Amnesty International

One of Amnesty International’s main objectives is campaigning for the release of unjustly imprisoned people around the world.

While our efforts to bring these cases to the attention of politicians, the powerful and the public are often helpful, they are not always successful.

Nevertheless, we continue because it is a means of keeping authorities accountable, and keeping hope alive for those who are suffering wrongful imprisonment.

Every so often, our actions can contribute to successful outcomes. These include the recent release of poet Paing Pho Min from prison in Myanmar. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison in 2019 for peaceful satirical performances.

Another successful case is that of Maura, a transgender woman from Nicaragua, imprisoned for two years in an immigration detention facility in California. Despite fleeing from Nicaragua because of continual violence and abuse, she was at constant risk of deportation. She described how support from people around the world helped her to get through her ordeal and kept her from feeling alone.

These small successes can be celebrated but also remind us that there is always more work to do.

The Helen Black Amnesty International group meet between 9-11am on the second Monday morning of the month in The Gap and would love to hear from anyone interested in joining the group. Please contact Di on 33001861. The Ashgrove Amnesty International group meets on the first and third evenings of the month and can be contacted by calling Sally on 3366 2046 or 0476 006 990.