NB: this is not an Amnesty campaign**.  However, please do read on if you are concerned about asylum seeker issues.

The  UK policy is currently to detain the children and families of those seeking asylum in Britain, in centres such as Yarl’s Wood.   One More Card is a chance to – respectfully – lobby the  Immigration Minister, Phil Woolas,  about their treatment, by sending him a Christmas card and adding a message about this practice: see the website following …

http://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/childrenindetention/jpitonemorecard.htm gives full details: this is a bona fide campaign run by churches in Britain, but open to anyone who feels strongly about this issue.

Thank you,

Jon.

**Amnesty does take part in the “Still human, still here” campaign regarding asylum seekers; and at the Christmas Concert at St Phillip’s Cathedral yesterday, the speaker – a co-founder of the Medical Foundation – spoke of how the treatment of asylum seekers in the UK often adds to the suffering many have experienced in the countries they left.

Thanks to all who came to Bennett’s last night for mince pies, but more importantly to write, sign and seal greetings cards to prisoners of conscience, human rights defenders, or their families and supporters.  It was great to see people so keen to send messages of friendship and encouragement to those in such difficult (and dangerous) circumstances around the world.  This really can make a difference.

If you couldn’t be there and would still like to help, go to http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10673 for details of cases – there’s still time to write cards.  You can also find details of authorities to lobby for the release of prisoners, investigation into disappearances, etc.  Please remember to follow Amnesty’s guidelines in the case notes – no political statements, for example – these are important so as not to put individuals at greater risk.  http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=949 has details of Amnesty’s letter-writing guide.

Thank you!  And see you at Saturday’s Christmas concert (11.30 am, St Philipp’s Cathedral), or in the New Year.

Jon Andrews.

We’ve booked the separate “library” section of Bennett’s Pub, Bennett’s Hill, Town Centre (once inside, go left from the corner entrance) for our final meeting of the year, a chance to relax, chat, get drinks (non-alcohoholic or alcoholic) from the bar: and to sign cards for Amnesty’s Greetings Card campaign (click link for details).

You are welcome to please join us for our last meeting of the year – and support prisoners of conscience around the world!  Just bring yourself and a pen: the group “committee” will bring cards.  There should be mince pies too!!

Thursday 10th December, from 7.30 pm

Greetings Cards and Group Social:  Bennett’s pub, 8 Bennett’s Hill, off New St, Birmingham (B2 5RS).

5 amazing bands, santa, raffle, cheep drinks and all proceeds to Cancer research

Featuring When Autumn Falls, Pray For Divinity, They Came With Weapons, The Benwahs, The Reason & Jonny Hands.

Starts 5pm, ends late

Contact The Benwahs for £2 advanced tickets at thebenwahs@hotmail.co.uk or

Tickets £3 on the door.

Venue: Subside Bar, Fletchers Walk, Paradise Place, B3 3HJ – view map

On 2 December 1984 thousands of tonnes of deadly chemicals leaked from Union Carbide’s pesticide plant in Bhopal. Around half a million people were exposed. Between 7,000 and 10,000 people died in the immediate aftermath and a further 15,000 over the next 20 years.

For 25 years the Indian government has failed the people of Bhopal. Promises have been repeatedly broken and no adequate action has ever been taken to address the impacts of the gas leak. While the people of Bhopal have struggled to obtain even basic relief such as clean water, the companies involved have evaded accountability and obstructed the efforts of victims to secure reparation.

For more information and to send an appeal  to the Indian Prime Minister demanding justice for the people of Bhopal visit http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=662

2pm tomorrow, Sunday: Cafe Forum at Cafe Bebo (upstairs), opposite Weatherspoon’s in the Paradise Forum complex next to the Central Library.

We have a guest speaker on the Demand Dignity campaign.  This is a good chance to find out more about our group’s activities in a relaxed setting over a coffee.  All welcome.

(Jon and Pete will be hosting)

Reminder about our business meeting, planning for the next full group meeting and various other topics, is at 7.30 @ Birmingham and Midlands Institute.

For further information on how to oppose homophobic legislation proposed in Lithuania see http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=629

Bourneville Amnesty are staging, together with The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, another Christmas Concert for Human Rights. Last year’s concert was a great success and it would be great to fill the Cathedral again this year. There will be a Steel Band, Gospel Choir, Tradional Choir and Pianist [Rich Batsford -son of Bourneville Treasurer Vernon] plus a guest speaker from Medical Foundation. So please come along and support.
Date : Saturday 12th  December
Time: 11.30 am.
Venue : Birmingham Cathedral, Colmore Row, Birmingham
Tickets : £5   Accompanied Children under 16 free

From John Bodycote, 41, Meadow Hill Road, Birmingham B38 8DF or email Derek Bennett: db@hayfinance.co.uk

Got my tickets – see you there!

Excellent event taking place at the University of Birmingham on Tuesday 1st December.  ’Hurried Steps’ is a play based on stories taken from Amnesty testimonies, including a new story set in the UK, in association with the Stop Violence Against Women campaign.  The play is currently touring in the UK and it’s great that it’s coming to Birmingham. The event will be made even more special as the author, Dacia Maraini, has agreed to travel from Italy to take part in a panel discussion after the play.

More details here: http://newshoestheatre.org.uk/Universities.html