VISION Amnesty International's vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.
MISSION Amnesty International's mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical a n d m e n t a l i n t e g r i t y, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.
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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HONG KONG SECTION
Content
page
Message from the Chair
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Treasurer's Report
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Resource Management
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Campaign Overview
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Stop Violence Against Women (SVAW)
9
Human Rights Education
10
International Human Rights Day
10
LGBT Issues
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Refugees
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South-East Asia
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Executive Committee Members for 2007 17 Organization Chart 2007
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ANNUAL REPORT 2007
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR Amnesty International (AI) held its 28th International Council Meeting (ICM) in Morelos, Mexico, from August 11 to 17, 2007. Delegates from AI's 73 sections and structures based in 71 countries and regions took part in this highest decision-making process of the organization. AIHK was represented by three delegates -- the director, treasurer and me. At the end of the meeting, 24 decisions on human rights work, growth, financial and organizational strategies were adopted. One of the decisions is a policy on sexual and reproductive rights (SRR). The SRR policy enables AI to tackle grave violations of women's human rights that fall within its mission in the context of its Stop Violence Against Women (SVAW) campaign. Launched in 2004, the SVAW campaign calls for recognizing women's rights as human rights and addresses the global epidemic of violence against women. Women and girls make up the majority of victims of sexual violence and violence in the family. Millions of women are raped every year by partners, co-workers, family members as well as the armed forces, among others. Not only is sexual violence a blatant violation of women's rights to their physical and mental integrity but also of their sexual and reproductive rights. After almost three years of consultations, AI adopted a sexual and reproductive rights policy with a focus on selected aspects of abortion to defend women's sexual and reproductive integrity in the face of grave human rights violation. The policy upholds the rights of women to legal, safe and accessible abortion, and treatment for complications arising from abortion, in instances where they suffer sexual violence. It also supports making available comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and information to women and men. This policy takes no position on the rights or wrongs of abortion itself but supports access to safe and legal abortion when pregnancy is a result of sexual violence as further violation of rights would occur if the option of abortion is denied. Another important consensus that came out of the ICM is that every section and structure is committed to achieving what we called One Amnesty� - to be a truly global movement. AI 3
has reviewed the state of the movement and found that it has been absent from the global South and East, where most people live and where grave violations of human rights occur. We recognized that we have not been transparent in the use of resources and in being accountable to the international movement. Being One Amnesty means that every section and structure shall embark on a process of joint planning, agree on and set clear priorities, work with each other instead of separately, look beyond own borders and reallocate resources to where human rights work is most needed, and communicate with each other in a transparent and effective way. There is a long road to travel from here to One Amnesty. We are clear about some of the challenges that lie ahead and we need new insights to solve old problems. Apart from this and the global campaign on SVAW and Control Arms, another new global Campaign for Human Dignity will be launched to address human rights violations that deepen poverty and drive more people into it. In February 2007, Ms Milabel Amar joined AIHK as director. She is a compassionate and experienced activist and a human rights lawyer. Her commitment and belief in justice, wealth of knowledge in international and regional human rights issues and experience in working in an NGO setting will definitely help AIHK to further its work. For AIHK, 2008 will be a challenging year. We have plans to diversify our membership and increase youth members. We hope to have a youth delegate to the 29th ICM to be held in 2009. We will work in partnership with sections and structures in the Asia-Pacific region on issues that concern the region. Defending human rights is not the work of an individual but a team and of people from all walks of life who respect and are committed to the cause. I hope you will continue to join AI and AIHK in this endeavor.
Kong-sau Tan Chair 2007 4
TREASURER'S REPORT
AIHK experienced a decline in activity in the latter part of 2007 which led to modest falls in income as well as expenditure. Income for this year is HKD 7.7 million which represents an increase of 13% over 2006. Of the fundraising activities, direct dialogue accounts for over 96% of the year's income. AIHK continued to maintain its financial independence from the international movement in 2007. The year's figure for funds for human rights education programmes obtained from external sources has fallen again to 1%. Staff turnover compromised some of our objectives for 2007. Our efforts to build up and develop our membership as well as expand our campaign activities have been frustrated and this is reflected in part in the financial picture. Accordingly, administrative costs are estimated at 15% which is similar to 2006. Human rights education expenditure slightly increased from 21% to 22% while spending on membership development increased from 57% to 63% of total expenditure. This is because of difficulties experienced with our partners in the Direct Dialogue and has also resulted in a fall in members to 3,820 for the year - down around 627 from 2006. This decrease also reflects a rise in attrition rates during 2007, itself a product of the section's difficulties in allocating human resources to membership development this year. At the end of 2007 however we can report a surplus of HKD 4.5 million which represents 58% of total income. Looking forward to 2008 and the early recruitment of new campaign and fundraising staff, it is hoped AIHK will experience a growth in activity. The 2008 budget forecast is HKD 9.6 million income and HKD 9.4 million expenditure.
Hugh Whitby Treasurer 2007 5
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
2007
2007
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CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW AIHK used the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to revisit issues and concerns it had set down in light of the anxieties and uncertainties that had prevailed in 1997. We assessed what has happened through the years to determine whether there have been improvements or otherwise in the human rights landscape locally, in order to come up with recommendations for improvement. The report on the state of human rights in Hong Kong ten years after the handover, and related activities, were a major preoccupation in the first half of 2007. Our efforts included a photo exhibition in Wanchai, participation in the July 1 March from Victoria Park to the Government Offices in Central, and the distribution of the summary of AIHK's recommendations for improving human rights in Hong Kong. The section emphasized the role of the media in bringing information and focus to bear on important issues in the region through the Human Rights Press awards which it hands out annually, in cooperation with the Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) and the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA). Despite staff turnover, which affected our work in 2007, the section took on new themes and areas of concern. Good progress was made on the issue of 'Human Rights in Armed Conflicts', through talks, film shows and discussions among activists and NGOs as well as with media reporters in Hong Kong. Respect for human rights in situations of armed conflict is our continuing concern, and we have taken action whenever these crises come up. Reporters approached us for information and discussed with us ideas for feature stories. We have gained a name and an image that has also opened the doors of schools and universities, giving the section more opportunities to reach out and share information. We established contacts with students and plan to build on them in carrying out our tasks in the coming year. We pursued our on-line campaigns on the conflict in the Darfur region of western
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and on the detention camp at the US Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay. Early in 2007, we started a petition on conflict diamonds, i.e. diamonds mined in war zones. The section used the Make Some Noise campaign, in which a CD with John Lennon songs recorded by various artists was launched, to draw attention to the war in Darfur. The human rights crisis that developed in Myanmar in September galvanized the section into coordinating with other organizations and individuals in staging demonstrations and launching petitions. The consulate of Myanmar was approached as was the representative office of the Chinese government. We requested the Chinese government to use its influence with the Myanmar authorities, to ensure respect for human rights and the release of political prisoners. An online petition was launched calling for letters to be sent to Chinese leaders urging them to take a more active role in resolving the crisis. Another theme, 'Business and Human Rights', presented
us
with a new area of advocacy and activism.
We
had to determine where we, as a section can be most effective. Keeping in view the strategic position of Hong Kong in the global movement and in China, we have undertaken to publish the 'UN Human Rights Norms for Business & AI's Comments' in Chinese. It will enable us to reach out to other groups and companies. Thus, plans and work on this theme have laid the foundation for more effective action in the months and years to come. As the Hong Kong section readies itself to take on board the 'AI Human Dignity Campaign', we have to evaluate our available resources and capacities in order to assess how we can add value to existing work and initiatives in this area. One thing remains unchanged: every one of our achievements rely on the collaboration and efforts of individuals like you. We hope you will continue to work together for human rights! We look forward to a positive year of greater collaboration in this spirit. 8
STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (SVAW) The section has kept up its lobbying efforts, meeting legislators to press for Domestic Violence Ordinance (DVO) reforms, focusing on specific areas of concern, including the need to protect homosexual couples, to simplify application procedures and to introduce reparation. Online petitions continued, as did the gathering of signatures calling for DVO amendments. Opportunities to work with other groups have been pursued, such as collaborating with the company, Katterwall, and using the avenues they have provided to spread campaign goals.
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HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION During 2007, the section made further efforts to reach out to schools and universities, and conducted workshops aimed at increasing human rights awareness. Workshops were held for members of the police force in different venues. The section took part in public education work as part of the annual celebration of human rights day. Information was also given to professionals and other important sectors.
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY An annual carnival was held to celebrate International Human Rights Day, with activities focusing on a variety of issues aimed to raising public awareness on the local and global situation.
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LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) ISSUES During 2007, AIHK's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender group kept up pressure on the Hong Kong Government to enact a Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance (SODO), to have same sex couples included in the Domestic Violence Ordinance (DVO) as well as to draw the LGBT community's attention to international cases. Hong Kong Legislation and Lobbying: Progress towards enacting a SODO has been negligible. The Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill was launched by the HKSAR government in June, but it omits same sex couples. AIHK has submitted a written statement stressing that the omission violates international law. AIHK presented its position to the Legislative Council's Bills Committee in September. In a positive development, a discriminatory law that effectively made sodomy illegal anywhere other than in a private place was struck down. The Court of Final Appeal upheld a lower court's judgement in 2006 that two men charged with engaging in sodomy in a car could not be prosecuted as the law did not apply equally to heterosexuals or lesbians. In January, AIHK issued an Open Letter to the Broadcasting Authority over its decision to censure RTHK for a programme entitled "Gay Lovers". AIHK is concerned that the decision may lead to more self censorship and reduced visibility of LGBT people in the media. AIHK made an oral submission on the issue to the Legislative Council's Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting. Educational Work: May 17, 1990 was the day the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. The LGBT group was among the organizers of the annual International Day against Homophobia (IDAHO) on May 20. Some 500 people took part. The group participated in the sexual orientation units open day organized by the Home Affairs Bureau in May. In August, AIHK was invited to the "La La Camp" (Lala is the Chinese word for lesbians), an event 11
targeted at LGBT rights advocates in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Participants exchanged experiences and discussed the way forward. The AIHK's contribution at the forum focused on how to use the International Bill of Rights to advance LGBT rights. AIHK sponsored two films during the Hong Kong Gay & Lesbian film festival, Women Who Love Women: Conversations in Singapore and Right By Me from Thailand. International Work: The LGBT group wrote letters and made consular representations over sexual abuse, torture and other ill-treatment meted out to two gay men in Indonesia, over the sentencing of two men in Saudi Arabia to 7,000 lashes each for having had sexual intercourse and over Poland's education ministry having introduced anti-homosexuality measures seeking to restrict students' access to information and to institutionalize discrimination, in violation of obligations under human rights treaties the Polish government had taken on by virtue of joining the European Union.
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REFUGEES During 2007, we have worked to support AI's global campaign on protecting and promoting the rights of uprooted people, broadened contacts with other groups, explored opportunities to gain media coverage and raised awareness among the public on the situation of refugees in Hong Kong. Supporting AI global campaign on protecting and pr omoting the rights of uprooted people: AIHK staff and Refugee Group members responded to urgent matters concerning refugees/ asylum seekers in Hong Kong. In particular, we visited the Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre detention facility in response to a mass hunger strike by detainees. They were protesting against prolonged detention and lack of medical help. The Group lobbied the HKSAR Government on the need to protect the rights of refugees/ asylum seekers: AIHK published submissions to the Legislative Council and attended meetings with the Government. AIHK has submitted a WOOC (Work On Own Country) application to Amnesty's International Secretariat for compiling information and legal research on the situation of refugees/ asylum seekers in Hong Kong. Broadening contacts with other groups in Hong Kong: The Group is a member of the Refugee Concern Network (RCN), which is made up of NGOs and individuals. The RCN shares information and acts as a loose coalition in responding to urgent matters. Media coverage: The Group Coordinator has been interviewed by local newspapers and has appeared on Star TV to discuss the situation with regard to refugees in Hong Kong. Raising awareness: To promote discussion on refugee issues and to keep members informed of news and activities, 13
a
group
has
been
set
up:
(http://groups.google.com/group/refugeeaihk) The Group organized the following activities for AIHK members with a view to raising awareness: - Refugee Simulation (courtesy of Crossroads) - Short march, with a candlelight vigil for World Refugee Day - Special guest speaker We alerted members to refugee related events that other organizations have organized. The Coordinator and members have spoken to secondary school and university students about the situation on refugees. We hope to reach more students and to engage the public on such issues on a more frequent basis.
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SOUTH -EAST ASIA The group mainly focused on the Indonesia Domestic Workers Campaign in 2007. This worldwide campaign urged the government in Jakarta to give domestic workers in Indonesia the same rights as other workers and to better protect them against violence in the workplace. The Hong Kong campaign was launched on February 4 in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, with a postcard signature campaign. Local Indonesian domestic workers organizations participated in the activities. We launched a web action, distributing 5,000 postcards to members. We also held several campaigning events, in which we collected around 6,000 signed postcards, which have been sent to the Indonesian president. Women's groups and trade union groups joined in the campaign. AI members and supporters were requested to write letters on nine South-East Asian cases -four death penalty cases in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, three torture cases in Malaysia and Indonesia, a "fear-for-safety" case in Indonesia and a case in Malaysia where refugees were threatened with deportation to
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Myanmar. Another letter-writing action urged Malaysia to accede to the Rome Statute, or treaty, which established the International Criminal Court. After September, Myanmar took up much attention as its human rights situation deteriorated. An Urgent Action was issued on behalf of people detained in that country after initial demonstrations against fuel price rises. Following the brutal crackdown in September, Amnesty co-organized a candlelight vigil at Chater Garden to arouse public concern. A second Urgent Action called for the release of those detained in the protests. The SE Asia group asked members and supporters to send a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao, urging his government to use its influence to protect basic human rights in Myanmar. At the Human Rights Day Carnival in December, members of the public were also signed this letter. The Group always needs volunteers to help with translation and campaigning. Telephone 2300 1250 or email se_asia@amnesty.org.hk The group maintains a mailing list on yahoo to give information on campaigns to AI members and supporters. Access the group on: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aihkmalaygroup/
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2007 Chair
Tan Kong Sau
Vice Chair
Dominique Healey
Treasurer
Hugh Whitby
Secretary
Venus Cheng
Member
Medeleine Mok Chong Yiu Kwong Kelley Loper Nicholas James Lemmon Michael John Vidler Liu Pui Shan, Si-si
Staff Director
Milabel Cristobal Amar (from February 2007)
Finance & Administrative Manager
Tsen Tze Ling, Dinah
Administrative & Program Officer
Lau Hing Yeung, Danny
Administrative Assistant
Yuen Yuk Ling, Chrisdine
Fundraising Manager
Chan King Man, Manfred (till May 2007)
Campaign Manger
Hung Fan Keung, Billy (till October 2007)
Campaigner
Wu Ho Tong (till July 2007)
Campaigner
Chow Chung Wah (till August 2007)
Contacts D3, Best-O-Best Commercial Centre, 32-36 Ferry Street, Kowloon, H.K. Tel:
(852) 2300 1250
Fax : Email :
(852) 2782 0583 admin-hk@amnesty.org.hk
Web site :
www.amnesty.org.hk
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