School Action Pack - February 2012

SCHOOL ACTION PACKFEBRUARY 2012

Thumbs up for women in Egypt

Learn about the global arms trade

Keep up the pressure for homelandsAmnesty International Australia | www.amnesty.org.au

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK FEB 2012

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

SECTION 02 CAMPAIGNS02.1 Learn about the global arms trade02.2 Thumbs up for women in Egypt02.3 Keep up the pressure for homelands02.4 You've got mail on refugees!

Action

Take part in the 100 days of global action

Add your thumbprint and demand Egyptianwomen’s rights

Write a letter asking the government tofund homelands

Start planning your event for Refugee Week

Target

Friends, classmates, teachers

The Egyptian Government

Treasurer Wayne Swan

Friends, classmates, teachers

CAMPAIGN ACTIONS: AT A GLANCE

Cover: People take action for Egyptianwomen's rights at Harvest musicfestival, Melbourne, November 2011.© 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

Arms Trade Treaty

Crisis response

Homelands

Rethink refugees

UPDA

TES AN

D NE

WS

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK FEB 2012 | SECTION 01.1

Welcome to the first School Action Pack for 2012!I hope everyone had a safe and fantastic break – lots of sun, surf, friends,good food and good presents I hope?

I’m sure you are all raring to get back into the thick of human rights, sodon’t worry, 2012 will offer some new and interesting opportunities forstudents to take action. Yep, I’m as excited as you are, so let’s get started!

There will also be some cool changes to the school pack in 2012, so pleaseread on – I’d love to hear your feedback. Please send any questions [email protected]

Have a great year!

Cheers,

DanYouth Coordinator

Welcome to 2012

STAY TUNED FOR SCHOOL OUTREACH TEAMS Throughout 2012 we will be establishing school outreach teams in everyregion. Once rolled out, the school outreach teams will be a network ofvolunteers working to build and engage school action groups.

School outreach teams are currently being established in Victoria, NSW,South Australia, NT and Western Australia. But other states needn’t worryabout missing out – we’ll be setting up your school outreach teams later in the year. Please email us if you’d like to know more or if you areinterested in registering your school.

THE SCHOOLACTION PACKWILL BE EVENBETTER IN 2012 In 2012 we are trialling differentways of producing and delivering the School Action Pack. We will be sending electronic versions of the pack in term two and four – and saving some trees along the way.

Term three’s pack will be sentthrough snail mail, but we’recreating an extra exciting, jam-packed issue to make up for all the snails’ hard work!

To make sure that the school pack is the best it can be, and that wehave your correct delivery details,please fill out the form on the next page, scan and email it [email protected] or post to Youth Coordinator, AmnestyInternational, Locked Bag 23,Broadway NSW 2007, or use theenclosed reply paid envelope.

Sydney Distance Educationsent through these amazingwrite for rights action cards – thank you for giving hopeto those in need.


CAMPAIGN UPDATES STOPPING THE SPIN ON BOATS

In 2011 we received hundreds of conversation cards, badges, pictures andChristmas cards for asylum seekers from students. Thank you to everyonewho helped change the conversation about asylum seekers and refugees who arrive by boat.

We’re not done yet – in 2012 we’ll continue to change the conversation and work towards ensuring refugees and asylum seekers are treated withdignity and respect. Find more information in section 2.4.

CRISIS WORK CONTINUES

Last term students made paper roses to show solidarity with the Syrianpeople, who are suffering serious human rights violations. If there are anyroses you’ve forgotten to send us, it’s not too late – post them or send us a photo today.

Our crisis work continues this semester – vote with your thumbprint andensure Egyptian women participate in their new democracy (see section 2.2).

Perth College Amnesty Internationalschool group takes action in support of the Syrian people.


what youthink…

turn over for our survey �

tell us


important:

SCHOOL ACTION PACK SURVEY

School name: ____________________________________________________________________________________

School address: __________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________ Postcode: __________________

I prefer email! Please send my electronic School Action Pack to:

|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|

1. I am a:

� teacher � student � parent � community member� other (please specify) ________________________________________________________________________

2. At our school we have:

� an Amnesty International School Action Group � a Social Justice Group� a teacher who uses this pack in the classroom� other (please specify) ________________________________________________________________________

(If you have a group please answer question 3. If not, go to question 4)

3. My group meets:

� occasionally � regularly � monthly � weekly� other (please specify) ________________________________________________________________________

4. I find the School Action Pack:

� excellent, I use it all the time � a good resource, I use it sometimes� a good resource, I use it occasionally � could use improvement� school action pack, what’s a school action pack?

5. How often should we send you the pack?

� each term � three times a year � twice a year

6. How many campaigns do you work on in each pack?

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Which campaigns did you work on in 2011 and why?

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. What would you like to see in the next pack?

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Have you got any other comments about the School Action Pack or the network in your region?

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please send to: Youth Coordinator, Amnesty International, Locked Bag 23, Broadway NSW 2007, or use theenclosed reply paid envelope, or email [email protected]

CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

In Australia we are very fortunate to live in a peaceful society – one whereour lives are rarely challenged by arms and weapons, except on the TVscreen. But in other places in this world, people – children, brothers, sisters,mothers and fathers – live in fear of war and armed violence.

THE PROBLEM

Currently there are no regulations about when and where governments cansell arms, so they can send them to countries even when there is a substantialrisk that the arms are likely to be used to commit serious human rightsviolations. Some countries may be war-torn or suffer from political unrest. In places like these, small arms are likely to be used and innocent civiliansmay be hurt or killed.

Learn about the global arms trade


Small arms and light

weapons are portable

firearms, especially rifles,

pistols, and machine guns.

i

International launch of the 'ControlArms' campaign, Trafalgar Square, 9 October 2003.

SUCCESS SO FAR

In October 2003, Amnesty International, Oxfam andIANSA came together to develop the Control Armscampaign calling for a global arms trade treaty.

By June 2006 the campaign had gained the supportof more than a million people.

In December 2006, The UN General Assemblyvoted to develop common international standardsfor the import, export and transfer of conventionalarms – a historic step toward an Arms Trade Treaty.

Control Arms event, India, 13 September2008. The event was part of theControl Arms campaign week of actionin support of an arms trade treaty. © AI

ACT NOW>>You can do so much to help – you’ve taken the firststep by reading this article. Your support is vital toour campaign, because we need every voice to getbehind the arms trade treaty. So spread the word!

Amnesty International will be holding 100 days of events to show support for an arms trade treaty.The 100 days will be kicking off on 23 March.Schools students are encouraged to hold eventsand add their weight to the global action!

If your group wants to help encourage governmentsto adopt a strong arms trade treaty, or you'd like toknow more, please let us know by Friday 9 March.Email the below details to [email protected]

• School name

• School location

• The best contact person at your school andtheir email address or phone number.


Arms Trade Facts and Figures1

Millions of people have been forced to flee their homes, thousands are killedand many are injured because of the irresponsible trade of weapons.

• 128 armed conflicts since 1989 have resulted in at least 250,000deaths each year. In addition, there are an estimated 300,000 armedkillings outside of conflict each year.

• Injuries are likely to be even more numerous than deaths in conflict and armed violence.

• About 60 per cent of human rights violations documented by AmnestyInternational have involved the use of small arms and light weapons.

• At the end of 2008, armed conflict had internally displaced 26 millionpeople worldwide (internally displaced people have been forced to fleetheir home, but remain in their country).

• All of the top six countries of origin for refugees in 2008 were locationsof armed conflict.

• Child soldiers (people as young as you) have been actively involved in armed conflict in government forces or non-state armed groups in 19 countries or territories since 2004. Child soldiers are forced to joinoppressive armies and battles whether they like it or not, and arevictims of a poorly regulated global arms trade.

THE SOLUTION

Fortunately we have the power to stop this injustice. In 2012 we are launchinga global campaign asking that governments agree on and adopt a strongarms trade treaty. You can help encourage them.

What is an Arms Trade Treaty? A treaty is a binding agreement between governments about how they shouldoperate. So an arms trade treaty would be an international agreement abouthow weapons and ammunition will be traded between countries. If countrieshave to abide by the set of rules in an arms trade treaty, they won’t beallowed to sell arms to countries that don’t respect human rights.

For years, loopholes in national regulations about transferring weaponsinternationally have permitted arms to be supplied to those violating humanrights and international humanitarian laws. However in 2012, governmentsfrom around the world will meet to discuss an international arms tradetreaty. This is the perfect opportunity for us to act and encouragegovernments to develop a strong and robust agreement.

Amnesty International is calling for an arms trade treaty that ensures no armstransfers are approved if there is a substantial risk that the arms will contributeto serious human rights violations.

In Australia, Amnesty International will be supporting the global movementby encouraging the governments in the Asia-Pacific region to adopt a strongarms trade treaty.

1 Killer Facts: The Impact of Irresponsible Arms Trade on Lives, Rights and Livelihoods AI (2010)

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK FEB 2012 | SECTION 02.2CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

Who can forget the massive revolutions that swept the Middle East andNorth Africa in 2011? We definitely can’t, and our crisis response team is determined to help human rights gain a foothold in the volatile region.That’s why in 2012 we are focusing on Egyptian women’s right to equality –especially their right to participate in their country’s politics and future.

Now is a time of great reform for Egypt. Former President Hosni Mubarakstepped down from the presidency in March, and democratic elections arebeing held in Egypt as we speak. This is why it’s so vital that we act now to ensure that women participate, and have equal say, in the developingdemocracy that will govern them.

Women were an integral part in the activism that led to the regime change,but they suffer significant discrimination in Egyptian law. The penal codedoes not adequately protect women from domestic violence and it is lenienttowards men who commit ‘honour killings’ against women.

Thumbs up for women in Egypt

Article Seven of the

Universal Declaration

of Human Rights: All are

equal before the law and

are entitled without any

discrimination to equal

protection of the law.

i

Egyptian women pose with their inkedfingers after voting at a polling stationin Cairo, Egypt, 29 November 2011. © AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky

PLACE YOUR THUMBPRINT HERE

FULL NAME: EMAIL:

DATE OF BIRTH: POST CODE: MOBILE:

YOUR COMMENT (KEEP IT POSITIVE AND POLITE):

Please leave your details to be contacted by Amnesty International with campaign updates or for marketing purposes.

I VOTE FOR THE EQUAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN

WHEN YOU CAST YOUR VOTE, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL WILL SEND YOUR PETITION TO THE EGYPTIAN PRIME MINISTER AND ASK HIM TO ENSURE:

Amnesty International is calling on Egypt’s interim Prime Minister EssamSharaf, and any newly-elected government, to support Egyptian women’sdemand for equality. We are asking them to ensure that:

• Women and women's rights activists form part of any reform process,and that human rights, non-discrimination and equality are at the heartof reforms during and after elections.

• Women can vote in all elections and referendums and run for publicoffice on an equal basis with men and without facing restrictions,harassment or coercion.

• Women can participate in the formulation of government policy and thatbarriers to equality are removed in existing legislation.

ACT NOW>>Did you know that after voting, Egyptians diptheir thumbs in colourful ink and stamp them onregistration forms to show that they have voted? It’s true – Egyptians walk away from voting boothswith bright red, purple and pink ink on theirthumbs, a tangible reminder that they’ve just had a say in their country’s future.

Now it’s your turn to make your mark and helpensure Egyptian women are treated as equals!Simply fill out your own ballot card below and add your thumbprint using stamp ink.

Please send it back to us and we will pass it on to the Egyptian Prime Minister.

Please send to:Youth Coordinator, Amnesty InternationalLocked Bag 23, Broadway NSW 2007

or use the enclosed reply paid envelope

or email [email protected]


People at the Harvest music festivalsin Brisbane and Melbourne take actionfor Egyptian women's rights. © AI

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK FEB 2012 | SECTION 02.3CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

In August last year Amnesty International launched a report on Aboriginalhomelands in the Northern Territory.

Titled ‘The land holds us’: Aboriginal Peoples’ right to traditional homelandsin the Northern Territory, the report highlights the efforts of the Alyawarrand Anmatyerr Peoples of Utopia in central Australia to live a healthy life on their homelands – despite policy changes that are starving Aboriginalcommunities of essential services.

The government is currently deciding whether they will fund essentialservices on Aboriginal homelands in the next Federal Budget.

Keep up the pressure!

Above: Leevina Kngwarrey on traditionalhomelands. © AI. Photo credit: April Pyle

Left: Elders Rosalie Kunoth Monks andBob Randall with Amnesty InternationalNational Director Claire Mallinson inCanberra for the launch of The LandHolds Us report, 9 August 2011. © Andrew Taylor/AI

ACT NOW>>Ask Treasurer Wayne Swan to prove the government'scommitment to homelands by allocating adequatefunding for them in the Federal Budget.

Take two minutes to write your own handwrittenletter to Treasurer Wayne Swan. You don't have tobe a policy expert to write a letter – with just a few sentences you can let the government knowyou care about homelands.

Here are some key points to start you off:

• The government needs to equitably distributefunding to Indigenous communities – includingtraditional homelands – where nearly one-third ofAboriginal Peoples in the Northern Territory live.

• Research shows that Aboriginal Peoples can behappier, healthier and live longer on homelands.With proper investment and a partnershipapproach, the government can ensure homelandsremain vibrant and healthy communities.

• The government has no right to abandonAboriginal Peoples for choosing to live on their homelands.

• The government must respect AboriginalPeoples’ connection to country and culture.

Send us your letter and we will forward them (on your behalf) to Wayne Swan.

Please send to:Youth Coordinator, Amnesty InternationalLocked Bag 23, Broadway NSW 2007

or use the enclosed reply paid envelope

or email [email protected]


WHY SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT FUND HOMELANDS?

Amnesty International believes that the government needs to fund homelandsfor many reasons. Nearly one-third of Indigenous people in the NorthernTerritory live on homelands. Research shows that with proper services,people can be happier, healthier and live longer on homelands.

Living on homelands allows Aboriginal people to maintain their spiritual and economic connection to their land and raise their families with theirtraditional culture.

James Anaya, the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Rights, said that“homelands are widely understood to have lower levels of social problems,such as domestic violence and substance abuse ... the health of Indigenouspeople living on homelands is significantly better than of those living inlarger communities.”

Despite this, current government policy to date has been to strip fundingfrom essential services on homelands – effectively forcing people off their lands and into larger towns and cities.

The government has repeatedly claimed that it supports homelands. Now they have the chance to prove their support by funding essentialservices on homelands in the next Federal Budget.

Above: Kids from Soapy Bore enjoy thebeginnings of a day gathering bushtucker and bush medicines. (Left toright) Rosiah Jones Kngwarrey, JustinLong Pwerl and Ethan Jones Kngwarrey.© AI. Photo credit: April PyleRight: Joseline Kemarr on traditionalhomelands. © AI. Photo credit: April Pyle

Late last year we received a letter to Indigenous Affairs

Minister Jenny Macklin from a five year old school student.

She asked Jenny Macklin to support homelands, which

proves anyone can write a letter and make a difference.

CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

Last year you helped changed the conversation about refugees andasylum seekers who arrived by boat. Alex Pagliaro, Amnesty International’srefugee campaign coordinator, wanted to send you a very specialthank you and let you know what the next steps are.

You've got mail on refugees!


Hi there,My name is Alex and I help run Amnesty International’srefugee campaign.

Last year Amnesty International and all oursupporters did some amazing work starting newconversations about refugees in Australia. We allworked hard to inject facts into the public debateabout ‘boat people’.

Over and over again we reiterated that:

• it is not illegal to seek asylum• the number of boat arrivals is actually quite small,

and• most asylum seekers who arrive by boat are

genuine refugees fleeing terror and violence.

Together we wrote letters to newspaper editors,talked to our friends and family, called our membersof parliament and collected petition signatures –all vital work that we’ll continue this year.

We also focused on helping individual asylumseekers in detention centres. Our casework teamvisited and talked with people in detention andour supporters, including school students, wroteasylum seekers messages of support. For an asylumseeker who is feeling alone and forgotten byAustralia, these messages offer much needed hope.

Together, we also worked to ensure that thegovernment didn’t start sending asylum seekers toMalaysia, a country where asylum seekers andrefugees are subjected to caning, exploitation andsexual and physical abuse.

It worked! At the end of last year we celebratedwhen the government ditched offshore processingand conceded that asylum seekers who arrive inAustralia must be looked after in Australia.

But we still have a long way to go.

PTO…

Top: Zohal Dad (left) and big sisterFarida Dad fled Afghanistan with therest of their family, in fear for their lives.They now live happily in Australia. © Hamish Gregory/AIAbove: The Wazefadost siblings are Afghanrefugees now living in Australia. (Left toright) Madhi, Najeeba, Raihana andNooria Wazefadost. © Hamish Gregory/AI

In 2012 we’ll continue to push for changes to the wayasylum seekers are treated in Australia. Like you,we want a refugee system we can be proud of, one that reflects Aussie values, such as helpingpeople in need and a fair go for all. If we are tolive up to our international responsibilities andgive these future Australians the best chance ofbecoming happy and productive members of oursociety, we need to allow refugees to live in thecommunity after their health and character checksare completed.

Many refugees are already processed in the Australiancommunity, and we know that this is cheaper, fairer,and more beneficial to Australia. We are asking thatall refugees are processed using this better system.

Please help us demand that the government endsindefinite mandatory detention and instead allowsmost asylum seekers to live in the community.

AlexP.S. Have you ever wondered what it’s like in a detentioncentre? This term I will be visiting detention centres aroundAustralia, including Christmas Island. There are currentlyover 4000 men, woman and children in detention centres.Follow me at www.amnesty.org.au/detentiontour

ACT NOW>>This term the action is simple. We are asking eachstudent to make a pledge to hold an event duringRefugee Week, 17 June to 23 June – that’s still a few months away, so you have plenty of time toget prepared!

There are lots of things you can do at your schoolfor Refugee Week:

• A flash mob – think of a creative way to tellpeople at your school the facts about asylumseekers and refugees.

• Set up an Amnesty International stall.

• Speak at your school assembly.

• If there are other ideas swimming around inyour head, give them a try and let us know what you’re planning. You are only limited by your creativity!

Let us know what your school is doing by emailingthe details below to [email protected].

• School name.

• School location.

• Your school’s action for Refugee Week.

• The best contact person at your school.


Young Sri Lankan asylum seekers lookout from the Australian Customs andImmigration Fisheries Patrol vesselanchored off Indonesia's Riau Island of Tanjung Pinang, 27 October 2009. © AFP Photo/Roslan Rahman

School Action Pack - February 2012

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Transcript of School Action Pack - February 2012