Amnesty International Salisbury Group

Minutes of the Monthly Meeting on Thursday 12th October7.30 pm 4 Victoria Road

1 Chairman’s WelcomePresent: Andrew, Eddie, Tony, Fiona, Michael S, Peter, LesleyApologies: Michael P, Effie

AH

2 Minutes of previous Meeting – These were agreed

3 Treasurer’s Report

Funds had been reduced by the expenditure on Ice and Fire.

£665.57 (Bank account) £30.06 (Cash) £146.00 (raised at North Korea evening – see below)

MP

4 Campaign Reports

Death Penalty

Please see the Salisbury Group Website www.salisburyai.com for the full international update, covering the USA, the UK, Egypt, India, Gambia, Iraq, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Tanzania.

Of particular note:

It is reported that the College of Policing, an arms-length body of the Home Office has earned more than £3.8 m by training officers in repressive regimes in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia. It is UK government policy to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances but documents obtained under FOI legislation show that 89% of money earned in this way came from countries which have retained the death penalty. The Shadow Foreign Secretary has accused the government of putting trade deals before Human Rights.

The USA joined Iraq and Saudi Arabia in voting against the UN resolution condemning the imposition of the death penalty for the practice of gay sex. A spokesperson said this was because the UN calls for the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances.

LC

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The execution of Michael Lambrix took place following the rejection of the Florida Supreme Court of the argument that the jury recommendation of the death penalty had not been unanimous.

The US Supreme Court blocked the execution of Keith Tharpe in Georgia in order to give Justices more time to consider the claim that juror racism had affected the outcome of the trial.

The Gambia has pledged to abolish the death penalty in a clean break with the former regime of Yahya Jammeh, giving activists hope that more African States will follow its example

Jawad al-Chlaihawi, Iraq’s Ambassador to Belgium, has said that at least 100 European Isis fighters will be prosecuted in Iraq, with most facing the death penalty.

Urgent Actions

USA – Georgia – An Urgent Action Alert was received from the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Keith Tharpe, convicted of murder, was due to be executed on 26th September. Concerns had been raised about the elimination by the Prosecutor of a number of black jurors at the jury selection for his trial, and the racist attitude of a white juror. (Circulated to DPLWG 19.9.17.) Note: UA 216-17 received from AI and circulated on 20.9.17. As noted above, Mr Tharpe received a stay of execution to enable Justices to consider the claim made of juror racism.

USA – Florida – UA 31/15 – Michael Lambrix was scheduled to be executed on 5th October. He maintained that he acted in self-defence when trying to stop the assault which resulted in the death of two victims. AI have expressed concerns at the non-transparency of the State’s clemency process. (Circulated to DPLWG 25.9.17.) Michael Lambrix was executed on 5th October.

USA – Texas – UA 230/17 – Clinton Young is due to be executed in Texas on 26th October. He was 18 at the time of the two murders of which he was convicted. He maintains his innocence. (Circulated to DPLWG 9.10.17.) This month’s Group Urgent Action.

Campaigning

World Day Against the Death Penalty – 10th October

Members of the Salisbury Group, and supporters of

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Amnesty sent letters to the King of Saudi Arabia, drawing his attention to the link between poverty and the imposition of the death penalty, and calling on him to end the practice of capital punishment in his Country.

AIUK issued a statement to mark the progress made since 1977, when AI created the world’s first international manifesto to end the death penalty.

The Group sent a card to Reggie Clemons

Launch of AI’s Anti-Death Penalty Campaign

The launch was held in London on 10th October of AI’s new Anti-Death Penalty Project. The new film ‘The Penalty’, produced by the ‘One in Ten’ team, was shown, and those attending had the opportunity to sign up to the Steering Group or to receive updates from the Group. LC and PC had booked tickets for the event, but were unable to attend owing to delays on the M4 following a serious road accident. Apologies were sent with a request for information.

North Korea

It was agreed that the money collected at the North Korea evening, held on 16th March, should be sent to Rev Tim Peters, an activist who runs the Seoul-based Charity Helping Hands Korea. This aims to assist ‘North Koreans in crisis’.

The possibility of holding a Silent Vigil for North Korea was discussed and agreed. It is planned to hold it on or around the date of Kim Jong Un’s birthday on 8th January.

Refugees

Ice and Fire performed the Asylum Monologues at Sarum College on 30th September. The turnout was disappointing, but the production was excellent and thought-provoking. The Group have confirmed they would be happy to be involved with next year’s Human Rights Celebration.

The Vigil for Refugees was held on 30th September. The response from the public was encouraging.

TM

AH

5 Social Media Report

Across all the media sites the most popular item concerned Ice and Fire which attracted a total of over 1000 views. Twitter alone might reach 1000 which will be a record.

1 Website. A slight increase in followers to 244 and the

PC

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total number of views has now passed 9000. The most popular item was on Asylum Monologues (the performance by Ice and Fire) and the second was the item drawing attention to Liam Fox’s relationship with the unsavoury regime in Azerbaijan. Top views by country was UK

2 Twitter. A big rise in the number of views to 3619 mostly to do with the Ice and fire item. An increase in followers of 1 to 144

3 Facebook. Again, it was Ice and Fire which led the charge here with the number viewing any content showing a massive increase to 5599. Second was the Vigil and then the report on the Death penalty.

4 YouTube. This is now showing in thousands at 1.7k which does not enable a ‘fine grain’ analysis. The same video on Flickr has risen to 763 views and the still image has just gone through four thousand at 4015

The paradox is that Ice and Fire generated huge interest across the platforms but it did not result in ‘bums on seats’. All told, September showed a heathy interest in views but only a small increase in followers. As ever, content would be appreciated.

6 Citizenship Day – 20th October

A meeting has been held to rehearse the new content. The possibility will be explored of providing the students with information enabling them to participate in electronic petitions for Nazanin Ratcliffe and Formuso Ivo Feh..

AHFHEB

7 This Evil Thing – 7.45pm – 18th-21st October

Details have been circulated to members and supporters. Question and Answer sessions will be held following the performances.

All

8 Arts Centre Film – 29th November

FD will introduce the film, ‘The Other Side of Hope’, with a brief review of the current refugee situation. It is hoped to include a petition focusing on a current issue. Local Groups and organisations will be circulated.

FD

9 Library Exhibition FD

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It is hoped this will take place from 2nd-29th December – TBC. It will be located in Gallery 4. The exhibition consists of 30 x A3 Panels. A decision will be made on the number to display once confirmation of the available space is received. PC will research and order suitable frames. AH will produce a press release.

Amnesty will publicise the event once the dates are confirmed.

AHPC

10 Write for Rights

A card signing event will be held on 16th December from 10.00 to 12.00 mid-day. 4 prisoners will be selected once details are available. FD will order posters and cards for the 4 – however, the decision may be made to use the Group’s own cards should Amnesty’s materials prove unsuitable for a street signing.

FDAll

11 Carol Singing

This will take place on 19th December. The Group are extremely grateful to the Farrant Singers for singing the carols, and to MS and CS for their generous hospitality.

All

12 Human Rights Celebration

Progress is being made with the plans for a Celebration of Human Rights event in 2018, the 70th anniversary of the UN Declaration.

A meeting was held with the Cathedral and they are positive about the event and are keen to take part. We will be able to use the North Transept for talks. They have recently made an appointment of an events manager to the team, who will be able to help with the planning and, in particular, with any relevant music or other entertainment.

A letter seeking sponsorship was sent to Wilsons but without reply so far. PC called in to the office to check the address and name and awaits a response. If there is none by early next week other sponsors will be sought. There is a list of those who sponsored the Festival last year. AH said Lush Cosmetics were keen to sponsor.

We have heard back from Farshid who was keen to offer support and a meeting will be held with him and the Cathedral once we have some progress on sponsorship. Daniel Trilling has agreed to speak and he has a book being published next year. Rob Key will be contacted about a possible talk on slavery.

PCAll

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PC will finish preparing a plan of where we are and what has to be done and this will be circulated in a day or so.

PC will contact the Rector of St Thomas’s to see if there is any progress with the banner idea.

The Farrant Singers will be contacted and FD will get in touch with the Arts Centre to apprise them of our plans.

13 Monthly Action

The BRAVE Campaign for Human Rights Defenders – action can be taken for Cambodian housing rights defender, Tep Vanny (pictured)

Members are invited to throw a ‘global birthday party’ to highlight the absurdity of Amnesty Turkey Director, Idil Eser’s detention, and to share photos with the hashtag #PartyWithIdil

Write for Rights – see above. Fundraising on the I Welcome Campaign – Groups are

invited to get involved National Conference and AGM 2018 – 7-8th April at

Swansea University Data Protection Guidelines – Groups are urged to

familiarise themselves with the guide produced by AI, which will be updated next year

FD

14 AOB

TM has contacted AIUK for advice regarding ways of attracting new members to the Group. He has been asked to send AI a list of the local postcodes and they will then circulate local national members to advise them of the existence of the Salisbury Group.

TM

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15 Forthcoming Events

Citizenship Day – 20th October This Evil Thing – 18th-21st October Amnesty Film – ‘The Other Side of Hope’ – 29th November Write for Rights – 16th December Carol Singing – 19th December Vigil for North Korea - TBC Market Stall – 23rd June 2018 Human Rights Celebration 2018 – TBC

Next Meeting: Thursday 9th November Time: 7.30 pm Venue: 4 Victoria Road

www.salisburyai.com www.twitter.com/salisburyai www.facebook.com/salisburyai Campaign box: Andrew

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