Palestine-Israel Speaker

Hannah Rought-Brooks, a barrister who until the end of last year was an Ecumenical Accompanier with the Ecumenical Accompaniers' Programme in Palestine - Israel, will speak for half an hour with slides on her work in Jerusalem, liaising with Israeli and Palestinian peace groups and working also in The Occupied Territories.

There will be time for questions and a discussion at the end.

Cards for Thet Win Aung and Aung San Suu Kyi

Many thanks to all those who wrote cards at the ceilidh for PROTECT THE HUMAN WEEK. We went out more than 30 of the PTHW cards plus a similar number with Thet Win Aung's photo on them. These were sent out to the ASEAN nations with requests for them to remember Thet Win Aung and Aung San Suu Kyi (who marked 10 years detained this week).

Monster Ball

Well the ceilidh for PROTECT THE HUMAN week was a smash hit. Michaelhouse was bulging with dancers and card writers. We managed to get about30 cards written for Aung San Suu Kyi and Thet Win Aung. These will go off to the ASEAN nations this week.

Plenty more photos inside.

Monsters Ball

‘Imagine a World’ Cambridge Exhibition

‘Books for Amnesty’ on Mill Road hosts the highlights of Cambridge’s contribution to the ‘Imagine a World’ national exhibition. The Cambridge exhibition will be on show until the second week of November.

Stop Violence Against Women

We're looking for more people to get involved with this national campaign. Is it somehting that might interest you? Can you spare a few hours every month to do a spot of work on this campaign? Then get in touch and we'll sort you out with something. Lots to do.

Aung San Suu Kyi Marks 10 Years in Detention

On October 24th Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will mark a total of 10 years of her life in detention.

Currently Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest in Myanmar (Burma) despite repeated calls for her release from the international community including the ASEAN group of nations, the UN and a number of Nobel Prize winners including Desmond Tutu and Václav Havel.

Ceilidh: Get your tickets now!

It is time to get your tickets for our grand ceilidh dance night on Saturday 22 October from 8pm at the Michaelhouse Centre on Trinity Street, featuring the fabulous Fendragon ceilidh band.

Tickets are £5 from Books for Amnesty on Mill Road or from Celia. If you want some tickets to sell then phone Mike on 01223 500051.

Big Day Out Photo

8.8.88 Vigil a Success

Many thanks to all who came and supported our 8/8/88 vigil for Burma marking the anniversary of the August 8th massacres when thousands were killed by the regime all over the country.

We had a great turnout and most people stayed the entire two hours. The public were very interested and we have had a lot of enquires since. Over 300 leaflets were given out to passers-by.

Silent Vigil for Burma

We will be remembering Burma once again on the anniversary of the 8/8/88 massacres with a silent vigil outside Great St Mary's. From 7 till 9pm we will stand in silent protest as Aung San Suu Kyi reaches 9 years and 288 days in detention.

Our Prisoner of Conscience student leader Thet Win Aung will have spent a total of 2200 days in prison. Come along and help mark this day. Even if you can come for a short while.

Ceilidh in October

University Group Makes DVB

Cambridge University Amnesty International (along with David Howarth MP) have had their cage protest outside Kings College again. This time they were campaigning for our prisoner Thet Win Aung. There are a couple of great pictures of the event on the Democratic Voice of Burma website.

Urgent: Volunteers Needed for Big Day Out

We need as many volunteers as possible to help at The Big Day Out (Parker's Piece, Saturday 9th July, 10am - 5pm) to help us promote the Stop Violence Against Women campaign. Please email our SVAW coordinator Anna McMahon or phone Mike on 01223 500051.

Thet Win Aung: Family Pleas for Prison Conditions

The father and brother of our PoC, Thet Win Aung, have met with Burma's Interior Minister Maj Gen Maung Oo to urge him to improve the living condition of political prisoners.

See reports on-line by:
The Irrawayddy
and
The Democratic Voice of Burma

Aung San Suu Kyi Birthday Cake

David Howarth MP

Speaker Event:

Stop Violence Against Women Campaign is planning an event in September with two major speakers in the Friends Meeting House. At a special group meeting members will hear from campaigners who are working to build a world with freedom from violence against women.

Marathon Complete

Group member Mike Edie has completed his marathon for Thet Win Aung. Mike ran the Edinburgh Marathon 2005 to raise money for Amnesty International and to highlight the case of Thet Win Aung, our adopted PoC.

So far the money raised tops £1200. You can sponsor the run, tax free via JustGiving.com, by clicking HERE

Many thanks to all who have contributed so far and supported him.

Can you help at Strawberry Fair?

This years fair is on Saturday June 4 from 10am to 5pm on Midsummer Common, Cambridge. If you can spare one or two hours helping out on the Amnesty stall then that would make a massive difference to our efforts on the day.

We will be asking people to sign petitions relating to the death penalty and a large birthday card for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We will also have other information about the City Group, AI(UK) and our campaigns. In particular we hope to get some local people to come along to our meeting on the following Thursday.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Birthday Celebrations

Burmese opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will celebrate her 60th birthday under house arrest on Sunday 19 June 2005.

So far she has been detained for more than 9 years and 200 days - almost one in every six days of her whole life.

There are many celebrations across the world on that day including Edinburgh offering her the freedom of the city. To mark the day in Cambridge our new member of Parliament David Howarth MP has kindly agreed to come and cut her birthday cake at our meeting on Thursday June 9 2005 from 7:45pm at the Friends Meeting House.

We are planning a street action outside the Friends Meeting House and it should be a good opportunity for people in Cambridge to get a bit of cake and help us mark the occasion. So come along, bring a friend and help us free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and make Burma (Myanmar) a place of freedom from fear.

Letter Writing Success

It seems our letter writing evenings in the Alexadra Arms pub in Gwydir Street each month are having some success. One of our young writers has had not one but two replies from embassies.

The Indonesian Embassy wrote back regarding Human Rights in West Papua whilst the Saudi Embassy replied with respect to the use of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

Marathon: Not Long to Go.

Local group member Mike Edie will soon be running a marathon in aid of Amnesty International and to promote our adopted Prisoner of Conscience Thet Win Aung.

'Big Busk' Huge Success!

Many thanks to all who put so much effort into the Big Busk on Saturday. Especially Mark Hannington who did an amazing job getting such a large collection of talented people together.

The grand total raised on the day was £740.72! "Give or take a few euros, punts and krona."

An amazing event with an amazing result. Further details and piccies to follow. (Hopefully)

Prisoner Thet Win Aung's Health 'Deteriorating'

Our Burmese Prisoner of Conscience Thet Win Aung, who is currently serving a long sentence in Mandalay Prison in Myanmar(Burma), has experienced a serious deterioration in his health further reports have claimed.

"The Big Busk" List Grows

Response so far for performers for "the Big Busk" has been fantastic. Performers so far include:

• Arco Iris (samba)
• Grupo Senzala Anglia (Capoeira)
• Kassa (African percussion)
• The Brooks Quintet (Brass quintet)
• Tim MacDonald (Bagpipes)
• Thomas Edwards (guitar and singing)
• Pete Newbon (guitar and singing)
• Michael Rundle (guitar and singing)
• Martin Saxon (guitar and singing)
• Cliff (guitar and singing)

and many, many more expected. So get on down to Cambridge Town and support Amnesty International (and have a bit of a dance around whilst you're there).

Musicians / Performers wanted to join in the "Big Busk"

We are organising the "Big Busk", an all day busking session on the Market Square Cambridge to raise awareness and funds for Amnesty International.

The Busk will take place on Saturday the 14th of May from before lunch till shop closing time.

We're keen to have a really wide and varied range of talented local groups / individuals join in and help us entertain the Cambridge shoppers and there are still slots available. So if you / your group has a performance you'd like to donate to the day get in touch!

Either way listen out for the thundering Samba drums and various musical delights. A day for all the family.

Its AGM Time Again

1 Hour: Something to Do This Month?

Perhaps you don't have much time and feel you can't do much. But do you have one hour this month? One hour where you can write a letter on your own at home?

Big Sing = Big Amnesty Success

A selection of international songs were sung by the joyful Good Vibrations with the Bulgarians supplying a set of haunting (but good humoured) traditional Bulgarian folk songs. A fantastic evening for everyone at St Luke's church.

Thanks for Letter Writing

A great turn out at this months letter writing evening. We wrote more than 28 letters and 11 post cards for prisoners in Myanmar (Burma). Thanks to all who came. (We came second in the pub quiz at the end. Doh!

The next session will be on Sunday April 17 at the Alexandra Arms again. All welcome.

Run Raised More Than £650 For Amnesty

Group member Mike Edie's half marathon run raised more than £650 for Amnesty International. Many thanks to all who contributed.

Tartan Army Supports Thet Win Aung

Stop Violence Against Women Meeting

USA Death Row Brit Conviction Quashed

The face of Kenny Richey is familiar to most of our members. He has been on death row since 1987 in the State of Ohio and has long been believed to be innocent. Amnesty International's campaign for his removal from Death Row was realised today when his conviction was quashed in the courts.

Half Marathon Run for Amnesty and Thet Win Aung

Local AI member Mike Edie is trying to raise money for Amnesty International by running the Reading Half Marathon 2005

Question Time in Cambridge

For more info check the BBC website where you can book a seat.

Stop Violence Against Women: Action

This year’s Human Rights Day action is on the subject of Violence against Women. On Friday there will be a stall with a “Tree of Hope” outside the Spar shop in Stapleford, 9 – 12 noon, and you are invited to come and sign a card to hang on the tree to further this cause.

Ceilidh Dance Tonight!

The Human Rights Day Ceildh is on tonight. Get your tickets form the Amnesty Shop on Mill Road or from Mike Edie (01223) 500051 or on the door. Kick off is 8pm at Michaelhouse on Trinity Street.

BRING ALL YOUR FRIENDS!

Suu Kyi House Arrest "extended"

It appears Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest has been extended according to reports from her party the NLD.

More ..

Min Ko Naing "Greetings to international students"

A letter from Min Ko Naing has been made available to us thanks to Democratic Voice of Burma, greeting students who worked for his release all over the world.

Nick Yarris Interview (The Guardian)

An interview with former Death Row inmate Nick Yarris in the Guardian here...

Our Stop the Death Penalty campaign page ...

Min Ko Naing is Free

Our group's prisoner Paw Oo Tun alias Min Ko Naing has been freed by the Burmese regime. He was flown home directly yesterday.

Burma: 3,937 Prisoners Free - is U Win Tin?

Last night the ruling State Peace and Development Council announced they would be releasing almost 4,000 prisoners. At the time it was not certain if any of these would be Prisoner of Conscience. But this morning it was suggested U Win Tin may be free.

Dr Hans Blix to give Lecture at the Law Faculty

None other than Dr Hans Blix will give this years Hersch Lauterpacht Lecture at the CU Law Faculty. Its open to the public and free. I kid you not. Hans Blix!

Oil, Water & Human Rights

The Middle East/North Africa Conference

A conference to explore the links between human rights and the way governments and companies manipulate people through management of oil and water.

Human Rights Day Ceilidh is GO!

December the 10th is International Human Rights Day and we will be celebrating with a ceilidh in Michaelhouse on Trinity Street.

Happy Birthday Min Ko Naing!

Today is Min Ko Naing's 42nd birthday. He is currently serving year 16 of his 10 year sentence for peaceful opposition to Burma's brutal regime. Help us free Min Ko Naing by writing a letter to the regime. more ...

Regional Conference Report

A smash hit Eastern Regional Conference was held at the Cambridge Friends’ Meeting House on Saturday 9th Oct. More than 90 people turned up (60 were expected) to hear AIUK Director Kate Allan speak on the “Stop the Death Penalty" campaign and introduce former Death Row prisoner Nick Yarris.

East Anglia Regional Conference: Cambridge 2004

The 2004 Easter Regional Conference will be held at the Friends Meeting House in Cambridge on Saturday October 9th.

European Social Forum 2004

Cambridge Refugee & Asylum Network (CRAN)

The Cambridge Refugee Support Group (CRSG) reports that they are getting appeals for help from a number of people who have become destitute.