Amnesty Ireland Bi-Monthly Newsletter
Amnesty International Ireland
We are a movement of over 10 million people, campaigning to stop human rights abuses worldwide.
Hi there,
Welcome to the first edition of our new bi-monthly Amnesty newsletter!
So much goes on here that we want to take a moment every other month to update you on all the action we've been taking for human rights. Let us know what you think!
If you want to join us and help achieve even more this year, do consider becoming a member.
ISRAEL AND GAZA
Over 25,000 supporters here in Ireland alone have signed our petition demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. The City Councils of Dublin and Limerick also joined Cork and Fingal in endorsing our report declaring Israel an apartheid state, adding to the pressure on the Irish Government to do so too.
We came together on 18 December in Dublin with eight organisations on the Global Day of Action to call on leaders around the world to demand an immediate ceasefire now.
We also marched at the US Embassy in November. Watch us take action.
We collaborated with our Amnesty USA colleagues, Irish actors, Nicola Coughlan and Siobhán McSweeney, and Irish folk singer, Mary Black, to publicly urge President Biden to act with humanity and call for a ceasefire.
We asked President Biden to listen to his Irish roots - not just when it suits him, but when it matters most!
We investigated four cases between October and November where Israeli forces used unlawful lethal force, resulting in the unlawful killing of 20 Palestinians, including seven children.
At least 507 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank in 2023, including at least 81 children, making it the deadliest year for Palestinians since the United Nations began recording casualties in 2005. Read the full report.
We are calling for:
Iran
As part of the Protect the Protest campaign we have taken Urgent Action for thousands for protesters sentenced to death for participating in the "Woman Life Freedom" protests in Iran.
We delivered over 4000 petitions to the Iranian Embassy in October 2023. Prisoners and their families, human rights defenders have told us that the Iranian authorities are susceptible to public international pressure. Your signatures help us deliver that.
Since June 2023, Ebrahim Narouie, Kambiz Kharout, Shoeib Mir Baluchzehi Rigi, Mansour Hout and Nezamoldin Hout, all from Iran’s oppressed Baluchi ethnic minority, have been released on bail, after their convictions and death sentences were overturned by the Supreme Court. We worked tirelessly to demand their release.
However, at least five individuals in Iran are still under sentence of death. At least 15 others are at risk of the death penalty and eight have been arbitrarily executed following grossly unfair sham trials. Use your voice and take action now!
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ACTION IN THE COMMUNITY
Just one of the many highlights throughout 2023 was seeing our Amnesty student group in Presentation De La Salle College demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
The group took action after a workshop with our Youth Activism Officer, Talha, on Gaza and Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians.
Our Wexford local group has begun hosting a weekly vigil for Gaza .
Taking place in Redmond Square every Thursday evening at 6.30pm, this candlelight vigil is continuing to spotlight the ongoing injustices in Gaza. All are welcome to attend.
Our December Amnesty Shop raffle was won by the fabulous Gerri Goan. Gerri walked away with an incredible €300 voucher to spend in the Amnesty shop and spend she did! Second prize of a €100 voucher was won by Suzanne McEneaney and Mary Anne Coffey won the €50 third prize voucher – congratulations all!
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Jailbreak 2023 race! Ireland's largest student-run charity challenge, students take part in challenges across countries to raise funds for us and St Vincent de Paul. Congratulations to our winners Anna and Louise!
PRESS FREEDOM
This week, Julian Assange returns to court in the UK ahead of his possible extradition to the US.
Should Julian Assange be sent to the US and prosecuted there, global media freedoms will be on trial, too.
Julian Assange is facing extradition for doing something journalists do all the time, publishing sensitive material that has been leaked to them by others.
If Assange loses, the message to journalists and publishers everywhere is: you are not safe.
We will be at the court demanding that the US and UK Free Julian Assange.
Ever wondered how Amnesty delivers its digital marketing? Our expert Digital Marketing Officer Adam McRann gives an insight into his role, what it involves, and his advice for getting into it.
What is your role, and what does it involve?
As the Digital Fundraising Officer for Amnesty Ireland. I am responsible for reaching as many new potential Amnesty members as possible using social media and paid advertising in order to increase Amnesty’s impact and grow our ability to achieve our objectives.
Interested? Read more over on LinkedIn.
Thank you for reading and being a part of our fight for human rights. If you are not yet a member, do consider joining us and help us increase our impact here in Ireland and across the globe.
In solidarity,
Stephen Bowen
Executive Director
Amnesty International Ireland