2018 has been a fantastic year for LPHS Amnesty International.

After I (Zak) took over as Chair / Convenor from Alva Feldmeier, who now leads the Otago University Amnesty Group), our group has continued the initiatives and momentum from 2017.

We started the year with several letter writings to prominent governmental officials, advocating for people across the world who have been denied their basic human rights. Just as one example, we sent letters to Madagascar’s Minister of Justice advocating due legal process for Clovis Razafimalala, who was unfairly incarcerated for peacefully protesting the corporate deforestation of Madagascar’s endangered ruby-wood rainforest.

We have also hosted both a bake sale and film night at which we screened the intense and moving Netflix documentary White Helmets. Alva attended as a guest speaker to discuss Amnesty’s latest ‘I Welcome’ Campaign which sought to increase the number of refugees entering NZ. Between these two events we raised a total of $221.80, which went directly to Amnesty NZ to help continue the ongoing fight for human rights. We also gathered a number of signatures for different current Amnesty petitions.

I’d like to thank everyone who either helped out or came to participate, baked something or signed a petition. Our latest focus has been on planning an Amnesty Quiz Night which was in the fourth term. Our Amnesty group is a small yet effective and motivated group, and we’re already looking forward to the things we can get done next year. If you want to join we meet every Thursday Lunch in Rm 9 (Mr Enright’s room across from the library).

New members are always welcome!