Open Meeting Summary – December 2021

Due to the current advice and restrictions the December Open Meeting has been cancelled.

This is a brief summary of what we would have discussed at the meeting  and actions  that can be taken.

A decision on whether to hold an open meeting in January will be taken in early January

News from Amnesty UK

New regional post

AIUK have advertised the new post of Regional Activism  Representative. This replaces the  former regional rep posts.

Activism Reps will have a vital role in building the Amnesty movement by helping Amnesty’s local groups to develop and maintain relationships with diverse people and organisations in their communities. They support our local groups to organise campaigns for human rights, connect local groups with each other and with other activist structures (student and school groups and workplace groups) in their areas. Activism Reps represent Amnesty International UK both in their respective communities and online.

If you are interested in this post please contact the chair. It is unpaid but expenses are paid

Local Groups Monthly Mailing

This has articles on activity by Amnesty including:

Action by the West and Central Africa Group

This action is to encourage Burkino Faso to implement its strategy to end Forced Chlld Marriage If you wish to help we can put you in touch with the  Amnesty group who can provide sample letters.

A Report on Amnesty Action during COP26

A report and video calling for the UK firm JCB  to address the human rights risks and their role in providing equipment used in the illegal destruction of Palestinian homes and constructing illegal  new settlements.

Information about  an Introductory course on Equity and Inclusion and  what anti-racism  means for Amnesty UK

A course on Climate Change and Human Rights the way that they influence each other and how improving one issue can help the other.

For more information on all these items please contact the chair at chair@amnestynorwich.org.uk  

Actions and letter writing by the Group

North Africa cases

The Norwich group continues to support the Amnesty North Africa region by working on cases mainly in Egypt,and cases in Tunisia and Morocco.

Imprisoned Morroccan Journalis Omar Radi

This is the Norwich Amnesty group’s new case.

We have received the case file from AIUK and action on this case will start  in the new year.

Morrocco / Western Sahara Human Rights Activist Sultana Khayer raped by Morroccan security forces

A sample letter is below for Urgent Action on this horrific case.

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 imprisoned in 2019 following a confession extracted under torture.

Aser Mahomed

In October 2019, a criminal court sentenced Aser to 10 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of membership in the banned Muslim Brotherhood group and attacking a hotel in January 2016.  He was 14-years-old at the time of his arrest.
Aser’s lawyer filed a cassation request to the criminal court at the end of 2019 and after much delay this has been  set  for 2nd January 2022 .   It is important to let the Egyptian Ambassador know that we are concerned as we understand that  he does inform  the authorities in Egypt about letters that he receives.

A Model letter to him is below, Please send as soon as possible.

Aser suffers from a chronic allergy which gives him respiratory problems.
In February 2021, Aser was transferred to Liman Tora prison to take his exams. His sister has visited him and reports him feeling desperate and sad, and being thinner with black rings round his eyes.

Kashmir

Norwich put forward  a resolution at the 2020 AGM on the human rights situation in Indian administered Kashmir which was approved and passed to the International Secretariat who have to approve any international campaign. The IS have recently responded that they do not have plans to take any action, partly because the AI India office has been closed by the government. A  UK activist campaign is being planned by an amnesty group based in Birmingham and we are awaiting information  from them about how the Norwich group might be able to contribute.

Norwich Amnesty 50th Anniversary

The Norwich group was founded in1972. Publicity, a celebration  and other activities are being considered  by the committee.
More information to follow.

Any photographs or leaflets or other memorabilia  about the early days of the group would be most helpful.

Please email us if you have anything at anniversary@norwichamnesty.org.uk

Amnesty Christmas cards

These have done well and will boost our funds.

Amnesty Bookshop in St Benedict’s Street

Don’t forget to visit for your last minute presents.

For more details please visit the Amnesty Bookshop website.

We hope that you find this summary useful.

Please contact us if you need more information or have comments.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year from the committee.