Newsletter, region south, February 2023

Dear activists in region south,

We are slowly moving towards spring, marking Ukraine and 8th of March. This month, many people have been to youth gatherings and parole resolution meetings for Women's Day around the region. We have also seen the fruits of Amnesty's new investment in "indigenous people's rights and climate" with a good response to the Sami's national day where there were special screenings of "Ellos Eatnu/La Elva Leve" with introductions by Amnesty all over the country - in Arendal and Stavanger in the south. Amnesty's appeals highlighted the Fosen case as a clear example that the Sami rights struggle in Norway is as relevant in 2023 as it was in 1978.

This is the first newsletter sent in a slightly new format and in a new system. This will go out to all activists who are registered in groups on "Min Side". At the moment, we see that not everyone is registered here and ask the group leader to share with those who may not have received this e-mail and encourage everyone to register in your group on "Min Side" so you can receive it directly.

This newsletter contains information regarding the activist-led advisory group, the activist awards 2023, digital colombia meeting, call to action regarding the Fosen case, recommendations on sami rights, Volunteers for the Arendal week and the death penalty network.

Do you have ideas on how we can improve activism in Amnesty? -Join the activist-led advisory group!

This is an opportunity for ten activists (over 18) from all over the world to come together digitally to give input to, and influence Amnesty's activist work globally. The group has been working on this for approx. one year and have monthly meetings initially. Read more about what the group will work on, the application process and the selection process in the attached PFD. Application deadline is 15 March!

Application form can be found here: APPLICATION FORM FOR THE ACTIVIST-LED ADVISORY GROUP (Side 1 av 3) (office.com)

Action guide for Womens day - consent law!

For more than ten years, Amnesty has worked for consent-based rape legislation in Norway. Now a proposal has been put forward, but unfortunately it is far from good enough. That is why we are going out into the streets on March 8th with parades and slogans all over the country and demand a real consent law. We have waited long enough!

See the action guide for tips and information on how you can get involved: Action guide March 8, 2023 | Amnesty International Norway

You can now nominate candidates for the activist awards that will be awarded at the 2023 AGM!

You activists are the backbone of Amnesty and without you Amnesty will not function. This is precisely why it is so important that we as an organization show that we value the activists and highlight all the incredibly good work that is being done. One of the ways we can do just this is through the activist awards. At the AGM, these will be distributed to recognize the work that groups and activists in Amnesty do.

Do you know of an activist or group that has particularly excelled in the past year? Join us in honoring him! Remember to nominate them via the form linked here before Friday March 31.: Aktivistprisene 2023 | Amnesty International Norge

More info on the 2023 AGM and sign up: Landsmøtet 2023 | Amnesty International Norge

Would you like to know more about Amnesty's work in Colombia? Join the digital meeting!

On 1 March (6-7pm) we are organizing a digital meeting in English with Frank Conde Tangberg, who is a political advisor at Amnesty. He will talk about his recent trip to Colombia to visit the Aseimpome indigenous people, and in general about Amnesty's work on Colombia. Link to the meeting

Action: The Fosen case

The Sami won in court. On 11 October 2021, the Supreme Court's unanimous judgment came, which states that the wind power plant, which is in full operation, violates the Sami's human rights. But after 500 days there is still no solution in place in Fosen!

Important campaign info: We plan to hand over the first batch of signatures to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in connection with his visit to Finnmark in week 10. We therefore encourage groups that want to collect signatures on the issue to put in an extra effort before then, but the campaign will be open until 21 March.

Read more here: "The Sami's culture may disappear" | Amnesty International Norway

Arendal week 2023: do you want to join?

This year's Arendal Week is planned for 14-18. August. As always, Amnesty will participate in the program and activists from the region with an activist stand, this year with the death penalty as the theme. Arendalsuka is a great arena to get to know other activists, the secretariat of Amnesty, meet political advisers, participate in lectures/panel discussions, etc. The Arendal group would like to have other activists from the region with them.

Does this sound interesting? Contact the regional office: [email protected]

Join the Death Penalty Network!

In response to input from activists wanting to get more involved in the topic of the death penalty, we have now created a new death penalty network for activist groups and individuals in Amnesty. This will be a continuation of Jon Trana's network with some changes. By signing up to the death penalty network, you will get “call to action” options on what you can do to stop executions, as well as stay up to date on which actions Amnesty is working on in relation to the topic. You will get this through regular newsletters four times a year, in addition to urgent “call to action” e-mails. Note: this is primarily newsletters in Norwegian – please get in tough with [email protected] if you are interested in a newsletter in English.

Does this sound like something for you? Sign up here: Dødsstraffnettverket | Amnesty International Norge

Do you have any questions? Get in Touch: