussed and hear from AIUK's activists. → two online consultation meetings have been arranged, taking place at 6.30pm on Wednesday 16 July and 6.30pm on Thursday 17 July. The meetings will last for approximately ninety minutes and we will describe how the Global Assembly fits into Amnesty's governance, outline some of the key debates and, most importantly, listen to the perspectives of interested members. The motions will be dispatched to all those who register for these consultation discussions as soon as possible.
    To sign up for the meetings, please visit the following link, which you will be able to choose which meeting you wish to attend: Eventbrite Link.
    These meetings are intended for Amnesty International UK activists but membership of the UK Section is not required. Please feel free to share this information within any Amnesty networks or groups that you belong to.

11. Potential Speakers:
    1. Clara: potential speaker - journalist from Somalia - Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation costs
    2. Refugee Action - Andrew link up w Daytime group - maybe September
    3. Paulo - potential speaker (and try to invite all other AI Scotland groups to join online): law professor re. UK supreme court ruling that affects trans rights.
    4. Motaz (Country Coordinator for Yemen) - happy to be a speaker
       1. Clara to ask Motaz
    5. [Amicus: after find out about Death Penalty network]
12. 2025 Glasgow West AI group's 50th anniversary! - see Ideas doc here, inc.
    1. Meal:
       1. Unfortunately the church hall is not available on Saturdays. We could have the hall on Thursday 11th September (our regular meeting night) 7pm-10pm at £14 per hour.( it's in use till 7pm) I'll ask about number of tables and chairs and get more info on the kitchen. Probably worth considering another venue for a Saturday before we decide.
       2. Saturday PM would be preferable to welcome older people ; Clara made flyer - discuss in Aug meeting
          1. Kirstie to confirm date for Write for Rights
    2. Andrew contacted Council to explore possibility of tree planting to mark 50 years of Amnesty in Glasgow.- Yes! Details tbc, but likely to take place Oct / Nov in an area around Kelvingrove. - discuss in Aug meeting
    3. The Lord Provost's Office has also suggested a Civic Reception for Amnesty Glasgow. Again, details re timing, etc tbc, but likely to be in the Autumn.
       1. To take place in Glasgow City Chambers, George Square, (likely within the Satinwood Suite)
       2. 6-7.30pm drinks reception & canapes
          1. Options: 15 / 22 / 28th October - agreed Tuesday 28th October at 6pm - 7.30pm - (Andrew has subsequently confirmed this date with Lord Provost's office)
          2. Speakers: Lord Provost (or a Deputy); Amnesty spokesperson about our group last 50 years
          3. Musician? Ideas / suggestions needed for this.
          4. Human Rights speaker - maybe not external, do internal Amnesty speakers?
          5. Invitees: Initial suggestion given that we could have c.30 attendees, but we can confirm nearer the time. It is no problem to add more.
             We could use Eventbrite to monitor acceptances. We could email the AI office with email to go to all AI members in the Glasgow area (tbc?)
          6. Merle and Christine to review list of former activists within Glasgow Group members so that we can invite those who have made a contribution to the work over the years.
          7. Suggestions of who to invite to the Civic reception also to be sought from Daytime and University Groups
    4. Andrew contacted Strathclyde University Journalism and Human Rights course leaders to see if they have students interested in developing some stories around the Group's archive materials. The purpose would be to publicise the work of Amnesty in Glasgow and, hopefully, encourage others to volunteer.
       1. Lecturer has agreed to review our physical archive material to assess the suitability for students - Agreed
       2. Andrew has also contacted uni group & Daytime group to see if would like to be involved/if they have an archive also - Glw Univ Chair indicated they have little by way of any physical archive material. However, Rob (who organises our website, Mailchimp monthly emails, etc) does have some material from his time in the Glw Univ Group going back to 2006 - mostly digital, but possibly some physical stuff that could be of interest. Daytime Group has indicated they have nothing of any great historical value in terms of physical archive.
       3. Andrew messaged Mal to see if there's any more documents, etc in his possession - no response yet
    5. Pride March (19.07.25) - registered for Parade and Stall. NB stalls will be required to be set up before 10am on the morning of Saturday the 19th of July. Volunteers now for stall / parade
       1. Start: Kelvingrove Park in the West of the Glasgow and travel to Barrowlands Park, where walking groups will go into the park and floats will continue up Gallowgate, before everyone moves to the festival at the Barrowlands!
       2. Arrive at the Royal Terrace Entrance to Kelvingrove Park for 10:15am, but Community Line Up doesn't start till 11am
          What Three Words - ///stacks.tens.anyone https://w3w.co/stacks.tens.anyone
       3. (Claire has done, but anyone else can do if they wish also!)
          1. The Marshal training video can be found here - https://youtu.be/__d4cHVep2o
          2. The training assessment can be found here - https://forms.gle/78WUfxhJAjMArk9W7
       4. To set up stall: Kirstie & Clara 9.30-10.30
       5. Stay on Stall: Mhairi 10.30-12; Ailig 12-1.30
       6. March: Clara, Claire - 1.30 onwards
          1. Petition -
13. Susan v generously doing an Amnestea Sunday July 13th 4-7.30pm at her house. If you'd like to come along, please contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk
14. Future Idea: Israeli Apartheid free meal / invite MPs?
15. Groups Planning Pack 2025 from central AIUK - some useful links, especially the Calendars with key events/trainings.
16. AOB
    • AIUK online events - see links in AIUK Local Group Updates mailing here:
      • How to do a Public Stunt
      • How to Work with Schools

AIUK Local Group Updates – June link

Next meeting - Thurs 14th August 2025

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 9th January 2025

• Thursday 13th February 2025

• Thursday 13th March 2025

• Thursday 10th April 2025

• Thursday 8th May 2025

• Thursday 12th June 2025

• Thursday 10th July 2025

• Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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

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

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

• Details of our forthcoming June 2025 meeting;

• Links to current AIUK activities;

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

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

June 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

Thursday 12th June, Woodlands International Methodist Church, 7:30pm – 9pm

The next Glasgow West Amnesty meeting takes place on Thursday 12th June 2025 at 7.30pm – 9pm in Woodlands International Church, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LW.

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

• Feedback and discussion on the gathering of Scottish Amnesty Local Groups taking place in Perth on Sat 7th June;

• Planning for our Group's input to Glasgow's Pride march, which takes place on Saturday 19th July;

• Discussion of further new events that are now being added to celebrate 2025 being the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International in Glasgow;

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

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

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.

Full details of the latest AIUK monthly Local Groups Update can be seen on the Local Groups page.

Ban Israeli Settlement Goods Campaign

On Nakba day, we launched the Ban Israeli Settlement Goods campaign!

All the materials can be found on this webpage - Settlement Goods campaign Pack.

Thanks to everyone who attended the briefing on Monday evening - it was fantastic to see so many of you and lots of positive engagement with the campaign (if you missed it, the slides can be found here). Since then, several groups have begun contacting their MPs and starting to organise 'apartheid-free meals' in their communities, in coalition with other activist groups. As a reminder, please feedback any response from MPs to parliament@amnesty.org.uk.

Our next campaign check-in will be on Tuesday 10th June, 6-7:30pm, and will include tips and ideas for contacting MPs on this ask from organisers and activists, and an opportunity to ask questions and share experiences organising so far. You can access the sign up link here.

For any support, questions, or to arrange a chat, please do reach out to me via email

please contact Amika George

Click here to book your spot

Introducing: Summer Spotlight Campaign

Amnesty International UK's Summer Spotlight on Journalists Under Threat, focuses on a core and universal human right: freedom of expression.

Last year, 124 journalists were killed — the highest number ever recorded. Many of those deaths occurred during Israel's genocide in Gaza, where journalists have been targeted at an unprecedented scale. Around the world, journalists are being silenced through violence, imprisonment and censorship.

Amnesty International stands with journalists who investigate abuses, uncover facts and speak truth to power – often at great personal risk. We investigate human rights violations, challenge repressive laws, and campaign against attacks on press freedom.

Because when the freedom to report is lost, so is accountability. Power operates in the dark. Injustice goes unchallenged.

Add Your Voice to Defend Press Freedom

Now, more than ever, it's crucial to protect the right to report. Add your voice to stand with those risking everything to uncover the truth.

Together, we can ensure that press freedom is upheld and that journalists can work without fear of persecution or oppression. Your support helps shine a light on injustice, ensuring the truth is uncovered and that the powerful are held accountable.

Your support helps shine a light on injustice, ensuring the truth is uncovered and that the powerful are held accountable. To show your support for press freedom, add your voice to this handraiser on press freedom.

Please contact Philippa, if you and your Local Group would like to engage further with this campaign.

Individual Giving

Donate now to fight to restore the voices of journalists silenced by attacks on freedom of expression

Your gift could help fund the fight back against attacks on press freedom

We are living through a period of escalating instability and crisis.

With the rise of authoritarian leadership and conflicts raging around the world, reporting the truth is more vital than ever. But more and more the truth is under threat.

Authoritarian regimes are tightening their grip on the free media. Physical attacks, imprisonment, surveillance and intimidation are routinely used against journalists to silence them and stop them reporting the truth.

2024 was the deadliest on record for journalists. In Russia, reporters are locked up for exposing war crimes. In Gaza, many have been directly targeted by Israeli forces. In Northern Ireland, journalists have been silenced through threats of violence and intimidation. But Amnesty International is fighting to protect the rights - and lives - of all journalists around the world, including in Sudan, Hong Kong, Russia, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland. We cannot allow journalists to be silenced. Power operates in the dark and when the freedom to report the truth is lost, impunity runs rampant.

But together, we can fight back and restore the voices of journalists silenced by attacks on freedom of expression. Your donation could help fund the fight back against attacks on press freedoms. Donations also help fund campaigns demanding the release of detained media workers, and they support investigations into human rights violations against journalists and research intended to ensure free expression is protected. And with your support, we can overturn repressive laws, and protect those risking their lives to bring the truth to the world. Help us stand up for truth, and for human rights everywhere.

Please give what you can today

Donate here

Local Groups Fundraising – Perth Amnesty Group Solstice Sunrise Challenge

Perth Amnesty Group's "See the Summer Solstice" Sunrise Fundraising Challenge

The challenge is to sacrifice a nights sleep to witness the sunrise at a landmark, hill or mountain top on Saturday 21st June, the summer solstice, which in Perthshire will be 3.40 am.

Some members of the Group will be taking on this challenge from an iron age fort on the top of Moncrieffe Hill near Perth which is a beautiful woodland managed by the Woodland Trust. Others intend to see the sunrise from Caisteal Dubh-Castle Dow (the Dark Castle), the hilltop site of an iron age fort near Grandtully in the heart of rural Perthshire.

If you are an experienced hill walker, and have a good torch it would be great if you could join us.

Take part closer to home.

However you can always take this on by seeing the summer solstice sunrise - from a landmark, hill or mountain top closer to home. What about the Pentlands, the Sidlaws, the Campsies, any Munro or the Ring of Brodgar!

So why don't you sacrifice a good night's sleep and give it a go- just saying!!

Brilliant if you can take part from wherever you decide to see the sunrise.

Donations

We have set up a page on the Just Giving website at which families, friends and colleagues you have asked to support this challenge can give their generous donations to Amnesty's Charitable Trust

The page title is: Perth Amnesty Group's See the Summer Solstice Sunrise Challenge.

This link will take them to the page.

For information on start times and locations please contact: James Rutherford

Many thanks and good luck Perth Amnesty Group!

Fundraising page here

Amnesty in Scotland

Click on this link for information about AI Scotland's latest activities

Amnesty UK Shop

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

Upcoming Dates / events

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

May 2025 Updates

Amnesty Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 8th May 2025

Minutes

Link to draft May meeting email here

1. Welcome and apologies

   1. Attendance: Daisy, Neil, Kirstie, Ailig, Paolo, Clara, Merle & Claire

   2. Apologies: Andrew, Mal

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes link

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

      1. postage from letters: £39.20

      2. hall rent → Dec: £156 - going up in Sep by £2/month

      3. current balance: £598

   2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)

      Cait access to SM accounts? - no update, not present

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

   3. Local Political Outreach

      Paulo re. Kaukab Stewart and Human Rights Bill: Paolo sent email to minister's office; had a meeting with SG office staff member (no briefing notes yet); the Bill is being discussed in 3 committees (Neil from AI Scotland office is in 1 of them) - 1 is on impact of the bill to strengthen the idea of the bill - what could it mean in practical terms in Scotland

      1. Edinburgh Amnesty group also involved

      2. Manifestos are coming out now for 2026 election campaign - expected to be in SNP manifesto; unsure of in others

         • we can all email party offices - Ailig to share

         • Daisy to write template email - share in Signal chat 16.05.25 - Clara/Ailig to review & then all to send

           We can approach shadow Ministers of Equalities

           → will be proposed in parliament in 2026 so we can campaign again then

      3. awareness-raising campaign on Human Rights Bill - SM post; prepare poster on the issue - ask

         • AI Scotland could publish “manifesto” that we share with party offices

         • Paolo offers to write this and share w AI Scotland office for them to check

         • Claire to add Paulo in the secs / chair WhatsApp chat

      4. Regional/Country focus

         South East Asia/ Myanmar (Mal) - no updates

         Korea (Clara) - no updates

         Theme focus - US Death penalty - Mal to inform Death Penalty Network (California)

4. Prisoner of Conscience/Individual At Risk Update (Cait - India BK16 – no update)

5. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

   • CCA “Seenaryo” film screening during Refugee Festival in June - no update on whether we can have a stall, Mhairi is following up

   • Planning AI Scotland Gathering in Perth (7th June) - Paolo attended planning meeting

   • tickets are available! Please see link to the Eventbrite page to book you place.

   • AI Scotland session on their work; group session for groups to share their actions; guest speaker sessions on Palestine & Kashmir; photo session

   • next meeting 6pm 12.05.25 (meeting link from Paolo)

   • Clara: journalist from Somalia - gave a talk at SW Conference on human rights in Somalia. We can invite him. Clara to check his availability and if needs transport/accommodation costs - no update.

6. Email: we can also host a speaker from Refugee Action (they sent us an email) - arrange for June meeting (Refugee Week = 16-22.06.25) - agreed to leave it in June as we'll have the AGM resolutions to discuss

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

8. Urgent Appeals - Merle

   ​# of letters written during meeting: 13

9. 2025 is Glasgow West AI group's 50th anniversary! - see Ideas doc here, inc. suggestion from Paolo re. community meal. Suggested that we ought to think about getting a keynote speaker along to the community meal event.

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

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

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

      1. Claire to sign up to the stall (Done - NB stalls will be required to be set up before 10 am on the morning of Saturday the 19th of July).

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

10. AOB

    • Registration for AIUK AGM 5th/6th July is open - at Warwick Uni! Clara is able to go on behalf of our group - thanks Clara!

    • AIUK Local Group Updates: April link

    • Next meeting - Thurs 12th June 2025

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 9th January 2025

• Thursday 13th February 2025

• Thursday 13th March 2025

• Thursday 10th April 2025

• Thursday 8th May 2025

• Thursday 12th June 2025

• Thursday 10th July 2025

• Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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

---

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

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

• Details of our forthcoming May 2025 meeting;;

• Links to current AIUK activities;

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

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

May 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

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

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

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

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

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

Updates From Amnesty

Local Groups Updates

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

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

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

Hong Kong Programme – 1st Anniversary of Article 23

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

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

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

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

Rainbow Network – Pride Pack & More

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

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

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

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

Disabled People’s Human Rights Network

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

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

For information contact Holly Harrison-Mullane.

Upcoming Dates

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

See more on the Amnesty Events page.

Take action to help individuals at risk and defend human rights

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

Amnesty in Scotland

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

Scottish Regional Gathering

7th June 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking forward to you joining us.

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

To book: see Eventbrite

Amnesty UK products

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

April 2025 Minutes & Updates

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 10th April 2025 Minutes

Link to April meeting email via Mailchimp.

1. Welcome and apologies

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

   2. Apologies: Mal and Paolo

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes – Google Docs link

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

      1. postage from letters: £16.80

      2. web hosting renewed: £14.68

      3. Current balance: £871.75

   2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)

      1. Cait still needs access to SM accounts

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

   3. Local Political Outreach

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

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

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

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

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

   4. Regional/Country focus

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

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

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

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

4. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

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

      • £500 raised!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

   Urgent Appeals - Merle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. AOB

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Next meeting - Thurs 8th May 2025

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 9th January 2025

• Thursday 13th February 2025

• Thursday 13th March 2025

• Thursday 10th April 2025

• Thursday 8th May 2025

• Thursday 12th June 2025

• Thursday 10th July 2025

• Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS

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

---

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

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

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

April 2025 Glasgow West AI Group Meeting

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

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

We would love to see you there!

Our next meeting will include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo: Paolo Grifa

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you!

Paolo's fundraising page

AIUK Local Updates

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

Selected updates are included below.

Social Security in the UK

Invitation to Amnesty Interanational UK event:

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

Thursday 8 May 2025, 6.30pm.

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

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

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

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

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

• Why social security is a human right.

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

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

Action: Take action to stop the cuts!

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

For any questions, please contact the IAR team.

Register here

Amnesty Disabled People's Human Rights Network

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

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

Follow us on:

• Bluesky
• Instagram

More Details and Updates

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

Updates from AI Scotland Office

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

What We've Been Up To

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

Neil Cowan, Scotland Programme Director

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

Gaza genocide

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

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

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

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

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

Human Rights Bill

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

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

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

Upcoming Dates / events

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

March 2025 Updates

AI Glasgow West Group Meeting Thurs 13th March 2025

Minutes

1. Welcome and apologies

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

   • Apologies: Mal, Cait, Merle & Mhairi.

2. Agreement of previous meeting minutes here

3. Team Updates (list of roles here):

   1. Treasurer (Kirstie)

      1. The Stand Comedy Night

         1. our current bank balance = £903

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

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

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

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

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

   2. Social Media & website (Mal/Cait)

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

   3. Local Political Outreach

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

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

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

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

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

        5. Next steps:

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

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

   4. Regional/Country focus

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

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

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

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

4. Actions/updates from previous meeting Minutes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

   More info on the gatherings:

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

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

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

7. Activist Training:

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

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

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

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

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

     2. Historical Resources:

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

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

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

           • also Jill Young - Christine has contact details

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

   • More ideas!

     • Press articles over this year - Andrew to look at

     • interview previous members - get into local press/SM

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

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

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

9. Urgent Appeals - Merle:

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

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

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

10. AOB

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2025 Meeting Dates

New Members very welcome!

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

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

For further information contact mail@glasgowwestamnesty.org.uk

• Thursday 9th January 2025

• Thursday 13th February 2025

• Thursday 13th March 2025

• Thursday 10th April 2025

• Thursday 8th May 2025

• Thursday 12th June 2025

• Thursday 10th July 2025

• Thursday 14th August 2025

• Thursday 11th September 2025

• Thursday 9th October 2025

• Thursday 13th November 2025

• Thursday 11th December 2025

BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS