Wolverhampton Amnesty Group Main Meeting 12th May 2013
In Attendance: Ann Moran, Don Gwinnett, Amanda Bevan, Jonathan Collings, Maggie Marriott, Maria Bijo, Sisi Ncube, Reg
Burns, Alan Marriott, Mumba Okoto, Rachel Longmore
1.
Apologies: Gillian Webb, Lynda Higgins, Mollie Hale, Khatira Zearmi, Nuria Zearmi, Sarah Bidwell
2.
Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as an accurate record with one correction – Jeremy Irons appeared at
the Conference as a film clip.
3.
Matters Arising
None.
4.
Monthly Action
1. Sisi introduced an action on upcoming Zimbabwe elections (due October 2013).
 Amnesty is seeking to protect Human Rights Defenders (inc WOZA & Zimbabwe Peace Project), and to put
pressure on the Zimbabwe government to hold violence-free elections.
 The action for this month was for group members to have photos taken holding HR messages – Sisi took the
photos.
 There are details of letters that can be written to Jacob Zuma and others on the Amnesty website.
2. Ann had a monthly action concerning Abu Dheeb, a teacher in Bahrain, who has been arrested. A letter was passed
round and signed. Ann will attempt to get additional support from members of teaching unions.
5.
Individual at Risk
Jonathan spoke about Jabeur Mejri – the background to his case, and Amnesty’s aims. He distributed fact sheets.
Immediate actions:
 Group members to have photos taken holding Free Jabeur messages – Jonathan took the photos.
 Letters to Tunisian authorities (to be done on an individual basis)
 Letter/cards to Jabeur (to be done on individual basis)
Amnesty wants to know what action is taken, so Jonathan asked to be informed of everything done.
6.
Conference Report
Ann reported on Conference. She had a good time. On Saturday, Ann went to opening speeches, workshops on Women
in Afghanistan and Campagning, and Activism Awards. On Sunday, resolutions from Saturday were discussed, and
some items about the future of Amnesty were explained: AIUK’s contribution is to rise from 30% to 40%, and the centre
of Amnesty is to move from the UK to India, Brazil and Nigeria. Ann distributed copies of the campaigning decisions.
7.
Dossiers
Maria and Don talked about the Middle East – it is still virtually impossible to contact Syria (faxes cost £18 each!).
There had been no Urgent Actions in the area, but the question was raised of how strongly David Cameron had pressed
the President of the UAR on human rights, and there had been some action regarding Bahrain. Ann gave a report on the
Death Penalty in 2012. She distributed printed sheets of statistics, and showed a short film about an Iranian lawyer who
defends people who face possible execution. The film focused on a juvenile, Behnoud Shojaee, who was hanged n 2009.
8/9.
Future Events
Stall at Queen’s Square May 18th. Due to lack of available personnel, Ann (hopefully assisted by Amanda and Maggie)
will have a small (picnic table) stall, weather permitting.
Visit to Paul Uppal May 31st. A photo opportunity, not to be missed.
Garden Party June 30th. Still looking for items for auction and raffle. Amanda will store books and toys – please ring her
on 07771 958187 before taking anything to her house.
City Show July 13th & 14th. It was decided that, in view of cost and shortage of time to prepare, a City Show stall should
be postponed until 2014.
10.
Daisy Freezer Centre
Gillian has made contact, but has not heard back.
12.
AOB
Don encouraged group members to use the Facebook site. Maggie brought along a lot of signatures to the Roma
petition.
Date of next meeting: Sunday June 9th 2013. Don to take minutes.