Amnesty to celebrate 50 years

On May 28 , Amnesty International Bermuda, along with Amnesty International, will celebrate the many years of human rights campaigning with a “loud and proud” message about why people should get involved.

In Bermuda, there will be a host of people speaking on human rights matters as well as a line up of local musicians at the Kaleidoscope art gallery (on the corner of Jubilee and Parsons Road) from 6pm.

The family-oriented, open air celebration will feature local human rights activists speaking on the following key issues: violence against women; discrimination based on national origin (with a focus on migrant workers), and sexual orientation, and freedom of expression. Speakers will be George Scott of the Bermuda Industrial Union (migrant workers), David Northcott from the Human Rights Commission (sexual orientation), Elaine Williams director of the Women’s Resource Centre (women’s issues) and Venous Memari, the former chair of the Human Rights Commission (freedom of expression).

Entertainment-wise there will be Troy Anthony, The Bones Blues Band, Life Sentence, Joy Barnum & The Channel, new reggae group The Conscious Band, Chris Finsness and the Paper Cutouts.

Robyn Skinner, director of Amnesty International Bermuda, said: “This key event provides us an unprecedented opportunity to reaffirm our involvement with the local community and highlight the human rights issues which have been at the centre of our work in Bermuda.”

Amnesty International began with London barrister Peter Benenson who was outraged when he heard of two Portuguese students who were imprisoned in Lisbon for having a toast to liberty. Since his first letter, Amnesty International across the globe has worked on 44,000 cases.

Ms Skinner added: “On May 28th as a global movement we will not only celebrate our achievements, but also consider ways to increase our human rights impact in today’s world.

“For our 50th year, we are asking for just one more person to take action, to show solidarity with Amnesty International in our 50th year.”