school action pack, april - july 2011

SCHOOLACTION PACK

APR–JUL 2011

Domestic workers in Indonesia

Crisis response

Amnesty International celebrates 50 years

Rethink refugeesAmnesty International Australia

www.amnesty.org.au

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK APR–JUL 2011

IMPORTANTPlease visit the w

ebsite

for the latest on our

campaigns as

circumstances can

change quickly!!

www.amnesty.org

.au

ContentsSECTION 01 01.1 Updates and news

01.2 Youth profile

SECTION 02 CAMPAIGNS02.1 Domestic workers in Indonesia02.2 Crisis response02.3 Amnesty International celebrates 50 years02.4 Rethink refugees

SECTION 03 03.1 Information03.2 Contact us

Action

Solidarity with domestic workers in Indonesia

Your school group can join our crisis network

Message of hope for family of Abuzar Al Amin

Change the conversation

Target

Indonesian authorities

Wherever human rights crises emerge

Abuzar Al Amin

Australian Government

CAMPAIGN ACTIONS: AT A GLANCE

Cover: Ecco, a 13-year-old domesticworker from Jakarta. About 2.6 millionwomen and girls in Indonesia need thegovernment to protect them fromabuse and violence. © AI

Amnesty International is part of the global movement defending human rights and dignity. We work with people in Australiaand our region to demand respect for human rights and protect people facing abuse. We campaign, conduct research andraise money for our work. Our active members, such as school action groups, play a vital role in achieving our aims throughwriting letters, sending online actions, organising creative awareness-raising activities and fundraising in their communities.

Campaign

Demand Dignity

Middle East and North Africa

Amnesty International celebrates50 years

Rethink refugees

UPDA

TES

AND

NEW

SAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK APR–JUL 2011 | SECTION 01.1

CAMPAIGN FOR EQUALITYAmnesty International Australia continues to take action in support ofwomen in Iran.

We are working with a grassroots movement called Campaign for Equality, an Iranian women’s rights group that is committed to ending discriminationagainst women in Iranian law.

Campaign for Equality members included men and women in Iran who arepeacefully campaigning for their government to treat women fairly.

The group provides legal training and visits women in their houses to discussthe needs for laws that treat women equally.

SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE ACTION ON BEHALF OF ALIEH

In the last school pack we showed you some birthday cards that studentshad made for Alieh Aghdam-Doust, a women’s rights activist in Iran who was sent to prison for three years because she took part in the Campaign for Equality.

Well, we have some great news. Alieh has recently been moved from solitaryconfinement – where she has been kept for about a year – to the generalprison area. This was one of the requests we had made in our letters to theauthorities. It means her friends and lawyers will be able to visit her.

>> ACT NOWAmnesty International believesthat Alieh Aghdam-Doustshould never have been jailedand we will continue to work for her release. And we are stillcollecting pictures to show oursolidarity and support forCampaign for Equality activistsin Iran.

Make a sign expressing yoursupport for women’s rights in Iran and either email [email protected] or send it by snail mail to:

Daniel ScaysbrookYouth CoordinatorAmnesty International AustraliaLocked Bag 23 Broadway NSW 2007

Please send it by 1 August.

Once we have gathered yourartwork we will make a video fileand upload it to the Campaignfor Equality website on YouTubeso the women in Iran can seethat they have our support.

Campaign for Equality activists aim to collect 1 millionsignatures of Iranian nationals to a petition demandingan end to legal discrimination against women in Iran.© Campaign for Equality, R. Asgarizadeh.

A woman signs the petitiondemanding changes to lawsdiscriminating against women inIran. © Campaign for Equality.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK APR–JUL 2011 | SECTION 01.2

YOUTH PROFILE

School convenors: Natalie Christophers and Andrew BakerNatalie Christophers and Andrew Baker are the regional schools

convenors for Queensland and northern NSW.Both are locals from sunny Queensland and share a passion for

human rights.They became involved in 2010 after attending a volunteer night

at the Queensland Action Centre.Natalie is particularly passionate about Indigenous issues and campaigns

to protect women’s rights. Andrew is completing his Masters, with a

focus on refugees. He is excited to be working with schools on the

Rethink Refugees campaign.

To become a member or to find out about groups

in your region phone 1300 300 920

or [email protected].

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK APR–JUL 2011 | SECTION 02.1 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK APR–JUL 2011 | SECTION 02.1CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

BACKGROUND

Domestic workers are people who work in someone’s house doing chores suchas cooking, cleaning and caring for children.

Many are as young as 13 years old, working up to 18 hours a day, seven daysa week.

Much of the work they do is continuous and repetitive and their pay is very low.

Their lives are lonely and vulnerable. Many live thousands of kilometres fromtheir home villages so they are unable to visit their friends and family.

There are more than 2.6 million women and girls in Indonesia who do this work.

The government in Indonesia does not recognise what they do as real work sothese women and girls do not have access to the rights we take for granted inAustralia, like sick leave, holidays or paid parental leave.

Domestic workers in Indonesia

Above and over page: A group of women domestic workersstage a public action in Jakarta this year on 14 February -National Domestic Workers' Day. They printed messages onhandmade T-shirts asking the government for laws to protectdomestic workers and hung them on clotheslines at one of thebusiest roundabouts in Jakarta. © Jala PRT

Women and girls in

Indonesia do not have

access to the rights

we take for granted

in Australia.

i

Everyone has the right to just and favourableconditions of work, includingfair wages, equal pay forequal work, safe and healthyworking conditions, rest,leisure, reasonable workinghours and holidays with pay.

Article 7 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (summary)

LENNY’S STORY

Lenny was 14 years old and living on the island of Javawhen she was abducted and forced to become adomestic worker.

Her mother was ill, so she did the work believing themoney she earned would help pay for much-neededmedicine.

Lenny was then sold to another employer and takenhundreds of kilometres from her sick mother.

She was told her salary would be 200,000 rupiah permonth. When converted to Australian money, this equalsabout $23 per month – or less than $1 a day.

Lenny worked from 4 am until 11 pm every day. She wasbeaten and bullied by her employer and never receivedany pay.

She eventually escaped with the help of an organisationin Indonesia that is working to stop exploitation.

There are many other girls like Lenny who are beingabused and need help.


ACT NOW>>Amnesty International is asking the Indonesian Government for a law that will protect the rights of domesticworkers. We want to show the women in Indonesia that they have our support.

Cut out the image opposite and use it as a stencil on paper, canvas or even on a T-shirt. After creating yourpicture, write this statement:

Either in English or Bahasa

ENSURE LEGAL PROTECTION FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS IN INDONESIA

WUJUDKAN PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM UNTUK PRT DI INDONESIA

SUPPORT DOMESTIC WORKERS RIGHTS IN INDONESIA

DUKUNG HAK PRT DI INDONESIA

PARLIAMENT HAS FAILED DOMESTIC WORKERS

PARLEMEN DINILAI GAGAL LINDUNGI PRT

When you’re finished, send it – or a photo of it – to Amnesty International Australia. We will collect the artworksand photos and send them to women’s groups in Indonesia to show them they have our support in seekingbetter working conditions.

Let us know what your group is doing by emailing [email protected]


Cut out this this stencil and use it to create anartwork, t-shirt or sign along with the words opposite.

�

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK APR–JUL 2011 | SECTION 02.2CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

Amnesty International in Australia and 150 other countries respond to humanrights crises across the globe. Last year school groups gave their support todefend the 3 freedoms in Burma. People’s human rights are often violated ina crisis, which is why it is important for Amnesty International to keep awatchful eye on who is doing what. Amnesty International Australia and therest of the international movement is working non-stop to protect andimprove human rights across the region and especially among people who areasking for a say in how their country is run.

Since January 2011, our crisis response team has been working with thepeople of Egypt and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa to ensure that human rights are protected as change takes place.

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Using the popular social technologies facebook and twitter, thousands ofpeople spread the word and gathered in Egypt's streets for 18 days. Theycalled for democracy, a better standard of living and an end to the oppression.

During the protests in Cairo, security forces arrested a group of about 35 lawyers and human rights defenders, detaining them without charge. Two of those arrested work for Amnesty International.

On 12 February, Amnesty International supporters gathered in Sydney,Melbourne, Brisbane and 43 other cities across the globe with their banners,placards and mobile phones to show their solidarity for the people of Egypt.

The change in Egypt followed similar mass protests in Tunisia and people inmany other countries throughout the region are also demanding change and a better life, as illustrated in the map on the next page.

You can keep up to date with the human rights stories in these countries by visiting www.amnesty.org.au.

Crisis response

About 300 people in Sydney stood insolidarity with the people of Egypt to callfor human rights to be upheld, Saturday12 February 2011. © Hamish Gregory/AI

The Universal Declaration

of Human Rights

Article 19

Everyone has the right to freedom

of opinion and expression; this right

includes freedom to hold opinions

without interference and to seek,

receive and impart information and

ideas through any media and

regardless of frontiers.

Article 20

Everyone has the right to freedom of

peaceful assembly and association.

“

Students took action last year in solidarity with the peopleof Burma. These photos of the number three symbolisethe freedoms of expression, assembly and association.

Bahrain

Yemen

Saudi Arabia

EgyptLibya

Tunisia

Algeria

Morocco

ACT NOW>>Amnesty International has been encouraging theauthorities in each country to ensure that humanrights are protected wherever and whenever protestand change takes place.

Amnesty International Australia will often takeaction on crises as they emerge. We want to know ifschool students would like to join our crisis networkand take 'urgent action' in their school andcommunity when crises emerge.

To register your group's interest or to get moreinformation email [email protected]


Here is a snapshot of the unfolding events across the Middle East and north Africa.

MoroccoThousands of people have joined protests asking King Mohammed togive some of his powers to the elected government.

Young people led and organised these protests using social networkingwebsites.

AlgeriaPeople have been protesting about the rapid rise in the price of food.

TunisiaOn 14 January 2011, following a month of anti-government protests,President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali secretly fled the country, ending 23years of repressive rule. Amnesty International Australia will continueto monitor this changing environment.

EgyptEmpowered with social media forums such as facebook and twitter,thousands take to the streets demanding an end to an oppressive regimeand to human rights violations, including economic and social rights.Amnesty International Australia supporters join with many others aroundthe world to defend and uphold human rights for everyone – in the faceof change.

LibyaInspired by the dramatic events in Egypt, people in Libya took to the streetsseeking a similar change in their country. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi hasrefused to step down and has violently supressed the protests, resultingin the deaths of more than 1,000 people. With the intervention by NATO(North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), Amnesty International continuesto monitor the situation to ensure that human rights are protected.

Saudi ArabiaOpposition movements are banned in Saudi Arabia, although therehave been some small scale protests.

BahrainIn February 2011, security forces use live ammunition and excessiveforce against peaceful protesters and medical staff, with at least eightpeople dying.

YemenOne of the poorest countries in this region, more than half thepopulation live on less then $2 a day (source: www.bbc.co.uk). At least94 protesters have been killed prompting Amnesty International to callon the international community to step in and ensure that humanrights are protected.

50

CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

Fifty years ago London lawyer Peter Benenson read a story about twoPortuguese students who had been given prison sentences for drinking atoast to freedom. He was outraged by this injustice and took action on theirbehalf and asked people in London and across the world to do the same. He saw that by working together and exercising the right to act for a justworld, ordinary people could achieve extraordinary change.

Since 1961 countless individuals have worked with Amnesty Internationalfor change. From London to Santiago, from Sydney to Kampala, one personjoined with another to insist that the rights of every human being should berespected and protected. Friends spoke to friends, families spoke to familiesand old colleagues spoke to new colleagues. Slowly, over the course of time,and after many conversations and many letters Amnesty International hassecured the release of tens of thousands of people.

Letters and campaigns have brought an end to the death penalty in dozensof countries. As activists lobbied governments and researchers interviewedthe bereaved, they created Amnesty International’s call for untouchableleaders to be brought to account. One by one each person who took actionchanged laws and changed lives.

Here we are 50 years later. There are still many serious issues that need tobe addressed but we know that one by one we can change the world.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, Amnesty International will shareseveral stories of activists from different parts of the world who have takenaction on human rights.

School action groups like yours form a part of this work in your region,throughout Australia and across the world.

There are lots of ways that school groups can get involved in celebrating 50 years of human rights campaigning.

50th anniversary actionThis term we will be doing work for one of our individuals at risk.

Abuzar Al Amin used to work as a journalist in the African nation of Sudanuntil he was put in jail. We regard him as a prisoner of conscience and weare concerned for his health and wellbeing. Below is a story and some actionyou can take.

Freedom of expression refers to someone’s right to receive information andideas and to be able to express their opinions. This is important for peopleindividually, but also for society as a whole as it effects how people are ableto make decisions about their lives; for example, who they will vote for in anelection.

Freedom of Expression is included in the Universal Declaration of HumanRights (1948), with Article 19 stating “Everyone has the right to thefreedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to holdopinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart informationand ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.

ABUZAR AL AMIN OF SUDAN

Abuzar Al Amin is a journalist in Sudan. He is the Deputy Editor in Chief fora daily newspaper called Rai Al Shaab in the capital city, Khartoum. Thenewspaper is affiliated with an opposition political party called the PopularCongress Party.

Following national elections in April 2010, the Rai Al Shaab printed articlesthat analysed the elections and an article suggesting that an Iranianweapons factory had been built in Sudan.

Agents working for Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Servicesbegan visiting the newspaper office in May. They have the power to removearticles that they think might threaten the government and the power to stopthe newspaper from being printed.

Abuzar Al Amin was arrested by the security service on 15 May. Otherjournalists were also arrested but were released a few days later.

Abuzar Al Amin was charged with several criminal offences includingundermining the constitutional system, espionage against the state andpublication of false news. On 14 July 2010, he was sentenced to five yearsin jail. His wife said Abuzar had been tortured after his initial arrest and thathe is suffering ongoing back and kidney pain. She said authorities have notinvestigated the reports about him being tortured.

Abuzar has three children. His mother is staying at the family home to helplook after them, but Abuzar’s imprisonment is creating financial stress forhis family.

Amnesty International celebrates 50 years


Teaching moment

Can you think of something that may

threaten freedom of expression?

Can you think of any new technologies

that have helped with freedom

of expression?

i

Peter Benenson, the British lawyer whofounded Amnesty International in 1961,rekindles the original candle on themovement's 20th anniversary, outside StMartin in the Fields Church, London, May 1981. © Raoul Shade

Udi Nir of Israel, is active in involvingyoung people in human rightscampaigns. © Active Stills.org

ACTIVIST: UDI NIR, 20, ISRAEL

Udi was jailed in 2008 forr refusing to do militaryservice. He is now active in involving young people in human rights campaigns.

My activism has taught me that human rights areabout solidarity. The support I received from AmnestyInternational activists during my time in prison taughtme how important it is to support human rightsstruggles and activists around the world, and howinfluential this is, no matter how far away they are.

ACT NOW>>Abuzar Al Amin has shown a lot of courage to defendhuman rights in a country where it is dangerous todo so. Show your support by sending a message ofhope to his family, letting them know that you areinspired by his bravery. He has one daughter, Ru’yawho is 15 years old, and two sons, Ahmed, 12, andAli, 9. You can include a few words of hope andillustrate the card, but due to restrictions in Sudan,please do not include pictures of people or anyreligious messages. It can be very dangerous for aSudanese person to receive images considered‘offensive’ by the Sudanese Government.

Please send your letters to the AmnestyInternational office and we will send them toAbuzar Al Amin's family. We may take a picture ofyour card and send it by email to his family as well.

You can send pictures either by email [email protected] or by post to:

Dan ScaysbrookYouth CoordinatorLocked Bag, 23Broadway NSW 2007


COMING UP…

TERM THREE

A Taste of Freedom: A great reason to organise apicnic or host a lunchtime event at your school tocelebrate our freedom.

TERM FOUR

Design a poster to celebrate our 50th anniversary.We will provide more information later in the year.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK APR–JUL 2011 | SECTION 02.3 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK APR–JUL 2011 | SECTION 02.3

ACTIVIST: CIARÁN O'CARROLL, 23, IRELAND

Ciarán O'Carroll's activism is focused on children’s rights to educationand a safe environment.

I grew up in a family with an Irish Catholic background in aconservative protestant town in Scotland. Although I took little interestin religion, I faced regular verbal and physical abuse in my school andsports teams. This instilled in me a passion for justice and humanrights. I wanted to put these beliefs into action and volunteered forAmnesty International, Oxfam and Friends of the Earth.

Risks and rewardsActivism has allowed me to meet many amazing people. When I fell illin Palestine, my fellow activists took care of me like I was a closefamily member. My family are nervous when I attend protests or serveas a volunteer, but they constantly send messages of support and arehappy to see the slide shows when I return home.

For me the main challenge of being an activist is facing the fear of theunknown. Sometimes I get nervous about asking people to sign petitionson a busy street because someone might disagree or get angry. But it’sall worthwhile when you come back with hundreds of signatures.

ACTIVIST: IRIS TUNGLAND PORTURAS, 18, NORWAY

I became a human rights activist when I was 14 years old. Being ateenager is not always fun and I felt that by doing somethingmeaningful I could gain a perspective on the huge differences betweenpeople’s lives. My sister contacted Amnesty International and westarted a group for young people in our city. For the first time I felt thatthere was something important in my routine life. I was learning abouthuman rights and about our power to defend them.

Imaginative campaignsIn most of our actions we do something visual. For example, when wecampaigned about violence against women, we made ourselves up tolook as if we had black eyes. This generated a lot of interest andpeople came up to ask if we were OK. We collected a lot of signatures,even though it was pouring with rain.

We have also carried out actions on the damage caused by Shell inNigeria, Guantánamo Bay, freedom of speech on the internet, and theexecution of minors in Iran. We organise concerts, which are a greatway to bring people together and raise awareness. Our meetings areinformal, and the members are all very different. We are like a colourfulfamily, with agreements and disagreements, and with new membersjoining every year.

© Ciaran O'CarrollIris Tungland Porturas of Norwaybecame an activist at the age of 14. © Iris Tungland Porturas

CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

CHRISTMAS ISLAND

School groups may have seen media coverage about the unrest on ChristmasIsland. Amnesty International Australia has asked the Australian Governmentto investigate the actions of police and government staff. While it is importantthat they investigate reports of alleged use of force, it is more important thatthey investigate the underlying causes.

Amnesty International Australia has repeatedly told the Australian Governmentthat holding people – including children – in detention for indefinite periodsof time leads to increased frustration and even psychological harm.

In light of this we will continue to try changing the conversation and continueto explain to the Australian people, the government and the media thatindefinite mandatory detention is not the answer.

LETTERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We have received heaps of conversation cards from schools, thanks toeveryone. Be assured that your efforts are appreciated and are making a bigdifference to people waiting for decisions about their future.

RETHINK REFUGEES

You may have seen our advertisements asking Australians to ‘rethink refugees’.They have been playing on most major television networks, at the cinema,and have been published in newspapers, magazines and online atwww.rethinkrefugees.com.au. They are an important part of our campaignfor the fair treatment of people seeking asylum in Australia.

With the support of school action groups we will continue to screen andpublish the advertisements and to collect messages of support for people in detention.

Rethink refugeesACT NOW>>

CONVERSATION AND CAKE

Bake some cakes at home and sell them atlunchtime at your school. When a student orteacher buys a cake, take the opportunity to talk tothem about asylum seekers and refugees who arriveby boat. Ask them to fill out the conversation card,and explain to them why it’s important to changethe conversation.

Send a cheque and we will use the funds to keepthe advertisements running – and change theconversation.

Ask your teacher to photocopy the attached actioncard so that each member of your school actiongroup has 10 cards. Talk to 10 people who are notalready convinced that we should welcome asylumseekers and explain why they should think again(using the conversation tips below). For eachconversation, ask the person to complete the card.Ask your teacher to send all the cards to youthcoordinator Daniel Scaysbrook, AmnestyInternational, Locked Bag 23, Broadway NSW 2007.

LET’S CHANGE THE CONVERSATION

Start your 10 conversations about asylum seekersusing the tips below.

1. Ask an open question“What would you do to save your family?”

Open questions make people answer more than‘yes’ or ‘no’ and start a conversation.

2. Personalise the conversation“I know that if I was being chased by the Taliban, I would …”

This helps people think about what they would do,creating empathy.

3. Present the facts• Asylum seekers are not breaking the rules –

it is legal to seek asylum in Australia, even ifyou arrive by boat.

• Most asylum seekers who arrive by boat aregenuine refugees fleeing for their lives.

• Less than 2 per cent of all immigrants eachyear are asylum seekers arriving by boat.

4. Acknowledge objections“I understand what you are saying. I used to thinkthat too, but then I realised …”

Listen to and acknowledge people’s concernsbefore countering them.


Amnesty International's advertisingcampaign encouraging people to thinkagain about asylum seekers.

Visit www.rethinkrefugees.com.au

Watch and share videos with your friends, read blogs, tell us about your conversations with other Australiansand watch how attitudes change when we all get involved.

Hi, I’m an Australian school student and while you are in detention I wanted to say:

Signed________________________________________________________________________

Thank you! Your message will be sent to an asylum seeker in detention.

Name ____________________________________________________________________

School ____________________________________________________________________

City ______________________________________________ Age ____________________


i


INFO

RMAT

ION

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ON THE WEBRemember 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)

Twitter www.twitter.com/amnestyoz

MySpace www.myspace.com/amnestyoz

YouTube www.youtube.com/AIAustralia

Did you know that Amnesty International Australia has an office in each capitalcity in Australia? And most of those offices have access to school conveners?

If you have a general inquiry about Amnesty International Australia, or the workwe do, or if you would like to be put in touch with people in your area, flick anemail to [email protected] and we’ll get you connected.

Youth email address re-established

[email protected]

Sarah, Maryan and Yasmeen show theirsupport for the people of Egypt at a rallyin Brisbane in February 2011.© Patrick Nelson/AI.


Phone a friend

Did you know you have a local ActionCentre to help your group? They haveaccess to all kinds of information includingfree materials to help you organise yourgroup, event or human rights actions.

ACT/Southern NSW

Call: 02 6202 7500

Fax: 02 6202 7508

Suite 8, Level 1, The Bunda Building, 134 Bunda Street, Canberra ACT 2600

New South Wales

Email: [email protected]

Call: 02 8396 7670

Fax: 02 8396 7677

Level 1, 79 Myrtle StreetChippendale NSW 2007

Queensland/Northern NSW


Call: 07 3136 6400

Fax: 07 3216 0235

Level 1, 354 Brunswick StreetFortitude Valley QLD 4006

South Australia/Northern Territory


Call: 08 8110 8100

Fax: 08 8110 8101

14 Grote Street, Adelaide SA 5000

Tasmania


Call: 03 6221 1000

First Floor, 130 Macquarie StreetHobart TAS 7000

Western Australia


Call: 08 9476 4800

Fax: 08 9476 4801

Suite 70, City West CentrePlaistowe Mews, West Perth WA 6005

Victoria


Call: 03 9412 0700

Fax: 03 9412 0720

Suite 8, 134 Cambridge Street Collingwood VIC 3066

CONT

ACT

US

Please n

ote our

NEW

South A

ustralia/

Northern

Territor

y

address

school action pack, april - july 2011

Documents

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