19th February 2020 Open Meeting Minutes
Chair David Huband
Chair welcomed all to the meeting: 15 Members present
No Apologies
Campaigns
North Africa Action Group.
The Norwich group supports this and Joanna Kinnaird gives an update on the current cases at each meeting
Aser Mohammed
Aser Mohammed is an Egyptian youth who was arrested at the age of 14, tortured and charged with a firearms offence. He has been given a 10-year prison sentence. The Norwich group has been writing on his behalf for some time. There was no new information available at the meeting.
Giulio Regeni
David Ford and David Bissonnet are the Norwich joint coordinators for this case.
Giulio was an Italian student from Cambridge University doing PHD research in Egypt on independent trade unions. His body was found on 3rd February 2015 by the roadside and he had been abducted tortured and killed, it is thought by the Egyptian security services. The case has caused a diplomatic rift between Egypt and Italy and Amnesty is supporting his family and Amnesty Italy who are pressing for a full investigation.
We have two officials that we can write to; the Prime Minister and Deputy Foreign minister We have formed a group of local members who will write each month and templates of letters setting out the facts as they are known are available for members, updated with new details of some of the officials.
David Ford reported on the Vigil held on 1st Feb outside the Egyptian Embassy in London. David Ford, David Bissonnet and Joanna Kinnaird attended. There were nearly 40 people including Italian supporters, several Amnesty groups and people who knew Giulio well, with some very moving speeches. A letter signed by all was presented to the Embassy but rejected, however the staff certainly were aware of the vigil and its aims. Some photos are elsewhere on the web site
The UEA Amnesty group held a vigil and an information and letterwriting stall at UEA on Tuesday 5th Feb to support the case
Patrick George Zaky
Joanna Kinnaird reported on this new case and tabled a letter to the Public Prosecutor for members to sign. Patrick is an Egyptian student in Italy studying at the University of Bologna who was arrested and reportedly tortured on his return to Egypt recently. The parents of Giulio Regeni are supporting Patrick and his family and are urging governments to press the Egyptian authorities to release him and to investigate his torture. He has been adopted as Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty and is a case were action by members can help prevent further ill treatment.
Tom Reed and support for a Yemeni family
Tom was an active member of the group and left to work as a teacher in Germany. He has made a personal appeal for financial support for one of his students, Sarah from Yemen. She is learning English to improve her qualifications and life in general. The war in Yemen makes this incredibly difficult for her, but she perseveres nevertheless.
On top of this, Sara has to look after her ill mother, who has serious kidney problems, bone fatigue and connected health issues has a degree in Administration and Finance, and wants to work to support her family, but the dreadful situation in her country makes this near to impossible. She has worked for various charities and humanitarian organisations in the past, and raised funds and awareness for others around her, but now urgently requires the generosity of others https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-yemeni-girl-and-her-ill-mother
Refugee Children
David Huband reported that the motion in Parliament to allow families to be reunited has been rejected A report may be available for the next meeting.
Kashmir
David Huband gave a brief illustrated presentation of the history of the conflict in Kashmir. A resolution to the Amnesty AGM needs to be carefully drafted by the group. Members from the Kashmiri Society at UEA explained more about the current situation in Kashmir. An event on 25th Feb Theatre 1 at 7pm will explore the music and art of resistance in Kashmir.
Shafat explained the significance of the new citizenship law which discriminates against the Muslim population of both Kashmir and India. There is a UK Parliamentary Commission of Kashmir.
Dominic Reed
DH has received a postcard from Dominic who has moved back to Bristol with best wishes for the Norwich group
AGM
The existing committee was re elected unanimously on a show of hands. Matthew Salmon will be coopted on to the committee.
Treasurers Report David Ford tabled the annual financial report which was accepted and which will be sent to Amnesty UK at the end of the month. The situation is healthy with a current positive balance and continued donations to Amnesty UK during the year. The considerable support of the Octagon Chapel was noted with thanks.
Chair’s Report
David Huband noted that our profile locally is reasonably high through activities such as the Bishops Garden Party , Monthly Vigil , street collection, concerts, Write for Rights and Christmas card sales.
David thanked individual members of the committee and others for their contributions
David noted the cooperation of the group with others in Norwich including City of Sanctuary , ( who had reported on how they were spending the garden party profit) the Quakers,The Octagon chapel and Freedom from Torture. His regret was the lack of younger people joining the group.
David Huband David is leaving the area and stands down as chair The meeting expressed their warm thanks to David for his work as chair for the last ten years.
The new committee will at their next meeting elect a chair and officers and consider proposals for the future of the group
The role of the chair should be simpler and mainly chairing open meetings and committee meetings
Encouraging more members of the group to take on organising roles
The group should concentrate on the core activities of writing letters and fundraising to support Amnesty’s research.
Past events
- A talk was given by David Huband to Mattishall Junior School.
Future Events
- March 2nd: Committee meeting
- March 7th: Peace Vigil on Yemen situation outside St Peter Mancroft 12-1pm
- 2nd April: Fund raising concert by St Gregory’s Orchestra St Peter Mancroft 11 am
- 26th April: Fundraising concert by Amici Choir Concert St Peter Mancroft 3pm
- 15-21st: June Refugee week
- 20th June: Great Get Together Octagon Chapel with cakes
