Hope you are all well and happy.

Tomorrow’s meeting

We’re in Committee Room 1 in the QMU at 5pm. It’s on the third floor and if you’re lost we’ll have some Amnesty folk in the foyer to direct you!
We’ll continue looking at the arms trade, and start watching Lord of War, and Amnesty endorsed film about the trade. We’ll also get tickets sorted for The Secret Policeman’s Ball (which is this Saturday- eek!). If you took tickets away, please try to bring in the money to tomorrow’s meeting! If you have some spares, bring them back in, or if you can still sell some please keep them!

Coming up

- The Secret Policeman’s Ball 2012: THIS SATURDAY 4th February, 7:30pm. Our annual night of stand-up comedy and sketches is almost upon us! Loads of you having been working hard on this selling tickets, flyering, postering etc, and it’s the final push this week. If you haven’t got a ticket yet, do snap one up asap as they are selling faster now: here’s the online booking link: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/150821, and here’s the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/195138300581324/. You can also buy tickets from the QMU box office!

- Arms Trade Treaty event with Amnesty Scotland: Monday 13th February: We’re in the planning stages of an event with Amnesty Scotland raising awareness about the Arms Trade treaty. At the moment we’re planning on having a few speakers, a debate and some interviews; as I get the details I’ll let you know! In the meantime follow this link for background information: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10079.

I’ll see you all tomorrow at the meeting or on Saturday at the ball!

Catherine

Website: http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/guamnesty
Please join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/guamnesty/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guamnesty/

Hi Amnestiers!

Hope you have all had a good start to your week.

This week’s meeting

This week’s meeting is on Tuesday (tomorrow!), at 5pm in QUDOS in the QMU. We’ll be talking about the Arms Trade and taking a couple of actions, as well as continuing to prepare and plan the Secret Policeman’s Ball.

Coming up

- THE SECRET POLICEMAN’S BALL 2012, Saturday 4th February, 7:30pm, £5: Our annual night of comedy is two and a half weeks away! The 5000 fliers (!) have arrived so the big job in the run-up to the event is to get rid of them! I’ll distribute them among you at tomorrow’s meeting. Here’s the event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/195138300581324/
Tickets are also available here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/150821
And you can also buy them at the QMU box office!

- Cake stall this Friday: We’re running a cake stall on Friday to drum up some publicity for the Ball. We’ll sort out a rota at the meeting tomorrow.

Ticket info: If you have a bunch of friends you want to sell tickets to you can grab some tomorrow. If you took some away last week and have money please bring it tomorrow or next week- thanks! We really rely on the enthusiasm of members to guarantee the success of the event, so keep plugging it to everyone you know!

See you tomorrow!

Catherine

Website: http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/guamnesty
Please join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/guamnesty/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guamnesty/

Sorry this mailing is a day late!

Thanks to those who came to the pub quiz with Mary’s Meals last night – we had a great turnout! Hope you had fun! I’ll let you know how much money has been raised when it’s all counted up.

This week’s meeting

This week we are back in Qudos in the QMU, 5pm, Tuesday.

We’ll continue to focus on Guantanamo Bay, then for some encouragement take a look at some Amnesty success stories over the last few months! If you’re new this semester, we’ll have a table dedicated to introducing the charity and society.

As well as this, we’ll crack on with Secret Policeman’s Ball planning!

Coming up

THE SECRET POLICEMAN’S BALL 2012, Saturday 4th February: Our biggest event of the year is less than three weeks away! If you’ve not heard of it, this is a night of stand-up comedy and sketches all hosted by the brilliant Billy Kirkwood- keep your eyes peeled for posters up around campus and in the QMU. Tickets are only £5 and are available from the QMU box office and online at http://www.wegottickets.com/event/150821: snap ‘em up!

Last week we had loads of people offering to help- thanks so much! We have thousands of fliers arriving this week so we need plenty more people to scatter them around Glasgow. Here’s the event page for more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/195138300581324/.

We also want to hold a bake sale to help promote The Secret Policeman’s Ball and a Guantanamo campaign on campus, but we’ll discuss that tomorrow and I’ll send you more details if you can’t make it to the meeting.

See you soon!

Catherine

Website: http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/guamnesty
Please join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/guamnesty/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guamnesty/

I hope your Christmas and New Year was delightful! Our first meeting of the new semester is at 5pm in Qudos in the QMU on Tuesday (10th).

First semester round-up

Fundraising:

• Two cake stalls: in total raised £181.03
• The Big Fun Run (5k in Bellahouston Park): raised £42
• Protect the Human club night at Stereo: raised £600
• Christmas carolling: raised £61.64

So our fundraising total for first semester is an amazing £884.67!! Well done everyone! Same again (plus more) this semester!

Campaigning:

Our End the Death Penalty campaign took place on World Day Against the Death Penalty (10th Oct): we stood on the library hill holding signs labelled with methods of execution and with prisoners on death row, with a table of information and petitions outside the library.
‘I am Troy Davis’ march: members went to Edinburgh to take part in this march both in solidarity with the Davis family after the execution of Troy, and in opposition of the death penalty.
Our Stop Stoning campaign saw us on library hill again, standing with large cut-out letters spelling ‘stop stoning’. In two hours, we collected a brilliant 458 signatures opposing stoning in Iran.
Some of us joined the Reclaim the Night march with an Amnesty banner. ( http://glasgowwomensnetwork.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/reclaim-the-night-2011/)
As well as all this, we went to several film screenings including ’62 Years Later’, ‘Burma VJ’, ‘The Stoning of Soraya M’ and Christian Aid’s (in association with The Guardian) ‘Food and agriculture: Land ownership in Ethiopia’.

Thank you everyone for all your enthusiasm, commitment and hard work last semester- we did loads!

First meeting back (this Tuesday the 10th)

The first few weeks back are going to be extremely busy! In our first meeting we’ll talk about what campaigns we want to focus on this semester, allocate jobs that need doing for the pub quiz and the Secret Policeman’s Ball (see below), as well as eating buns and catching up.

Coming up

PUB QUIZ with Mary’s Meals, Sunday 15th January, Jim’s Bar, QMU, 8pm, £2: Our first event of 2012 is alongside the wonderful Mary’s Meals! To check out the charity follow this link: www.marysmeals.org . We’re hosting a pub quiz with PRIZES up for grabs and a raffle with MORE PRIZES to be won! Come along for a fun-filled evening of trivia, drinks and PRIZES all in aid of two great causes! Here’s the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/223220054422032/. Come along!

THE SECRET POLICEMAN’S BALL 2012, Saturday 4th February, Qudos, QMU, 7:30pm, £5: Our fourth annual night (and our biggest event of the year) from some of the best Scottish comedians is only a month away! The ticket website and the Facebook group are set up, but we need decorators, posterers, leafleters, writers, photographers, raffle prize collectors, ticket sellers, PRs, Powerpoint makers, banner makers, people with lots of friends and a lot of enthusiasm! If you want to be involved- we need you! This night has been successful for the past three years and we want to make this the best yet and raise a lot of money and awareness. On Tuesday’s meeting we’ll get some committees set-up (raffle, publicity, etc). Here the Facebook event page- invite your friends and yourself! http://www.facebook.com/events/195138300581324/ , and here’s the link to the ticket website: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/150821.

If you’ve never been before, now is the perfect time to come along! Newcomers are more than welcome. Also looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, too!

See you on Tuesday at 5pm in Qudos, QMU!

Catherine

Website: http://www.guamnesty.org.uk/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/guamnesty
Please join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/guamnesty/
Flikr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guamnesty/

(Thanks to http://www.webdesignhot.com/free-vector-graphics/new-year-2012-made-of-snowflakes/ for the image CC BY 3.0)

Afterwards (~6 PM), we will be heading to the Common Rooms on Byres Road for our first introductory social, so if you can’t make the meeting, please come along for that!

Thank you to everyone who came along to the AGM tonight. It was great to have so much enthusiasm for next year – I can only imagine the group going from strength to strength. Congratulations to you all!

Results are as follows:

President – Catherine Wright
Vice President – Sophie Kortenbruck
Secretary – Jessie Duncan
Treasurer – Martin Lennon
Fundraising Coordinator – Daniel Brown
Campaigns Coordinator – Elena Soper
Publicity Officer – Keleigh Morrison
Website Convener – Robert Hallam
Ordinary Board Members – Debbie White and Jane Miller

Well done to you all, we will arrange a mass committee hand over for sometime after everyone’s exams.

Also a huge congratulations to Daniel Brown and Sophie Kortenbruck for receiving the statuses of Amnesty King and Queen 2010/2011! This was due to their continuous dedication, effort and general loveliness this year – very well deserved.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to everyone in the group. The year has been hugely successful and we are currently in the lead for the raise-off with a whopping total of £2837.50! Everyone has worked continuously hard and it’s most certainly paid off!

Please note, there will be no more meetings this term. I will send out details regarding meetings for after Easter but as it will be exam period this will perhaps only be one or two to organise our final events of the year.

Our remaining events are as follows:

Wednesday 30th March: Protect The Human Gig (take 2). The 13th Note, 8pm, £4. http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=193415047359098

Week beginning 23rd May (exact day TBC around people’s preference): Annual sponsored cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh

Amnestea: Tea, Cakes ad socialising, will be trying to get a poll together for a preferred date: see http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_129754327078051

Good luck for the upcoming studying and exams everyone!

Thank you and best wishes,
Megan.

Firstly, for those of you who missed last weeks meeting, we were joined by Martha Wardrop from the Glasgow Green party. We were able to discuss some of the Scotland specific human rights issues and Claudia has written out a brief overview of her views. See below if you’re interested.

In the coming weeks:

* Tuesday 15th March: The Humanitarian crisis in Gaza: a forum. 5pm-7pm. Boyd Orr, Lecture theatre E (room 611)

* Tuesday 22nd March: AGM – the chance to run for/exercise your democratic right to vote in next years committee.

* End of term social for committee hand over, immediately after the AGM, 6pm, Common Rooms, Byres road.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: a forum

Join GU Amnesty International for a formal discussion on this issue. Our Guest Speakers are:

• Greg Philo – Glasgow university Sociology department. Providing background information on the crisis.
• Antonios Tzanakopoulos – Glasgow University Law department. Speaking about international war crimes.
• Kathy Galloway – Head of Christian Aid Scotland. Discussing the impact of the humanitarian crisis.

There will then be an opportunity for questions and discussion – followed by biscuits and refreshments!

Amnesty International believe that the situation in Gaza should be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), as we call to pave the way for the UN Security Council to make such a referral.

The forum hopes to highlight some of these issues and provide an opportunity to call on the ICC before the next meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the 21st March 2011.

For more information see http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11503

Martha Wardrop Overview

Martha Wardrop – a brief (not exhaustive) summary of Tuesday’s meeting

Ms. Wardrop from the Green Party started off the meeting by giving us some background on her educational, volunteering and political life. She is a member of Amnesty International, is involved in Women’s Aid and actively campaigns against nuclear weapons, and particularly against the replacement of Trident.

Among the topics discussed were:

Human trafficking – she mentioned the existence of some organisations in Scotland that deal with victims of trafficking.

Gypsy travellers – Her views on the traveller community were towards the promotion of non-discrimination. According to Ms. Wardrop, the latter can be improved through the media, education, more funding (to, among others, allow for more available sites). She also views as important to give the gypsy travellers priority in terms of available land, instead of selling it to property developers.

Ms. Wardrop is strongly in disagreement with the use of tasers by the Scottish Police force. The possibility of distributing tasers instead of giving police officers adequate training and formation can seriously jeopardise the quality of the service of the police force and banalise violence.

On the issue of human rights, Ms. Wardrop demonstrated her awareness of international human rights violations and explained how the UK should be prepared to tackle these issues, both internationally and domestically as well.

Thanks and hopefully see you on Tuesday.

Best,
Megan.

Dear (recipient name)

I am writing as a supporter of Amnesty International in your constituency to ask you to confirm your support for human rights.

I appreciate that you will receive correspondence from many organisations and individuals on a whole range of issues over the course of the Scottish Parliamentary elections, but I hope you will consider supporting Amnesty International’s campaign pledge ‘Scotland Stands for Human Rights’. Human rights are what every human being needs to live a healthy and fulfilled life and to participate fully in society. Everyone in Scotland is protected by the commitment to human rights written into the Scotland Act, which is binding on the Scottish Government and Parliament. This underpins Scotland’s standing as a compassionate, inclusive society. A number of human rights issues fall within the devolved responsibilities of the Scottish Parliament, and new MSPs will need to consider these after the election.

The leaders of all the mainstream political parties have already taken the pledge, along with a number of candidates. Their photographs are posted online at amnesty.org.uk/scotland, where you can also find supporting material from Amnesty International.

If you haven’t already taken the pledge, doing so is simple. Show your support by having your picture taken with Amnesty International’s campaign poster, with the message ‘Scotland Stands for Human Rights’. Copies of the poster are being posted to every candidate, along with an introduction to some of the human rights issues new MSPs will need to consider. Then simply email your photograph, along with your name and constituency to scotland@amnesty.org.uk

Many thanks for your attention in this matter. I look forward to your reply.

Yours Sincerely,

–

Hopefully we can get plenty of support for this campaign!

Lots coming up over the coming weeks!

* Tuesday 1st March Meeting: Preparation for our “Scotland Stands for Human Rights” Q&A evening on the 8th of March. We shall be knowledging up and putting together some questions for the MPs and party members.
* Amnesty-STAR-Red Cross Ceilidh, Sunday 6th March, 7.30pm, £5, Qudos, QMU: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=129472320455227
* “Scotland Stands for Human Rights” Q&A evening, Tuesday 8th March, 5pm, Boyd Orr Lecture Theatre E (room 611), Sandra White MSP and Lisa Strachan, Liberal Democrat candidate for Rutherglen: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=138162552915994
* AGM, Tuesday 22nd March: Want to be on next year’s committee? The AGM is your chance to run for all of next years positions (more details below)
* Action For Change Weekend: Essential training for activists, Friday 11th March – Saturday 12th March, Human Rights Action Centre, London. One place left!

“Scotland Stands for Human Rights” Q&A Evening

May’s Holyrood elections give the people of Scotland our third chance to discuss and debate the values of the Scottish Government. GU Amnesty International are taking this opportunity to raise awareness of the key Human Rights concerns facing Scotland today by holding a Q&A session with two of our candidates. Sandra White MSP and Lisa Strachan, Liberal Democrat candidate for Rutherglen, have both kindly offered to answer your questions on campus.

The issues we will be focusing on will include:

1. The Scottish Government’s obligations under the European Convention on Trafficking
2. The Scottish Parliament’s Equal Opportunities Committee
3. The role of Human Rights in Scotland’s international relations
4. Action to combat discrimination again Scottish Gypsy Travellers
5. Women fleeing violence with no recourse to public funds
6. Use of tasers by Scottish police forces

This will be a fairly informal event (biscuits and beverages provided!) so we hope you’ll take the opportunity to come along and get involved.

Tuesday 1st March meeting: We shall be delving further into the 6 issues outlined above so as to all be prepared next week with some good, thought provoking questions for our candidates.

Amnesty-STAR-Red Cross Annual Ceilidh

Every year, Glasgow University’s STAR, Amnesty International and Red Cross groups’ team up to host a ceilidh. The idea – to raise funds and awareness in a joint effort for the human rights abuses against refugees and asylum seekers everywhere. Come and DANCE FOR DIGNITY. Tickets are a bargain price of £5 for all you students with traditional music from the awesome, ‘Exploding Folk’ group. This is an event not to be missed! All proceeds are going to the Red Cross Refugee Unit so come along for a night of fun and for a worthy cause!

Posters shall be distributed at this weeks meeting so spread the word! I will also be asking for some willing volunteers to go raffle prize collecting later in the week.

The AGM

The time has come where we need to begin handing over to a new committee for 2011/12. Positions available are,

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Fundraising coordinator
6. Campaigns coordinator
7. Publicity Officer
8. Website Convener
9. Ordinary Board Member

Anyone wishing to run for a position may nominate themselves or be nominated by another member. All candidates running for a position will then be given a minute to say a few words upon which will be asked to leave the room whilst voting occurs.

Voting will run from the top down. For example, if you wish to run for president but do not get elected you will then have the chance to run for vice president etc.

It would be great you all come along and vote- and indeed stand for a position. The society cannot run without a strong committee and the exciting new ideas they’ll no doubt bring.

If anyone is interested in hearing a little more about what each position entails, get in touch and myself and the rest of the committee will be happy to answer any questions!

Action For Change Weekend

For more information on the weekend itself go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103322796414806.

We are able to send 4 delegates and thus far have Sophie, Jessie and Martin confirmed. This means there’s one place up for grabs! If anyone is interested get in touch as time is running out to book up!

Thank you and hopefully see you at some of our many upcoming events!

Best,
Megan.

STAR-Amnesty National sleepout week is here and we’re taking to the street to stand up for destitute refugees and asylum seekers nationwide.

Tuesday 22nd February: Double Meeting. Amnesty and STAR are doubling up for a 2 hour meeting from 5pm-7pm in committee room 1 of the QMU ausual. The first hour shall be spent making banners and organising the photo action for Friday night. Then at 6pm we have Gary Cristie, the policy and research manager at the Scottish Refugee Council, joining us to talk about the causes of destitution for asylum seekers, and what we can do about it.

Friday 25th February: The Sleepout! 8pm, Wellington Church steps, University avenue. Speakers, entertainment and free food. Most importantly a vital opportunity to raise awareness on the situation of destituiton of asylum seekers.

Event details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=202065543141659

Sponsor us at justgiving.com/starsleepout

See our old sleep out photos!