Welcome
Welcome to the Cambridge City group of Amnesty International, doing our bit to stand up for human rights. We are an active group and have monthly speaker events and letter writing evenings, as well as holding events throughout the year for the campaigns we're involved in.
To find out more about what we do, or how you can get involved with our group, please click on the tabs above. You can also keep up to date with our group's activities by joining our mailing list or finding us on facebook.
COMING UP
Thursday - May 10 - Amnesty International Cambridge City Group AGM & report from AIUK AGM - 7.30pm
Looking back at a year of campaigning, the Cambridge City Group will report on its achievements and elect the officers for the next year. There will also be a report from those who attended the AIUK AGM in Manchester on 13-15th April.Thursday, March 10, 7.30pm for 7.45pm, Jesus Lane Friends’ Meeting House
Thursday - May 10 - Arms Trade Treaty Campaign meeting - 8.30pm
After years and years of campaigning by many organisations including Amnesty, this July, world leaders will meet in New York to draw up an historic document: the first ever international Arms Trade Treaty. Millions of people are killed, injured, raped, repressed and forced to flee their homes every year as a result of the irresponsible and poorly regulated arms trade. The world needs a strong Arms Trade Treaty that will prevent arms transfers if they are likely to contribute directly to serious human rights abuses or poverty. The Treaty must cover all conventional arms.Amnesty’s campaign currently focuses on the UK government, calling upon them to commit to lead the way in securing a bulletproof Treaty. Visit Amnesty’s website for more information.
Thursday, March 10, 8.30pm, Jesus Lane Friends’ Meeting House
Wednesday - May 23 - South Cambs Arms Trade treaty campaign meeting - 7.30pm
This meeting is for all those living in the South Cambs constituency, who wish
to find out more about the Arms Trade Treaty and how to campaign on this issue.
After years and years of campaigning by many organisations including Amnesty,
this July, world leaders will meet in New York to draw up an historic document:
the first ever international Arms Trade Treaty. Millions of people are killed,
injured, raped, repressed and forced to flee their homes every year as a result
of the irresponsible and poorly regulated arms trade. The world needs a strong
Arms Trade Treaty that will prevent arms transfers if they are likely to contribute
directly to serious human rights abuses or poverty. The Treaty must cover all
conventional arms.Amnesty’s campaign currently focuses on the UK government, calling
upon them to commit to lead the way in securing a bulletproof Treaty. Visit Amnesty’s website for more information.
At this evening we will also explore the possibility of setting up a South Cambs
Amnesty group.
Wednesday 23rd May, 7.30pm, location TBC, Please contact Liesbeth liesbet7200 >> a t << googlemail.com if you wish to find out more about the Arms Trade Treaty, the meeting or the South Cambs AI group.
Wednesday - May 30 - Letter writing meeting: focus on human rights defenders in the former Soviet Union - 8pm
Get involved: Write letters on behalf of individuals at risk and prisoners of
conscience in countries of the former Soviet Union, especially Azerbaijan. Four
days after the Eurovision Song Festival we will be awarding nil points for this
year’s host nation, Azerbaijan, where speaking out against the government can
lead to beatings, arrest and imprisonment. By writing a letter, you can challenge
the practices that lead to human rights violations and bring about deep and lasting
change. Newcomers are especially welcome - no previous letter writing experience
is required!
Wendesday 30th May, 8pm. CB2 bistro on Norfolk Street (just off East Road, opposite
the Grafton Centre) We’ll be upstairs as usual.
Contact: Liesbeth ten Ham, liesbet7200 >> a t << googlemail.com
You can find out about all our events by clicking here.
Current Petitions
North Korea update
Green Shoots Offer Hope
Following the sudden demise of the North Korean ‘Dear Leader’, Kim Jong Il on
the 17th of December 2011, the ascension of his youngest son, Kim Jong Eun to
the office of Supreme Commander has on the face of it resulted in a consolidation
of the power of the Kim family dynasty and a continuation of the regime's brutal
politics of repression and inhumanity. However, amidst this gloomy scene, a few
green shoots of hope (limited though they might be) have appeared at the turn
of the year; developments which give the concerned Human Rights Campaigner some
cause for optimistic thought and increased resolve.
On the 5th of January, an amnesty for convicts was issued by decree to mark the
centenary of the birth of Kim Il Sung and the 70th birthday anniversary of Kim
Jong Il. The transcript of the decree as reported by state-run agency of the Democratic
People'sRepublic of Korea, KCNA is reproduced in full below:
Amnesty to Be Applied to Convicts in DPRK
Pyongyang, January 10 (KCNA) -- The DPRK will apply amnesty to convicts from
February 1 on the occasion of the centenary of birth of President Kim Il Sung
and the 70th birth anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il, according to a decree of
the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK on Jan. 5.
The Cabinet and relevant organs will take working measures for those to be released
thanks to the amnesty to work and live under stable conditions.
It is the steadfast will of the Workers' Party of Korea and state to embody generation
after generation the noble, benevolent and all-embracing politics of President
Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il who energetically worked till the last moments
of their great lives, undergoing all sufferings for the people's happiness throughout
them, always finding themselves among them, the decree said’
[The BBC report on the proposed amnesty can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16481003
]
The press release made no mention of the number or indeed the ‘class’ of prisoners
to which this amnesty applies but it has been rumoured by some sections of the
South Korean press that it pertains in part to repatriated refugees (failed defectors
arrested trying to cross over the border into China) detained in holding interrogation
centres.
This amnesty, should it prove to be authentic will mark the first of such since
2005 when a number of convicts were released as part of the celebrations surrounding
the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea from Japan. On the face of it,
it represents an effort by the new leader, Kim Jong Eun to shore up popular support
for his fledgling government as well as to ward off calls from the International
community to address the previous government’s poor human rights record. It may
not altogether represent a damascene conversion of the North Korea’s government
stance on human rights and their universal nature, but it is nevertheless very
encouraging news to the interested human rights campaigner as it represents the
first piece of good news to come out of North Korea in a long while.
Kenny Latunde-Dada
North Korea Campaign Coordinator for the AI Cambridge City Group
Recent events
Dec 10: Market Stall
The Market Stall on International Human Rights Day, December 10th., was another
opportunity for
people to send these vital messages of support, but it was also Write for Rights
day. Members of the public signed letters to those in authority written on behalf
of ten cases from the Greetings Card Campaign. Letters urged those in authority to stop human rights violations, be it by freeing
a prisoner of conscience, ending the harassment of a human rights defender, or
by bringing to justice perpetrators of abuse. As a result of this international Write for Rights action day they will receive
thousands of letters.
The Greetings Card Campaign continues until the end of January. Come to our Market Stall on Saturday January 14th., 10am - 1pm, and send a message
to someone who needs and deserves our support
Dec 5 to Dec 11: Library Exhibition
The Exhibition was part of Amnesty International's 50th anniversary celebrations
that will continue until our next anniversary in May this year.
Members of the public helped themselves to Amnesty literature and took part in
Amnesty's annual Greeting Cards Campaign by sending
simple, personal greetings to individuals facing humans rights abuse, prisoners
of conscience, families whose relatives have disappeared, people in danger for
defending human rights. The effect of receiving hundreds or even thousands of cards from around the
world is not only profoundly uplifting for these individuals but it can also prompt
the authorities to improve conditions of detention, cease ill-treatment and torture
and even sanction a prisoner's release
...below two images of our exhibition celebrating 50 years of Amnesty International!
News & Features
Cambridge City Group to campaign against Dr Binayak Sen politically motivated sentence
6 January 2011
Group calls on local MPs to protect all women in UK from violence
5 November 2009
Unlock the Camps in Sri Lanka!
17 October 2009
Group Participates in Launch of Burma VJ Documentary
20 July 2009


