Wednesday 31 March
"Amnesty International" Howard Bell
Our guest speaker was Howard Bell who spoke to us about Amnesty International. Howard is the President of the Central Coast Chapter of Amnesty International.
Howard told us that Amnesty International is like Rotary in that it is a worldwide movement that aims to make a difference.
Amnesty International was founded by Peter Benensen a London barrister in 1961. He was motivated to take action after a group of students in Portugal were jailed for toasting “freedom”. Amnesty International is now a 2.8 million strong group seeking justice, dignity and freedom for all in the darkest corners of the world.
Amnesty International Australia was formed in 1962 and is set up to work locally and around the world.
Howard advised us that Amnesty International investigates the most harrowing of human rights abuses around the world. They aim to bring the dictators and warlords responsible to account. Their vision is to have greater human rights compliance every day.
The members of Amnesty International are encouraged to think globally and work locally. For example in relation to domestic violence they choose not to remain silent. Globally they seek to bear witness to stories that would otherwise remain invisible and to hold those responsible for human rights abuses to account.
Howard advised us of the sort of activities Amnesty International carrys out in NSW to achieve its aims including:
- Letter writing
- Petitions
- Publications
- Awareness campaigns
- Booths at festivalsIn general they seek to mobilise people to put pressure on decision makers to defend human rights.
Howard advised us that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was central to Amnesty International. He advised us that the 60th anniversary of the UDHR was celebrated on 10 December 2008. Howard advised us of his favourite sections of the UDHR being:- Article 25- Right to food, clothing, housing, medical care and social services.
- Article 23- Right to work in good conditions.
- Article 5- Right not to be tortured.Howard informed us that some of the current campaigns of Amnesty International Australia are:
- Stop Violence Against Women.
- Demand Dignity (aims to end poverty).
- Human Rights Act for Australia.
- Indigenous at Risk.
- Crisis Response.Howard also spoke about Harmony Day and how the principles of Harmony Day- one world, one family, and one mission of love tied in with the principles of Amnesty International.
In conclusion Howard noted that size makes a difference and that the work of Amnesty International is not easy but everyday it changes the world.
Howard was thanked by Janelle Watson.