Burma Action Ireland
Burma Action Ireland (BAI) was established in 1996 to raise awareness about the oppression of Burmese people under the dictatorship of the ruling Junta (under the name State Peace and Development Council /SPDC). The organisation is non-political, non-denominational and committed to non-violent means. BAI has been involved in on-going campaigns in support of democracy and human rights in Burma. The organisation is calling for immediate dialogue between the National League for Democracy (NLD), the ruling SPDC and the leaders of the ethnic minority groups in Burma. BAI hopes that this dialogue will lead to a new constitution under a democratic government and bring about the end of internal conflicts in the country. It is seeking the release of all “prisoners of conscience” in Burma, including Aung San Suu Kyi , and the safe return of all refugees to their home with international protection. BAI provides support to groups and individuals within Burma and in exile who work for democracy and human rights there. In addition, BAI lobbies the Irish and other governments to raise the issue of Burma at international forums. The organisation is especially interested in promoting the inclusion of Burma on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council.
Burma Action Ireland is organising a demonstration at O’Connell Bridge, Dublin on Saturday 6th October from 12 – 1 pm – wear something red in solidarity with the monks.
Nonviolence gathering in Belfast
Forthspring Inter Community Group is hosting an informal gathering exploring Non-violence work on Monday 15th October from 10am to 4pm at the Forthspring Centre, Springfield Road, Belfast. The Institute for the Study and Practice for Non-violence, Rhode Island USA, will give a presentation of their work. The Institute’s mission is to teach by word and example the principles and practices of nonviolence and to foster a community that addresses potentially violent situations with nonviolent solutions. There will then be an opportunity for people to share examples of non-violence work they have been carrying out in their communities, and following this we will discuss and explore the challenges of working non-violently in a society that still views violence as an acceptable way of dealing with conflict and difference. To confirm attendance please contact Bernie Laverty on fscoordinator@btconnect.com or 028 – 90313945. (Please note this replaces the session mentioned in NN 152 for Tuesday 16th October, which is cancelled.)
Afri Hedge School/Scoil Chois Clai 2007
‘The Gathering in Erris’ will take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 3rd and 4th, 2007 a unique blend of conversation, debate, music, art, film, fun and food, with the theme of resources and conflict locally and globally. Beginning 10.00am, Saturday 3rd November in Erris, Co. Mayo. Further details from Afri, 134 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7, ph 01 – 8827581, e-mail afri@iol.ie and web http://www.afri.ie
Faslane 365 climax
Hundreds of people came to Faslane nuclear weapons base on the Clyde, in Scotland, for a big blockade on 1st October to mark the end of Faslane 365 (see http://www.faslane365.org ) including the Make Trident History group (MTH), the only group to come from Ireland. One member, Mark Chapman (an INNATE activist), was among 189 people arrested for nonviolent resistance including people from as far away as Finland and Sweden. Despite all the arrests there was a carnival atmosphere and MTH contributed with a ‘Kick the bucket with Trident’ competition. MTH intends to continue involvement with the issue of the UK’s Trident nuclear weapons system and its replacement. Contact: make.trident.history@ntlworld.com or phone 0798 354 9472. See also NN 146.
Anti war conference, Dublin
The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM), along with the Peace And Neutrality Alliance (PANA), and NGO Peace Alliance are organising a major international conference against war and occupation on Saturday October 13th from 9.30 am to 8.30 pm at the Royal Dublin Hotel (evening session with music and poetry in Teachers’ Club) with international speakers from Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and UK as well as ones from Ireland. The conference aims to challenge the myths and propaganda peddled by the main stream media and discuss practically how to build the movement of resistance to war and occupation over the coming months. Parallel events will take place in Galway and Derry the following day, Sunday 14th October. Full details on the IAWM website at http://www.irishantiwar.org Tickets are €10 at the door or can be purchased online. Irish Anti-War Movement, PO Box 9260, Dublin 1, ph 01 – 8727912, e-mail: info@irishantiwar.org For PANA see http://www.pana.ie and e-mail pana@eircom.net
A day in the life of an activist
Housmans Peace Diary with its World Peace Directory is a must have tool for those who want to be able to look up that address or contact on the spot – the Directory has almost 2000 national and international peace, environmental and human rights organisations in 150 countries. The diary itself is pocket size with a week to two pages. ISBN 978 0 85283 266 0. The 2008 diary is the 55th edition and it is available at UK£8.95 post free to any destination worldwide, discounts for 5 or more copies. You can order by post or online, paying by British cheque or credit card – see http://www.housmans.com for details or contact Housmans, 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX, ph. 020 7837 4473. Order direct or INNATE will have some copies and in Dublin you can send a text to Mary Begley at 085 – 7285786.
Northern Ireland – Arming the world
This is the report from Amnesty International in Northern Ireland looking at “The manufacture, trade and transfer of Military, Security and Police equipment and services in Northern Ireland” and launched in mid-September. It is on the AI-NI website as a PDF (32 pages) at http://www.amnesty.org.uk/ni This publication reviews the main military-associated firms (Bombardier, Thales, Raytheon and aerospace component manufacturers) and covers dual use components and government support, as well as overseas training by PSNI. It proposes that the Office of First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) should be given the power to retrospectively scrutinise all export licences for military, security, police and dual use goods from Northern Ireland, and that there should be a quarterly arms export report published. Human rights conditions should be applied to support by Invest NI, the report recommends. Amnesty International – Northern Ireland, 397 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 3GP, ph 028 – 9064 3000.
The “Controlling a Deadly Trade” report (40 pages) from Amnesty International Irish Section on the arms trade in the Republic, (see NN 152) is on their website at http://www.amnesty.ie Go to Resources, click on Reports, and then ‘Control Arms’.
Committee on the Administration of Justice seeks new director
CAJ is seeking a new director to replace Maggie Beirne who has been in post for nearly 5 years and is leaving for personal reasons in Spring 2008; among other skills and experience required the post requires a degree or equivalent, management, fundraising and lobbying experience, and an in depth knowledge of human rights issues in relation to Northern Ireland. Deadline is 19th October. Further details on the CAJ website at http://www.caj.org.uk or contact recruitment@caj.org.uk or Recruitment Officer, CAJ, 45-47 Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2BR, ph 028 – 90961122.
CAJ was involved with the Human Rights Consortium in organising a big conference on the Bill of Rights addressed by South African parliamentarian and Professor Kader Asmal; it will be issuing a major report on the "War on terror - lessons learned" in coming weeks.
NIEL – Northern Ireland Environment Link
Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) is the umbrella, networking and forum body for environmental organisations in Northern Ireland. It has 48 full members (voluntary NGOs) and 50 associate members (statutory organisations, businesses and individuals) interested in all aspects of protecting our natural and built heritage. Full members range from small special interest groups to large national and international organisations such as the National Trust and WWF, and together they represent over 92,000 individuals, 255 subsidiary groups, have an annual turnover of £44 million and manage over 230,000 acres of land. NIEL provides a major source of information on environmental matters through its website and publications, including NIEL News - a newsletter for members, e-bulletins, environmental fact sheets and policy documents, and promotes environmental issues through events, conferences and other activities.
Raytheon challenged at recruitment fair
Foyle Ethical Investment Campaign (FEIC) and Green Party activist Peter Doran challenged Derry Raytheon personnel at a jobs recruitment fair in Belfast on 15th September before pouring red wine (as a symbol of the blood of their victims) over their stall and literature and demanding that Raytheon leave Derry and halt military work, and recalled a motion passed by Derry City Council denouncing the international arms trade. Ph 078 45355064.
ICR seek assistant director/senior research officer
The Institute for Conflict Research in Belfast is recruiting someone for the above post, deadline 11th October; this is a new post and will include developing new research and obtaining the funding for it, undertaking research itself, and deputising for the director. Details at http://www.conflictresearch.org.uk ICR, Unit 14 North City Business Centre, 2 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast BT15 2GG, ph 028 – 90 74 26 82 or e-mail info@conflictresearch.org.uk
Restorative Justice – Looking back to the future
This conference, looking at the practice of restorative justice in Ireland, takes place on Tuesday 16th October 2007 (9.00 am – 5.15 pm) in the Green Hall, The Law Society, Blackhall Place, Dublin, organised by Copping On, ACJRD – the Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development, and NetCare. Book immediately to Copping On, Westside Centre, Unit 1, Main St., Leixlip, Co. Kildare. The fee is €95. For further information contact: Deirdre@coppingon.ieGeraldine.comerford@acjrd.ie or Jim.mcgrath@netcare-ni.com
Pax Christi Ireland
Pax Christi’s annual peace mass has just taken place, the date having been changed from January to a Sunday closer to the feast of St Francis of Assisi. Work continues on a variety of issues including armaments matters and Northern Ireland. The annual retreat takes place on 21st October and there is an Advent Mass on Sunday 2nd December at 11 am in Good Shepherd Church, Churchtown, Dublin 14 for UN Human Rights Day. Subscriptions are €25 waged, €10 unwaged, and €5 for students. Pax Christi, 52 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6, ph 01 – 496 52 93.
Cultivate
Cultivate now has an online shop with a variety of green products – see http://www.cultivate.ie Upcoming activities include a lecture by Fred Pearce on “Water – the defining crisis of the 21st century” on Friday 19th October at 7.30 pm in the Cultivate Centre, suggested donation €10. See website or Cultivate Centre, Essex Street West, Temple Bar, Dublin 8, ph 01 – 674 5773, enquiries@cultivate.ie
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