WordPress.com



-177165-350520Amnesty International Salisbury GroupMinutes of Monthly Meeting on Thursday 12th April 2018 7.30 pm at 4, Victoria Road.1Chairman’s WelcomePresent: Andrew, Tony, Ria, Eddie, Fiona, Peter, LesleyApologies: Michael PAH2Minutes of previous meeting – these were agreedLC3Treasurer’s Report - ?994.74 (Bank Account) ?30.06 (Cash)MP4Campaign ReportsDeath PenaltyAIUK released their annual report on the Death Penalty on 12.4.18 – The Death Penalty in 2017: Facts and Figures. AI recorded at least 993 executions in 23 countries, down by 4% from the previous year. Most executions took place in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan. Guinea and Mongolia abolished the death penalty in law for all crimes. At the end of 2017 at least 21,919 people were known to be on death row. (Please follow the link above for the full report.)Please follow this link to the Salisbury Group Website for the full international update, covering Belarus, India, Singapore, the USA, Zimbabwe Pope Francis and Egypt.Of particular note:Yves Cruchten, general rapporteur on the abolition of the death penalty of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and Andrea Rigoni, PACE rapporteur on the situation in Belarus, called on the Government of Belarus to place a moratorium on executions. Rights activists report that more than 400 prisoners have been put to death since 1990. It was not known until this month that a man, convicted of murder, had been executed in October 2017. (Note: Belarus is the last country in Europe to employ the death penalty.)In the USA, the State of Oklahoma announced its plan to use nitrogen gas to carry out executions; following the recommendation of the Parole Board, the Governor of Ohio granted clemency to William Montgomery and commuted his death sentence to life without parole; Anthony Ray Hinton, who spent almost three decades on death row, following a wrongful conviction by Alabama’s racist judiciary system, has published a book – The Sun Does Shine – about his experiences on Death RowThe new President of Zimbabwe has commuted the death sentences of at least 16 prisoners, who had been on death row for more than 10 years, to life imprisonment.Pope Francis, in the course of a visit on Maundy Thursday to a prison in Rome, has called for the death penalty to be abolished because it was neither Christian nor humane.A Military Court in Egypt has referred 36 defendants, accused of participating in three church bombings, to the Mufti – the highest religious authority – for consideration of the death penalty. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks. 11 of the 36 are being tried in absentia. A verdict is expected on 15th May.Death Penalty Urgent ActionsEgypt – UA 243/14 – At the Court hearing of Mahmoud Abu Zeid (AKA Shawkan), the Egyptian photojournalist and prisoner of conscience, the prosecutor called for a death sentence to be imposed. Mahmoud Abu Zeid is a defendant in a mass trial with 738 others. The next hearing was scheduled for 17th March, when the defence would be able to present their case. (Circulated to DPLWG 15.3.18.) An email was received from AI Australia asking for email action on behalf of Shawkan. He was to have a court hearing on 24.3.17. (Circulated to DPLWG 23.3.18.)An email was subsequently received from AI New Zealand asking for email action on behalf of Shawkan. The date for the Court Hearing was now given as 10.4.18. (Circulated to DPLWG 6.4.18.)Vietnam – UA 52/18 - Ho Duy Hai, found guilty of plundering property and murder and sentenced to death, has been in the Temporary Detention Centre for the past ten years. His health has deteriorated but he has not been given access to medical support. A review of his case was called for in 2015, following the discovery that his conviction was the result of serious procedural errors, but on 7th December 2017, the Chief of Procuracy pushed for acceleration of his execution. (Circulated to DPLWG 17.3.18.)Singapore – UA 56/18 – The execution of Hishamrudin Bin Mohd was scheduled for 16th March. He received the mandatory death sentence for drug-related offences but maintained his innocence. This Urgent Action was received on 16 March18, the date the execution was due to take place – and did take place – too late for meaningful action. South Sudan - UA 240/17 – Update – James Gatdet and William Endley, who had both been arbitrarily detailed at the NSS HQ in Juba, were convicted – Mr Gatdet of ‘treason’ and Mr Endley of ‘espionage, terrorism and attempts to overthrow a constitutionally established government, spying’ – were both sentenced to death by hanging. They are appealing their sentences. AI is seriously concerned that the proceedings in both cases were unlikely to have met international standards for fair trial. (Circulated to DPLWG 20.3.18. This month’s Group Urgent Action.)USA – Ohio – UA 47/18 (Update) - The Ohio Parole Board has voted to recommend that the Governor of Ohio commute the death sentence of William Montgomery. The Governor can accept or reject the recommendation, and the execution remains scheduled for 11th April. (Circulated to DPLWG 26.3.18.) 27.3.18 – Message from AIUK – On 26.3.18 The Governor of Ohio granted clemency to Mr Montgomery. His sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Bahrain – An email was received from Reprieve with a petition calling upon the Bahraini authorities to grant retrials to all victims of torture on death row, including Maher Abbas Ahmad, sentenced to death following his confession at gunpoint to the murder of a policeman. AN AI UA had been circulated to the Group on 31st January. (Circulated to DPLWG 8.4.18.)CampaigningRia reported back on the Death Penalty Project Workshops held at the recent AGM. Disappointingly, these appear to have been a repeat of the Workshop held in London in November, providing background information on the death penalty and seeking views as to how AI might more effectively campaign. The need for up-to-date information, resources (including films and social media materials) as well as the involvement of more celebrities had been identified.It is understood that the actual launch of the Project will take place shortly, coordinated by Paul Bridges. In the meantime, the Salisbury Group will continue to focus on individual Death Penalty Urgent Actions.North Korea Koo Jeong-hwa, who had been expected to be sentenced to life in a political prison camp, was released. This was seen as a rare opportunity to enjoy good news from North Korea, and a cause for celebration.Ria had met with Kenny Latunde-Dada at the AGM. He had expressed his willingness to come and give a further talk to the Group.TM advised the Group of the Korea Future Initiative an organisation that rescues vulnerable North Koreans, reports on human rights violations and provides redress to exiles pursuing justice and accountability. (Follow the link for further information).The Group will be planning an event to support their campaign against human rights abuses in North Korea.RefugeesThe Private Members Bill calling for less restrictive family reunion rules had got through its second reading on 16th March. It will now progress to the next stage.No response had been received from Five Rivers regarding the Group’s request to display the Refugee Photographic Exhibition. AH will follow this up.Two Refugee Urgent Actions had been received and circulatedMexico – UA 58/18 – 48 people including families and children, who had come to Mexico looking for protection, are at risk of being deported to possible persecution or grave human rights violationsUSA – UA 65/18- Sadat I, who had fled homophobic attacks from a criminal group in Ghana and been held in US immigration detention since January, 2016, is at risk of being forcibly returned to Ghana where he would face human rights violationsThe Group will plan a Vigil to take place in the Course of Refugee Week (18th-24th June.)LCTMAH5Social Media ReportWeb and other media statistics, March 2018 Fairly quiet month as time was being spent on the ill-fated Celebration Event so there was little social media activity. Steady increase in the number of Website followers and we now have over 338 for the first time. Web siteThe figures are: SeptOct Nov DecJan Feb Mar306208178186300172182ViewsAll time: 10,300 Country views:MarchUK96USA46Canada 21Ireland 3Top posts:Group meetingMarch minutesStatisticsThese seem to show an interest in the group itself rather than the human rights issues we feature.TwitterA good month with over 3486 impressions. A slight decline in the number of followers to 138. It is odd that the website followers are increasing but the Twitter followers are static. Impressions:Sept Oct Nov DecJanFeb Mar3619411817194277331934862666There was no particular tweet activity of note. FacebookA big increase in activity this month with a total reach of 309. The most popular items were:March minutes The birthday message to the Amnesty Chair in TurkeyTumblr No change in the Tumblr statistics with the same 5 followers. 17 are followingYouTube & FlickrTotal views of the North Korea video at 1.8k and still image exceeded 7,000 during the month. Group Web site: Twitter: salisburyai Facebook: salisburyai Tumblr: salisburyai. Content always welcome!PC6Amnesty AGMThe AGM had been both enjoyable and informative. As well as the Death Penalty Workshops, Ria had attended Workshops on a number of topics, including Fundraising and Planning Events and on the Brave Defenders’ Campaign. She had been able to make a number of useful contacts in all areas of Amnesty’s work. She has put herself forward to be trained as an Educational Speaker and will now form a welcome addition to the Salisbury Group’s Citizenship Events Planning Group.RW7Human Rights CelebrationPC reported that sadly it had been decided to abandon plans for the Celebration of Human Rights event which was planned for the week of June 10th. A considerable amount of work had been put in by the team and by staff at the Cathedral to try to make this a success. It needed funding support to enable fees to be paid and for the production of a programme. Our local funding efforts were unsuccessful but we were able to secure funding from Lush in February. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure a ‘big name’ speaker and this, combined with other difficulties, led us to cancel the event. Three things are, however, going ahead. One is a film at the Arts Centre, another is Equaliteas at the Secret Garden in Mill Road to celebrate women getting the vote, and one of our speakers may still be coming, subject to securing a suitable location. PC was thanked for all the hard work he had put in to the event. Donations from AI supporters will now be returned, with thanks for their generosity.PCAll8Monthly ActionOnline Violence Against Women – Email Jack Dorsey of Twitter to ask them to take immediate steps to enforce its own policies on hateful conduct and abuse and tell the public how it is doing so.Participation in a local Pride eventRefugee Week - Football Welcomes – to celebrate the contribution refugees have made to football.FDAH9Arts Centre FilmsA documentary film (originally planned as one of the Human Rights Celebration events) will be shown at the Arts Centre at 7.30 pm on Thursday 14th June. A choice between the three possible films will be made shortly.It is hoped to show our annual film at the Arts Centre in NovemberFD10Data ProtectionAll petitions will include a statement to the effect that any personal details will not be retained.Fair Processing Notices will be displayedThe Monthly Minutes will include a means for individuals to opt out of receiving communications from the GroupFD12Forthcoming EventsEqualiteas – The Secret Garden, Mill Road – Sunday, 10th June – 2.00-4.00 pmDocumentary Film – Salisbury Arts Centre – Thursday 14th June, 7.30 pmTalk by Sir Geoffrey Nice – date TBCRefugee Vigil – date TBCMarket Stall – 23rd June (please continue to collect items!)Amnesty Supporters Barbecue - TBCWorld Day Against the Death Penalty – October – date TBCArts Centre Film – November - TBCNext Meeting: Thursday 10th May 2018 Time: 7.30 pm Venue: 4 Victoria RoadGroup website; AIUK website: .ukTwitter: salisburyaiFacebook: salisburyai Campaign box and banner: AH; replacement/temporary banner:P&LCShould you wish no longer to receive Minutes of meetings, or other communications from the Group, please let us know by emailing our Group Secretary at donovan.fiona@ Old filesAmnesty /minutes/2018/april.docx ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download