Open Meeting Summary – October 2020
During the Covid-19 period when physical Open Meetings do not take place a Summary of the items that would be on the Agenda, Information and Updates will be available on the Amnesty Norwich website.
Actions and letter writing by the Group
North Africa cases
The Norwich group supports the Amnesty North Africa region by working on cases mainly in Egypt, and some recent cases in Tunisia and Morocco.During the lockdown informationabout cases and sample letters are posted on the Group website.
We are continuing to work on the long term case of a Giulio Regeni a murdered Italian student working in Egypt for a Cambridge University PhD and who was almost certainly killed by the security forces in 2016. Updated information and addresses have been recently sent to the writing group supporting this case.
If you wish to join please contact chair@amnestynorwich.org.uk
Other Individual cases in Egypt that Norwich has supported includes:
Urgent Action for detained lawyers Mohamed el-Baqer and Journalist Alaa Abdelfattah
On 30 August 2020, the Supreme State Security Prosecution (SSSP) interrogated lawyer Mohamed el-Baqer over unfounded charges, including “joining a terrorist organization”, as part of a recently opened case (No.855/2020). Mohamed el-Baqer is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for his human rights work
Information is available via the link below if you wish to take part in the action
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde12/3237/2020/
Amnesty Children’s Human Rights Network
The Norwich Group supports a variety of actions including an ongoing action for Aser Mahomed who was arrested when 14 years old and given 10 years imprisonment in 2019following a confession extracted under torture.
Please join us on these ongoing actions.
Find information on the website or contact info@norwichamnesty.org.uk
News from Amnesty UK
The National AGM was held without members this year. I am pleased to say that an excellent resolution about the situation in Kashmir following the actions of the Indian Government that was proposed by Norwich Amnesty was passed. Thanks to all Norwich group supporters who voted for it. This was one of only four group resolutions being considered this year. The resolution instructs Amnesty UK to press the International secretariat to campaign for a UK Parliamentary visit to Kashmir to establish what has taken place.
Other news from Amnesty
We receive a monthly newsletter (or Ezine) from the North Africa Regional organiser with case information and an Amnesty Groups News newsletter which has lots of ideas about fundraising and events from groups around the country.
Fundraising and Finance
We will be selling Amnesty Christmas cards through the Charity Card outlet which this year is in St Peter Mancroft and is open from 20th October until 12th December.
They will also be on sale in the Amnesty Bookshop on the Unthank Rd.
Future Events and Activities
Write for Rights
Our regular support for the annual Amnesty campaign, where we meet and write letters and postcards to governments and Prisoners of Conscience, will be a virtual event this year.
Details will follow.
Peace Vigil
Peace Vigil outside St Peter Mancroft on the first Saturday of each month. The next Vigil 7th November 12 noon to 1pm. (subject to Some Amnesty members attend this monthly silent vigil to raise awareness of global issues around the subject of Peace and organised by the Norwich Quakers and which can be joined without needing to book.
Cambridge Amnesty Zoom meetings
Zoom meetings have been arranged by Cambridge Amnesty which you may wish to join.
12th November. Talk by Paul Bridges on AI’s Anti-Death Penalty campaign.
The meetings are likely to be at 7.30 pm.
If you wish to take part, please contact info@norwichamnesty.org.uk
We hope that you find this summary useful.
Please contact us if you need more information or have comments.
David Bissonnet
Chair, Norwich Amnesty
on behalf of the Committee
Contact: info@norwichamnesty.org.uk