School Action Pack July 2011 to September 2011

SCHOOL ACTION PACKJULY 2011

Indigenous rights and the intervention

Amnesty International celebrates 50 years – enjoy a taste of freedom!

Help free Nobel prize winner

Rethink refugeesAmnesty International Australia | www.amnesty.org.au Celebrating 50 years of defending human rights.

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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JUL 2011

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 Indigenous rights and the intervention02.2 Amnesty International at 5002.3 Help free Liu Xiaobo02.4 Rethink Refugees

Action

Support Indigenous people in the Northern Territory

Hold a Taste Of Freedom dinner

Free Liu Xiaobo

Challenge misconceptions about refugees

Target

Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory

Friends, family and classmates

Wen Jiabao, Premier of the People’s Republic of China

Australian public

CAMPAIGN ACTIONS: AT A GLANCE

Cover: Torchlight parade through Oslofor Nobel Peace Prize winner LiuXiaobo, Norway, 10 December 2010.© Greg Rødland Buick

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

Indigenous Rights

Amnesty International at 50

Individuals at risk

Rethink refugees


UPDA

TES

AND

NEW

SAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JUL 2011 | SECTION 01.1

RETHINK REFUGEESWe have received hundreds of conversation cards from schools across thecountry. With recent steps backward in asylum seeker and refugee policy itis important that students continue to change the conversation. See Section02.4 for more on this campaign.

CAMPAIGN FOR EQUALITYAmnesty International continues to support Campaign for Equality activistsin Iran. Campaign for Equality is a grass roots movement of women and menthat work together to try and put an end to laws that discriminate againstwomen. They are under constant threat of arrest and imprisonment becauseof this work.

We have gathered actions supporting Campaign for Equality activists fromschools and universities across thecountry. Below are some examples of actions.

Sunshine Coast Grammar SchoolAmnesty International School ActionGroup’s Campaign for Equality posters.© Sunshine Coast Grammar SchoolAmnesty International School Action Group


AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JUL 2011 | SECTION 01.1

DOMESTIC WORKERS’RIGHTSLast term we told you the story of Lenny, a 14-year-olddomestic worker in Indonesia. Domestic workers inIndonesia have no rights at work, because they are notconsidered workers under workplace legislation inIndonesia. There are 2.6 million women and girls asyoung as 12 who do this type of work, which involvesrepetitive household tasks. These workers face poorconditions and no access to the entitlements that wetake for granted, like sick leave and holidays. Thesewomen and girls work in someone’s home without anyprotection, so they are vulnerable to abuse.

Amnesty International Australia is working with non-government organisations in Indonesia to try and getthe government to pass a law to protect domesticworkers. Amnesty International is currently preparing a petition indicating support for Indonesian domesticworker law reforms, which will soon be handed to theIndonesian government.

Last term we gave you the opportunity to create stencilsto show domestic workers in Indonesia they have oursupport, which we are still collecting. If you have anystencils to show us, or want another copy of the actionplease email [email protected]

Ecco, a 13-year-old domestic worker inJakarta. © AI

Demonstration in Jogjakarta fordomestic workers’ rights. © RumpunTjoek Nyak Dien


AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JUL 2011 | SECTION 02.1CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

There are 370 million Indigenous people in the world. These groups are verydiverse but there are common themes that affect Indigenous people globally,including poverty, health and restrictions on self determination.

To address these issues the United Nations Declaration on the Rights ofIndigenous Peoples was adopted in 2007. It aims to create a framework forlaws in countries with Indigenous populations and to make sure that issuesare addressed by working directly with Indigenous communities.

The declaration states that Indigenous peoples have the right to:

• self determination• freedom from discrimination• freedom from assimilation• maintain and enjoy distinct culture• the principles of free, prior and informed consent.

DEVELOPING THE DECLARATION

The development of the declaration was led by Les Malezer, a Gubbi Gubbiand Butchulla Man from far north Queensland, who was chair of the GlobalIndigenous Caucus. The caucus consulted with Indigenous people acrossthe globe about the declaration. It took 20 years of meetings to ensure thedeclaration reflects the diversity of Indigenous peoples.

Like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the declaration is notlegally binding. Instead governments are expected to introduce laws andpolicies to make sure the obligations in the declaration are met.

When the declaration was adopted only four countries voted against it: Canada,New Zealand, the US and Australia. However, in 2009 the AustralianGovernment finally made a public statement formally endorsing the declaration.

To read the declaration search online or email [email protected] and wewill send you a copy electronically or by snail mail.

Indigenous rights and the intervention

Self determination is

when someone defines

their own life. The

purpose of the

Declaration on the

Rights of Indigenous

Peoples is to ensure that

Indigenous peoples

globally can actively

make decisions about

their own lives.

i

Husband and wife Bessie Petyarr andJeffery Pepperill Kemarr outside afamily member’s house at Arlparracommunity in the Utopia homelands.© Mervyn Bishop/AI

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WHY DO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HAVE DIFFERENT RIGHTS TO OTHER PEOPLE?

Indigenous people have rights that are unique to them simply because theyare the first peoples of their nation. Because there has been a lot of injusticedone to Indigenous peoples as a result of colonialism and dispossession, it isimportant to have a special set of guidelines that helps correct these injustices.

THE DECLARATION AND THE NORTHERN TERRITORY INTERVENTION

The Northern Territory intervention subjects more than 45,000 people todiscrimination based on their race. The government says the intervention wasintroduced to ensure the protection of women and children by restrictingalcohol, having more police in communities and quarantining people’swelfare payments. All of this was done only to Aboriginal communities,without any prior consultation.

We have been working with communities in the Northern Territory (NT) toreveal how the intervention contradicts both the Declaration on the Rightsof Indigenous Peoples and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The ongoing impact of the intervention was summed up by a group ofAboriginal elders in February 2011:

“Under the intervention we lost our rights as human beings, as Australiancitizens, as the first people of the land. We feel very deeply the threat to ourlanguages, our culture, and our heritage. Through harsh changes we havehad removed from us all control over our communities and our lives. Ourlands have been compulsorily taken from us. We have been left withnothing. The legislation under which we now live does not comply withinternational law. It is discriminatory. We are no longer equal to otherAustralians. We are no longer equal to you.”

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

An enduring symbol of the intervention is the signs that are erected onAboriginal land to show people that communities are subject to the intervention.For the communities affected it feels like they are all being punished justbecause they’re Aboriginal.

IMAGINE…

Waking up and there was a sign in the middle of your town or in front of yourhouse, telling what you can and can’t do. The sign was not put there becauseof what you had done but only because of where you lived … or because ofyour race.

Article TwoIndigenous peoples are free and equal to all othersand have the right to be free from any kind ofdiscrimination, including discrimination based ontheir indigenous origin or identity.

Article ThreeIndigenous peoples have the right to selfdetermination. This means they can choose theirpolitical status and develop as they want.

Article SevenIndigenous people have the right to live in freedom,peace and security. They must be free fromgenocide and other acts of violence including theremoval of their children by force.

Article ElevenIndigenous peoples have the right to practice andrevitalise their cultural traditions and customs.

© Mervyn Bishop/AI



Question: Which one of thesesigns is not like the others?

1. Health clinicThis is the sign for the Urapuntja Health Clinic. Theclinic is located on fly dreaming country (Amengernternenh).It’s a safe place for families – as you can see in the sign,little children are considered sacred.

2. Diabetes feetA health education sign on the Sandover Highway showinghow the community takes care of itself.

3. Rocket RangeThe sign for the ‘suburb’ of Rocket Range on the Utopiahomelands, home of the mighty Ankowenyerra Swansfootball team and five Alyawarr families. Rocket Rangeoverlooks the rainbow dreaming ranges.

4. Intervention signA Federal Government sign indicating the community issubject to the intervention.

(Answer over the page.)

Signs of the times © Mervyn Bishop/AI

1

2

3

4


ACT NOW>>MAKE YOUR OWN SIGNS

Show the people in the NT they have the support of school students by making your ownsigns.

You could make a sign saying something like:1. Take the signs down.2. End the intervention.3. I am a school student and I don’t support the intervention.

Or something you think will work.

Send your sign (or a photo of your sign) toDan Scaysbrook, Youth CoordinatorAmnesty International, Locked Bag 23 Broadway NSW 2007

Or email it to [email protected].

Remember to let us know that we have permission to use your images in our campaigning work.


Answer: the intervention sign.

Alyawarr women collecting ntyeny anterrng(red Mallee seeds), Sandover Highway, Utopia homelands, August 2009. © Rusty Stewart/AI

Signs advertising the interventionare very different to the other signs.These signs strip people of theirdignity and unnecessarily hurt goodcommunities and families.


50

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ACTION PACK JUL 2011 | SECTION 02.2CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

Last term we told you the story of London barrister Peter Benenson, thefounder of Amnesty International. He was outraged when he heard about twoPortuguese students who had been imprisoned for drinking a toast to liberty.

He wrote an article in a London newspaper on 28 May 1961 demandingamnesty for these students and urging people to write letters. In the 50years since, Amnesty International has grown to a global movement of 3million supporters across 150 countries.

On 28 May supporters gathered across the world to have candlelit dinnersand take action to defend human rights. In Australia we called the event a‘Taste of Freedom’.

As part of our celebrations, Amnesty International is acknowledging all thesupporters who have been responsible for creating the amazing impact wehave around the world. Here are some of the activists in the Asia Pacificregion who, like you, are campaigning to ensure everyone gets their taste of freedom.

YOUTH PROFILEAMELIA KUNOTH-MONKSAGE: 18

Amelia Kunoth Monks lives with her mum, sister, grandparents and two dogsin the Utopia homelands, 260 km northeast of Alice Springs. Amelia spokeas a youth representative when Irene Khan visited Utopia with AmnestyInternational in 2009.

Favourite TV show: Supernatural

Football team: Essendon

Favourite food: homemade spaghetti bolognaise

Favourite bushfood: bush banana

What are you passionate about?I’m passionate about being an Alyawarr/Antmetyarr person. It brings me alot of strength. I know where I belong and where I stand. I love dancing. I dance to get out frustrations.

What’s important to you?Life, family, friends, animals. Being one with animals and the land. Wedon’t own the land, the land owns us.

What makes you crazy?When people look down on us as Aboriginal people – it just gets me workedup. We’ve been here for 40,000 years, why not meet us halfway. Don’t treatus like kids. We should work together as partners.

What do you think about the Declaration on the Rights of IndigenousPeoples?I don’t know how it got made, but it says that we’re meant to have rights.Rights to be on country. The right not to feel racism. A lot of the time, I’m not seeing that so it’s important to protect those rights. If they’re notprotected, the result could be so devastating it can’t be fixed for 100 years.

What are your goals for the future?I want to be a train mechanic and work ‘black on black’ with my people.And I want to not eat too much junk food.

If you could choose, would you go to space or Spain?Spain. I would track down Rafael Nadal. Spain it is.

Amnesty International at 50

© AI



JEMMA (JEM) STOVELLNSW COMMUNITY CAMPAIGNS INTERN AGE: 25

Jemma got involved in Amnesty International as an intern about threemonths ago. Jemma has been working with the NSW community campaignsteam on the refugee campaign, and also in schools educating studentsabout human rights.

Jemma has completed the Bachelor of Arts Development Studies at theUniversity of NSW and has discovered through her study the importance ofglobal human rights.

The refugee campaign is Jemma’s favourite aspect of the internship.

“I like the way you can have conversations with people around refugees andasylum seekers,” she says. “Although sometimes it’s controversial, you canhelp people understand the issues a bit better and sometimes even changetheir mind.”

Jemma completed her internship in mid-June but stays involved by workingon the refugee campaign. This has included working on an art exhibition byyoung Afghani women who came to Australia as refugees, which celebratesand shares their experiences.

ALEX PAGLIARO CAMPAIGN COORDINATORAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Alex Pagliaro started her involvement with Amnesty International at LoretoCollege where she was head of her school action group. After studyingInternational Studies at Adelaide University, Alex moved to Sydney and tooka volunteer caseworker internship at Amnesty International. Volunteerinternships allow people to volunteer their time to help asylum seekers indetention who need help processing their claims for refugee status. Alexnow leads the Rethink Refugees campaign.

“I think what I love about my job is meeting people who arrived in Australiaas asylum seekers and learning their stories,” she says. “They are alldifferent but each person has shown amazing courage and strength whichinspires me.”

Get involved, get active. It’s important to

have a voice and work together to create a

better world. Amnesty International creates

a coordinated way to create change.

“

Living in a country where you can openly

express your views and work with others to

protect human rights is something that we

shouldn’t take for granted.

“

© AI

© AI



RAFFAELE PICCOLO MEMBER, NATIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY GROUPMEMBER, SANT BRANCH COMMITTEEMEMBER, ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY ACTION GROUPINTERNATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING 2011 DELEGATEAGE: 22

Raff is currently studying a Bachelor of International Studies, Laws and aDiploma of Languages (Italian) at the University of Adelaide. He is involvedin Amnesty International in a number of ways, including being selected togo the International Council Meeting in the Netherlands this year asAustralia’s youth delegate.

“I have always had an interest in speaking out for those not able to do so,”he says. “I became aware of Amnesty International while at high school,when the plight of refugees and the Tampa crisis became regular publicnews. Amnesty International was the group I most associated with helpingrefugees from then on.”

FAISAL AZIA ACTIVIST, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MALAYSIAAGE: 23

At the age of 18 Faisal got involved with Amnesty International Malaysiathrough working on prisoners of conscience issues.

He is now working on the Demand Dignity campaign. “[It] has put me in asituation where I can really be more aware of the problems occurring inurban areas … the problems of forced eviction, rights to housing andeducation for the poor and slum kids,” he says.

One of the highlights of his involvement with Amnesty International waswhen he conducted tuition with children refugees from Burma.

“It was a great experience in doing groundwork,” he says. “It gave us areal exposure on how to actually deal with the issues. It also provided uswith some knowledge in guiding us for future groundwork projects.”

Don’t be afraid to be challenged on your

ideas and beliefs. See it as an opportunity

to re-evaluate why you hold certain beliefs.

If you cannot convince yourself of their

importance, or substantiate your own beliefs

then it may be hard to convince others as

well. Celebrate every signature and view you

change, as it is a step in the right direction.

“

I once came across these quotes which said,

“Give to every human being every right that

you claim for yourself,” and “The only thing

necessary for the persistence of evil is for

enough good people to do nothing”. Both

quotes put a benchmark as to when a man

should make a move in making the world a

better place for everyone.

“

© Raffaele Piccolo

© AI Malaysia


Poster competition coming soon!Since long before computers or the internet, posters have been a powerfulcampaigning tool for grabbing public attention in visually-impactful ways.We have chosen 50 from our archives that highlight Amnesty Internationalcampaigns over the last 50 years.

In term four we will be inviting students to enter a competition to design a poster celebrating our 50th anniversary. Start thinking of ideas now!

Some of these posters are below. For more ideas and to see more posters go to www.amnesty.org/50

ACT NOW>>TASTE OF FREEDOM

This term we are inviting students to enjoy theirvery own ‘Taste of Freedom’. Invite your friends,teachers and classmates to hold a picnic or alunchtime event. Bring some food to share andinvite people to come along.

One of you could speak about why this event isimportant. You could also use it as an opportunityto take action – perhaps you could participate in anaction in this pack, like writing a letter for Liu Xiaobo.

Let us know what you are doing or send photos ofyour event by emailing [email protected].


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CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

University academic Dr Liu Xiaobo won the Nobel Peace Prize on 8 October2010 for his human rights work in China. However, he was unable to attendthe ceremony and accept this honour as he is currently serving 11 years inprison, simply for exercising his right to freedom of expression.

Liu Xiaobo has a long history with pro-democracy movements. In 1989 hejoined others to hunger strike in Tiananmen Square and following his arrest washeld in prison until 1991. He has since published several articles questioningthe Chinese Government’s conduct in Tiananmen Square. Because of this hewas placed under house arrest in 1995, then sentenced to three years in a‘re-education through labour’ camp.

On 9 December 2008, Liu Xiaobo co-authored a proposal for legal and politicalreform in China called Charter 08. More than 10,000 people added theirnames to the Charter after its release. On 25 December 2009, he wassentenced to 11 years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power”because of Charter 08 and other articles he had published.

On top of this, Liu Xiaobo’s wife Liu Xia, a poet and artist, is under illegalhouse arrest in Beijing and has very limited contact with the outside world

Amnesty International continues to campaign for Liu Xiaobo’s and Liu Xia’srelease. They are two of thousands of individuals at risk, imprisoned or facingintimidation and violence solely for peacefully expressing their beliefs or fordefending the rights of other people.

Help free Liu Xiaobo

Liu Xiaobo. © Private

ACT NOW>>The anniversary of Liu Xiaobo winning the NobelPeace Prize is coming up on 8 October 2011.

WRITE A LETTER

You can help by writing a letter to the Chineseauthorities calling for Liu Xiaobo’s release. Pleasemake your letter polite and respectful.

Address your letter toWen JiabaoPremier of the People’s Republic of China.

Your letter can include points such as:• You would like Chinese authorities to release

Liu Xiaobo immediately and unconditionally.

• You would like them to lift surveillance and allrestrictions on Liu Xia’s freedom of movement,freedom of expression and association.

• Why you feel it is important for the authoritiesto release Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xia.

WRITE A POEM FOR LIU XIA

While Liu Xia cannot receive visitors, she can receivemail. As she is a poet, we would like to send herpoems, so she knows that we are thinking abouther and working for her and Liu Xiaobo’s release.

Your poem could be about her situation, herhusband winning the Nobel Peace Prize or aboutthe hundreds of people around the world workingfor their release. You are welcome to include apicture with your poem if you feel inspired.

Please send your poems and letters to

Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xiac/- Youth CoordinatorAmnesty International AustraliaLocked Bag 23Broadway NSW 2007

We will collect your letters and poems and sendthem on.


Liu Xiaobo is being held in Jinzhou

Prison, in Liaoning province, north-

east China. On completion of his

sentence, he will also be deprived

of political rights for two years.

i



Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xia. © Private

Torchlight parade through Oslo forNobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo,Norway, 10 December 2010.© Greg Rødland Buick


CAMPAIGNS : INFORMATION AND ACTION

So far we have received hundreds of conversation cards from you and otherstudents just like you – thank you! We are in the process of sending them toasylum seekers and refugees in detention and will report back on responsesin the next term’s school action pack.

There have been lots of developments in refugee policy since we receivedthose cards.

THE MALAYSIA DEAL

Over the last few months we have featured in many news bulletins about ouropposition to the Australian Government’s decision to exchange 800 asylumseekers who arrive by boat with 4,000 refugees currently in Malaysia.

We joined many other organisations in calling on the government to reversethis policy. While we welcome the decision to accept more refugees, we holdgrave fears for the people sent to Malaysia as part of this deal.

Malaysia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention. It also has not signedthe Convention against Torture. This means that asylum seekers sent toMalaysia could face inhumane detention conditions and torture.

Under Malaysian law there is no legal recognition or protection of refugees,so it is unlikely that asylum seekers sent there will have access to adequatehealthcare, schooling or employment opportunities. If they do work they facearrest and potential imprisonment.

At the time of writing, the full details of this deal were not clear but it’simportant to remember that it is not illegal to seek asylum in Australia by boat.

Does it seem fair to punish people for doing something that is not illegal?

Rethink refugees

Detainees in the KLIA ImmigrationDepot Malaysia, July 2009. The KLIAImmigration Depot is so overcrowdedthat detainees sometimes cannot stretchout to sleep. © AI

Immigration detainees at the LenggingDetention Centre, Malaysia, July 2009.© AI

ACT NOW>>There is lots of discussion held in the media aboutrefugees and asylum seekers who arrive by boat. Itis now time for school students to have their say.

Read the story of Rajeed over the page, a teenageboy who represents the typical asylum seekercoming to Australia by boat from Afghanistan.

Think of a creative way you can tell his story. Youmight want to host a speak-out at your school oreven create a play about this story. Or you couldmake a map of Rajeed’s journey using pictures to illustrate the things that happen to him alongthe way.

Let us know what you are up to by [email protected]


It is important that students continue

to change the conversation about

asylum seekers. It’s only when we have

challenged the myths and misconceptions

about those who arrive by boat that we

can expect decent policy for refugees

within our community.

i



GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM

During World Refugee Week in June SBS screeneda unique documentary series called Go Back ToWhere You Came From. This television programfollowed six ordinary Australians for one month asthey lived as refugees and asylum seekers, tracingin reverse the steps that modern-day refugees andasylum seekers take to reach Australia.

Amnesty International, SBS and the RefugeeCouncil of Australia have teamed up to produce aneducational resource that aims to get studentsthinking about those who seek asylum. Thisresource is available from Amnesty International.

Get a copy for your school by [email protected].


School Action Pack July 2011 to September 2011

Documents

Transcript of School Action Pack July 2011 to September 2011