Amnesty International Salisbury Group
Minutes of Monthly Meeting on Thursday 19th March 2015
7.30 pm at 28, Attwood road.
1 / Chairman’s WelcomePresent: Andrew, Tony, Eddie, Peter, Lesley, Michael S, Fiona and Karen
2 / Apologies: Michael Pope
3 / Minutes of previous meeting. Taken as read.
4 / Treasurer’s Report
Current account £182.75, petty cash £15.06.
To add to this £394.24 from the DG talk and an email from the Blandford Forum AI group who may be offering us £300. They were given it by their local bowls group and have offered it to us as they are only a group of 5 people. Fiona will check that Caroline knows they exist. / MP
5 / Update on campaigns
DEATH PENALTY SUMMARY – MARCH 2015
General
· AI’s report for 2014-15 shows the Asia-Pacific countries to be the most prolific users of the death penalty. China makes extensive and undocumented use of executions; Malaysia commuted some death sentences but are reported to have carried some out in secret; Pakistan lifted their moratorium, and have carried out executions for ‘terrorism related offences’ – more than 500 are currently at risk; Afghanistan has executed a number following ‘unfair trials’; India lifted their moratorium but there were no executions in 2014 – the Supreme Court ruled that delays involved torture and were unconstitutional; in Indonesia, a number of executions were carried out or are pending for drug related offences.
· USA
o Pennsylvania – 14.2.15 – the newly elected Governor imposed a moratorium on the death penalty, saying the system was ‘ineffective’. The moratorium will remain in effect until a panel has ‘produced its recommendation and all concerns are addressed satisfactorily’. This action does not, however, commute the death sentences imposed on those currently on death row (more than 180) but allows them a reprieve.
o Georgia – 3.5.15 – the execution of Kelly Renee Gissendaner was postponed because the drug due to be used was ‘cloudy’. (She had been found guilty of participating in her husband’s murder in 1997).
o Oklahoma – 5.3.15 – a bill was overwhelmingly approved to allow for executions using nitrogen hypoxia as a reserve choice should lethal injection be declared unconstitutional. The bill has now been passed to the Senate for approval.
o Utah – 11.3.15 – the State is reported to be considering using firing squads to carry out executions
o Texas – 11.3.15 – Manuel Vasquez was executed. It took him 17 minutes to die. The State is reported to be ‘down to its last dose of lethal injection drugs’.
· Iran – It was reported that on 19th or 20th February Iran had breached international law by executing Sadam Naseen, a juvenile at the time of his alleged crime. He was arrested at 17, following a gun battle between the Revolutionary Guards and the militant organisation PJAK. Naseen initially confessed to firing towards the guards, but later retracted this. Found guilty, his sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court as he was under age. He was then tried and sentenced again.
· Indonesia – 17.2.14 – the execution of the seven convicted of drug smuggling has been delayed to allow them more time with their families. The Australian Police have been accused of having ‘blood on their hands’ for handing over the two Australians to be executed. More than 200,000 people have signed the Amnesty petition, and vigils have been held in Australia
· Saudi Arabia
o 24.2.15 – a Court sentenced a man to death for apostasy. He had filmed himself tearing up the Koran. He has the right to appeal, and he could repent, thus avoiding execution
o 26.2.15 – the executions took place of Vijay Kumar Saleem, accused of murder and heroin trafficking, and of a Pakistani, Hafiz Wafiq Rasoul Shah.
o 5.3.15 – the wife of Raif Badawi has expressed her belief that the Judges are pushing for him to be re-tried for apostasy. He could face the death penalty.
o 5.3.15 – AI has reported that executions have now reached an unprecedented level (4 in the past 2 days). 39 have taken place so far this year, three times the same period of 2014.
o 5.3.15 – AI have asked Stevenage Council to think about Human Rights before going ahead with possible plans to invest in Saudi Arabia
o 9.3.15 – Javen Esteva, found guilty of killing his boss in 2007 was executed.
· Thailand – 1.3.15 – Human Rights activists have expressed concern that the British Police might have breached legal guidelines by supplying evidence to the Thai authorities which could help with the conviction of the suspects accused of the murder of the two British backpackers. It is alleged that they were beaten and scalded to secure their confessions.
· Papua New Guinea – 10.3.15 – two years after re-instating the death penalty, it is reported that international criticism of Indonesia’s executions of foreign nationals for drug related offences, has triggered a government rethink.
· Pakistan –
o 10.3.15 – the moratorium on the death penalty has now been lifted completely, ie not just for ‘terrorism-related offences’. AI have estimated that there are 8,000 on death row, most of whom have exhausted their final appeals.
o 12.3.15 – there has been an international outcry following the passing of the death sentence on Shafzat Hussain, convicted of murder in 2004 at the age of 14. It is alleged his confession was obtained under torture. Update 18.3.15 – the execution has been postponed
o 17.3.15 – A number of people were executed overnight, including 12 juveniles.
· China – 12.3.15 – Following the recent pardoning of a man wrongfully convicted of murder as a teenager, a top Judge has warned the Courts that they must learn from wrongful convictions.
Urgent Actions
· Florida – UA 31/15 – Michael Lambrix has made his final appeal for the commutation of his death sentence. The evidence was circumstantial, a key witness has subsequently recanted, and the jury were not made aware of the compelling mitigating nature of his background. Circulated to DPLWG 18.2.15.
· Texas – UA 39/15 – Rodney Rodell Reed was scheduled to be executed on 5th March. There are serious doubts around his conviction for the murder of which he has been convicted. Circulated to DPLWG 19.2.15. Note – 23.2.15 - a stay of execution was granted, following a vote of 6 to 2 as a result of ‘newly discovered evidence’. No further action is required at this time.
· Pakistan – UA 50/15. Two men, Muhammad Afzal and Muhammed Faisal, are to be executed on 7th March. One was 16 at the time of the alleged offence. Accused of armed robbery and murder, they were sentenced by the Anti-Terrorism Court. Circulated to DPLWG 5.3.15.
· Bahrain – on 27.2.15 three men, Ali Abdulshaheed al-Sankis, Sami Mirza Mshaima’ and Abbas Jamil Taher Mhammad al-Samea, were sentenced to death (with seven others sentenced to life imprisonment) following an ‘unfair trial’ where they were accused of organising, running and financing a terrorist group. Allegations of torture have not been investigated. The nationality of all ten men has been revoked. Circulated to DPLWG 5.3.15 – this month’s Group DP Urgent Action.
Campaigning
· The DPLWG continues to write letters on behalf of individual prisoners on death row.
· Discussions are taking place regarding possibilities for input into the on-going exhibition at the Cathedral, and World Day Against the Death Penalty on 10th October
· There is still no further news regarding Reggie Clemons and the final decision of the Court.
NORTH KOREA
Human rights
· South Korean lawmakers on Thursday expressed support for the BBC’s reported plans to broadcast radio news in North Korea, saying the spread of information would likely help improve human rights. Unnamed BBC officials said the company had plans to set up a Korean language news service to reach the 25 million citizens of the North, according to The Telegraph on Wednesday. The plan has garnered support from the British Parliament.
· U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues says radio, TV etc. is reaching up to third of North Korean population.
· NK is trying to continue to invigorate its economy by offering more control and possibly more personal rewards to key sectors of its workforce. The measures give managers the power to set salaries and hire and fire employees, and give farmers more of a stake in out-producing quotas. North Korean economists who say it is starting to pay off in higher wages and increased yields. The changes were introduced soon after Kim took over in late 2011, and are now being expanded to cover the whole country.
· The UK embassy in Pyongyang has seen evidence to corroborate reports of the use of forced labour in North Korea, the Minister for State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said on Tuesday. The information was revealed in response to a written question from Lord Alton, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for North Korea
· Michael Kirby, the former chairman of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in North Korea, has criticized China and Russia for their lack of support in improving Pyongyang's dire human rights record.
· NK forced work abroad (New York Times.) A 2012 study by the North Korea Strategy Centre, estimated that 60,000 to 65,000 North Koreans were working as forced labour in more than 40 countries, providing the state with $150 million to $230 million a year. That number has since grown to 100,000, human rights researchers said. (Guardian 17th march) This includes working in Qatar on world cup venues.
· (NK News 18th Feb) A detail satellite imagery analysisreport on North Korea’s Yodok political prison camp (Camp 15) has concluded that the facility is still operational.
· (Arirang news) A group of disabled students from North Korea will perform in Europe starting this week, marking the first such event overseas. Eleven North Korean students between the ages of eleven and 20 will stage a series of performances in Britain and France. Reports have long emerged that North Korea has been systematically purging its disabled population.
Experts say the move is likely part of the regime's attempts to counter international pressure over its shocking human rights record.
Infrastructure/political
· Russia continues to discuss possible trans Korean railway system.
· Russia investigates feasibility of supplying electricity to NK Rason area.
· Construction of hydroelectric generators along Chongchon River scheduled for completion late 2015.
· Kim Jong-un sister Yeo-yong appears to be becoming his most trusted aid.
· Rumours are running rampant that North Korean official Jang Song Thaek, who was executed more than a year ago, abused his powers and embezzled an exorbitant amount of money. "Enough for the general North Korean population to live on for ten years."“Up until now, Jang Song Thaek has been seen as a capable individual, so it could be that the state is circulating these rumours to taint his reputation.
· The South Korean government is preparing for non-consensual unification scenarios (through regime collapse) such as absorption of North Korea, said the vice chairman of the presidential unification committee Tuesday.
· NK state media say the attack in Seoul that left the US ambassador Mark Lippert needing 80 stitches was ‘just punishment’ for joint US-South Korea military drills. Police said the alleged attacker was a known anti-US activist, the exact motive for Kim’s action was not known, but that he shouted after the attack that he opposes the on-going US-South Korea military drills that North Korea condemns as a preparation for a northward invasion.
· (Reuters) - The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) identified North Korea as the source of the recent cyber attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment after analysing the software used in the intrusion, NSA Director Admiral Michael Rogers said on Thursday.
Military
· North Korean state media has said on Wednesday that military confrontation is the only option the country has left in its interactions with South Korea, due to the on-going joint U.S.-ROK military drills. The Key Resolve drills will continue until March 13, while Foal Eagle exercises will finish on April 24.
· Pyongyang's scientists have succeeded in miniaturizing nuclear warheads to enable them to be fitted to ballistic missiles and the regime is likely to have a stockpile of 100 atomic weapons by 2020, according to the top North Korea analyst at Johns Hopkins University.
· The United States military has made contingency plans for deploying (THAAD) Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence, missile defence system to the Korean Peninsula in an emergency situation, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported Sunday 15th march. On the 19th they confirmed that it would also be supplied to Daegu a south-eastern city in SK by 2017.
Amnesty
· 83 Petition cards to the Chinese government were signed in the regional conference and the cathedral service. Return date to Kenny of 25th April so that they can be combined with country wide returns and sent on to the Chinese embassy by the 30th April..
· Karen has received as mail shot, a new membership appeal containing the transcript of the ‘Other Interview’ by Park Ji Hyun. Amnesty are obviously still working on producing material for this campaign but still not sending it through to campaigning groups.