Global fight ends after 46 years
The Timaru branch’s finest hour was launching an international ‘‘urgent action’’ for Gertrude Fester, sister of Timaru resident Salome Mair, imprisoned for treason in South Africa in 1988. The group was instrumental in Fester’s release.
After more than 40 years as Amnesty International’s Timaru branch chairman Neil McKinnon leaves the position with many proud moments.
He gave his final chairman’s report at a meeting this week, but the 79-year-old will continue to fight for prisoners of conscience across the globe as long as he can.
‘‘My feeling is, once you’ve joined something like this you can’t turn away from it.
‘‘You know that you’re making people’s lives better.’’
McKinnon, who remains a member of the England-based human rights group, joined in 1974.
He learnt about the group from the guest speaker at a St Paul’s Church men’s tea meeting. He quickly became chairman, filling the role ‘‘off and on’’, with his final stint lasting more than 40 years.
McKinnon said the worldwide organisation, boasting 8 million members, had widened its scope since he started.
‘‘One of the attractions, previously, was you developed a relationship with the person who was a prisoner of conscience. That’s what kept you going.’’
Timaru’s branch originally poured its energy into writing letters on behalf of three prisoners of conscience, advocating for their release to authorities from the relevant countries.
Now, the organisation offered support to entire communities as well – such as the more than 1 million Uyghurs held without trial in secret locations in China.
‘‘There’s still so many that need help because AI only reaches about 1 per cent of all prisoners of conscience who have been illegally imprisoned.’’
McKinnon said the branch’s finest hour was launching an international ‘‘urgent action’’ for Gertrude Fester, sister of Timaru resident Salome Mair, an African
National Congress member imprisoned for treason in South Africa in 1988.
The group was ‘‘instrumental’’ in Fester’s release 19 months later.
‘‘The chances of a small group playing such a big part are remote. It certainly raised the profile of the organisation.’’
McKinnon received the Amnesty International Dove Award in 2013, for his dedication and fundraising prowess.
He had raised more than $10,000 for the organisation through sponsored runs, with his most prominent effort in 1990 when he garnered $4000 through the Gold Coast Marathon.