Bognor and Chichester Amnesty International Group

Bognor and Chichester Amnesty International group are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the human rights organisation Amnesty International this month.

The local group has been campaigning in a variety of ways since the 1980s and memorable events have included stunts such as a mock funeral to highlight the deaths of opponents of President Pinochet in Chile in the 1990s and a march of ‘Guantanamo prisoners’ in orange jumpsuits through the streets of Chichester in 2007 as well as ‘caging’ the mayor of Chichester to raise awareness of the plight of prisoners of conscience throughout the world.

Not all the group’s activities have been quite so dramatic. For many supporters the gentler activities of fund raising concerts from opera at Bognor to rock gigs at Fishbourne, street collections, coffee mornings, plant and book sales the unveiling of the Amnesty candle in the cathedral and Christmas card signing at the market cross are more to their taste. However, underlying the fun and drama is the serious work of lobbying governments and authorities and raising public awareness and support in the struggle against injustice and repression throughout the world.

Amnesty campaigns on a wide range of issues: an end to torture, unfair trials, enforced disappearances, child labour and modern slavery and use of the death penalty. It also appeals on behalf of prisoners of conscience jailed simply for peacefully expressing their views. Over the years the group has campaigned to secure the release of a wide range of prisoners, some high-profile names such as Nazanin Zagari Radcliffe as well as others whose names have not hit the headlines.

Despite the restrictions of Covid 19, the group has continued to be active throughout lockdown through online meetings and webinars and their online campaigning has been as committed as ever.

As soon as conditions permit, the group looks forward to getting out and about onto the streets of Bognor and Chichester and organising more live events so if you are interested in finding out more and getting involved check out their website for further details at www.amnesty.org. uk/groups/bognor-regischichester-district

New members are always welcome.