‘Burma VJ’ Screening and End of Year Party

When: Tues 8th December 2009, 7-9pm
Where: NSW Action Centre, Level 1, 79 Myrtle St. Chippendale
Cost: Donation ($10 Suggested)

The Eastern Suburbs Amnesty International Australia Group is screening ‘Burma VJ’ at the NSW Action Centre for their last meeting of 2009.

‘Burma VJ’ offers a unique insight into high risk journalism and dissidence in a police state, while at the same time providing a thorough documentation of the historical and dramatic days of September 2007, when the Buddhist monks started marching.

The Eastern Suburbs Group will have a brief meeting from 6:30-7pm, followed by light refreshments and the film.

You can learn more about the film here http://burmavjmovie.com/

Please RSVP by December 4 to nswaia@amnesty.org.au

Irene Khan Action Centre Visit

Hey campaigners,

Unfortunately Irene Khan won't be making a visit into the Sydney Action Centre on the 17th of November anymore. But hopefully you have all sent off your RSVP for the Book Launch event on the 16th of November.

See you there!

National Director & National President's Update

There have been many exciting recent events and there is much to look forward to in the next few months.

We’re pleased to say that Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, will be in Australia in mid-November. We’re organising an action packed schedule for Irene – including: meeting with Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, meetings with activists, staff and donors in Melbourne and Sydney, a national press club address and meetings with senior MPs in Canberra.
Irene’s visit will focus on our Demand Dignity Campaign and Indigenous Rights work. While in Australia she’ll also be launching her new book, The Unheard Truth: Human Rights and Poverty. Further information will be made available in the coming weeks and details for events can be found on our website.

International Council Meeting (ICM)
We’re delighted to share with you key outcomes from an exciting and action packed eight days in August at the International Council Meeting (ICM) in Turkey. Seven delegates from Amnesty International Australia joined the ICM to represent the views of our section.
There were many important developments at the ICM, including:
the election of a new International Executive Committee– for further information please go to: http://www.amnesty.org./en/who-we-are/our-people/international-executive-committee;
the approval of the new Integrated Strategic Plan for the movement from 2010 – 2016; and
the ICM agreed on a new approach to strategically align the resources of the movement to impact and need. The approach is called Assessment to Distribution. The global south and east are priorities.

If you have any questions about the ICM, please email Nicole Bieske, National President, at boardmail@amnesty.org.au

National Extraordinary General Meeting (NEGM)

The NEGM will take place between 27 and 29 November in Sydney and we’re looking forward to an engaging and dynamic meeting.
The NEGM will include discussions of how we will strengthen our democracy to achieve greater human rights impact. We will debate a number of resolutions from the Board and from Branch Annual General Meetings. We will also look at how we will achieve our vision and achieve our human rights impact goals. For scholarship details on the NEGM, as well as other information including how to register, please go to on the website: http://www.amnesty.org.au/negm
Members will receive further information, including an invitation, in the post in early November.

Human Rights Act
The National Human Rights Consultation Committee has recommended that the Government introduce a Human Rights Act for Australia.
This was thanks to an overwhelming number of Australians who took part in the country's biggest public consultation. Over 80% of the 35,000 individual submissions said they wanted a Human Rights Act that protects the rights of all Australians.

What next? We need the government to implement the Committee's recommendation and adopt a Human Rights Act. Over the coming months we will be calling on the Government to 'Act On It' - to join our call and keep the pressure up be sure to keep an eye on the blogs on the website -http://www.amnesty.org.au/yourhumanrights/comments/21809 - there are currently some great blogs from people talking about the benefits of a human rights act for Australia. (If you are on twitter follow @AmnestyOz to be kept up to date on the latest about this and our other campaign actions).

Diversity
The Diversity Steering Committee held a successful face-to-face meeting in Canberra over the weekend of 22 and 23 August. During 2009 the Committee has focused on providing advice regarding the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan following the Board's decision in 2008, and has also introduced ‘Diversity Impact Statements’ into the 2010 operational plan process.

The Diversity Steering Committee will be seeking an additional member with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander expertise to provide the balance of skills needed. Interested people should refer to the employment pages of the Amnesty International Australia website for further information which will be posted shortly. Please note that this is a voluntary position.

Strengthening Democracy Project
The Strengthening Democracy project was a key discussion item at the Board meeting held in Sydney on 12 and 13 September.
The Board carefully considered our supporters' feedback from the Strengthening Democracy Project's engagement process – conducted in August and analysed in early September. As a result, a number of resolutions were developed and will be proposed at the National Extraordinary General Meeting by the Board including:
enhanced representation through a new regional representative role; and providing a mechanism for Human Rights Defenders to become members.

The resolutions can be found at: http://www.amnesty.org.au/about/comments/21813

A number of other issues from the feedback will also be discussed further at the National Extraordinary General Meeting in November. It was very exciting to hear so many people's contributions and so many inspiring ideas around strengthening our democracy!

The Board also considered:
An update on key outcomes from the International Council Meeting;
An update on the Demand Dignity Campaign;
An Amnesty International Australia marketing principles paper and presentation;
A presentation on inspiring 500 000 people to take action by 2014.
If you have any questions about anything in this update, you can contact us at boardmail@amnesty.org.au

Thanks and best wishes,

Nicole Bieske

National President

Claire Mallinson

National Director

p.s. our new 2009 – 2010 merchandise catalogue is available now. Tell your friends! You can download a copy here: http://www.amnesty.org.au/features/comments/21730

16 days of activism against gender violence

Once again 16 Days of Activism is coming up quickly. 16 days of Activism begins on the 25th of November with International Day for the Erradication of Violence against Women and ends 16 days later with Human Rights Day on the 10th of December.

This year we will be encouraging people to campaign on two different campaigns:
-Stop domestic violence in PNG
- National Plan of action to eliminate violence against women

We have just received new materails for PNg such as placards, petitions, an activist toolkit and A5 flyers. Materials for the domestic campaign will be coming soon. Please let us know if you are planning on doing anything during '16 days' and you would like materials.

Cultural Awareness Training - TOMORROW!

Cultural Awareness Training

As part of the Demand Dignity Campaign, Amnesty International Australia will be hosting a one-day workshop on 31st October for all interested convenors, volunteers and activists. This interactive workshop will be presented by Grant Sarra who has spent twenty-six years of his life working exclusively with Indigenous people in Australia. He has developed a detailed knowledge and understanding of the issues that impact upon Indigenous Australians.

The workshop will help participants gain a greater understanding of the history of Indigenous Australians and what it is like to be an Indigenous Australian. It will be a valuable learning experience and we are encouraging everyone to attend.

When: Saturday October 31 2009 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Where: NSW Action Centre, Level 1, 79 Myrtle Street, Chippendale

Places are still available!!

Demand Dignity Exhibition

Amnesty International held an art exhibition from 20th October till 25th October, to celebrate the launch of the Demand Dignity campaign. The exhibition was held at TAP gallery in Darlinghurst and the opening night was a great success. Thanks to all those who attended, volunteers, organizers, performers, artists and TAP gallery!

Amnesty National Extraordinary General Meeting (NEGM)

Amnesty International Australia's National Extraordinary General Meeting will be held from Friday 27th to the Sunday 29th of November in Sydney.

The NEGM will include our traditional human rights conference components – such as workshops, plenary sessions with external speakers as well as our own, a public action and governance issues such as the passing of resolutions. Also, on the advice of the Youth Advisory Group in 2008, we are folding the Youth Summit into the NEGM. A key component of the NEGM will be looking at ways Amnesty International Australia can strengthen our democratic structures, processes and culture to better achieve our vision. To do this, the Board initiated the Strengthening Democracy Project which was conducted over the course of 2009.

Details around how to get involved, registration, accommodation, scholarships and the agenda can be found at http://www.amnesty.org.au/about/negm/
When: 28th-29th November
Where: Sydney Action Centre; Level 1, 79 Myrtle St Chippendale
RSVP: online registration

Aung San Suu Kyi - Successful Event

Last Tuesday 27th October, the Amnesty International Community Campaigns team and volunteers attended an event for Aung San Suu Kyi at the Opera House.

Amnesty along with 500 other supporters gathered in a 'stand for solidarity and freedom.'

Therese Rein, Janelle Saffin (MP) Lucy Turnbull and Claire Mallinson, National Director of Amnesty International spoke at the event, calling for Australians to use our liberty, to promote Burma's freedom.

SBS World News Australia covered the event:

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1119202/Hundreds-rally-for-Suu-Kyi

Amnesty International Staff and Volunteers
A crowd of 500 gathered to show their support
Therese Rein, Lucy Turnbull, Janelle Saffin and Claire Mallinson
supporters included Amnesty International staff and volunteers, school students, and members of Australian Burmese community

Human Rights Workshop - Thanks!

On Friday 23rd October, Amnesty International held a Free Youth Human Rights Workshop, at the Rex Centre.

It was a great day where participants were able to hear from Amnesty staff and volunteers about our Refugee case work, campaigning and media activities, as well as participate in several workshops, where they gained skills in community campaigning, online activism, and working with the media.

We'd like to say thanks to all those who attended - and keep a lookout for more upcoming youth training events!

Sri Lankan Refugees Rights Must Be Respected

The recent situation of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka has brought the refugee topic into the spotlight once more. Although boat arrivals make up less than four per cent of people who come to Australia seeking asylum, they never fail to create a political and media outburst.

Around 250 Sri Lankan refugees were making their way to Australia when they were intercepted outside Java and held in Indonesia. They have refused to leave the impounded boat, held a two-day hunger strike, and threatened suicide if they are not resettled.

Immigration Department figures have shown between 85 and 90 per cent of boat people are found to be genuine under the United Nations 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. As a regional power, Australia needs to continue to take a leadership position to ensure that asylum seekers within our region are treated in line with international human rights obligations.

Australia is at risk of facing international shame if our Government were to be complicit in the human rights violations of asylum seekers in our region. We are sending a dangerous message that the rights of refugees come second to domestic political agendas.

Please take action and send a letter or email to Kevin Rudd; our government has an obligation to ensure all asylum seekers have access to assistance from the UNHCR, access to a fair and timely process for determining their status through the UNHCR, and freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention – all of which is now at risk while the Sri Lankan asylum seekers are forced to remain in Indonesia. For more information: http://www.amnesty.org.au/action/action/21941/

Additionally come and support the

Rally to Say No to Rudd’s Indonesian Solution!

12.30pm Monday 2 November
Immigration Department, Lee St (Railway Square end of Central Tunnel), City

Speakers include:
Sylvia Hale (NSW Greens MP)
Tamil Association
Ian Rintoul (Refugee Action Coalition)

Called by Refugee Action Coalition
Contact Ian on 0417 275 713

“Refugees are not just numbers, they are people and deserve to be treated with humanity” –Mary Vernon

Irene Khan - Book Launch - Invitation

(click to enlarge)

Irene Khan - Sydney Book Launch - INVITATION

When: Monday 16th November; 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Where: Domain Theatre, Level 3, Art Gallery of NSW

RSVP: nswevents@amnesty.org.au

Face 2 Face Locations

Face 2 Face Locations for the Week Starting Monday 26th October

Monday: Summer Hill; Parramatta

Tuesday: Cronulla; Liverpool

Wednesday: Kingsford; Coogee

Thursday: Rose Bay; North Sydney

Friday: Dulwich Hill; Newtown

Stand Up - October 16th

Last Friday some Amnesty International campaigners met in Victoria Park to enjoy the sunshine, a picnic feast and most importantly to Stand Up Against Poverty. This was our contribution to Anti-Poverty Week which ran from the 11-18th October, we hope that you had the chance to attend one of the various events around NSW.

Stand Up is the world’s largest mobilisation. It's a worldwide initiative seeking to end poverty, address its causes and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. In 2008, 117 million people worldwide joined together through Stand Up (a Guinness World Record!!), including over 207,000 Australians who participated in Stand Up events around the country.

We didn't have millions or thousands of people with us on Friday but our crowd of 32 were very proud and enthusiastic to be part of this global movement to End Poverty. Together we urged our leaders to act now to achieve and exceed the MDGs and to commit to the reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act to stop the discrimination existing in the Northern Territory. We hope we were joined by masses around the globe Standing Up and Speaking Out about injustices in the world.

"We will continue to Stand Up, not just today but everyday to say: No More Excuses, End Poverty and Inequality Now"

Face 2 Face Locations

Face 2 Face Locations for the Week Starting Monday 19th October

Monday: Kotara Westfield; Muswellbrook - near CBA;

Tuesday: Kotara Westfield; Newcastle - Hunter Mall; Shopping Centre

Wednesday: Kotara Westfield; Nelson Bay;

Thursday: Kotara Westfield; Singleton;

Friday: Kotara Westfield; Newcastle - The Junction;

Saturday: Kotara Westfield; Newcastle - The Junction;