Activism Newsletter July 2023
Amnesty International Ireland
We are a movement of over 10 million people, campaigning to stop human rights abuses worldwide.
Welcome to our latest edition of our Activism Newsletter!
In this newsletter, you will find updates on our campaigns and human rights work, opportunities to take direct and immediate action, interesting resources, and much more. We're glad to have you on board for the fight for human rights.
Email [email protected] with any questions.
Activism Opportunities
Picnic Against Apartheid - Dublin
St. Andrew's Community Centre, in collaboration with Arabesque Events and Amnesty International, invite you to a Picnic Against Apartheid to connect with and understand the experience of those living in Palestine.
This event will also be a celebration of Middle Eastern music, art, food and dance featuring live performances of Arabic classic songs, belly dancing, rap and instrumental music.?
Event information
Date: Friday 28 July
Location: St. Andrew's Community Centre Rialto, Dublin 8
Time: 5pm - 10pm
You can also register your interest to?attend or host other Picnic Against Apartheid events?this summer in public parks and green areas across the country as a visible demonstration of solidarity.
Urgent Action Iran: Youth with Mental Disability Risks Execution
Mohammad Ghobadlou, a 22-year-old with a long-term mental disability, is at grave risk of execution in connection with Iran’s nationwide protests.
He has received two death sentences after grossly unfair sham trials, marred by torture-tainted “confessions” and failure to order rigorous mental health assessments despite his mental disability. International law and standards prohibit using the death penalty against people with mental disabilities.
In late May 2023, his lawyer revealed that the Supreme Court had rejected a request for judicial review of one his death sentences, raising fears that his execution could be carried out imminently.
Free Leonard Peltier
Native American activist Leonard Peltier has been imprisoned for nearly 50 years, including years spent in solitary confinement, serving two life sentences for murder despite critical concerns over the fairness of his trial. He has always maintained his innocence.
Let’s send a strong message from Ireland to President Biden in support of Leonard Peltier. We are calling on President Biden to grant him clemency.
Take solidarity photo actions for Leonard at iconic sites or in front of a local landmark or in your house or garden!?
Print or make signs to Biden. Post on social media (tag @POTUS in Tweets). Post your photos with signs, or using the hashtag #FreeLeonardPeltier on social media. Tag us @AmnestyIreland so we can retweet.?
Urgent Action Brazil: Stop Law that Threatens the Human Rights of Indigenous People
A bill being debated in Brazil threatens the human rights of Indigenous peoples.
The bill seeks to make profound changes in the demarcation process of indigenous lands, whereby Indigenous people would only have the right to claim territories that were in their possession when the Federal Constitution was adopted in 1988.
If you have some time, write your?letter?to the Senate!
Sign our Pledge to call for an end to Israel's Apartheid
For over 75 years, Israel has created and maintained laws, policies, and practices that deliberately oppress Palestinians.
We are campaigning to persuade the Irish government to officially recognise Israel’s system of apartheid, and to take meaningful action internationally to demand an end to it so that Palestinian women, children and men can live their lives in freedom without fear of persecution or violence.
What's been happening
World Refugee Day
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We had a fantastic turnout for this year's World Refugee Day on 20 June where we joined Ireland For All and the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI)?for a national day of action and celebration of refugees refugees who have fled the conflict and persecution of their country in hope of finding sanctuary and living a better life.
Pride
In Türkiye, Pride marches are under attack, with Turkish authorities clamping down on LGBTI activists looking to march. To show solidarity with the LGBTI community, we recently held a photo action in front of the Turkish embassy in Dublin and demanded the Turkish authorities protect the protest.?
We also marched at Dublin Pride on 24 June and Trans Pride on 8 July to increase visibility of and show solidarity with the LGBTI movement in Türkiye and their right to protest!?There was a fantastic turnout on both days, many thanks to those of you who marched with us!
Picnics Against Apartheid - Cork
We hosted our Picnic Against Apartheid in Cork in collaboration with?Aclaí Gym?and?Irish Anti-Apartheid Campaign for Palestine?on 2 July 2023! Comedian and activist Tadhg Hickey spoke, and there was traditional music and Palestinian snacks from Izz Cafe.
The picnic was a great opportunity learn more about what’s happening in Palestine to call on the Irish Government, and others, to recognise what is happening s Apartheid under international law.
Campaign updates
End Israeli Apartheid
Our Anti-Apartheid Campaign coalition met again this month with a guest speaker from Palestine, Saleh Hijazi, who spoke of the importance for our coalition to link in with similar groups in Palestine, but also South Africa, as we build a global movement against apartheid in South Africa.
We also hosted a number of UN delegations visiting this past month. The UN Commission of Inquiry met with our coalition in Leinster House and the UN Special Rapporteur for Palestinian Territories held a number of engagements in co-ordination with us. Both spoke of the human rights abuses taking place by the Israeli government and the need for Ireland to speak out on what is happening.
Activist Spotlight
Meet our Letterkenny Local Group!
The Letterkenny Local Group currently has 11 members, between them, they have over 200 years of Amnesty membership! The group was formed in the late 80s with an inaugural meeting attended by then Director of the Irish section Mary Lawlor and Veronica de Negri, a Chilean lady who had been imprisoned under Pinochet.?
They have hosted many memorable events and speakers over the years, including a woman from Texas who fought against the death penalty for her husband’s murderer because she was opposed to it; a Chinese poet who was present in Tiananmen Square; two survivors of the Balkan war;?an Irish nun Sr Majella McCarron, who worked with the Ogoni in Nigeria around the time of the killing of Ken Saro Wiwa, and many more.
If you'd like to get in touch with the coordinator of the group, Mary, please email Alice at [email protected] to find out how.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
Become an Amnesty activist, fundraise, or join a local group today. Visit:?www.amnesty.ie/get-involved/
News
Annual Conference 2021
We held our 2021 Annual Conference on Wednesday 5 July. We shared updates on our most pivotal campaigns and activism actions of 2021: I Welcome/ End Direct Provision, A Fair Shot, Stories of Refuge, Stories of Welcome, and the launch of The Open Community, among others. The conference concluded with an activism ask of solidarity with the LGBT+ community in Türkiye as part of our flagship campaign, Protect the Protest. If you would like to act in solidarity with the LGBT+ community in Türkiye,?take action now.
Many thanks to everyone who attended!
Join us
Join us and be a part of the conversation!
Facebook:?@amnestyinternationalireland
Twitter:?@AmnestyIreland
Instagram:?actamnesty?&?amnestyireland
Join our Pocket Protest?and take immediate action from your mobile!