Amnesty International Salisbury Group

Minutes of the Monthly Meeting on Thursday 12th September 2019

7.30 pm 4 Victoria Road

1 Chairman’s Welcome - AH welcomed Joanna Present: Andrew, Fiona Tony, Eddie, Joanna, Peter and LesleyApologies: Effie, Michael P.

AH

2 Minutes of previous Meeting - These were agreed LC

3 Treasurer’s Report - £1,015.75 (Bank) £30.06 (Cash)

MP

4 Campaign Reports

Death Penalty

Please see the Salisbury Group Website www.salisburyai.com for the full international update covering Pakistan, Malaysia, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, The USA, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Mauritania, Japan, Indonesia and China (July-August) and The UK, USA, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Thailand and Uganda (August-September.)

Of particular note:

Cheikh Ould Mohamed Ould Mkhaitir, the blogger sentenced to death in Mauritania for ‘blasphemy’, has been released, according to his lawyer and Reporters without Borders. He was sentenced to death in 2014 following a Facebook post, but on appeal was given a jail sentence.

The Trump administration has reinstated the US Government’s power to order the death penalty for ‘federal crimes’ and has scheduled five executions, to be carried out by lethal injection. This is the first time since 2003 that the central government has been able to authorise capital punishment.

Concerns have been expressed at the increased funding allocated by the UK Government to the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund which provides funding for overseas security programmes, including several in countries identified by the Foreign Office as having a high risk of human rights abuses.

LC

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Morocco has not carried out an execution since 1993, but death sentences have been imposed on two prisoners convicted of the Isis-inspired killing of two hitchhikers.

Two executions have been carried out in Japan, the first to take place in 2019. These bring the number of executions under the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to 38.

The Supreme People’s Court in China announced it was to enforce a judicial interpretation of the review and execution procedures for the death penalty to protect prisoners’ lawful rights and interests. This was to come into force on 1st September.

In the first case of its kind, a High Court Judge ruled that former Home Secretary Amber Rudd acted lawfully in depriving Ashraf Mahmud Islam of his British nationality. In 2015, at the age of 18, he had travelled to Syria from Bangladesh, where he was studying at a British educational establishment, in order to join IS. He has since been captured and is currently being held in a Kurdish-run military prison, where he faces the death penalty. In the belief that he also had Bangladeshi citizenship, the Home Office revoked his British nationality; however Ashraf’s father has argued that he does not have a Bangladeshi passport. Ashraf has a right to lodge an appeal with the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, who would consider whether or not he had been rendered stateless. Making someone stateless would be ruled a breach of international law.

Three executions have taken place in Texas, with a fourth scheduled for 25th September. The State of Tennessee carried out its fourth execution in twelve months.

Seven Judges have met at the North Carolina State Supreme Court to consider evidence that ‘capital punishment is so deeply flawed and riddled with racial animus that it makes a mockery of basic principles of fairness and equal justice’. They will be asking whether the State should allow death sentences to be imposed ‘despite powerful evidence that prosecutors deployed racially discriminatory tactics to put them on death row’.

California White House contender Kamala Harris has called for the abolition of the death penalty, describing it as ‘ immoral, discriminatory, ineffective and a gross miscarriage of justice’.

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Yemen – UA 51/19 (Update) - On 9 July 2019, the Huthi-run Specialised Criminal Court (SCC) of Sana’a sentenced to death 30 academics and political figures based on trumped-up charges, including espionage for the Saudi Arabia-led Coalition. Amongst those is Youssef al-Bawab, a 45- year-old father of five, linguistics professor and political figure, who was arbitrarily arrested in late 2016. Amnesty calls on the Huthi de facto authorities to quash the death sentences of Youssef al-Bawab and the 29 other men and release them immediately as they are being punished for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression. (Circulated to DPLWG 2.8.19)

USA – Texas – UA 108/19 – Larry Swearingen had been on death row in Texas since 2000 and was scheduled to be executed on 2st August. He was convicted on circumstantial evidence in connection with the murder of a young woman, but he has maintained that he did not kill her and several forensic experts have provided expert opinion supportive of his claim of innocence. We were asked to urge the authorities to recommend granting clemency, and to stop his and any future executions. (Circulated to DPLWG 5.8.19.) Mr Swearingen was executed on 21.8.19.

Sri Lanka – UA 45/19 - Update - The Sri Lankan Supreme Court, while hearing the petitions to halt executions of death row prisoners, suspended all execution warrants until 29 October, the next date of hearing. As the 13 prisoners are no longer in imminent danger of being hanged, at this stage no further action is required.

Iran - UA 38/17 - Iranian-Swedish academic Ahmadreza Djalali has been subjected to enforced disappearance since 29 July, when Iranian authorities transferred him from Tehran’s Evin prison to an unidentified location. He is under pressure to “confess” to new crimes and has been threatened with the implementation of his death sentence if he does not. (Circulated to DPLWG 17.8.19.)

Campaigning

A Group Tweet was posted on 21.8.19 calling on the Governor of Texas to halt the execution of Larry Swearingen convicted of the murder of a student which he maintained he did not commit.

World Day Against the Death Penalty (10.10 19) - An email was sent to Mike Quinn, Co-ordinator of the Death Penalty Project, requesting information on this year’s World

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Day Against the Death Penalty national action in advance of the Group’s September meeting, in order to enable planning to take place.

Note: As no information has been received, a Death Penalty Urgent Action will be circulated to the wider membership early in October, with a request to take action on 10th October.

The Death Penalty Project forwarded information on a Side Event, due to take place at the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, at Room IV at the Palais des Nations from 16.30 to 17.30 on Thursday 12th September. The subject was to be The Death Penalty and Executions in Saudi Arabia, and speakers included

This information did not arrive sufficiently early for it to be circulated but it was posted on Facebook and Twitter. It is hoped that information on the session will be received in due course.

A reminder: the 50th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Death Penalty in the UK takes place on16th December.

North Korea

TM has contacted Judge Michael Kirby, Chair of the UN Human Rights Council Commission of Enquiry into violations of human rights in North Korea, but has not as yet received a reply.

Kenny Latunde-Dada has forwarded a link to a noteworthy book recommendation on human rights and North Korea, passed on to him by Jihyun Park. The book, ‘Dying for Rights’ is by Sandra Fahy, and provides the definitive account of the abuses committed by the North Korean State, domestically and internationally, from its founding to the present.

Refugees

AH had received a communication from Ice & Fire

TM

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Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Doughty Street Chambers UK

Baroness Janet Whitaker, All Party Parliamentary Group on Abolition of the Death Penalty 

Rodney Dixon QC, Temple Garden Chambers UK Saul Lehrfreund, Co-Executive Director, The Death

Penalty Project Abdullah Al Odah, son of death row prisoner

regarding their current programme of performances. They are continuing to present their Asylum Monologues, and have a new production on LGBT rights. It was agreed that he would wait until the new Coordinator of the Citizenship programme is in post before contacting BWS about the possibility of their booking a session.

It was agreed that the planned Refugee vigil should be deferred until the current political situation has been clarified.

The Group will continue to monitor possible forthcoming changes to the Government’s refugee family reunion policy.

AH

5 Social Media Report

Web and other media statistics, July and August 2019 A quieter two months with the exception of Facebook which is rapidly achieving high levels of interest and engagement. Web siteThe figures are:

Feb Mar April May June July Aug135 157 281 176 280 109 187

ViewsAll time: 13,915

Followers remain static at 389.

Top country views:

July AugUK 55 103India 10USA 8 43Netherlands 5

Most views are from the UK and this has been a feature recently. USA were often level pegging but has dropped away in recent months. Other countries showed very small numbers. Of interest in August were 2 hits originating from the ‘Palestine territories’ as WordPress describes them. Top posts:

In July there was no clear pattern.August:

1. Sajid Javid (then home Secretary) breaches death penalty policy

PC

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2. The future of human rights 3. Yemen Court of Appeal verdict4. About us

Twitter

Two quiet months. Impressions:

Feb Mar April May June July Aug1550 4870 2710 1376 3570 967 1142

The top tweet July:

The monthly death penalty report

August:

The Israel/Palestine report

A small increase in followers to 157.

However, in September, the tweet on the role of Chemring (which has a large factory just outside Salisbury) in supplying CS gas canisters to the Hong Kong police (HKPF) and the invitation of HKPF to the DSEI arms exhibition has attracted record interest and has received just over 3,700 impressions in 4 days [accessed 12 September]. More details in the September report.

FacebookTwo interesting months and the platform is rapidly becoming our main means to promote the group and human rights. August was a record.

Feb Mar April May June July Aug160 376 250 106 463 295 853 Top posts July:

1. Group events 2. Monthly death penalty report

Top posts August:

1. Future of human rights 2. Yemen Court of Appeal verdict.

September continues to show high interest and engagement.

Tumbler

We have 9 followers and 17 following – no change

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YouTube & Flickr

No major changes to report.

Group Web site: www.salisburyai.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/salisburyai Facebook: www.facebook.com/salisburyai Tumblr: www.salisburyai.tumblr.com

Content always welcome!

6 Monthly Action

Climate Strike – It was agreed that the Group would participate in the Global Climate Strike action on Friday 20th September. This strike has been called by Greta Thunberg and other youth climate leaders and is supported by Amnesty. The aim is to pressure governments to act with urgency by

presenting more human rights compliant plans at a special Urgent Action Summit called by the UN, scheduled for 23rd September.

The Group will meet at 11.00 am in the Market Square to join other local organisations. FD will order posters.

Rights of the Child – to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Amnesty are asking the Government to ratify ‘Optional Protocol 3’ which allows young people to complain if their governments don’t protect the rights they have agreed to protect.

Be an ally for trans rights – While the governmental process following their consultation on the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) continues, Amnesty members and supporters are asked to continue to show visibly their love and solidarity and are invited to join the Rainbow Network, and to read and share their Trans Ally Guide.

Write for Rights – FD will order materials which will be delivered in time for the November launch. (see later).

All

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Groups are invited to contact Amnesty’s Crisis and Tactical campaigner who is available for talks of AIUK’s Israel/Occupied Palestine work, which includes a call to ban illegal settlement goods and to take part in the Check out campaign focusing on TripAdvisor and Airbnb.

The Chair of Salisbury Concern for Israel/Occupied Palestine (SCIP) has contacted the Group and suggested organising a shared event. AH will respond with a view to setting up a meeting to discuss the possibilities.

Teachers are invited to join Amnesty’s Continued Professional Development Programme to learn about new resources, tools and methods for exploring human rights in the classroom.

AH

7 Coffee Morning at St Thomas’s

£303.00 was raised. Many thanks to all who contributed cakes or helped on the day.

All

8 World Day Against the Death Penalty – 10th October

As no response has been received from the Anti-Death Penalty Campaign Group regarding an agreed form of action, LC will select a DP Urgent Action on 1st October for circulation to the wider group.

LCFD

9 Citizenship Day – 24th October

A meeting was held on 9th September to run through the revised presentation. PC will make the requested amendments and a final meeting will then be arranged.

AHFDAWPC

10 Evensong

AH had had an initial meeting with the Precentor. Ben Rogers, the suggested speaker, is currently on a sabbatical. It was agreed by the Group that it would be advisable to delay the Service until the New Year.

AH

11 Arts Centre Film – 13th November

FD will introduce the film – ‘Nae Passeran – which will be shown at 7.30 pm. A petition or letter for signing will be available.

FD

12 Write for Rights

PC and AH had met the Outreach and Education Officer at the

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AH

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Cathedral to discuss the possibilities for a date and venue within the precincts. Suggested dates discussed were 8th and 15th December (Sundays.) AH will email the Cathedral suggesting December 8th, and the possibility of including a reference to the event in the Parish notes.

FD will contact JP regarding the supply of his cards. Alternatively, pre-printed cards could be a possibility with a selection of messages. A school project was suggested; however, there would not be sufficient time to set this up.

PC

FD

13 Carol Singing – 17th December

FD will liaise with JP regarding this year’s arrangements for notifying residents in advance of the event

All

FD

14 Christmas Tree – St Thomas’s Church

It was agreed that the Group would participate in this event again this year. The suggestion was made of focusing on the Rights of the Child. FD will contact AW to seek her involvement.

FD

15 Brexit and Human Rights

Note was taken of the concerns expressed by Amnesty regarding Five ‘Serious’ Human Rights which could be impacted by Brexit:

The future of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland

The risk to the rights of EU citizens and their family members in the UK

The risk of disruption to food supplies The risk of disruption of supplies of medicines The risks in the revision of the immigration system which

could result in the loss of rights to asylum, family and private life, wrongful and excessive use of immigration powers by the state and exploitation by third parties.

All

16 Forthcoming Events

World Day Against the Death Penalty – 10th October Citizenship Day – 24th October Arts Centre Film – 13th November St Thomas’s Christmas Tree Festival – 3rd – 8th December 50th Anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty in the

UK – 16th December Write for Rights – TBC Carol Singing – 17th December

All

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Evensong – TBC

Please note the talk by Paul Mason, provisionally booked for 8th October, has been cancelled.

Next Meeting: Thursday 10th October 2019 Time: 7.30 pm Venue: 4 Victoria Road

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