salisburyai.files.wordpress.com · web view2021-06-06 · amnesty international salisbury group....
TRANSCRIPT
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting on Thursday 10th June 2021
7.00 pm via Zoom
Joanna, Mike, Peter, Lesley.
LC
3
£30.06 (Cash)
Please see the Salisbury Group Website www.salisburyai.com for the full international update covering Canada, the USA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Belarus, Iran and Pakistan, together with a report from the WCADP.
Of particular note:
· The execution took place in Texas of Quintin Jones following the denial of his appeal that ‘race played an impermissible role in the Board’s denial of his application for clemency.’
· In South Carolina, the bill was passed into law that will force prisoners on death row to choose between a firing squad and the electric chair should the drugs needed for lethal injection not be available. It was reported in Arizona that the State is preparing to use a gas that is the same as the Zyklon B used by the Nazis in their extermination camps.
· Roman Protasevich, an exiled Belarusian national, previously Editor-in-Chief of the opposition news outlet, NEXTA, was detained, together with his girlfriend, and taken away by the military when his plane – travelling from Greece to Lithuania - was diverted to Minsk. According to pro-government media, President Lukashenko ordered a fighter jet to intercept the Ryanair jet because of an alleged bomb scare. Mr Pratasevich faces criminal charges, including ‘inciting hatred against the Government’ and ‘involvement in terrorist activity’, and fears he will face the death penalty.
· A Pakistani Court acquitted Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar, the Christian couple, who had been sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy in 2014, and ordered their immediate release from prison. The resolution stated that the evidence against the couple was ‘deeply flawed’ as, since both were ‘illiterate’, they would have been unable to send the text. It called for their death sentences - and those of all others on death row for allegedly violating the Country’s ‘draconian’ blasphemy laws - to be speedily reviewed.
The Group were reminded of the major disturbances which took place following the acquittal of Asia Bibi, and the extreme danger she faced before leaving the country to safety. It was hoped that the outcome in this and all the current cases would be peaceful.
Urgent Actions
· Pakistan – An email was received from Amnesty Australia with an Action for Shafqat and Shagufta. (Circulated to the Core Group and posted on the website 17.5.21.) Note above: the couple have subsequently been acquitted and their immediate and unconditional release ordered.
· Saudi Arabia – An email was received from Reprieve with a petition on behalf of Abdullah al Howaiti , who was arrested at 14 and accused of robbery and murder. Following a confession obtained through torture, and a grossly unfair trial, he was sentenced to death, and is at risk of execution. (Circulated to the Core Group and posted on the website 18.5.21.)
· USA – Texas - Details of four executions scheduled to take place over the coming months were received from the Anti-Death Penalty Project (see below) (Circulated to the Core Group 26.5.21.)
· John Hummel – 30th June
· John Ramirez – 8th September
· Rick Rhoades – 28th September
· Ramiro Gonzales 7th November.
· Belarus –
· The Guardian contained an Urgent Action for Roman Protasevich, with a request to text RELEASE1 with FIRST and LAST names to 70505. (Circulated to the Core Group 29.5.21.)
· An Urgent Action on behalf of Roman Pratasevich was received from Amnesty (Circulated to the Core Group 8.6.21)
· Saudi Arabia –
· An email was received from Reprieve with a request to take action on behalf of Mustafa Hashem al-Darwish, who is at imminent risk of execution. Arrested at 17, he was tortured into confessing his ‘crimes’, and has now had his final appeal denied. Supporters are asked to tweet Dominic Raab with a request that he should intervene with the Saudi Authorities. (Circulated to the Core Group and posted on the website 5.6.21.)
· An Urgent Action on behalf of Mustafa Hashem al-Darwish was received from Amnesty. (Circulated to the Core Group 8.6.21.)
· Egypt – A request was received from Reprieve asking for messages of condolences to be sent to the family of Father Isaiah, executed without warning on 9th May, and for the request to be shared on social media. (Circulated to the Core Group and shared on social media 7.6.21.)
Campaigning
· Anti-Death Penalty Project – This month’s update was received and circulated to the Core Group. Follow the link for full details on the topics listed below:
· The case of Gerald Pizzato, who has been on death row in Idaho for 35 years, which raises a number of ethical, fiscal and logistical issues. He has received a stay of execution while the Commission of Pardons and Parole consider commuting his sentence.
· The execution of Quinton Jones, which took place in Texas on 19th May.
· Details of four further executions scheduled to be carried out in Texas over the coming months, with details of how you can appeal on their behalf. (Many thanks if you are able to take action)
· Information on the situation of Roman Protasevich, the dissident journalist detained in Belarus following the diversion to Minsk of the plane on which he was travelling. Mr Protasevich has expressed fears that he will face the death penalty and AI will be following the case and keeping us informed.
· A video featuring Jerry Givens, the former Chief Executioner of Virginia who has been an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty
North Korea
· Follow the link for a YouTube Video of Jihyun Park speaking at the 2021 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.
· A video has been produced in NK warning that Covid vaccines could be ineffective for the next few years.
· The Biden Administration has expressed criticisms of the egregious Human Rights abuses in NK.
· Press reports reveal a famine situation becoming increasingly dire:
· The State is publicly celebrating the numbers of ‘heroic’ orphaned children (apparently aged around 16) said to be ‘volunteering’ for work on farms and mines.
· Soldiers are compelled to take weeks of ‘rice or bean leave’ to bring back food supplies from their home regions for their regiments.
· Hospitals have opened exclusively for malnourished soldiers.
· Satellite images show less space given to corn drying areas in Camp 14, implying scarcer harvests.
· The State is now positively re-foresting areas to reduce soil erosion, but this can result in less land for farmers to cultivate.
The Group discussed the difficulties of campaigning for North Korea. Over the 12+ years, a series of talks – including one by Jihyun Park – and two videos produced by the Group – had raised local awareness of the human rights abuses, but moving beyond this was proving difficult. It was agreed that actively campaigning for North Korea would be discontinued, and that alternatives which might prove more successful should be explored (see later).
The Group wished to recognise the commitment and hard work of TM, the Campaign Coordinator, and thanked him for all his efforts over the years.
A film made on the steps of the Guildhall can be accessed here (YouTube).
Refugees
There has been much activity this month – mostly in the Courts –
· The Government Survey on the New Plan for Immigration (which some members of the Group have completed) is now the subject of litigation on the grounds that people were not given enough time to consider, or help in completing it. The challenge is ongoing. Refugee Action want the consultation to be reopened; UNHCR have declared against the 2-tier system.
· Safe Passage are in conflict with the Home Office over the HO’s refusal to do anything to assist re-uniting children with their families. They claim the action (or inaction) is unlawful. Both sides have presented their cases and a judgement is expected soon.
· The Home Secretary’s claim that, in electing to send asylum seekers to Napier Barracks, she was following public health advice is being challenged, and calls have been made for her resignation. PHE in fact advised against the plan. Six asylum seekers have challenged the decision on the grounds that the accommodation was not up to minimum standard.
Refugee Week – 14th – 20th June
· Follow the link for information from Refugee week and the theme ‘ We cannot walk alone .’
· AI have a launch event on Monday 14th at 11.00 am.
· AI does not have any specific events but is highlighting some such as the Great Walk Together on Sunday 20th.
· UNHCR are running a virtual Cookalong on Tuesday 15th at 6.00 pm.
· UNHCR and ‘Forced to Flee’ are running a webinar on Sunday 20th at 3.00 pm with a Panel including Lord Dubs.
· Refugee Action are running a Race for Refugees, but leaving it to individuals to decide what to do. They will be sending out a Calendar of Celebration which will include ‘simple actions one can take’.
· Safe Passage will double any donations made in the course of the week.
Campaigning against the Immigration Bill –
· The Group discussed whether an event – possibly a Vigil – should be held now, or deferred until the Autumn. No firm decision was made.
· The importance of the moral case for supporting refugees was emphasised, and of encouraging people to see them as individuals. Drama events the Group had hoped to run had been cancelled because of the Pandemic, but the dramatisation of books such as ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’ can be a powerful way of showing the humanity of the individual, and the possibility of Hattie Naylor being approached was raised.
· It was agreed that AH would contact Ice and Fire to ask if they have a new programme.
Human Rights (UK)
· Reviews of the HRA and the Judicial Review process – Both reviews are still ongoing and nothing sustainable has been reported. Outcomes are expected in the late Summer. MP’s have warned the Government their plans to restrict access to judicial review will weaken the rule of law. (Follow the link for a Guardian article.)
· UK Government accountable for lack of progress on Human Rights – A recent report by the EHRC highlights a lack of Government progress on human rights. It concludes that no progress has been made in the category of ‘political and civil participation, including political representation’ and in its ‘equality and human rights legal framework’. This is due in part to the Immigration Bill, Police Crime Bill, and the reviews of the Human Rights Act and the legal process of Judicial Review.
· ‘Common Sense: Conservative Thinking in a Post-Liberal Age’ – A group of Conservative MPs have published a book outlining Conservative values and long-term policy for the Party. Though not mainstream Conservative policy, the book provides a disturbing insight into core Conservative thinking. Among the policies proposed are the revoking of the HRA, the break-up of the BBC, taking on internet giants, scrapping the Supreme Court, defeating ‘woke-ism’, ending hate-speech laws and supporting marriage and family.
· Amnesty Webinar on the Police Crime Bill – This confirmed the position that ‘losing the right to protest and, therefore, resist Government policy, will result in further UK human rights violations. In addition to the issue of restrictions to protesting, the webinar included discussion on crime, the impact on Roma communities and minorities , discrimination and police intimidation. The participants emphasised the need for resistance to the Bill but no clear action was proposed.
· The Police Crime Bill – the Labour Party – In the Commons the Labour Party submitted amendments to the Bill, in particular the deletion of sections concerning restrictions on protest; however, with a strong Conservative majority, these amendments were defeated. Amendments proposed in the House of Lords are also likely to be rejected.
Given the number of Bills and reviews currently being proposed by the Government, it was agreed that the timing of the actions on each was important. and that the Police Crime Bill should be a major focus of the Group’s current activities.
The Group discussed how best to take action in the campaign The suggestion was made of sending a daily email to John Glen, possibly also to appropriate others. The advantages and disadvantages of emails v letters, their frequency and whether they should be sent by individuals or from the group were also discussed. It was agreed that individuals within the Group would provide MH with a reason important to them why the Bill should not proceed, and he would then produce a letter.
Possible New Group Campaigns
Following discussion, two possible campaigns for the Group to adopt were identified:
· Yemen – JPe will investigate and report back to next month’s meeting.
· Human Rights Defenders – EB will investigate and report back. Follow the link for Amnesty’s report On the Human Rights Frontline.
LC
TM
AH
MH
All
5
Web and other media statistics, May 2021
The main story continues to be that the website continues to perform strongly whereas both Facebook and Twitter have declined, the latter significantly. The great bulk of our visitors (80%) to the website come from the USA. Altogether a quiet month.
Web site
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
May
942
859
787
653
788
854
615
Views
All time: have passed 24 thousand at 24,619 up from 23,085 at the end of March. Last November’s views were the highest we have recorded.
The new, combined statistic has appeared which seems to be a combination of Website followers and Facebook followers and shows a small decline and is now 633. Encouragingly, the number of views per visitor has shown an increase recently and last month was 4.8. Normally it hovers around 2. Interest from China – 16 – is noteworthy since Amnesty sites are blocked by the firewall.
Top country views:
1
2
3
=3
=3
Podcast
Podcast interactions: 60 all time; US 90%; UK and Germany 3%.
Twitter
Impressions:
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
May
1814
1595
884
5498
3756
877
176
The fall this month is fairly dramatic again.
Facebook
The pattern of Facebook becoming the main platform and receiving more hits than the Website continues to have reversed in the last 12 months. The number of views declined again this month.
Nov
Dec
Jan
2021
Feb
Mar
April
May
116
92
129
132
98
171
40
Tumbler
YouTube & Flickr
North Korea video now at 4197 views ( YouTube & Flickr) and the still image has 5,595 views (Flickr)
Group
Content always welcome!
· Refugee Week
· Cardiff Group
· HRA Speaker Tour
· Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories – AI’s response, guest post and action
· Video from Southampton Group
· Fylde Coast Poetry Event
· Police Crackdown Bill – Webinar
· Local Group Fundraising Update
Market Stall
Following discussion, in the light of the current uncertainty around Covid, it was agreed that the Group would not run a market stall this year, and that AH would book a date for Spring 2022.
AH
8
Barbecue
Subject to Covid restrictions and weather, it was agreed that the Amnesty BBQ would be held at the home of P and LC on Saturday 14th August, from 4.00 pm. Details to be confirmed at the July meeting.
PC/LC
9
AH
9
AOB
· A Group photo was taken on 21st May in Elizabeth Gardens to celebrate Amnesty’s 60th Anniversary, and was published with a brief article in the Salisbury Journal.
· The Southampton Group have produced and forwarded an excellent PowerPoint presentation on Modern Slavery.
10
Forthcoming Events
· Summer Barbecue – 14th August from 4.00 pm. (Subject to Covid restrictions and weather.) All welcome.
· Citizenship Day – deferred until further notice
· World Day Against the Death Penalty – 10th October – details in due course.
· Arts Centre/Playhouse Film – awaiting confirmation.
· Cathedral Evensong – date to be agreed.
· Carol Singing – Monday 20th December
· Market Stall – to be booked for Spring 2022.
Next Meeting: Thursday 8th July 2021
Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: Via Zoom
Should you wish no longer to receive Minutes of meetings, or other communications from the Group, please let us know by emailing our Group Secretary at [email protected]
10 | Page
7.00 pm via Zoom
Joanna, Mike, Peter, Lesley.
LC
3
£30.06 (Cash)
Please see the Salisbury Group Website www.salisburyai.com for the full international update covering Canada, the USA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Belarus, Iran and Pakistan, together with a report from the WCADP.
Of particular note:
· The execution took place in Texas of Quintin Jones following the denial of his appeal that ‘race played an impermissible role in the Board’s denial of his application for clemency.’
· In South Carolina, the bill was passed into law that will force prisoners on death row to choose between a firing squad and the electric chair should the drugs needed for lethal injection not be available. It was reported in Arizona that the State is preparing to use a gas that is the same as the Zyklon B used by the Nazis in their extermination camps.
· Roman Protasevich, an exiled Belarusian national, previously Editor-in-Chief of the opposition news outlet, NEXTA, was detained, together with his girlfriend, and taken away by the military when his plane – travelling from Greece to Lithuania - was diverted to Minsk. According to pro-government media, President Lukashenko ordered a fighter jet to intercept the Ryanair jet because of an alleged bomb scare. Mr Pratasevich faces criminal charges, including ‘inciting hatred against the Government’ and ‘involvement in terrorist activity’, and fears he will face the death penalty.
· A Pakistani Court acquitted Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar, the Christian couple, who had been sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy in 2014, and ordered their immediate release from prison. The resolution stated that the evidence against the couple was ‘deeply flawed’ as, since both were ‘illiterate’, they would have been unable to send the text. It called for their death sentences - and those of all others on death row for allegedly violating the Country’s ‘draconian’ blasphemy laws - to be speedily reviewed.
The Group were reminded of the major disturbances which took place following the acquittal of Asia Bibi, and the extreme danger she faced before leaving the country to safety. It was hoped that the outcome in this and all the current cases would be peaceful.
Urgent Actions
· Pakistan – An email was received from Amnesty Australia with an Action for Shafqat and Shagufta. (Circulated to the Core Group and posted on the website 17.5.21.) Note above: the couple have subsequently been acquitted and their immediate and unconditional release ordered.
· Saudi Arabia – An email was received from Reprieve with a petition on behalf of Abdullah al Howaiti , who was arrested at 14 and accused of robbery and murder. Following a confession obtained through torture, and a grossly unfair trial, he was sentenced to death, and is at risk of execution. (Circulated to the Core Group and posted on the website 18.5.21.)
· USA – Texas - Details of four executions scheduled to take place over the coming months were received from the Anti-Death Penalty Project (see below) (Circulated to the Core Group 26.5.21.)
· John Hummel – 30th June
· John Ramirez – 8th September
· Rick Rhoades – 28th September
· Ramiro Gonzales 7th November.
· Belarus –
· The Guardian contained an Urgent Action for Roman Protasevich, with a request to text RELEASE1 with FIRST and LAST names to 70505. (Circulated to the Core Group 29.5.21.)
· An Urgent Action on behalf of Roman Pratasevich was received from Amnesty (Circulated to the Core Group 8.6.21)
· Saudi Arabia –
· An email was received from Reprieve with a request to take action on behalf of Mustafa Hashem al-Darwish, who is at imminent risk of execution. Arrested at 17, he was tortured into confessing his ‘crimes’, and has now had his final appeal denied. Supporters are asked to tweet Dominic Raab with a request that he should intervene with the Saudi Authorities. (Circulated to the Core Group and posted on the website 5.6.21.)
· An Urgent Action on behalf of Mustafa Hashem al-Darwish was received from Amnesty. (Circulated to the Core Group 8.6.21.)
· Egypt – A request was received from Reprieve asking for messages of condolences to be sent to the family of Father Isaiah, executed without warning on 9th May, and for the request to be shared on social media. (Circulated to the Core Group and shared on social media 7.6.21.)
Campaigning
· Anti-Death Penalty Project – This month’s update was received and circulated to the Core Group. Follow the link for full details on the topics listed below:
· The case of Gerald Pizzato, who has been on death row in Idaho for 35 years, which raises a number of ethical, fiscal and logistical issues. He has received a stay of execution while the Commission of Pardons and Parole consider commuting his sentence.
· The execution of Quinton Jones, which took place in Texas on 19th May.
· Details of four further executions scheduled to be carried out in Texas over the coming months, with details of how you can appeal on their behalf. (Many thanks if you are able to take action)
· Information on the situation of Roman Protasevich, the dissident journalist detained in Belarus following the diversion to Minsk of the plane on which he was travelling. Mr Protasevich has expressed fears that he will face the death penalty and AI will be following the case and keeping us informed.
· A video featuring Jerry Givens, the former Chief Executioner of Virginia who has been an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty
North Korea
· Follow the link for a YouTube Video of Jihyun Park speaking at the 2021 Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.
· A video has been produced in NK warning that Covid vaccines could be ineffective for the next few years.
· The Biden Administration has expressed criticisms of the egregious Human Rights abuses in NK.
· Press reports reveal a famine situation becoming increasingly dire:
· The State is publicly celebrating the numbers of ‘heroic’ orphaned children (apparently aged around 16) said to be ‘volunteering’ for work on farms and mines.
· Soldiers are compelled to take weeks of ‘rice or bean leave’ to bring back food supplies from their home regions for their regiments.
· Hospitals have opened exclusively for malnourished soldiers.
· Satellite images show less space given to corn drying areas in Camp 14, implying scarcer harvests.
· The State is now positively re-foresting areas to reduce soil erosion, but this can result in less land for farmers to cultivate.
The Group discussed the difficulties of campaigning for North Korea. Over the 12+ years, a series of talks – including one by Jihyun Park – and two videos produced by the Group – had raised local awareness of the human rights abuses, but moving beyond this was proving difficult. It was agreed that actively campaigning for North Korea would be discontinued, and that alternatives which might prove more successful should be explored (see later).
The Group wished to recognise the commitment and hard work of TM, the Campaign Coordinator, and thanked him for all his efforts over the years.
A film made on the steps of the Guildhall can be accessed here (YouTube).
Refugees
There has been much activity this month – mostly in the Courts –
· The Government Survey on the New Plan for Immigration (which some members of the Group have completed) is now the subject of litigation on the grounds that people were not given enough time to consider, or help in completing it. The challenge is ongoing. Refugee Action want the consultation to be reopened; UNHCR have declared against the 2-tier system.
· Safe Passage are in conflict with the Home Office over the HO’s refusal to do anything to assist re-uniting children with their families. They claim the action (or inaction) is unlawful. Both sides have presented their cases and a judgement is expected soon.
· The Home Secretary’s claim that, in electing to send asylum seekers to Napier Barracks, she was following public health advice is being challenged, and calls have been made for her resignation. PHE in fact advised against the plan. Six asylum seekers have challenged the decision on the grounds that the accommodation was not up to minimum standard.
Refugee Week – 14th – 20th June
· Follow the link for information from Refugee week and the theme ‘ We cannot walk alone .’
· AI have a launch event on Monday 14th at 11.00 am.
· AI does not have any specific events but is highlighting some such as the Great Walk Together on Sunday 20th.
· UNHCR are running a virtual Cookalong on Tuesday 15th at 6.00 pm.
· UNHCR and ‘Forced to Flee’ are running a webinar on Sunday 20th at 3.00 pm with a Panel including Lord Dubs.
· Refugee Action are running a Race for Refugees, but leaving it to individuals to decide what to do. They will be sending out a Calendar of Celebration which will include ‘simple actions one can take’.
· Safe Passage will double any donations made in the course of the week.
Campaigning against the Immigration Bill –
· The Group discussed whether an event – possibly a Vigil – should be held now, or deferred until the Autumn. No firm decision was made.
· The importance of the moral case for supporting refugees was emphasised, and of encouraging people to see them as individuals. Drama events the Group had hoped to run had been cancelled because of the Pandemic, but the dramatisation of books such as ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’ can be a powerful way of showing the humanity of the individual, and the possibility of Hattie Naylor being approached was raised.
· It was agreed that AH would contact Ice and Fire to ask if they have a new programme.
Human Rights (UK)
· Reviews of the HRA and the Judicial Review process – Both reviews are still ongoing and nothing sustainable has been reported. Outcomes are expected in the late Summer. MP’s have warned the Government their plans to restrict access to judicial review will weaken the rule of law. (Follow the link for a Guardian article.)
· UK Government accountable for lack of progress on Human Rights – A recent report by the EHRC highlights a lack of Government progress on human rights. It concludes that no progress has been made in the category of ‘political and civil participation, including political representation’ and in its ‘equality and human rights legal framework’. This is due in part to the Immigration Bill, Police Crime Bill, and the reviews of the Human Rights Act and the legal process of Judicial Review.
· ‘Common Sense: Conservative Thinking in a Post-Liberal Age’ – A group of Conservative MPs have published a book outlining Conservative values and long-term policy for the Party. Though not mainstream Conservative policy, the book provides a disturbing insight into core Conservative thinking. Among the policies proposed are the revoking of the HRA, the break-up of the BBC, taking on internet giants, scrapping the Supreme Court, defeating ‘woke-ism’, ending hate-speech laws and supporting marriage and family.
· Amnesty Webinar on the Police Crime Bill – This confirmed the position that ‘losing the right to protest and, therefore, resist Government policy, will result in further UK human rights violations. In addition to the issue of restrictions to protesting, the webinar included discussion on crime, the impact on Roma communities and minorities , discrimination and police intimidation. The participants emphasised the need for resistance to the Bill but no clear action was proposed.
· The Police Crime Bill – the Labour Party – In the Commons the Labour Party submitted amendments to the Bill, in particular the deletion of sections concerning restrictions on protest; however, with a strong Conservative majority, these amendments were defeated. Amendments proposed in the House of Lords are also likely to be rejected.
Given the number of Bills and reviews currently being proposed by the Government, it was agreed that the timing of the actions on each was important. and that the Police Crime Bill should be a major focus of the Group’s current activities.
The Group discussed how best to take action in the campaign The suggestion was made of sending a daily email to John Glen, possibly also to appropriate others. The advantages and disadvantages of emails v letters, their frequency and whether they should be sent by individuals or from the group were also discussed. It was agreed that individuals within the Group would provide MH with a reason important to them why the Bill should not proceed, and he would then produce a letter.
Possible New Group Campaigns
Following discussion, two possible campaigns for the Group to adopt were identified:
· Yemen – JPe will investigate and report back to next month’s meeting.
· Human Rights Defenders – EB will investigate and report back. Follow the link for Amnesty’s report On the Human Rights Frontline.
LC
TM
AH
MH
All
5
Web and other media statistics, May 2021
The main story continues to be that the website continues to perform strongly whereas both Facebook and Twitter have declined, the latter significantly. The great bulk of our visitors (80%) to the website come from the USA. Altogether a quiet month.
Web site
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
May
942
859
787
653
788
854
615
Views
All time: have passed 24 thousand at 24,619 up from 23,085 at the end of March. Last November’s views were the highest we have recorded.
The new, combined statistic has appeared which seems to be a combination of Website followers and Facebook followers and shows a small decline and is now 633. Encouragingly, the number of views per visitor has shown an increase recently and last month was 4.8. Normally it hovers around 2. Interest from China – 16 – is noteworthy since Amnesty sites are blocked by the firewall.
Top country views:
1
2
3
=3
=3
Podcast
Podcast interactions: 60 all time; US 90%; UK and Germany 3%.
Impressions:
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
April
May
1814
1595
884
5498
3756
877
176
The fall this month is fairly dramatic again.
The pattern of Facebook becoming the main platform and receiving more hits than the Website continues to have reversed in the last 12 months. The number of views declined again this month.
Nov
Dec
Jan
2021
Feb
Mar
April
May
116
92
129
132
98
171
40
Tumbler
YouTube & Flickr
North Korea video now at 4197 views ( YouTube & Flickr) and the still image has 5,595 views (Flickr)
Group
Content always welcome!
· Refugee Week
· Cardiff Group
· HRA Speaker Tour
· Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories – AI’s response, guest post and action
· Video from Southampton Group
· Fylde Coast Poetry Event
· Police Crackdown Bill – Webinar
· Local Group Fundraising Update
Market Stall
Following discussion, in the light of the current uncertainty around Covid, it was agreed that the Group would not run a market stall this year, and that AH would book a date for Spring 2022.
AH
8
Barbecue
Subject to Covid restrictions and weather, it was agreed that the Amnesty BBQ would be held at the home of P and LC on Saturday 14th August, from 4.00 pm. Details to be confirmed at the July meeting.
PC/LC
9
AH
9
AOB
· A Group photo was taken on 21st May in Elizabeth Gardens to celebrate Amnesty’s 60th Anniversary, and was published with a brief article in the Salisbury Journal.
· The Southampton Group have produced and forwarded an excellent PowerPoint presentation on Modern Slavery.
10
Forthcoming Events
· Summer Barbecue – 14th August from 4.00 pm. (Subject to Covid restrictions and weather.) All welcome.
· Citizenship Day – deferred until further notice
· World Day Against the Death Penalty – 10th October – details in due course.
· Arts Centre/Playhouse Film – awaiting confirmation.
· Cathedral Evensong – date to be agreed.
· Carol Singing – Monday 20th December
· Market Stall – to be booked for Spring 2022.
Next Meeting: Thursday 8th July 2021
Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: Via Zoom
Should you wish no longer to receive Minutes of meetings, or other communications from the Group, please let us know by emailing our Group Secretary at [email protected]
10 | Page