the headspace collective

helenclara

09:51:49 am on April 25, 2008 | # |

This is a bit of an announcement so sorry for using the blog… in the run up to an evening on Justice at Headspace this Sunday…

Amnesty International has helped save thousands of lives by stopping torture, preventing executions and protecting human rights defenders. One way they do this is by mobilizing members and supporters to put pressure on governments, armed groups, companies and intergovernmental bodies. Last year Headspace added its voice to a number of cases where action was needed as we sent letters of appeal relating to 14 different cases of injustice around the world.

The good news is that there have been positive outcomes for two of them Alhamdulillah! See details below.

Amnesty’s appeals for action are listed on their website (www.amnesty.org) and are a direct way to add your voice to the call for justice in hundreds of situations around the world – and they work.

Would we as a community like to do more of this? Would people like to focus on one appeal, or a small number of individuals and both lobby their oppressor and extend support to them as individuals? Is there a situation that we are already connected with that we could get more involved with?

Your + thoughts = welcome.

ROYAL PARDON FOR MOROCCAN DEMONSTRATORS

11 April 2008

Eight members of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, convicted of undermining the monarchy in Morocco last year have been released after they were pardoned by the King on Friday, 4 April. Nine others facing judicial proceedings based on the same charges also benefited from the Royal pardon. Amnesty International, who adopted the men as prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their rights, welcomed their release.

HUNGARY TO INTRODUCE PROTOCOL FOR RAPE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS

26 December 2007

Representatives of the Government of Hungary met with non-governmental organizations, including Amnesty International, on 5 December 2007 to discuss the introduction of a protocol for survivors of sexual violence in the home. The protocol will govern how the victim is treated by all services she comes into contact with from when she reports the crime. While the process is in its early stages, Amnesty International welcomes the fact that this issue now features on the political agenda in Hungary and the commitment of all involved to provide proper protection for victims of rape in the home.

Comments

bidgood 4:10 pm on 29 April, 2008 | #

Howdy.

My 2cents (baby brother of the well known rapper)

I think it is great that we are doing the group letters in headspace (and that you are co ordinating that. Kudos) However, in many ways, i think we could have greater impact if we were all writing as individuals, as amnesty tend to find that it is quantity over quality is mail campaigns. The more letters received, the greater the impression made. i suppose this makes sense, given that the whole function of these campaigns is to creat a sense, in the mind of the oppressor, that they are accountable to a vast human community, and that that community knows what they are doing.

I used to write loads of letters. It is such a simple and effective thing to do. However, my time management over the last few years has wavered, and i have become far less effective on this front. The thing i would find really helpful would be a writing group (of the kind that exists all over the country), as the group impetus is motivating. Could we do such a thing over the blog? or via the facebook page. Is there a gorup of folks out there who would like to commit to involving themselves in this more fully, and writing on a regular basis. It really isn’t a big time commitment, but being in some way accountabel to a community makes it so much easier. Especially when you have a scattergun brain like mine.

well, that was more like 37.5 cents. Further thoughts?