Working to Protect Human Rights Worldwide

AUTUMN 2012 DESPATCHES

WORKING TO Cuba Nowadays: A Public Call For A Human Rights Revolution PROTECT HUMAN by Delphine Patétif, Ph.D candidate La RIGHTS WORLDWIDE Sorbonne, International Law & Human Rights

Welcome to the latest news update from During its Universal Periodic Review in 2009, Amnesty Norwich. Cuba rejected the argument posed by Israel, which “strongly recommended that Cuba We have been campaigning hard after our allow the exercise of the right to freedom of celebrations of Amnesty’s 50th year last year. expression, […] association and assembly”, arguing that no recommendation can be Our main campaigns have involved Shaker made due to false or distorted allegations Aamer, the last British National left in based on ignorance or lack of information Guantanamo Bay, and the case study of concerning the reality in the country. three activists in Turkmenistan (more details follow). The next UPR will take place in April-May 2013, and the Cuban people strongly believe A street stall was held on Saturday 15th in the power of these reports asking for September gathering signatures for the freedom of expression and the ratification of condemned man Reggie Clemmons. There the ICCPR and the ICESCR, as they did in are many inconsistencies following his arrest, 2009. and it brings into question the entire death sentence policy of the USA. I personally believe that opening a way to discourse could be On September 12th we had an insightful talk successful. Indeed, presented to us by Jenny Kelly, on farming even if Cuba is life that takes place under Israeli occupation widely known not in Palestine. She told us of the trials that to open any gap Palestinians face daily under from Israeli between the inside soldiers and illegal settlers, and of the and the outside warmth and hospitality of the Palestinians. world, I still believe that what Raul She also brought a range of tasty Zaytoun Castro said in 2008 products that help the farmers to create is actually a big economic freedom from the shackles that the gap that no Israeli government has placed upon them. diplomat has been able to fill: “the Next meeting it’s a talk on Activism in Cuban model does not work for Cuba Syria! anymore”. 1 Then, a better communication between the It would be great to have more letter writing opposition, human rights advocates, and the each month. Can you spare a little time to government could lead to a better help? Please let me know. If you would like to understanding of each party. Indeed, discuss any issues about this work please diabolizing the other is definitely not the best contact me on way for the Cuban Government to prepare its [email protected] people for a transition which may happen after the elections in Venezuela on October Good campaigning, th 7 2012, if Henrique Capriles wins. David Ford.

By allowing the discourse instead of using arbitrary detention to silence the human rights defenders in Cuba, the Government could realize that “the other” is not a demon, but by the contrary, people who only demand for the respect of rights the Government engaged to give them, when it signed the ICCPR as well as the ICESCR in 2008, paving the way to a new policy. I Predict a Pussy Riot This is why, with regards to the next UPR, I make a call for Cuba, for a true Human In February 2012 Pussy Riot performed a Rights Revolution, by ratifying both song in Moscow's main Orthodox cathedral International Covenants, in order to that stated, 'Virgin Mary, redeem us of Putin', implement the rights outlined in the treaties. criticising Putin and the relationship between church and state. In March they were Delphine Patétif arrested by Moscow police for 'hooliganism on grounds of religious hatred'. After nearly Now a look forward at campaigns six months in detention (because of the 'risk' and events coming along soon. Moscow authorities believe they posed if granted bail), the three women were Current Campaigns sentenced to two years in prison.

Turkmenistan Casework Continues

We are now well into this key campaign which is a regular feature of our monthly meetings. A brief description of the cases of the three prisoners of conscience was given in the last newsletter.

Our website is regularly updated with information including sample letters, addresses – all the things you need. Their We call them prisoners of conscience families also need our support and there are because we believe that they were arrested short messages to send via an address in and then sentenced purely for peacefully Bulgaria. expressing their opinions - an integral part of

everyone's human right to free speech. At our July meeting we had an ideas session, thinking how we can publicize the cases and To take action telling their prosecutors that the country. MEPs – schools – teachers – an it’s not too late to grant justice to Pussy Riot evening of Turkmenistan music and food. All and protect, not punish, free speech, please sorts of good ideas. visit www.amnesty.org.uk 2 Forthcoming Events The Hunt Is On

We exist through a lot of support and hard, We are planning a curious Treasure Hunt for but rewarding, work and we always need a April 21st 2013, which will involve devilish good number of volunteers to help and Dickensian riddles and all manner of fiendish advertise our events. So we invite you to fun. Entry is only £5 or £2.50 for children and offer your assistance. Please come to a all money goes to Amnesty Norwich for its monthly meeting or contact us on future campaigns. [email protected] This autumn and into next year will be an Street Stall interesting time and we greatly look forward to your help and meeting you at one or many On Saturday 20th October we intend to hold a of our events. Please do keep in touch. stall outside St. Peter Mancroft church to raise awareness about our Turkmenistan Bank Detail Changes campaign. Please email if you wish to assist. I am writing to let you know that following a Christmas Card Campaign decision taken at our AGM last year, we have moved the group's account from the HSBC We have a marvellous range of Christmas Bank to the Co-op Bank. This transfer has Cards available at the Assembly Rooms now been completed. Christmas Card Shop on Theatre Street from 15th October to 15th December 2012. Doors As you are aware we do not have a Norwich are open from Monday to Saturday, 9.30am group membership fee. We hope that many to 5pm, with a wide selection of cards on of our local Amnesty supporters will consider offer. Be quick to avoid the rush! becoming national members of AIUK. However, many of you make regular annual Write Here, Write Now or monthly donations to our group funds through a standing order. On December 9th, to highlight World Human Rights Day on 10th, we will be holding a Write I understand that these standing order For Rights event at The Appleyard Café on arrangements have not been transferred to Exchange Street, Norwich for members and the new account. Therefore I would be non-members alike to come and write cards grateful if you could cancel your existing and messages of hope to prisoners of standing order with your bank as soon as conscience and their families across the possible. It would be a great help if you could globe, to let them know that their plight is not confirm this by letting me know by contacting forgotten, and that people support them and [email protected] are fighting for their cause. If you would like to come along, please join us armed with a We are fundraising through these difficult pen and plenty of determination. financial times so we hope that you will consider continuing your contribution by Dip Into Your Pockets renewing you standing order, or by setting up a new one, or making a one off donation in to A Quiz and Dips event will be held on our new account. If so, please contact me Saturday 26th January at St Thomas’s Church again on [email protected] Hall, Earlham Road. Please arrive at 7pm for and I will give you all the relevant information. a PROMPT start at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8, including cheese platter and nibbles. Gather Many thanks for your help. a team of 8 (max) or come by yourself and we’ll arrange a table for you. For full details David Ford, Treasurer Norwich Amnesty please contact Debbie (Tel: 01603 633275) or Roz (Tel: 01603 469739). If you’d also like to donate a raffle prize please contact them. 3 If you have any items for the next newsletter, please email them to: [email protected]

For more information about Amnesty, visit:

AIUK web - www.amnesty.org.uk

Group web - www.norwichamnesty.org.uk

Amnesty Norwich Monthly Meetings

We meet on the third Wednesday of each month, 7.30pm at the Charing Cross Centre, St. John Maddermarket, Norwich.

Forthcoming Meetings at Charing Cross Centre will be held on:

Wednesday 17th October – Activism in Syria

Wednesday 21st November – Human Rights

Wednesday 19th December – Letter Writing

Other Meetings and Events

Wednesday 14th November - Talk by Clive Stafford Smith as part of the U.E.A. Literary Festival. 7pm.

Saturday 2nd December – Regional Amnesty Meeting in Cambridge

Saturday 10th December – World Human Rights Day