Friday, May 20, 2011

The good, the not so good and an upcoming event

Good
This week we have bunch of good news stories to share with you. A total of thirteen individuals deemed at risk, from Bangladesh, Cameroon, China and Zimbabwe have all recently been released from detention. Amnesty International Urgent Actions had been issued for all of them. For more details, click here

Not so good
A reprieve has been grant but it might only be temporary. Amnesty International is still closely monitoring the situation in the Ugandan Parliament regarding the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill. As the incumbent members of Parliament left office ahead of the new members that will be sworn in next week, the bill had yet to be discussed. If passed, persons accused of homosexuality could face charges as drastic as the death penalty. Watch this space. For more details, click here

Upcoming events

For those of you who haven’t already heard, next Monday, 23rd May, for the first time in Australia, Ms Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will be giving a public presentation. She will join a panel discussion which includes one of Australia's most prominent and well-respected Aboriginal Elders Professor Patrick Dodson and Director of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Paris Aristotle AM. For more details, click here

Monday, May 2, 2011

Impact of NT Intervention Speak Out

Impact of NT Intervention Speak Out
Speakers:
NT Rights Holders:
  • Richard Downs Alyawarr Elder and Spokesperson Northern territory
  • Ngarla kunoth Monks Alyawarr spokesperson Northern territoy
  • Barbara Shaw Mt Nacy Town camp Alice Springs
AIA Indigenous Sponsorship recipients to attend the UN Permantent Forum:
  • Steven Ross - Yarkawa Aboriginal Corporation - Wamba Wamba Nation NSW
  • Janine Gertz - Gugu Badhun Tradional Owner Group - Nth Queensland
About:
Our speakers will talk is on the effects of the Federal Government and NT Government roll out of the NT Emergency response, the immediate and longer term effects of this punitive legislative intervention and growing concerns over the call to extend the intervention powers which will directly effect those Aboriginal people living in town camps and those visiting Alice Springs and other major centres in the NT.

 
Each speaker has a unique story to be told and it is this story that will be shared with hundreds of Indigenous Peoples and the Human Rights Council as they travel form all parts of the world to attend the 10th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to be held in New York from 13 - 27th May 2011.
 
We will also introduce the successful recipients of the AIA Indigenous Scholarship fund to attend the UNPFII they are seen as experts in their field of work and will participate in the Indigenous peoples Caucasus and provide expert advice to the IPO Australian Delegation on issues as wide ranging as women's rights, free prior and informed consent to climate change and water.

  
Facilitator: Monica Morgan - Demand Dignity - Indigenous Peoples Rights Team
When: Wednesday 4th May 2-3pm
Where: Amnesty International -Level 1 - 79 Myrtle Street, Chippendale NSW

 
Each person can speak for about 10minutes each and then questions. All Welcome.