The Chaucer Amnesty Youth Group - What are we about?

Hi all,

Did you spot the posters and the balloons? Well we finally launched the Chaucer Amnesty Youth Group on the 13th Oct with a bit of a 'show' (see pictures) to raise awareness of the plight of prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay. There are still 3 British prisoners being held under 'suspicion of terrorism' in the Guantanamo detention centre by the US authorities who have yet to be charged for any crime. We do not only want to raise awareness of the British prisoners but all the other adults and minors (under 18's) who are being held there too.

How would you like it if a member of your family was picked up as a suspect of terrorism perhaps just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time or simply because they were the wrong culture, skin colour or religion?

Not only are these suspects locked up in extreme conditions of solitary confinement for long periods of time but torture is also regularly used on them in the hope that they will reveal their guilt. Not one suspect out of more than 700 detainees has been put on trial yet.

If you believe in justice then the question to ask yourself is - whether torture gives you the truth or whether it merely aims to give what the interrogator wants to hear?

Guantanamo Bay is an illegal detention centre run by the US government on Cuban soil and we at Amnesty are fighting for it to be finally closed down.

There are many campaigns we are involved with around the world: The Illicit Arms trade, The Fight for Freedom of Speech and Conscience. Can you imagine if you could be put in prison for saying you didn't like the government? Well unfortunately in many countries around the world some people are or worse murdered for practicing their freedom of Speech. Why are woman still suffering abuse and violence around the world and why are children still being used as child soldiers? Why does human slavery still exist today? Why are refugees still being discriminated against by individuals, businesses and governments? Why is the death penalty still being used in many countries around the world? Did you know that people can be executed for being homosexual in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Sudan?

Would you like to join us and help to raise awareness in others and campaign for fundamental human rights? We believe Human rights should belong to everyone not just a select few.

Joining a Pressure group like Amnesty means you meet like minded people, and campaign together for change in the world. Pressure groups do have power and influence over governments, fighting for justice with Amnesty can gain national and global coverage so why not get involved ?

Would you rather just switch off from the ‘real world’ and watch some escapist TV and ignore or forget?

Pop in and join us Monday Lunchtimes in H205 1.10 - 1. 30 (you can bring your lunch too).