SCHOOL ACTION PACK
OCT 2010–JAN 2011
Campaign for Equality in Iran UN report card on discrimination Life after school special Amnesty International Australia www.amnesty.org.au
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011
Contents SECTION 01
UPDATES AND NEWS
SECTION 02
CAMPAIGNS 02.1 Campaign for Equality in Iran 02.2 UN report card on discrimination 02.3 Three freedoms for Burma
SECTION 03
MAKE AN IMPACT 03.1 Life after school 03.2 Defender profile: Jessica Dowdell
SECTION 04
INFORMATION 04.1 Intervention teaching resource 04.2 Contact us u ty.org.a
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CAMPAIGN ACTIONS: AT A GLANCE Campaign
Action
Target
Individuals at risk
Campaign for equality in Iran
Head of the Judiciary Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani
Demand Dignity
Ask your MP for action on racial discrimination Federal MPs
Countries in Crisis
Three freedoms for Burma
Celebrating the third anniversary of the One Million Signatures campaign. © Zhina.M.G/photoforchange.com
ASEAN states
Amnesty International is part of the global movement defending human rights and dignity. We work with people in Australia and our region to demand respect for human rights and protect people facing abuse. We campaign, conduct research and raise money for our work. Our active members, such as school action groups, play a vital role in achieving our aims through writing letters, sending online actions, organising creative awareness-raising activities and fundraising in their communities.
UPDATES AND NEWS
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 01.1
UN QUESTIONS TREATMENT OF ASYLUM SEEKERS The UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has challenged the Australian Government over its asylum seeker policy. The committee ensures that countries comply with international standards addressing racial discrimination. It has recommended that Australia: •
Review its mandatory detention policy for asylum seekers, only detaining people as a last resort.
•
Stop suspending the processing of visa applications from particular nationalities to ensure that all asylum processes are the same, regardless of where people come from or how they get here.
•
Develop proper reception arrangements, especially for children, some of whom are currently kept in detention-like conditions away from their parents.
•
Ensure that people are not forced back to their countries of origin if they are unsuccessful in achieving refugee status.
Former asylum seeker Farida Dad with her younger sister Zohal. © Hamish Gregory/AI
To read the Committee’s comments on the Northern Territory Emergency Response, go to Section 02.2.
LIFESAVERS GET A WHOLE LOT MORE OUT OF RIGHTS Report 2008–09). They have survived rape, torture, the destruction of their homes and the death of their loved ones.
More than 20,000 people have signed our petition telling the Australian Government to stop discriminating against Afghan asylum seekers by refusing to process their claims. Thanks for all your hard work collecting signatures for this campaign so far. We will deliver your petitions to the government during the first sitting of our new parliament, along with former asylum seeker, Najeeba Wazefadost, who is keen to speak to politicians about her experiences. As ethnic Hazaras in Afghanistan, Najeeba and her family faced constant abuse, threats and violence. “Australia is the first country that gave me a name, an identity … peace and security.” It is important that we continue to encourage people to think again about asylum seekers. Reminding people of the facts helps: •
•
Asylum seekers are legal. The right to seek asylum is a part of Australian law, no matter how you get here and whether you have a visa (Australian Migration Act 1958). More than 90 per cent of asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat are genuine refugees fleeing severe persecution (Dept of Immigration Annual
•
The number of asylum seekers arriving here by boat is very small; only 2 per cent of our total annual migration intake.
ACT NOW The freeze on Afghan asylum claims is due to be reviewed on 9 October, so there is still time to add your signatures – hop on to www.amnesty.org.au/refugees to take part in our latest action or continue to use the petition enclosed in the July School Action Pack. If you have already sent in your petitions, you could: •
organise an assembly presentation on asylum seekers
•
write a letter explaining the key facts to your local paper
•
tell your friends.
If you do, we would love to know! Email activism@amnesty.org.au. Every action we take helps people to think again about asylum seekers.
SCHOOL LIFE RING GETS ATTENTION During Refugee Week in June, The Hills Grammar School joined human rights defenders across the country by forming a human life ring to support the rights of asylum seekers.
The Hills Grammar School students take action to support refugees. © Natalie Roberts
The action received coverage in local newspapers and the students raised $1,200 for Amnesty International. Teacher David O’Donohue said the students also raised “awareness of human rights and the responsibility we all have to defend freedoms that we can sometimes take for granted”.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 01.1
GOOD NEWS WIFE RELEASED The wife of Iranian human rights lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei was released from police custody in August. Fereshteh Halimi was arrested with her brother and father to pressure her husband to turn himself in to the authorities.
Lead singer Bono of Irish band U2 performs under heavy rain during their 360 degree tour at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow in August. © Alexander Blotnitsky/AFP
Mohammad Mostafaei went into hiding in July and then escaped to Norway where his wife and daughter will join him. Thank you to everyone who sent appeals.
U WIN HTEIN FREE Burmese opposition leader U Win Htein is free after serving his 14-year sentence. A senior assistant to National League of Democracy party leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Win Htein was imprisoned in 1996 for helping foreign journalists report on prison conditions for political prisoners.
SLOVAK GOVERNMENT COMMITS TO END SEGREGATED EDUCATION Amnesty International welcomes the decision by the Government of Slovakia to stop segregating Roma children in schools. The organisation has actively campaigned against this discrimination in Slovakia since 2007. This is the first time a Slovak Government has made moves to make amends to the thousands of Roma children in Slovakia who are placed either in special schools or classes designed for pupils with mild mental disabilities, or in ethnically-segregated mainstream schools and classes that provide a substandard education. Amnesty International will continue to monitor the government’s efforts to ensure that Roma children can enjoy their right to education free from discrimination.
LANDMARK VICTORY FOR INDIAN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES Indian Indigenous communities have celebrated a government decision to veto a mine project that would have been situated on their traditional lands. Dongria Kondh adivasi and other communities in Orissa’s Niyamgiri Hills were concerned that the proposed bauxite mine would damage the environment and have significant impact on their rights as Indigenous Peoples to water, food, health, work, culture and identity. “After many years of struggle and visits by committees our voice has finally reached Delhi,” a Dongria Kondh leader told Amnesty International.
U2 FIGHTS POVERTY WITH AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL U2’s current world tour features Amnesty International activists on stage and gives fans the chance to join the campaign to end the human rights violations that fuel global poverty. “The Demand Dignity campaign hopes to rally support as the fight for human rights continues,” said Amnesty International’s Secretary General Salil Shetty. “U2’s support gives us a chance to engage with a massive audience across all ages.”
Kumati Majhi, a local leader who opposed the Vedanta mine, talking to local villagers in Orissa in June 2008. © Sanjit Das
U2 were awarded Amnesty’s prestigious ambassador of conscience award in 2005 for their efforts in the cause of global human rights.
CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 02.1
Campaign for Equality in Iran Alieh Aghdam-Doust defends the rights of women and girls in Iran at great personal cost. In June 2006, she took part in a peaceful demonstration in Tehran protesting laws that discriminate against women. For doing so, she began a three-year prison term in January 2009 – her punishment for wanting a better life for women in Iran. Alieh is one of the many courageous women and men who are members and supporters of Campaign for Equality – a peaceful grassroots women’s rights initiative aimed at ending discrimination against women in Iranian law. Although careful to conduct their activities in full compliance with the law, Iranian authorities continue to harass and repress Alieh and her friends. Since the Campaign for Equality was launched in 2006, more than 50 members have been arrested. Alieh was the first to have her prison sentence implemented. Since then, three more women have been imprisoned: Zeynab Beyezidi, Mahboubeh Karami and Ronak Safarzadeh – though happily, Mahboubeh Karami has recently been released.
i Campaign for Equality is a peaceful grassroots women’s rights initiative aimed at ending discrimination against women in Iranian law.
This is not the first time Alieh has been imprisoned for defending women’s rights – she spent six years in prison between 1983 and 1989 in connection to her political beliefs and activities. In July this year, Alieh spent yet another birthday behind bars. Without close relatives in Tehran, she is very isolated and alone. We want to free Alieh for her next birthday.
Members of the Campaign for Equality. © R.Asgarizadeh/photochange.info
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 02.1
ACT NOW>>
i Since the Campaign for Equality was launched in 2006, more than 50 members have been arrested … we want to free Alieh for her next birthday.
Make a card for Alieh Let Alieh know that she is not alone and that you are thinking of her. Make and decorate your card, add in your messages of hope and goodwill and send them to us, so we can forward them on and let the Campaign for Equality know about your amazing act of solidarity and compassion. Send your cards by the end of term to: Campaign for Equality Locked Bag 23 Broadway NSW 2007 Want to do more?
RECENT RELEASES We have successfully defended the rights of people in Iran for many years. Letters written by you and our supporters around the world have helped to secure the release of at least 15 prisoners of conscience this year alone, including:
Write to the Iranian authorities calling on them to: •
Drop all charges against Campaign for Equality activists connected to their peaceful campaigning for equal rights for women in Iran.
•
End the arrests and harassment of supporters of the Campaign for Equality and all other women’s rights defenders.
•
Immediately and unconditionally release Alieh Aghdam-Doust, Zeynab Beyezidi, Mahboubeh Karami and Ronak Safarzadeh, who are being held solely for their work for women’s rights. Review Iranian legislation with a view to ending all legalised discrimination against women.
•
Iranian political science student Payam Jahangiry
•
student and Campaign for Equality member Somayeh Rashidi
•
retired Iranian scholar Dr Mohammad Maleki
•
Iranian filmmaker Ja’far Panahi
•
journalist, human rights activist and recipient of the 2009 Martin Ennals award for human rights, Emadeddin Baghi
•
•
member of the Centre for Human Rights Defenders (an Iranian NGO) Narges Mohammadi
Write to
•
nine men arrested for protesting the 2009 presidential elections.
Celebrating the third anniversary of the One Million Signatures campaign. © Zhina.M.G/photoforchange.com
Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani Head of the Judiciary Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh Pasteur St Vali Asr Ave south of Serah-e Jomhouri Tehran 1316814737 Islamic Republic of Iran Salutation: Your Excellency Let us know Please send us a copy of your letter so we can tell the Campaign for Equality that you have taken action for them. You can send your letters to the address above or email iar@amnesty.org.au. Send to Campaign for Equality Amnesty International Locked Bag 7 Collingwood VIC 3066 Email: iar@amnesty.org.au
CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 02.2
UN delivers report card on discrimination
“ The NTER has consistently been found
In August, Indigenous rights campaigner Rodney Dillon took our concerns about racial discrimination in Australia to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in Geneva.
to violate the human
The committee monitors racial discrimination and works towards its elimination. All countries submit regular reports to the committee, detailing how the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is being implemented through national laws.
racial discrimination.
In August, it was Australia’s turn. And we were there giving our own report on the government’s progress. Rodney talked with the committee about the ongoing discrimination suffered by many Indigenous Peoples because of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER). He asked the Australian Government to stop compulsory income management and change it to a voluntary program. He also told that committee that the government should ensure the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the development and implementation of social and economic programs that affect them. Rodney also brought the issue of compulsory acquisition of Aboriginal land through five-year leases to the committee’s attention. Many community leaders describe feeling pressure to hand over ownership and control of their lands in exchange for much-needed housing services. Rodney said that the
Women from Alyawarr homelands in Northern Territory. © Rusty Stewart/AI
right to freedom from These [intervention] measures overtly discriminate against Aboriginal peoples, infringe their right of self-determination and stigmatise already stigmatised communities. UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Professor James Anaya
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 02.2
ACT NOW>>
“ It was quite a surprise to the committee when we heard that … the Racial Discrimination Act had been suspended. I’ve dealt with maybe 150 countries since I’ve been on this committee and this was the first time we’d witnessed the suspension of discrimination [legislation] on a very fundamental issue. Human rights lawyer and committee member Patrick Thornberry speaking to the ABC
acquisition of Aboriginal lands should not be a pre-requisite for the delivery of services and that all services should be delivered to all communities without discrimination. The 18-member committee has now published its observations, telling Australia what it needs to do to comply with CERD. It asked the government to report back by the end of October 2012 on what it was doing about the latest concerns and recommendations. It said the first step is for the Australian Government to table the committee’s concluding observations in parliament, making them part of public record.
Amnesty International delivers a petition calling for the reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act to Australia’s High Commission in London. © AI
Write a letter to your local MP asking for some important steps forward to enhance and protect human rights for Indigenous Peoples. Here are some suggested things to say: Tell them your name and what school you go to. Tell them that you have a strong interest in human rights and that you are a member of an Amnesty International school’s group. Say that you are concerned about racial discrimination in Australia, particularly discrimination against Aboriginal people. Let them know that you have heard that Australia recently reported to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and that the committee has made some recommendations. Ask your MP to reply to you telling you what they plan to do about discrimination against Aboriginal Peoples during their term in office. Let us know! Please send us a copy of your letter, and their response if you get one. Email activism@amnesty.org.au or send to School CERD letters, Locked Bag 23, Broadway NSW 2007. Who is your MP? Find out by visiting the Australian Electoral Commission website http://apps.aec.gov.au/research/. Find your MP’s email and postal addresses at the Australian Parliament website www.aph.gov.au/.
CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 02.3
ACT NOW>>
While Burma’s not free, we’re not free The eyes of the world are on Burma (also known as Myanmar) as it prepares for its first national elections in more than 20 years. Scheduled for 7 November 2010, this significant event is a critical time to help create real and lasting change for people in Burma, including the 2,200 political prisoners currently jailed for peacefully expressing their rights to freedom of:
In the last school pack we asked you to raise awareness of the three freedoms for Burma and send us photos of your actions. Thank you to all who participated. Now we want to build on the awareness your actions have already raised and join in a global campaign to demand respect for the three freedoms. Photocopy the attached petition and get as many signatures as you can. Return all signed petitions by 15 October to ‘3 freedoms for Burma’, Locked Bag 23, Broadway NSW 2007 or scan and email to activism@amnesty.org.au
expression assembly and peaceful association. Protection of the three freedoms is vitally important, especially during an election. They ensure that people can talk about issues of importance to them without fear of arrest or threats. They mean that people are free to join together and voice their opinions in the media and other public spaces, even if their opinions differ from those of the government. Burma and its closest neighbours are part of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN is a forum where leaders from the member states meet to discuss important issues affecting the region. Many ASEAN member states have already spoken out about human rights violations taking place in Burma. Amnesty International is asking them to speak out again and pressure Burma’s authorities to respect the three freedoms in the run-up to the elections and beyond. For more information, go to http://3freedoms.amnesty.org.
Note: We have different groups of activists writing to different ASEAN ministers – that is why you are writing to the foreign minister of Singapore. Because Singapore uses Myanmar instead of Burma, the petition uses Myanmar as well.
Protestors in the Philippines hold a rally in front of Burma’s foreign affairs office in Manila, August 2010. © Ted Aljibe/AFP
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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 03.1
MAKING AN IMPACT
LIFE after school
Top: Music fans support our action at Big Day Out in January 2009. © AI Inset: Gathering signatures in support of asylum seekers at Splendour in the Grass in July/August 2009. © Kylie Jury/AI
There is life after school … and lots of it!
LEAVING HIGH SCHOOL
You can keep promoting human rights after you finish school, whether you are taking a break over summer holidays or leaving high school forever.
Stay a human rights defender after you finish school. You can become a student member for $22 a year and we’ll throw in a free T-shirt! You’ll also receive a copy of our supporter magazine Human Rights Defender four times a year.
OVER THE HOLIDAYS As much as we’d like human rights abuses to go on holiday, they don’t. You can keep up to date with Amnesty International campaigns by visiting www.amnesty.org.au. Take action in the online action centre and post comments in news items and campaign blogs. Your local action centre is there to help you defend human rights. During your holidays, drop in and meet your community campaigner or participate in one of the many local events that they organise. See Section 04.2 for a list of action centres.
By joining Amnesty International, you’ll be very unpopular with some people … dictators, rapists, executioners and corrupt officials around the world. But don’t take it personally. The fact is, these people dislike anyone who joins Amnesty International, because we make it much harder for them to do their dirty work. If you’re going onto further education, you can join a campus group. If there isn’t one on your campus, you can set one up. We can help. Otherwise, you can join our urgent action network or your local action group straight away.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 03.2
Defender profile:
Jessica Dowdell ernational Queensland Amnesty Int President, University of Australia action group thern NSW youth network Convenor, Queensland/nor isory group ational Australia youth adv Member, Amnesty Intern ty International Australia Student member, Amnes
Jessica Dowdell at a rally supporting freedom of assembly in Iran, 2009. © AI
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To become a member or to find out about groups in your region ring 1300 300 920 or email supporter@amnesty.org.au.
INFORMATION
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 04.1
AVAILABLE SOON!
Intervention and Indigenous rights teaching resource The Northern Territory intervention is one of the most significant events in the relationship between Aboriginal people and the Australian Government in recent decades. As a consequence, it has been vigorously debated in the media and in the Australian community.
Modules include: •
Explaining the intervention
•
The intervention in the media
•
The intervention and land rights
And all of these issues go back to colonisation and what human rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples really mean.
•
Indigenous health: closing the gap
This curriculum resource for years 9 and 10 gives teachers and students a unique opportunity to study this momentous event in our cultural and political history. It explores the intervention from a range of perspectives, including the political and social context in which the intervention came about, the arguments for and against the intervention, and provides an in-depth understanding of its impact on Aboriginal Peoples.
•
The intervention and human rights
•
Self determination
The debate about the intervention is directly linked to other issues that have arisen since the bicentenary in 1988: the Mabo and Wik decisions of the High Court; the rise of the ‘history wars’; the Bringing them home report and the apology to the Stolen Generation.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST To register your interest in receiving this resource, email hre@amnesty.org.au and we will send you a link to the online resources or provide a printed version.
i
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ON THE WEB Remember 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)
www.twitter.com/amnestyoz
MySpace
www.myspace.com/amnestyoz
YouTube
www.youtube.com/AIAustralia
CONTACT US
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK OCT 2010–JAN 2011 | SECTION 04.2
Phone a friend
South Australia/Northern Territory
Did you know you have a local Action Centre to help your group? They have access to all kinds of information including free materials to help you organise your group, event or human rights actions.
Email: santschools@amnesty.org.au
ACT/Southern NSW
Tasmania
Call:
02 6202 7500
Email: tasaia@amnesty.org.au
Fax:
02 6202 7508
Call:
Call:
08 8110 8100
Fax:
08 8110 8101
80 South Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
03 6221 1000
Suite 8, Level 1, The Bunda Building, 134 Bunda Street, Canberra ACT 2600
First Floor, 130 Macquarie Street Hobart TAS 7000
New South Wales
Western Australia
Email: nswschools@amnesty.org.au
Email: waaia@amnesty.org.au
Call:
02 8396 7670
Call:
08 9476 4800
Fax:
02 8396 7677
Fax:
08 9476 4801
Level 1, 79 Myrtle Street Chippendale NSW 2007
Suite 70, City West Centre Plaistowe Mews, West Perth WA 6005
Queensland/Northern NSW
Victoria
Email: qldschools@amnesty.org.au
Email: vicschools@amnesty.org.au
Call:
07 3136 6400
Call:
03 9412 0700
Fax:
07 3216 0235
Fax:
03 9412 0720
Level 1, 354 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Suite 8, 134 Cambridge Street Collingwood VIC 3066