Please write on behalf of our adopted prisoner of conscience, Dr Tun Aung

28 Jan
Dr. Tun Aung

Dr. Tun Aung

Dr Tun Aung has been imprisoned since 11th June 2012 following riots in Maungdaw, Myanmar (Burma).  Despite eyewitnesses testifying that Dr Aung actively tried to calm the situation, he has been convicted of inciting communal violence.  

He was held incommunicado for at least three months and denied the right to appoint a lawyer of his own choice. Dr Aung suffers from a pituitary tumour and may not be receiving the medical care he needs.

During his visit to London in July 2013, President Thein Sein gave his guarantee that all prisoners of conscience would be freed from his country’s jails by the end of the year, but Dr. Tun Aung has not been released.

Ask the Burmese authorities to release Dr Aung immediately and unconditionally.

Please write to President Thein Sein, Office of the President, Building No. 18, Naypyitaw, Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

If possible, please also write to Chief Justice, U Win Tun Tun Oo, Office of the Supreme Court, Office No. 24, Naypyitaw, Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

And send copies of your letters to H. E. The Ambassador Of The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, 19A Charles Street, London W1X 8LR

Copies also to U Win Mra, Chairman, Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, 27 Pyay Road, Hline Township, Yangon, Republic of the Union of Myanmar

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Missed January’s meeting? Read all about it here…

25 Jan

The first meeting of 2014: an occasion to look forward to new plans and initiatives, and maybe, even, in hope.

One for whom we hope, and on whom we are still concentrating as the New Year begins, is Dr. Tun Aung, the Group’s adopted Prisoner of Conscience in Burma. He has been sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment after an unfair trial, having been arrested following riots between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in Maungdaw, a town in western Burma, in June 2012. Independent eyewitnesses confirm that Dr Aung actively tried to calm the crowd during the rioting and played no role in the violence. Nevertheless, he was convicted of inciting riots and various other criminal offences.

Speaking in London in July 2013, Burma’s President Thein Sein gave his guarantee that all prisoners of conscience would be freed from his country’s jails by the end of the year; we continue to press him for Dr Tun Aung’s release.

We heard reports on the Death Penalty (possibly some improvement in China, Singapore and Saudi Arabia, but more, and more brutal, in Iran) and signed a plea for a prisoner in Iraq. One of Amnesty’s main campaigns for 2014 is for victims of torture.

The group’s AGM will be held in February; in March Ann Marcus will speak on the Middle East and North Africa.  All are welcome at our meetings, 8pm the second Tuesday of the month at the Silver Street Baptist Church.

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Join us for our first group meeting of 2014 on Tuesday 14th January

9 Jan
copyright amnesty.org.uk

copyright amnesty.org.uk

Happy New Year to all our friends and supporters.  Above are just a few of the people whose lives have changed for the better in 2013, thanks to your support and action.

All are most welcome to join us for our first group meeting of 2014 on Tuesday 14th January at 8pm, at Silver Street Baptist Church.  For more information about our meetings and where we are, please click here.

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My Body, My Rights – Tell world leaders to protect sexual and reproductive rights

4 Jan

My Body, My Rights

Being able to make your own decisions about your body, your life and your sexual and reproductive health is a basic human right. But for millions worldwide – many of them young people – this right is denied on a daily basis.

Please take a moment to sign the My Body, My Rights petition and call on World Leaders to stand up for the health and human rights of young people everywhere.

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Justice For Hakamada

28 Dec

Hakamada IwaoThis is Hakamada Iawo as a young man.  He is now 77 years old and is the world’s longest-serving death row prisoner.  He has spent 45 years in prison since his trial in 1968 and always maintained his innocence.

The main evidence used to convict Hakamada was a confession, allegedly obtained under torture and later retracted.  One of the trial judges, Kumamoto Norimichi, maintains that Hakamada is innocent and believes that he should not have sentenced Hakamada to death on such limited evidence.

Despite such grave doubts, Hakamada continues to await execution every day.  New DNA evidence could finally prove his claim of innocence right. Click here to ask Japan to grant him a retrial.

 

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December group meeting: Tuesday 10th December at 8pm.

7 Dec

wordcardOur last Taunton Amnesty meeting of 2013 will be an informal seasonal one.  

Join us at 8pm on Tuesday 10th December at the Silver St Baptist Church, for festive food & drink and the opportunity to send messages of hope to those suffering human rights abuses around the world.  This year, Dr Tun Aung (the group’s adopted prisoner of conscience) features in the Write for Rights campaign.

We would like to thank everyone for their continued interest and support throughout the year.

Wishing you all a joyful festive season and peaceful New Year.

About Write for Rights: Every year during November and December, Amnesty International asks people to write a letter and send a message of hope to someone suffering human rights abuses. Presidents, police chiefs and prison governors do take note when they receive hundreds of appeals to release a prisoner, stop the harassment of an activist or change an unjust law. For more information on this year’s cases please click here.

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Join our group member Pat at her Write for Rights Day on 17th December

29 Nov

Write for Rights 2013Join Pat on Tuesday 17th December and sign cards to support prisoners of conscience worldwide.

Sessions take place:

10am-12pm

2-4pm

6-7pm

14 Georges Mews, Dunkleys Way, Hillyfields, TA1 2LX

Tel: 01823 332773

£1.50 donation per card and stamp.

Tea,coffee and mince pies too!

About Write for Rights: Every year during November and December, Amnesty International asks people to write a letter and send a message of hope to someone suffering human rights abuses. Presidents, police chiefs and prison governors do take note when they receive hundreds of appeals to release a prisoner, stop the harassment of an activist or change an unjust law. For more information on this year’s cases please click here.

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Reminder: Monthly meeting tomorrow (Tuesday 12th November)

11 Nov

wordcloudJust a reminder that our monthly group meeting takes place on Tuesday 12th November from 8PM at Silver Street Baptist Church, Taunton. Click here to view location on a map.

We hope to see you there!

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Take Action: Woman at risk of flogging for not wearing a headscarf

6 Nov

AmiraAmira is a civil engineer and women’s rights activist. She is charged with being in public with her head uncovered, and will soon go on trial in Sudan. If convicted, she could face 40 lashes.

Text SUDAN1 and your full name to 70505 now to call on Sudan to drop the charges against Amira.

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Next group meeting: Tuesday 12th November

4 Nov

Keep Calm and Support AmnestyOur next monthly group meeting takes place on Tuesday 12th November from 8PM at Silver Street Baptist Church, Taunton.  Click here to view location on a map.

All are welcome to come along and discuss human rights, receive campaign updates, and take part in letter writing and other actions to promote human rights.

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