Wolverhampton Amnesty Group Main Meeting 14th July 2013

In Attendance: Ann Moran, Don Gwinnett, Amanda Bevan, Jonathan Collings, Maggie Marriott, Maria Bijo, Sisi Ncube, Alan Marriott, Gillian Webb, Lynda Higginsiggins
1. / Apologies: Molly Hale
2. / Minutes of last meeting
Item no. 6 – Maggie has not had any forms regarding Individuals at Risk. Apart from that, the minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as an accurate record.
3. / Matters Arising
  • Contributions from Daisy seem to have stopped in April (when the shop closed).
  • Don and Gillian reported back on the Garden Party – it was a great success, raising £735.03p. Thanks were offered to Don and Barbara for hosting it, and to everyone who helped.

4. / Monthly Action
Ann reported on two men in Cambodia, wrongfully convicted of murder. She distributed letters to be signed and sent.
5. / Zinbabwe Elections
Sisi reported on the upcoming election. There is a dispute over the timing – Mugabe has announced that it will take place at the end of this month (before the opposition have time to campaign). She has heard from her parents that things in Zimbabwe are generally quiet, but that for the past couple of months only one TV station has been available. It has covered Zanu PF rallies constantly, while opposition parties don’t get a look-in.
Postcards were distributed to be signed and sent.
6. / Jabeur Majri
Jonathan has heard about other groups campaigning for Jabeur Majri – 2 in Sweden, 3 in the Netherlands, and 3 in the UK. He has heard from one of the Dutch groups. A discussion ensued about possibly working with these groups. It was decided to try to come up with a logo for this particular campaign, check with HQ that it’s ok to use it, then see if other groups want to adopt it. In the meantime, he will email group members a letter they can sign and send.
Re working with other groups, two possibilities were mentioned – one, to find a time when all groups can take co-ordinated action, the other, to organise a sort of rota between groups, so that there is uninterrupted pressure.
7. / Dossiers
Jonathan has received the North Africa newsletter, which contains a letter about Jabeur Mejri (see item 6) and a petition about two individuals in Egypt, which members signed.
8. / Paul Uppal
Another meeting has been arranged for Friday – matters to be raised are William Hague’s reported worries about women’s rights in Afghanistan being discussed too openly, and the result of Paul Uppal’s talk with Baroness Warsi.
9. / Future Events
a] Tettenhall collection, 7th September:
9 – 10 Lynda (plus Don, perhaps)
10 – 11 Maria and Maggie
11 – 12 Jonathan
12 – 1 Any volunteers?
b] Elaha Soroor – Ann has met her. She is keen to work for human rights for women and girls in Afghanistan, but is nervous about singing. She would talk, her English is not very good. Amanda suggested basing an event on Khatira and Nuria, with Elaha as guest. Ann will talk to Elaha, Khatira and Nuria and Bethan Cansfield at AIUK and will try to find an appropriate date.
c] Fundraiser – Jonathan will try to book a Friday in October in the Newhampton pub ( after the October meeting).
10. / Oxfam Syria Event
Ann has been contacted about an Oxfam event on the 27th July. It was decided not to have an official Amnesty involvement, because HQ are anxious that Amnesty’s position should not be misrepresented, and the date is not viable.
11. / AOB
  • Gillian reported that there was over £1000 in the bank. It was decided to send HQ £700.
  • A Human Rights service will be held in Lea Rd church in December – volunteers to take part are needed.
  • Also at the church, a Roma drop-in centre happens every Thursday at 4-6pm. All invited.
  • Jonathan has received Street Collection forms from the council, which he handed over to Don. Dates to be fixed in September meeting.

Date of next meeting: Sunday September 8th 2013.