One of the raisons d’etre of the annual Amnesty International Human Rights Festival here in Jersey is to galvanise people like me into a bit of action. Out of some sense of duty I duly trotted along to all five films being screened at the Arts Centre this week. This year the featured topics were
- Capital punishment – interviews with a Death Row inmate in Texas, his family, the family of his victims, a former prison guard. Eight days after the final interview with him our boy got the lethal injection.
- A close-up of Putin’s grip on power in Moscow aided by NASHI who have disturbing parallels to Hitler’s youth movement and who deal ruthlessly with any signs of opposition. The context was given by following a young, bright NASHI woman who goes from being a star of the movement to courageously taking a stand against them.
- The rape of Alberta, Canada by the oil industry creating toxic moonscapes and polluting and depleting natural water resources. Did you know that Canada is the biggest exporter of oil to the USA? I didn’t. Of course at both federal and state level the Canadian eyes are only on the economic benefits.
- The suppression of free speech and freedom of expression in Iran. The film was banal enough but the speaker for the evening painted a frightening picture.
- Lack of opportunity for the young people of Kenya. Best film of the week showing how, without money, secondary education is a closed door to most. The film showed three of one village’s brightest youngsters competing for a rare scholarship and the joy of the lad that succeeded together with the devastation of the two girls and their families. There was a cheer from the (very good) Friday night audience when we read that the production crew had subsequently sponsored the girls into their secondary education.
The speakers and films get trawled around the local schools during the week to far better effect than showing them to us old gits. Our children in Jersey lead a blessed life for the most part and it must be an eye-opener for them and gives them a window on what is going on in the wider world.
As for me I’m just left with a sense of helplessness. Amnesty urge everyone to just make one small act – a letter, email, donation. But what to choose? What would you choose?
Back On The Rock 
I make regular donations to Amnesty – what a great cause. Thanks for posting this.
LikeLike
Good for you Dianne. I’m as uncaring as most of the so-called developed world, but manage to gain a conscience once a year.
LikeLike
I have problems with the death sentence because I suppose I have seen where it can go tragically wrong. 19 years ago three teenage boys were tried and convicted of the horrific murder of three 8 year old’s. One young man Damien was given the death sentence, the other two life in prison. Last August each one of those boys were freed (they are now men) by Arkansas Supreme Court; but not exonerated. I was living there at the time this happened 1993 and was shocked and stunned that something like this could happen in the 20th Century. It was plain to see for anyone with even a modicum of intelligence these boy were innocent; no angels but no murderers. Damien was lucky, he had many people campaigning for his release, only due to the publicity gained from a film crew who filmed the whole thing. The film is called Paradise Lost. The West Memphis 3 as they became known are still trying to get the full pardon they so rightly deserve. I can’t begin to understand how it must feel to know you are totally innocent and have the threat of death hanging over you for almost 20 years. How many innocent folk have been through this, how many more will have to endure it and may not be quite so lucky.
LikeLike
Thanks Sam, a cautionary tale. It’s the people themselves who endorse the death penalty though, and they have the power to change that.
LikeLike
Hey Roy,
Write for Rights is something I do every year with Amnesty if you want to check it out. It’s coming up so you can participate if you want to.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/campaigns/individuals-at-risk/write-for-rights.
LikeLike
Thanks Britt, that’s in my diary. I’m also going to at least sign up to the local Amnesty group – it’s a start!
Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Yes Roy, totally agree, unfortunately in these southern states a lot of folk at the time were totally uneducated and the last thing on their mind was to vote for anything. I dont think it has changed much in the past 20 years either. Its difficult to believe that such poverty exists in one of the world super powers.
LikeLike
The Texans (and others) have a choice all the time – make it plain that they’ll elect a Governor who’ll stand on an anti-death penalty ticket. They choose not to do so. Plenty are still in favour.
LikeLike
Oh yes definitely. Especially in the Bible belt, its shoot first ask questions later. Most still believe in “an eye for an eye” tough luck if your not guilty. Its only the people themselves that can bring about change. Unfortunately the apathy of the uneducated is a vast problem.
LikeLike