Minutes of AIBF Group 81
Meeting of September 3rd 2014
Present:
Apologies:
Lucy (Chair), Nicola, Nataa, Jan, Peter K., Jane
Karen, Ling, Joanne, David, and Stefania
Minutes of the meeting of June 30:
No comments
Letter writing:
Letters prepared by Nataa (Colombia) and Lucy (Egypt) were handed out for
signature. Peter K. made a plea for everyone preparing formal protest letters to use the A.I.
logo, and an electronic copy is attached to these Minutes for that purpose.
Volunteers for next meeting’s letters: Jan, Peter K.
Campaigns:
 Rapid Action Network; South America Stefania provided some background
information on the South American situation, in support of the letters on Colombia
 Death Penalty
Jan reported on three situations:
1) A Sudanese woman, sentenced to death for “apostasy” had been released.
2) In Japan there were two secret executions of prisoners, who had been on Death
Row for some years. There had been 11 such executions since 2012, and 127 people
remained on Death Row in Japan.
3) An on-line petition has been drafted in support of 16-year old Nigerian Moses
Akatuba sentenced to death in 2005 for the theft of three portable phones. There
had been no fair trial, and there was evidence of a torture-induced confession. Sign
the on-line petition here:-
https://campaigns.amnesty.org/actions/stoptorture-moses
 “Mon corps, mes droits”
There was no fresh news as such; vigorous action at
Festivals over the summer had led to the campaign being widely known by he public
at large.
Individuals at risk:
Gao Zhiseng had been released on August 7th, but would have no political rights
until his sentence had expired. He is said to be “medically fragile”.
Fundraising:
Pub Quiz
The proposed date of 25 September for the next Quiz had to be
confirmed, after a bit of confusion of previous propositions. Nataa volunteered to take the
poster and create the Facebook event. Nicola would be away on her honeymoon, and Lucy
would coordinate the organisation of the Quiz.
Other Events:
The proposed “Chinese Dinner” was scheduled for November 5th and a Group 81
Working Party was formed to ensure the administration of this important event, involving
the European Parliament Human Rights Committee, the EP China delegation, the EP
External Action service, and the European Council China Working Group. A preparatory
meeting would be held at the A I European Information Office on September 5th, with Lucy
& Jan in attendance. The evening was envisaged to occupy + 20 people, plus speakers.
Group 81 helpers would be needed on the night.
Nataa gave an update on Summer Festivals. She had participated for A I at Namur
and Ronquières and had been very busy getting people to sign letters & petitions, and
offering tattoos (“Mon Corps, mes droits” campaign)
At the Letter Writing evening on July 24th we had produced 117 letters to send.
The committee supported another such evening before Christmas.
The screening of a documentary on Roma problems (joint effort by A I and the
European Roma Protection network) was postponed sine die.
Other Business:
A I B F “Université d’Ete” was to be held on September 13th in Louvain la Neuve,
and Ling & Joanne had expressed interest in attending. They had until September 6th to
register.
Next meeting
Thursday 2nd October 2014
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Here is the Amnesty International logo for use wherever it is appropriate.
A right-click on the mouse with the cursor over the logo will reveal the option
“Enregistrer en tant qu’image”
“Save as Image”
You can save the logo wherever you won’t forget it, and use it in practice with the
“Insert” command. The logo can be re-sized as necessary.