In this issue:
Indigenous People's Rights
Friday, Apr 4th, 7pm
Dill Board Room at the
First Nations University of Canada (FNUC)
 AI members and supporters are invited to a very special opportunity to meet and hear from a member of the staff of the Canadian Section of Amnesty International, Craig Benjamin, who works on our human rights work specificly related to Indigenous Peoples Rights. This meeting is open to the general public and will be be held at the First Nations University of Canada in the Dilll Board Room. For more information about this meeting please email regina@amnestysaskatchewan.ca
Pow Wow
Sat/Sun Apr 5-6
Brandt Centre
Amnesty International is also very honoured to have been invited to participate in the FNUC 30th Anniversary Pow Wow on April 5th and 6th at the Brandt Centre in Regina. The theme of this year's Pow Wow is "Honouring Missing Family Members" and Amnesty International has been invited to be part of the Grand Entry and to host a display table in the trade show exhibit space.
Craik: Building a community of activists in Saskatchewan
On March 16th Amnesty members from around Saskatchewan gathered at the Eco Centre in Craik, SK. The meeting was attended by 18 members from four different AI community groups: Saskatoon community and university groups and Regina community and university groups. We spent the afternoon getting to know each other, sharing our stories and recent and upcoming events. In small groups, we brainstormed on future opportunities for shared involvement. Some of the ideas included a film festival that would run in both Regina and Saskatoon and contacting local media to see if they'd be willing to print some action postcards for us.
The afternoon was a fun opportunity for us all to re-energize and connect with each other. We spent the last portion of the meeting discussing the recent opposition by Canada of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
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Here are two specific recent cases
that you can help with:
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Crackdown in Tibet:
15 monks detained and at risk of torture and ill-treatment |
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It has been impossible not to fear for the safety of Tibetans as we witness the violent crackdown in China and the near total black-out of information coming in and out of Tibet.
In spite of attempts by China to stop the flow of information, we know that 15 monks remain detained under Chinese custody. And from patterns Amnesty International has documented for years in China, we know that these monks are at risk of torture and ill-treatment at the hands of security officials. |
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Canada / Afghanistan:
Detainee transfers resume |
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 Canada and several other NATO allies struck agreements in 2005 to transfer detainees to Afghan custody despite serious concerns about systematic torture, particularly within the National Directorate of Security... Reform of the Afghan prison system is a long-term project. The alternative to the current flawed approach does not have to be for NATO forces to build their own separate facilities for handling detainees. Rather, a collaborative initiative between Afghan authorities and NATO states can contribute to penal reform and help improve the country’s capacity to meet its international human rights obligations...
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Letter writing tip of the month:
Assume that the recipient of the letter is open to reason and discussion.
Whenever possible stress the country's reputation for moderation and justice. Express respect for its constitution and judicial procedures and convey an understanding of any current difficulties.
This will demonstrate a balanced understanding on your part which will predispose the recipient of the letter to be more open to your suggestions for human rights improvements.
More tips |
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2008: A look ahead
A message from David Walker, group president
This Amnesty year should be one in which to appreciate and remember. With the election of a large, healthy executive to Group 91 in Regina, a look ahead to work of 2008 is most appropriate.
One of the first areas that will be of interest is the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Every year, on the 10th of December, people around the world celebrate International Human Rights Day. Now, almost 60 years later it is good to appreciate how far we have come and remember how far we have to go. Members have already begun the planning for the Regina event; it should be a fantastic celebration.
Next weekend, for the first time ever, Group 91 will be participating in the Powwows in Saskatchewan. It begins in April, as we participate in the Regina Grand Entry and have people staffing an information display as well.
The Cathedral Village Arts Festival will quite likely make a re-appearance for Amnesty in 2008.
As we did last year, we will be at the Regina Folk Festival with a display table and again, probably handing out Amnesty International kazoos.
There are other events and other activities that Group 91 will participate in during the upcoming year. Throughout the year, it is quite likely that no matter what the particular occasion is we will appreciate the freedoms we have and remember those that suffer injustice and tyranny throughout the world.
- Peace.
New group executive for AI Regina
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Regina Amnesty International Community Group was held on Friday, February 22nd at the University of Regina, with more than 25 members and supporters in attendence. The most important result of the meeting was the election of the Executive for the upcoming year. Dave Walker was re-elected as President and Mike Peter as Treasurer, but sixteen other members have agreed to serve on the executive as members-at-large. The new executive has already held two meeting to discuss plans for the upcoming year. Here is a short profile of the group executive, in no particular order:
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Mike Peter:
I've been a member of this group for over 15 years.
My main involvement with AI is keeping the accounting books.
I also participate in various projects in what ever role needed by the organizers.
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Sonia Eggerman:
I have just recently joined Amnesty International. I have experience in international human rights law with an emphasis on women's rights, and the law surrounding domestic violence and rape.
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Angelica Barth:
I have just recently joined the community group. I have been a member of the U of R group for about 3 years, and have just become the president of that group about a month ago.
My particular area of interest within human rights is addressing corruption and injustices done by those within and benefiting from the irresponsible corporatism and transnational corporations.
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Ruth Heinrichs:
I am an ESL instructor at the U of R and became a member 20 plus years ago because of an interest in the refugee-producing countries my students came from. I continue to be a member because AI is respected for its non-partisan stance on human rights.
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Mona Hill:
I have been a member of IA for a few months now, but have followed the work of the organization for many years and have attended a few public workshops in the past years. I am a social worker who has actively advocated in various ways for equality of opportunity to basic human rights on all levels most of my life, going back to my teenage years. I spend my spiritual time listening to music, gardening and communing with nature, and writing when I am inspired.
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Mildred Harper:
I've been associated with Amnesty Group 91 for several years now, at least 15, and was priveleged to attend the AGM in Edmonton in 2005 as a delegate, as well as participating with the two that were held in Regina. Duties with the local group have centred mainly on maintaining the contact list and helping with our various events and programs. Interested in all aspects of human rights work.
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Nathan Bauche:
I have been involved in Amnesty since 2003; both locally and nationally. I tend to focus my efforts on poverty and aboriginal issues. I have an inherent interest in world history and its relation to contemporary social issues.
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Tanveer Hassan:
I got volunteer work with AI in Jan 2008 to fulfill the requirement of 2008 President Leadership Program in University of Regina. The letter writing event lit candles in my heart and I became passionate about human rights work. I'm an IT contractor with SGI and interested to assist AI in website related tasks, communications, and treasury work.
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Ramona Furkert:
I have been involved with Amnesty International for several years, starting with the University of Regina group. My interest is in women's issues and poverty issues, to name a few.
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Shelleen Vandermay:
I am a retired Provincial Civil Servant with an education and background in provincial and international sustainable development (Parks and Tourism, Business, Urban and Regional Planning and, the Environment). I am a lifelong active member of the United Church of Canada. Presently, I am the chair of the Knox-Metropolitan Outreach and Social Action Ministry, which includes our work with refugees and I am an ESL tutor. I am committed to a peaceful, safe world.
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Steve La Rocque:
I've been involved with AI through the Regina community group for 2 or 3 years and make myself useful as the volunteer webmaster for Amnesty Saskatchewan and as the editor of these newsletters. I am particularly concerned with Canadian involvement in torture, prisoners of war and other human rights abuses in military and national security operations.
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Other executive members
(bios not available at press time):
- David Walker
- Garnet Dishaw
- Carmina Zapata Escudero
- Nicole Bear
- Asfaw Debia
- Adam Dodge
- Erin Knuttila
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The Regina Community group executive is also lucky and privileged to have the regular guidance of two of Saskatchewan's Amnesty International fieldworkers:
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Tracy Wright:
I've been an Amnesty International member for 10 years, a volunteer Fieldworker for 8 of those. My main areas of interest are Women's Human Rights and Indigenous People's Rights - I'm really excited for the upcoming campaign on Human Dignity. I'm currently completing my Bachelor's in Social Work at the U of R.
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Gordon Barnes:
I have been a member of Amnesty International for over 25 years. As a volunteer Fieldworker, I've spoken to many groups about AI's human rights work.
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