School Action Pack July 2012 - September 2012

SCHOOL ACTION PACK JULY 2012

Join our crisis team Welcome refugees Close Yodok prison camp Amnesty International Australia | www.amnesty.org.au

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JULY 2012

Contents SECTION 01

01.1

Updates and news

SECTION 02

CAMPAIGNS 02.1 It’s time to welcome refugees 02.2 Crisis response updates 02.3 Close Yodok prison camp

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CAMPAIGN ACTIONS: AT A GLANCE Campaign

Action

Target

Refugees

Host a welcome event; get creative with photography

Refugees and asylum seekers

Crisis Response

Get the latest crisis actions

Various

Individuals at Risk

Write to demand the closure of Yodok prison camp

Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un

Cover: A dawn candlelit vigil to mark the one year anniversary of Syria’s uprisings, Sydney, 15 March 2012. © Hamish Gregory/AI

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 JULY 2012 | SECTION 01.1

Welcome back!

We are constantly amazed with what you achieve for human rights every term. In term two students campaigned for a strong Arms Trade Treaty, created cards thanking MPs for recognising homelands’ importance, and wrote letters to stop the execution of two Sudanese child offenders.

Let us know what you are doing by emailing youth@amnesty.org.au. We love to hear your successes.

Remember to let us know if we can use your photos in our campaigning work. You might even see your budding photography skills featured in next term’s school action pack!

CHELTENHAM GIRLS’ CONCORD PROJECT Last term Cheltenham Girls School NSW decided to tackle the issue of children in detention.

“We wanted to do something productive and meaningful and focus on an issue that would be relevant to students,” the students said.

They created the ‘Concord Project’ – a film featuring Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Amnesty International’s refugee expert Doctor Graham Thom and refugee ambassadors from Chill Out advocacy group.

At the time of writing, the YouTube film had over 8,000 views. The students were interviewed by Channel 7!

“I think a rewarding part is seeing students who never thought they could have an impact realise that they actually can ... we are not too young to care,” said one prefect.

“The students leading the project and taking it into their own hands was really rewarding.”

Students also designed cardboard dolls with messages to their local member of parliament about why kids should not be in detention.

If your school wants to take part in this action you can view the film at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYm8Xd_53Bo facebook.com/TheConcordProject Congratulations Cheltenham Girls!

Cheltenham Girls’ Concord Project. © Cheltenham Girls School

THE UN NEGOTIATES AN ARMS TRADE TREATY Some 193 United Nations member governments are meeting in July to negotiate a global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which can restrict how weapons are traded between countries. Amnesty International has been campaigning to ensure that the treaty has human rights protection at its core.

Here are just a few ways you’ve supported an ATT: 1. Penrith Selective High School New South Wales worked with the Schools Network Outreach Team to present a workshop to students. They compared their stories to those affected by the Arms Trade and then took action.

Students attending: 100 Banana action count: 100 =100% success!

2. South Australian students met with Youth Coordinator Dan for ATT workshops. They came up with different ideas about how they could spread the message through their community.

Bananas are harder to trade

3. North Sydney Girls High School held a ‘Bananarama’ themed Arms Trade Treaty assembly and sold banana bread and muffins.

internationally than weapons.

4. Sunshine Coast Grammar School amnesty group in Queensland built banana trees to display at their school. They placed each banana card they collected on the trees.

Can you believe that? Students have been instrumental in spreading this fact and have helped collect thousands of signatures.

Sunshine Coast Grammar School amnesty group act for an ATT. © Sunshine Coast Grammar School.

Banana action count = 200 Total banana count = 500,000+ globally! So far this includes more than 30,000 Australian signatures. Well done and thank you for your amazing work.

All those actions will be delivered to Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr and key decision makers at the United Nations.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JULY 2012 | SECTION 01.1

By the time you receive this school action pack the UN will be meeting.

Hopefully the negotiations go well and there is an Arms Trade Treaty with human rights at its core on its way… but just in case, please go to www.amnesty.org.au/armstrade to see how the negotiations are going.

We will let you know if we need more help to get an ATT over the line.

Event for an Arms Trade Treaty, Federation Square, Melbourne, June 2012. © AI. Photographer: Renee Stamatis

Townsville action group created a big banana for their ATT campaigning. © AI

Amnesty International staff blitz for an ATT, 20 June 2012. © AI

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JULY 2012 | SECTION 01.1

SCHOOLS NETWORK OUTREACH TEAM The Schools Networks Outreach Teams (affectionately known as SNOTS!) have now been established in every state. If you would like an outreach team member to assist your school in defending human rights please email youth@amnesty.org.au.

Youth Coordinator Dan Scaysbrook recently spent some time with the WA SNOTS. The team has been running school workshops on Amnesty International, the Arms Trade Treaty and the emerging crisis in Syria.

Here is a rundown on what makes the WA team so special: Wahida Wahida was the first WA team member and was instrumental in building the team – excellent work Wahida!

Sarah “It’s a privilege to meet amazing people like you and witness you changing the world. I know how lucky I am to have an education, freedom and safety; most of the world isn’t as lucky as me.”

Hannah Hannah is in her first year at the University of Western Australia.

“I got involved with the team to work with fellow young people in keeping those around us aware of human rights.”

Lara “Young people can view things from a different perspective and usually have a more positive and fresher attitude than many adults.”

Mo “Nothing compares to the power of youth and what it can achieve.

Let’s use this power to do something meaningful and protect our rights and those of others.”

The Western Australia Schools Outreach Team (left to right) Mo, Hannah, Wahida and Sarah. © AI

CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JULY 2012 | SECTION 02.1

It’s time to welcome refugees We hope you enjoyed World Refugee Week from 19 to 25 June. A very big thank you to those who participated in the Walk Together events – marches to welcome asylum seekers and other migrants to Australia.

Hopefully you held exciting events at your school too – let us know how you went at youth@amnesty.org.au.

Remember our detention centre tour, when we visited eight detention centres to investigate the impact of detention? We saw with our own eyes the negative impact that ongoing detention has on the mental health of men, women and children.

REMEMBER THE FACTS It is not illegal to seek asylum.

Most people who arrive by boat are genuine refugees.

Boat arrivals are a small issue with only 2% of our annual immigration arriving by boat.

But who decides when asylum seekers are allowed out of detention?

Former asylum seeker Dinh Tran (centre) and children of former asylum seekers Megan Le and Daniel Le. © Hamish Gregory/AI

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JULY 2012 | SECTION 02.1

ACT NOW>>

LOCKED UP FOREVER? Indefinite detention means being locked up for an unknown amount of time, maybe even forever. Current Australian laws mean that asylum seekers who arrive here can be locked up indefinitely even though they haven't committed a crime.

Amnesty International believes that asylum seekers should be released from detention once health and security checks are done. These checks should not take more than 30 days to complete. This means that asylum seekers could live in the Australian community and contribute to our country while they are waiting for the government to determine if they are a genuine refugee in need of protection.

For some refugees, the situation is even more dire. If the Australian Security Intelligence Officer (ASIO) gives you a negative security clearance, you and your family can be detained for the rest of your lives.

People who receive these negative assessments are not given a court trial or even charged with a crime. In fact, they aren't told anything about why they have got a negative assessment and there is simply nothing they can do to defend themselves against the allegations. Does this sound fair to you?

They can’t just go back to where they came from either. In all cases, these people have been granted refugee status so they cannot be returned home.

They are indefinitely detained with no way out.

Currently there are 51 cases like this. This includes six children, locked up because of their parents’ negative security clearance.

Former asylum seekers Najeeba, Raihana and Nooria Wazefadost. © Hamish Gregory/AI

HOLD A WELCOME PARTY In term three you can host a welcome party to celebrate the diversity of our community. Make a “You are welcome” banner with names and messages for asylum seekers on it to display.

Please take a photo and email it to youth@amnesty.org.au so we can include it in the next school action pack.

TELL YOUR TEACHER That the SBS ‘Go Back To Where You Came From’ Teacher’s pack will be available again this year in August. This educational resource offers practical and widely accessible case studies and class activities to get students thinking about refugees and asylum seekers. Email youth@amnesty.org.au for a copy.

CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JULY 2012 | SECTION 02.2

Help us respond to crises The nature of a crisis is that they can happen suddenly and with no warning, so our crisis work is continually changing.

Our crisis action team is a network of volunteers who are ready to act for a crisis within 48 hours. The work is exciting and fast-paced. Here are three crises that the crisis action team has worked on this year.

i The International Criminal Court was established in 1998 as way of ensuring

SYRIA More then 12 months ago protests against oppressive regimes started across the Middle East and North Africa region. Beginning in Tunisia, the protests quickly spread to Libya, Egypt and Syria. Governments responded with violence and a lack of respect for human rights.

In May this year the violence in Syria escalated rapidly when 108 people including women and children were massacred in the village of Houla.

Amnesty International launched an immediate campaign calling on the Russian Government to use their influence to demand an end to the bloodshed in Syria. Of course, we know that a strong Arms Trade Treaty could have stopped weapons going to Syria in the first place.

A dawn vigil in support of the people of Syria, March 2012. Š Hamish Gregory/AI.

international accountability for crimes against humanity.

Amnesty International campaigned to have this court established.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JULY 2012 | SECTION 02.2

ACT NOW>> MELINDA TAYLOR In June Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor was arrested in connection with her work for the International Criminal Court. Melinda Taylor was sent to interview Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, as part of an investigation. It is alleged that Ms Taylor tried to pass on coded documents to him, charges which could amount to espionage or violations of Libya’s national security.

Amnesty International held serious concerns about her safety and took instant action, asking supporters to write to the Libyan Prime Minister demanding her release.

On 3 July, three weeks after Melinda Taylor’s arrest, she was released from detention. This came after sustained diplomacy between Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr and Abdurrahim el-Keib, the Libyan Prime Minister, and pressure from the UN Security Council, the International Criminal Court and Amnesty International supporters around the world.

CAMBODIAN FORCED EVICTION PROTESTERS Thirteen women were arrested in late May after peacefully protesting against the destruction of their homes and the forced evictions of families living around Boeung Kak Lake, Cambodia. The women were subjected to an unfair three hour trial, in which two people attempting to appear as witnesses were also arrested.

Amnesty International supporters called for Cambodian authorities to release the women and drop all charges against them. After one month and three days behind bars, the thirteen women were released on appeal on 2 July.

Tep Vanny, one of 13 women arrested at Boeung Kak Lake. © “Free the 15!”

Crisis situations are constantly changing. Jump online and see what the latest action is at www.amnesty.org.au/crisis.

CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JULY 2012 | SECTION 02.3

Close Yodok prison camp CHILDREN TORTURED An estimated 50,000 men, women and children are currently held in Yodok political prison camp in North Korea. Yodok is one of six known camps in the country. In all, about 200,000 political prisoners and their families are imprisoned without trial or following grossly unfair trials.

Family members of suspected criminals are also sent to Yodok and inmates, including children, are tortured. Hazardous forced labour, lack of food, beatings, inadequate medical care and unhygienic living conditions all result in chronic illness. Many prisoners die in detention or soon after release.

All the camps have ‘total control zones’ from which inmates are never released except in very rare circumstances. Infants born in total control zones are imprisoned there for life.

The North Korean Government denies the existence of political prison camps, even though their existence is confirmed by satellite photographs and testimonies.

Activists deliver signed petitions demanding the close of Yodok to the Embassy of North Korea, Berne, Switzerland, April 2012. © AI

i Infants born in ‘total control zones’ are imprisoned there for life.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JULY 2012 | SECTION 02.3

ACT NOW>> The Oh family. © Private

Write to the Supreme Leader of North Korea, calling on him to: Close Yodok and other political prison camps and immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience held in the camps, including relatives held on the basis of ‘guilt by association’.

Immediately end all executions and abusive forced labour, torture and other ill-treatment of detainees.

Send your letter to: Kim Jong-un Supreme Leader of North Korea Pyongyang Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Salutation: Dear Chairman Please send a copy of your letter to us. We will present it to the Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations in Geneva.

When North Korean national Oh Kil-nam requested political asylum in Denmark in 1986, he was forced to leave his wife and two daughters in North Korea. Oh Kil-nam’s family was sent to Yodok in 1987 after he failed to return to North Korea. He received letters from them in 1988 and 1989, and photographs in 1991. He is the only person known to have received this kind of information from inmates. A former inmate claims that Oh Kilnam’s wife and daughters were later moved to Yodok’s total control zone. Oh Kil-nam has received no further information about them.

Please let us know all the letters you and your friends write for these cases between now and the end of December 2012.

Then we will add your actions to the global tally! email: iar@amnesty.org.au (subject line: Write for Rights) Write for Rights, Amnesty International, Locked Bag 23, Broadway NSW 2007

One prisoner of conscience is too many.

Aung San Suu Kyi

AUNG SAN SUU KYI UPDATE Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader of National League for Democracy party in Burma and one of the most famous former prisoners of conscience. More than 20 years ago Aung San Suu Kyi and her party were elected to govern Burma. However the military regime that was previously in control did not like this outcome. They arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and many of her colleagues.

Aung San Suu Kyi (centre) is presented with an award by Bono (right) and Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty (left). Dublin, Ireland, 18 June 2012. © Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

Amnesty International students and other activists have worked tirelessly to get prisoners of conscience, including Aung San Suu Kyi released in Burma. After spending the majority of the last 20 years under house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi was released in 2010. She is now an elected member of the Burmese parliament.

Aung San Suu Kyi recently travelled to Europe where she finally accepted her Nobel Peace Prize 21 years after it was awarded.