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


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.


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


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


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.


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

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.


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.


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.


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


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


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!


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


Call: 07 3136 6400

Fax: 07 3216 0235

Level 1, 354 Brunswick StreetFortitude Valley QLD 4006

South Australia/Northern Territory


Call: 08 8110 8100

Fax: 08 8110 8101

80 South Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000

Tasmania


Call: 03 6221 1000

First Floor, 130 Macquarie StreetHobart TAS 7000

Western Australia


Call: 08 9476 4800

Fax: 08 9476 4801

Suite 70, City West CentrePlaistowe Mews, West Perth WA 6005

Victoria


Call: 03 9412 0700

Fax: 03 9412 0720

Suite 8, 134 Cambridge Street Collingwood VIC 3066

CONT

ACT

US

school action pack, january 2010 - april 2010

Documents

human rights act

federal humanrights

abouthuman rights protection

act papua new guineanepal

human rightsof

school action groups

extension of action

schoolsaround australia