These are the minutes of the October group meeting – thanks to Karen.
Nigeria
On Saturday 11 October we shall be manning a stall in Salisbury market to highlight the human rights situation in #Nigeria. In particular, the case of Moses Akatugba who was tortured by Nigerian police to secure a conviction. He was 16 when arrested, shot in the hand, beaten, and hung in an interrogation room for hours. Pliers were used to extract his finger and toe nails. His alleged crime was to steal three mobile phones. Unfortunately, this ill-treatment is now a commonplace in Nigeria and there are reported to be ‘torture officers’ in police stations.
Executions were resumed in June last year when four men were executed in Benin city. The bodies were not returned to the families for burial nor is the location of the graves known.
Amnesty has serious concerns about the increasing use of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment in Nigeria. Recent research by Amnesty indicates that police and military personnel routinely use torture and other ill-treatment to extract confessions and to punish and exhaust detainees.
Nigeria fact sheet (pdf)
You can also read about corruption in Nigeria here: Human Rights Watch: Nigeria
We look forward to seeing you in the market place on 11th.
Monthly meeting – update
The monthly meeting took place on Thursday, 12 June.
The following were discussed:
- there was an update on the death penalty from Lesley and her report will be a separate post in a few days. It was noted that the Devizes group were active with Hakamada Iwao who was probably the longest serving prisoner on death row but is now on release. We are waiting advice from AIUK on the campaign in Belarus
- an email has been received from Kenny Latunda Dada concerning North Korea and he has a speaker on that country. This will be investigated
- John Glen MP. 11 July has been confirmed for him to speak to the group which will be in the Methodist Church at 7:30. It is restricted to members and supporters. We are to let AIUK know of this event
- Unfortunately the regional rep could not come to this meeting but is coming to the next
- Peter said he had received no copy from anyone and was reluctant to write an entire newsletter. It was agreed that it would wait until after 11 July
- Magna Carta. The group were very disappointed not to have heard from AI HQ following the contact Kate Allen had made with Robert Key. Fiona is to write to the regional rep to complain. Peter is to contact the manager of the MC event being organised by the cathedral. It was unlikely that there would be any money coming from the City Council as they had awarded money to the Cathedral project
- Cathedral service in November: Tony is to follow up
- Film. Omar has been agreed on as this years film. More details in future. To be shown on 4 December
- The stall is on Saturday 21st!
March meeting minutes
Minutes of the March meeting below, thanks to Karen. They will all be found on the meetings tab above.
