School Action Pack, January 2010 - April 2010
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Transcript of School Action Pack, January 2010 - April 2010
SCHOOLACTION PACK
JANUARY–APRIL 2010
Shell: Clean up your act
Two in three hurt: Help stop violenceagainst women in PNG
Thank you from JustineAmnesty International Australia
www.amnesty.org.au
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010
IMPORTANTPlease visit the website
for the latest on our
campaigns as
circumstances can
change quickly!!
www.amnesty.org.au
ContentsSECTION 01 UPDATES AND NEWS
SECTION 02 CAMPAIGNS02.1 Demand Dignity: Petrol, poverty and pollution in the Niger Delta02.2 Stop violence against women: Papua New Guinea02.3 Act now for individuals at risk
SECTION 03 MAKE AN IMPACT03.1 Getting noticed and getting members at the beginning of the year
SECTION 04 INFORMATION04.1 Practical information and reminders
Action
Shell: Clean up your act
Papua New Guinea
Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Democratic Republicof Congo, plus a thank you from Justine
End the detention of children on ChristmasIsland. Extension of action in last schoolpack. See Section 1 for more details.
Target
Oil company Shell
Prime Minister – Papua New Guinea
Various
Write to students at Christmas Island school
CAMPAIGN ACTIONS: AT A GLANCE
Cover: A woman dries cassava in frontof a gas flare close to the Niger Deltacommunity of Iwhrekan © Kadir vanLohuizen/NOOR
Amnesty International is part of the global movement defending human rights and dignity. We work with people in Australiaand our region to demand respect for human rights and protect people facing abuse. We campaign, conduct research andraise money for our work. Our active members, such as school action groups, play a vital role in achieving our aims throughwriting letters, sending online actions, organising creative awareness-raising activities and fundraising in their communities.
Campaign
Demand Dignity
Stop violence against women
Individuals at risk
Refugees and asylum seekers
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 01.1
LET’S ACT ON IT – GIVE US A HUMANRIGHTS ACT
In October 2009 the report of theNational Human Rights ConsultationCommittee was released. This followeda national consultation askingpeople what they thought abouthuman rights protection in Australia.
During the consultation more than35,000 individual submissions werereceived. More than 10,000 of thosecame from Amnesty Internationalsupporters including school groups whocalled for our rights to be protectedthrough a Human Rights Act.
The report published by thecommittee revealed that more than80 per cent of submissions were infavour of a Human Rights Act.Reflecting the support of theAustralian community, thecommittee recommended that thegovernment adopt a federal HumanRights Act. The Committee alsomade 30 other recommendations tobetter protect and promote humanrights in Australia.
A Human Rights Act for Australiawould ensure that the human rightsof all people are protected. The Actwould be a national law that protectsthe fundamental rights of everyonein Australia – the rights outlined inthe Universal Declaration of HumanRights and other internationalhuman rights treaties.
More at:www.amnesty.org.au/yourhumanrights
STILL TIME TO WRITE TOSTUDENTS ON CHRISTMAS ISLAND At the time of writing we were still receiving cards and letters from schoolsaround Australia to be sent to students attending school on Christmas Island.
Amnesty International opposes the offshore detention of asylum seekers whoarrive by boat. They are detained on Christmas Island, 2,000km frommainland Australia. We are particularly concerned about the ongoingpractice of detaining children on Christmas Island, many of whom arrivewithout their families. Some attend the local school along with children wholive permanently on the island.
In the last school pack we asked groups to write messages, cards or lettersto the students at Christmas Island school. Some of these will be deliveredto the school in December by Refugee Coordinator Graham Thom.
ACT NOW
We’ve decided to extend the deadline for this action to give those of you who were busy with exams last term a chance to take part. Please refer tothe last school pack for full instructions or go to the website to download the briefing sheet. New deadline: 31 March 2010.
Go to: www.amnesty.org.au/schoolaction
UPDA
TES
AND
NEW
S
Messages of hope on their way fromAustralian schools to childrendetained on Christmas Island © AIA
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 01.1
NEW BILL BANS TORTURE AND DEATH PENALTYAmnesty International has welcomed a proposed law that confirmsAustralia’s opposition to torture and the death penalty.
The Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, recently introducedthe Crimes Legislation Amendment (Torture Prohibition and DeathPenalty Abolition) Bill 2009 into Parliament.
If passed, the Bill would specifically prohibit torture and ensure statescould not reintroduce the death penalty into their laws.
Amnesty International has been working for decades to prohibit the use of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment orpunishment. We also campaign to outlaw the death penalty throughoutthe world.
“In the heart of this first world I found scenes more reminiscent of the third world. That Indigenous peoples experience human rights violations on a continent of such privilege is not merely disheartening, it is morally outrageous.”
This was the reaction of Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan on visiting theUtopia homeland in November. Utopia is a group of Aboriginal communities five hours drivenorth-east of Alice Springs along dirt roads.
More than 45,000 Aboriginal people are still subject to racially discriminatory measures,including compulsory quarantining of social security payments, as a result of the Government’sNorthern Territory Emergency Response, or “Intervention”.
“The blunt force of the intervention’s heavy handed ‘one size fits all’ approach cannot deliver thedesired results, said Irene. “The Government will not secure the long term protection of womenand children unless there is an integrated human rights solution that empowers people andengages them to take responsibility for the solutions.”
More at: www.amnesty.org.au/poverty
UNHEARDTRUTH IN
THE HEARTOF AUSTRALIA
CRUCIAL TIME FOR PLAN TO STOPVIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN AUSTRALIA
Violence against women is entrenched in Australia.National surveys indicate that 57 per cent of womenexperience violence in their lifetime. AmnestyInternational has been campaigning for a national planto end violence against women and children since2005. The Australian Government has now committedto introducing a national plan to be agreed by state andterritory governments in 2010. While the plan is beingdeveloped the Federal Government also announcedsome immediate actions it will take. These includeimplementing Respectful Relationship programs forschool-age people to change attitudes and behavioursthat contribute to violence.
While it is good news that the Federal Government hascommitted to a National Plan of Action, we are currentlypushing for the Plan to meet international good practicestandards and to be adequately funded at both the stateand federal levels.
More at: www.amnesty.org.au/svaw
Amnesty International researcherLucas Jordan interviews TopsyMcLeod Ngal and Pansie McLeodPetyarr during Irene Khan’s visit to the Utopia Homelands. © Rusty Stewart.
SHELL CASE STUDY:BODO, OGONILAND‘If you want to go fishing, you have to paddle forabout four hours through several rivers before youcan get to where you can catch fish … some of thefish we catch, when you open the stomach, it smellsof crude oil.” Fisherman, Bodo
In August 2008, a Shell pipeline leaked more than1,600 barrels of oil into local waterways at BodoCreek. The burst pipe is the responsibility of theShell Petroleum Development Company and it is notclear why Shell failed to stop the leak as required byNigerian oil industry regulations. Although the oilspill deprived local people of their main source offood, little was done to address this. Eight monthsafter the spill, Shell staff reportedly took food to thecommunity, which was rejected as inadequate. Shelldid not reply to Amnesty International’s request for acomment on the case.
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 02.1CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION
People living in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, have to drink, cook and wash withpolluted water; they eat fish contaminated with oil and other toxins – if theyare lucky enough to find fish at all; and the land they farm is beingpoisoned. The oil industry is destroying the natural resources they dependon for their survival – and one of the main companies responsible is Shell.
PETROL AND POLLUTION
The Niger Delta in the south of Nigeria has huge and valuable oil depositswhich have been extracted for decades by the Government of Nigeria and bymultinational companies. Shell is responsible for 80 per cent of oil and gasextraction in the area. Oil spills, gas flaring and pollution resulting from oilextraction are having a devastating impact on the land, rivers and thecommunities that depend on them.
Oil spills result from deteriorating oil pipes, poor maintenance and humanerror, as well as from vandalism and theft of oil. Figures vary but accordingto the United Nations Development Program more than 6800 spills wererecorded between 1976 and 2001.
Gas flaring is also a problem. When oil is pumped out of the ground the gasis separated and most of it is burnt off as waste. This is extremely wasteful,damages the environment and there are concerns that it has a negativeimpact on human health. Nigeria has prohibited gas flaring since 1984 butthe practice continues.
PETROL AND POVERTY
Hundreds of thousands of people are affected by the pollution andenvironmental damage caused by the oil industry and the impact on humanrights is huge. The poor are particularly affected.
Destruction of livelihoodsMore than 60 per cent of people in the region depend on the naturalenvironment for their survival. Pollution kills fish and damages fishingequipment. Oil spills have polluted land used for farming, damaging the soilover the long term. In many cases, oil spills on soil have threatened afamily’s only way of making a living.
Danger to healthCommunities have many serious concerns about the impact of the oilindustry on health. However, neither the government nor companies appearto take the health risks seriously. Academic sources have questioned thesafety of the food after oil spills and other pollution. Communities where oilspills have occurred describe how fish tasted like “kerosene” and causedstomach upsets. Local people complain of breathing and skin problems andother health issues after oil spills. For many years residents havecomplained that gas flares are seriously damaging their quality of life. Flaresoften continue for 24 hours a day in several areas, creating noise pollutionand giving off permanent light. Often when gas is flared, not all the oil isburned off so oil droplets fall on waterways, crops, houses and people.
Demand dignityShell: Clean up your act
We experience the hell
of poverty. Plants and
animals do not grow,
the fish have died.
Jonah GbemreIwerhekan CommunityApril 2008
“
A man and a woman stand near an oilpolluted site in Iwhrekan, Delta State. © Kadir van Lohuizen/NOOR
Oil spill at Ikarama, Bayelsa State. The picture wastaken by Amnesty researchers in March 2008, eightmonths after the spill. There are often long delays in cleaning up after oil spills in the Niger Delta. © AI
✂
I WAN
T SH
ELL
TO C
OME
CLEA
N
ACT NOW>>TELL SHELL TO COME CLEANWe are calling on the new Chief Executive of Shell, Peter Voser, to come clean on the Niger Delta:
• Clean up the pollution
• Clean up Shell’s practices
• Come clean on the information it has on pollution in the region but hasn’t yet made public
SIMPLE ACTION
Write to Shell’s Chief Executive, Peter Voser
• Tell him that you are from an Amnesty International school group in Australia.
• Express your concern at the impact of Shell’s operations on the human rights of people of the Niger Delta.
• Call on Shell to take action to clean up pollution caused by its operations and to do this in consultation with affectedcommunities.
• Call on Shell to assess and make public the environmental, social and human rights impacts of its work.
Send your letters to:Mr Peter VoserChief Executive Royal Dutch ShellPO Box 1622501 AN The HagueThe Netherlands
IF YOU HAVE MORE TIMEPlease make a card with a ‘dirty’ handprint on the front and a messagefor Mr. Peter Voser on the back. You can cut out the one here or makeyour own. Use black paint for your handprint to represent oil. Please do not use Shell’s logo in your activities! Send your cards by 31 March 2010 to: Anne Montague, YouthCoordinator, Locked Bag 23 Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
RESOURCES
Read the full report ‘Petroleum, pollution and poverty in the Niger Delta’:
www.amnesty.org.au/action/action/21246
Watch Poison Fire – a 28-minute documentary about the Niger Delta.Go to Youtube and search under ‘Poison Fire’. (This film was not madeby Amnesty International so does not necessarily represent our views).
Campaign Digest (8 page), stickers and flyers
Available from your local Action Centre.
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 02.1CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION
DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGNThis case is part of our Demand Dignity campaignlooking at human rights and poverty. We arefocusing on three key issues that affect the world’spoor – forced evictions, maternal mortality andcorporate responsibility.
Corporate responsibility involves investigating howcompanies, in this case Shell, contribute to humanrights abuses and poverty and holding thoseresponsible to account.
In Australia we will be focusing on the humanrights abuses that contribute to poverty amongAboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE
It is extremely difficult for the people of the Niger Deltato start legal proceedings against oil companies forseveral reasons:
• they often lack awareness of their rights
• communities are rarely given information about theimpact of oil companies’ operations on theirenvironment and human rights
• they would have long and difficult journeys to theFederal High Courts, which are located in state capitals
• they cannot afford the high costs involved (lawyers’and court fees, travel costs and, potentially, the costof expert witnesses and scientific evidence)
Poverty and pollution have sparked protests againstShell and other oil companies. Some have been violent.Armed gangs have been involved in theft, propertydestruction and kidnapping oil workers. AmnestyInternational condemns this violence. In June 2009,tens of thousands of people fled their homes to avoidfighting between government forces and a group knownas the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta.
EVADING RESPONSIBILITIES
Both the Nigerian Government and the oil companieshave neglected their responsibilities to the people of theNiger Delta.
Nigeria has laws that require companies to make surethey are operating to internationally recognised standardsas well as laws to protect the environment. But theselaws are not properly enforced by the government.
Oil companies have been taking advantage of Nigeria’sweak law enforcement for too long. They do not doenough to prevent environmental damage or to properlyaddress the impact of their operations on people’s lives.
Some of the rights affected by Shell’s operations inthe Niger Delta:
• Right to clean water• Right to food• Right to an adequate standard of living• Right to earn a living through work• Right to health and a healthy environment
Women next to an oil wellhead thathas been spilling crude oil near thecommunity of Ikot Ada Udo since2004. © Kadir van Lohuizen/NOOR
A gas flare at Ughelli West, Nigeria © Kadir van Lohuizen/NOOR
➜
Dea
r M
r P
eter
Vos
er
I am
ver
y co
ncer
ned
abou
t th
e im
pact
tha
t She
ll’s
activ
ities
are
hav
ing
on t
he p
eopl
e of
the
Nig
er D
elta
.S
hell’
s pr
actice
s ar
e st
ripp
ing
the
inha
bita
nts
of t
heir h
uman
rig
hts
and
keep
ing
them
in p
over
ty.
Oil
pollu
tion
has
dam
aged
cru
cial
sou
rces
of
livel
ihoo
d fo
r co
mm
unitie
s, in
clud
ing
farm
ing
and
fish
erie
s. S
hell
has
not
done
eno
ugh
to a
ddre
ss t
his.
In a
dditi
on, c
omm
uniti
es a
re r
arel
y pr
ovid
ed w
ith in
form
atio
n on
the
impa
cts
of o
il co
mpa
ny o
pera
tions
on t
heir e
nviron
men
t an
d hu
man
rig
hts.
As
Chi
ef E
xecu
tive
of
Roy
al D
utch
She
ll I
urge
you
to:
•U
nder
take
a f
ull c
lean
-up
of a
ll oi
l pol
lution
, in
con
sultat
ion
with
the
com
mun
itie
s th
at a
reaf
fect
ed, an
d re
port
on
this
pub
licly
and
reg
ular
ly
•D
iscl
ose
all i
nfor
mat
ion
on t
he im
pact
of
oil o
pera
tion
s on
the
env
iron
men
t an
d hu
man
rig
hts
in t
he N
iger
Del
ta, in
clud
ing
any
stud
ies
She
ll m
ay h
ave
done
.
Your
s si
ncer
ely,
Sig
natu
re:
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
Pri
nt n
ame:
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
__
Sch
ool:
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
__S
tate
:__
____
____
____
Dat
e of
bir
th:
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
__
Em
ail:
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
Do
not
fill
in y
our
emai
l add
ress
if y
ou p
refe
r us
not
to
cont
act
you
dire
ctly
.
✂
For
Am
nest
y In
tern
atio
nal u
se o
nly
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 02.2N
AM
ES
CH
OO
L A
ND
STA
TES
IGN
ATU
RE
DAT
E O
F B
IRTH
EM
AIL
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 02.2CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION
Violence against women in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is widespread. Two thirds of women experience physical violence at the hands of theirhusbands. In at least one region, it is close to 100 per cent.
The Prime Minister of PNG, Sir Michael Somare, has publicly called onhusbands to stop the violence, saying he is ashamed of the high levels in hiscountry. Amnesty International believes it is his government’s responsibilityto address violence in his country, as well as the discrimination andinequality that cause it.
CAUSES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN PNG
Violence and lawlessnessMost people responsible for violence against women are never arrested.Those that are arrested usually do not make it to court, and those that domake it court are rarely sentenced. Village courts often follow customary(traditional) forgiveness practices, where payment is made to the family ofthe victim. This is despite the fact that they are required by their ownNational Constitution to protect women’s rights, and therefore not dismissviolence against women as acceptable or excusable.
Status of womenWomen are often treated as a commodity – something that can be traded orowned. This type of inequality is supported by customs such as polygamy(having more than one wife) or bride price (money or goods given to thefamily of a bride by the bridegroom or his family) which strengthen men’sbelief that they own their wives.
Women face severe inequalities in all spheres of life – social, cultural,economic and political.
Political inactionThe PNG Government has failed to take adequate action, frequently usingthe excuses of culture and a lack of resources. Amnesty Internationalbelieves that the government must recognise the negative impact violenceagainst women has on the whole population and make the best use of theresources it has.
Many voices, one messageStop violence against women in Papua New Guinea
JOSEPHINE’S STORY: NOWHERE TO GOJosephine’s husband beat her regularly. In 2007she left her husband, seeking shelter with herparents. She also discovered she had contractedHIV from her husband. Since her family discoveredher HIV status she has been beaten regularly byher brothers.
Josephine desperately needs a place to stay. Thereare only three safe houses in the capital, PortMoresby, where she lives. These shelters are runwithout government assistance and are strugglingwith lack of money. The situation is worse outsidethe capital.
The PNG Government must urgently provide moresafe accommodation for women fleeing violence.
GRACE’S STORY: NO PROTECTIONIn early 2009 Grace’s mother went to the policeand made a complaint against Grace’s partner, whowas frequently violent towards her. When the policewent to arrest him, he escaped into thesurrounding hills. The police dropped the matter,saying they had more urgent matters to attend to.When Grace’s partner returned he continued tophysically abuse her. When her mother went backto the police they said they did not have a car touse to find him and make an arrest.
Grace went to a shelter run by a church organisation.She received counselling and legal assistance.
The PNG Government must introduce a law thatspecifically addresses violence in the family. Bykeeping it hidden away as a private matter, womenare left unprotected and those responsible are freeto continue committing abuses.
Locals and visitors raised awaeness of violence against women in PNG atan International Women’s Day eventat Porebada (a village near PortMoresby). A canoe race was heldwhere the Stop Violence againstWomen canoe was launched. © AI
Ple
ase
leav
e yo
ur e
mai
l add
ress
onl
y if y
ou a
re h
appy
to
beco
ntac
ted
with
mor
e in
form
atio
n ab
out
Am
nest
y In
tern
atio
nal.
For
Am
nest
y In
tern
atio
nal u
se o
nly
For
Am
nest
y In
tern
atio
nal u
se o
nly
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 02.2
Dea
r P
rim
e M
inis
ter
Som
are,
We,
the
und
ersi
gned
, ca
ll on
the
Gov
ernm
ent
of P
apua
New
Gui
nea
to:
•co
mm
it f
inan
cial
and
oth
er s
uppo
rt t
o or
gani
sation
s cu
rren
tly
prov
idin
g em
erge
ncy
acco
mm
odat
ion
to w
omen
and
chi
ldre
n flee
ing
fam
ily v
iole
nce.
•an
noun
ce p
ublic
ally
the
am
ount
of
fund
ing
com
mitte
d to
war
ds s
afe
hous
es a
nd t
oes
tabl
ish
a tr
ansp
aren
t pr
oces
s fo
r ac
cess
ing
thes
e fu
nds.
•in
trod
uce
and
enfo
rce
spec
ific
dom
estic
viol
ence
legi
slat
ion.
•fo
rmal
ly c
omm
it t
o th
e ab
ove
thre
e po
ints
whe
n re
port
ing
on s
teps
tak
en b
y th
eG
over
nmen
t to
end
dis
crim
inat
ion
and
viol
ence
aga
inst
wom
en a
t th
e 4
6th
Ses
sion
of
the
UN
Com
mitte
e on
the
Elim
inat
ion
of D
iscr
imin
atio
n A
gain
st W
omen
in J
uly
20
10
.R
etur
n al
l pet
itio
ns t
o yo
ur lo
cal A
ctio
n C
entr
e by
31
Mar
ch 2
01
0. Th
is p
etitio
n w
ill b
epr
esen
ted
to t
he R
ight
Hon
oura
ble
Gra
nd C
hief
Sir M
icha
el S
omar
e, P
rim
e M
inis
ter
of P
NG
.
NA
ME
SC
HO
OL
AN
D S
TATE
SIG
NAT
UR
ED
ATE
OF
BIR
THE
MA
IL
A W
este
rn H
ighl
ands
wom
an is
info
rmed
by
a nu
rse
at M
t H
agen
Hos
pita
l tha
t sh
e ha
s co
ntra
cted
HIV
fro
m h
er h
usba
nd. ©
AFP
Pho
to
Stop
vio
lenc
e ag
ains
t wom
enin
Pap
ua N
ew G
uine
aVi
olen
ce a
gain
st w
omen
in P
NG
isw
ides
prea
d. A
cros
s PN
G t
wo
third
sof
wom
en e
xper
ienc
e ph
ysic
alvi
olen
ce a
t th
e ha
nds
of t
heir
husb
ands
. In
at le
ast
one
regi
on,
it is
clo
se t
o 100 p
er c
ent.
Wom
en in
PN
G u
rgen
tly n
eed
the
Gov
ernm
ent
to s
tart
tak
ing
actio
nby
intr
oduc
ing
a la
w a
gain
stdo
mes
tic v
iole
nce
and
prov
idin
gm
ore
safe
hou
ses
for
wom
en a
ndch
ildre
n fle
eing
vio
lenc
e.
ACT NOW>>Women in PNG are calling for an end to the violence. In 2007 theypresented a petition with more that 6000 signatures calling for action.Add your voice to their calls and make the message louder.
SIMPLE ACTION
Write letters to the Prime Minister of PNG, Sir Michael Somare, calling on the government to:
• commit financial and other support to organisations currentlyproviding shelters for women and children fleeing family violence.
• announce publically the amount of funding committed for safehouses and how to access the funds.
• introduce and enforce specific domestic violence laws.
• commit to the above three points in front of the United NationsCommittee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in July 2010.
Send your letters to: Rt Hon. Grand Chief Sir Michael SomarePrime MinisterPO Box 639WaiganiNational Capital DistrictPapua New Guinea Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME
The more voices, the louder the messageGet your whole school involved by getting them to sign the enclosedpetition. Feel free to think of creative or visual ways of presenting your petition.
Please return your signed petitions by 31 March 2010 to: Youth Coordinator, Amnesty International Australia, Locked Bag 23,Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
We will present them to the Prime Minister of PNG along with thosecollected by other Amnesty International supporters from around the country.
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 02.2
POSITIVE STEPS
PNG has taken a number of positive steps in recent years:
• It ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination ofAll Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)in 1995.
• In 2002, the PNG Government introduced theSexual Offences and Crimes against Children Actwhich covers things such as rape and sexual assault.However, the law does not address violence in thefamily, nor has it been properly implemented.
• The PNG Prime Minister was one of the PacificIsland leaders who committed to ending violenceagainst women at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’Meeting in Cairns in August 2009.
NEXT STEPS
Amnesty International thinks that the PNG Governmentmust identify and address the root causes of violenceagainst women, prosecute those responsible, andprovide support to survivors. In particular it must:
• commit financial and other support to organisationscurrently providing shelters for women and childrenfleeing family violence.
• announce publically the amount of funding committedfor safe houses and how to access the funds.
• introduce and enforce specific domestic violence laws.
• commit to the above three points in front of theUnited Nations Committee on the Elimination ofDiscrimination Against Women in July 2010.
Australia is PNG’s nearest neighbour and gives a largeamount of aid to the country. It must encourage the PNGGovernment to do more to stop violence against women.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY8 MARCHThis is a great day to organise an event, stall or assembly to collect signatures for our petition(see Act Now section). For more information aboutInternational Women’s Day go to the UnitedNations website:
www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/iwd
Papua New Guinea women at anAmnesty International human rightstraining session in Mount Hagen.Despite the difficulties theyencounter, many women in PapuaNew Guinea are taking up the strugglefor protection from violence andredress for victims. © AI
Women gather on the steps of PapuaNew Guinea’s parliament in 2007,after the country’s only female MP,Carol Kidu, presented a petition tothe house demanding the governmentdo something to stop violence againstwomen. © AAP Image/Lloyd Jones
Ple
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SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 02.3
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Thank you from JustineJustine Masika Bihamba is a human rights worker in the DemocraticRepublic of Congo (DRC). She and her family have been targeted bythe military because she coordinates the women’s rights organisationSynergie des Femmes contre les Violences Sexuelles (SFVS).
In September 2007, soldiers forced their way into Justine’s home whileshe was out and assaulted two of her children. After military policerefused to arrest the men, claiming that there was no evidence againstthem, Justine lodged a legal complaint. Despite promises that justicewould be done, the men have still not been arrested. The men continueto threaten Justine. Her two daughters have fled abroad.
ACT NOWFor individuals at riskAmnesty International takes action to help individuals whose human rightshave been abused or are in danger of abuse. We do this by writing togovernments or other authorities responsible for this abuse. Sometimes wewrite directly to those suffering the abuse to give them hope and let themknow that people are working hard to help them.
Letter-writing – a quick guide:• Give brief details about each case in your letters
• Letters don’t have to be long but they should always be polite
• Say who you are and where you are from to illustrate that people from allover the world of different ages and backgrounds are concerned aboutthe case.
• Make clear that your concern is strictly about human rights. Rememberthat Amnesty International does not oppose or support any governmentor political system.
CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION
Justine Masika Bihambasays thanks. © Private
Hi everyone,
I am lost for words to
express my deep
gratitude for your support
in these difficult times.
Be assured that the
cards you have sent have
fortified thousands of
women in Nord Kivu who
had lost hope. I would
like to say to each one of
you how grateful I am.
Once again, thank you.
Justine Masika Bihamba
“
ACT NOW>>Write to the President of the DRC, asking him to: • Immediately protect human rights defender
Justine Masika Bihamba and her family.
• Conduct an investigation into the attack onJustine Masika Bihamba’s family and promptlybring those responsible to justice.
• Allow human rights defenders in the DRC tocarry out their work free from harassment.
Write to:President Joseph KabilaCabinet du PrésidentPalais de la NationKinshasa/GombeDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Salutation: Your Excellency
So we can let Justine know you have taken actionfor her, please send a copy of your letter toAmnesty International. You may also attach a smallcard or note for Justine. (See overleaf for address).
NEPAL
Support Rita and her work for womenHuman rights defender Rita Mahato has received threats as a result ofher work assisting women who have suffered from acts of violence. Sheis a health adviser at the Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC),which has been attacked by men who object to the centre’s work. Thepolice have failed to provide Rita with protection, or investigate thethreats, and she fears for her life.
Rita documents cases of violence against women in Bastipur Village inthe Siraha district of Nepal. She then registers the cases with thepolice, assists in the arrest of those responsible and gives legal andmedical support to the women.
In June 2007, between 60 and 70 men arrived at the WOREC officesand threatened Rita Mahato and other staff and insisted that they leavethe village within five days. The same month, around 20 people threwbricks at the WOREC office. Despite reporting these incidents to thepolice, no action was taken. Rita Mahato feels threatened and fears forher life, yet she continues her crucial work defending the rights of women.
ACT NOW>>Write to the Inspector-General of Police in Nepalasking him to:• investigate the threats against Rita Mahato and
her colleagues.
• implement laws that enable Rita Mahato tocarry out her human rights work without beingthreatened.
• develop a national plan of action to implementthe UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders,which would enable human rights defenders tocarry out their work without fear of reprisals.
Write to:Ramesh Chand ThakuriPolice HeadquartersGPO Box 407Naxal, KathmanduNepal
Salutation: Dear Inspector General
So we can let Rita know you have taken action forher, please send a copy of your letter to AmnestyInternational. You may attach a small card or notefor Rita and her colleagues at WOREC.
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 02.3
Send your cards or copies of your letters to:Youth Coordinator, Amnesty International AustraliaLocked Bag 23, Broadway, NSW 2007 Australia
or email scanned copies to:[email protected]
Rita Mahato – defendingwomen’s rights in Nepal. © Dixie
SAUDI ARABIA
Domestic worker at risk of execution Siti Zainab Binti Duhri Rupa from Indonesia has been detained inSaudi Arabia since 1999. She had been working in Saudi Arabia andallegedly confessed to the murder of her employer, a crime that carriesthe death sentence.
At the time of her arrest the police reportedly suspected her ofsuffering from mental illness. She was convicted and sentenced todeath. She was denied legal help before her trial and is not known tohave had adequate translation or legal representation during her trial.
Amnesty International has concerns about the reliability of her allegedconfession. We draw the Saudi Arabian authorities attention to theUnited Nations Commission on Human Rights that has urged states notto impose the death penalty on a person suffering from any form ofmental disorder.
Amnesty International is concerned that Siti Zainab may be atimminent risk of execution.
ACT NOW>>Write to the King of Saudi Arabia calling for: • the death sentence against Siti Zainab Binti
Duhri Rupa to be commuted (changed to a lesssevere sentence).
• Siti Zainab to be given full and immediateaccess to legal help, translation facilities andmedical assistance if necessary.
• Information on the charges against her anddetails of any trial proceedings that have takenplace.
• Work towards the abolition of the death penaltyin Saudi Arabia
Write to:King Abdullah Bin ‘Abdul’ Aziz Al-SaudOffice of His Majesty the KingRoyal CourtRiyadhSaudi Arabia
Please send a copy of your letter to AmnestyInternational. You may also attach a small non-religious card or note for her personally from you.
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 03.1
MAKING AN IMPACTBanners are a great way to get your message across, asshown by these New SouthWales activists protesting theDeath Penalty. © AIA
A few tips on how to getnoticed and get members at the beginningof the year
Hold a stall• Choose a location where lots
of people pass by
• Display large posters or banners.Small leaflets won’t be seen in a large space
• Give away freebies – stickers,posters, fair trade chocolate
• Make sure you have an action for people to do at the stall
• Advertise the details of your firstmeeting on your stall.
Make a banner
1 Hang a large piece of cloth onto alarge flat area of wall (sheets froma charity shop are good options)
2 Project an image or words usinga data projector onto the cloth(or print onto a piece of acetateused for over-head projectorsand project onto the cloth). Use chalk or pencil to trace the image/words.
3 Paint directly onto the bannerusing the outline you have justtraced (acrylic paint is best). If painting the banner on thefloor, put newspaper or plasticsheeting underneath!
4 Or cut out the image or wordsyou have just traced and glueonto another piece of cloth.
GETTING NOTICED
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 03.1
Your first meeting Planning• Plan the first meeting very early in the term. Set a clear
agenda beforehand and get other people to help you.• Try and avoid clashes with any other meetings or clubs.• Try and hold meetings in the same room.• Give yourselves plenty of time to set up the room.• Put up a notice or poster on the door of the room you aremeeting in.
• Have a quick run through of the agenda and timing to makesure that you are all clear.
Publicity• Make announcements – use assemblies, your daily roll call and
school newsletters and websites.• Run a publicity stunt – dress up, run a mystery postercampaign
• Send a reminder on the day of the meeting through teachersand assemblies.
• Give out flyers over break times.• If you have an email list, Facebook, MySpace or Twitter page,send a reminder the day before. If you have phone numbers,SMS people.
At the meeting Be clear: Make it clear from the start what
the meeting will cover
Be visual: Use visual aids where you can –
e.g. flip charts, Powerpoint, DVDs.
Be interactive: ask everyone to contribute
to discussions
Be fun: Make it clear that although we
deal with serious issues it can be fun
being part of an Amnesty International
school group
Be welcoming: Welcome new people and
make them feel part of the group. Thank
them at the end of the meeting for
coming, and tell them you hope to see
them at the next meeting!
Be positive: Use success stories from the
website to show that Amnesty
International works.
Be active: always include a campaign
action in your meeting such as the ones in
this pack.
Be organised: Agree on a time, place and
plan for the next meeting and get
everyone’s contact details.
Keeping up the interest:your next meetings • Use the School Action Packs, website and your
local Action Centre newsletter to help you plan
the main focus for your meeting.
• Regularly change the content of your meetings
to retain interest, for example: show a video,
invite a speaker, have a discussion on a human
rights theme, run a creative session – design
new posters / flyers, banners.
• Try to regularly include the latest news from
Amnesty International and celebrate any
success stories. Go to the website for the
latest.
• Allocate a time to each item on the agenda so
you stay on track.
• Be realistic about what you can achieve in the
time you have.
• Take turns to create an agenda.
PLAN AN EVENT
Get people interested and involved straight away
by planning for an event or campaign action.
This term International Women’s Day on the
8th March is a good option.
Run a brainstorm session in small groups
• Split people into groups of 2–3.
• Give them 5–10 minutes to come up with
ideas for your chosen event/action
• Ask each group for their ideas or, if time is
short, their best idea
• Write up ideas as you go.
• With the whole group decide on which idea(s)
are best. Be realistic!
Create a planWhat: List all the things that need to be done to
make your event a reality
When: Draw up a large calendar with weeks and
days marked. Discuss when each task needs to be
done and write up on the calendar.
Who: Ask for volunteers for each task.
Have regular catch-ups so that you can make
sure plans are progressing.
i
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 04.1
INFO
RMAT
ION
Show off your activism!We would like to start profiling school actiongroups’ activities in these packs. Please contactyour local action centre with details of what you’vebeen up to and you may just make it into the nextpack. If you have photos, even better!
Registration for2010 now openWe ask that all school action groups register withus officially each year. The 2010 registration formis now available at:www.amnesty.org.au/schoolaction.
Please fill out the form and return it to your localaction centre (contact details over the page).
FEEDBACK CARDSThanks to those of you whofilled out the feedback card in the last pack. We’ve decided to extend the deadline for this to 31 March 2010. All returned cards will go into a draw to win a prize. So if you still have thecard, fill it in and send it back. It’s a freepost address so it couldn’t be easier!
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ON THE WEBRemember to check the website regularly for updates. Join our social networking sites too and start contributing.
Home page www.amnesty.org.au
School action pages www.amnesty.org.au/schoolaction
Facebook www.facebook.com (search for Amnesty International Australia)
Twitter www.twitter.com/amnestyoz
MySpace www.myspace.com/amnestyoz
YouTube www.youtube.com/AIAustralia
Help us helpyou and WIN!
SCHOOL ACTION PACK JANUARY–APRIL 2010 | SECTION 04.1
Phone a friend
Did you know you have a local ActionCentre to help your group? They haveaccess to all kinds of information includingfree materials to help you organise yourgroup, event or human rights actions.
ACT/Southern NSW
Call: 02 6202 7500
Fax: 02 6202 7508
Suite 8, Level 1, The Bunda Building, 134 Bunda Street, Canberra ACT 2600
New South Wales
Email: [email protected]
Call: 02 8396 7670
Fax: 02 8396 7677
Level 1, 79 Myrtle StreetChippendale NSW 2007
Queensland/Northern NSW
Email: [email protected]
Call: 07 3136 6400
Fax: 07 3216 0235
Level 1, 354 Brunswick StreetFortitude Valley QLD 4006
South Australia/Northern Territory
Email: [email protected]
Call: 08 8110 8100
Fax: 08 8110 8101
80 South Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
Tasmania
Email: [email protected]
Call: 03 6221 1000
First Floor, 130 Macquarie StreetHobart TAS 7000
Western Australia
Email: [email protected]
Call: 08 9476 4800
Fax: 08 9476 4801
Suite 70, City West CentrePlaistowe Mews, West Perth WA 6005
Victoria
Email: [email protected]
Call: 03 9412 0700
Fax: 03 9412 0720
Suite 8, 134 Cambridge Street Collingwood VIC 3066
CONT
ACT
US