Amnesty G48 January 2009 Meeting
Club Activity Room, Seoul Women’s Plaza, (near Daebang Station, Line 1) 345-1 Daebang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, Sat, Jan 3, 4 – 6pm

1. Introduction (10 min presentation) – Who is Amnesty International and what is G48?

2. Review of December meeting (and recent actions)

3. Petitions
- End the killing in Palestine
- Hmong letterwriting campaign

4. Uganda and the Philippines (Malcolm Trevena)
- Grassroots Uganda
- Future work in the Philippines
- Q&A

5. Palestine (Michelle Lee and Jeff)
- Backgrounder (Tom)
- Presentation – footage from the ground in Palestine
- Q&A

6. G48 Projects (gathering interest and finding project leads)
- Minorities database

7. Upcoming actions
- Israel embassy blockade (?)
- Shut down Guantanamo Bay action (Jan 11)

8. Any other business

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING VENUE
We will be meeting in the ‘club activity room’ (동아리마당) at Seoul Women’s Plaza. The room is just next to the stairs on the 2nd floor of Seoul Women’s Plaza.

http://www.seoulwomen.or.kr/nhpeng/intro/directions.jsp

What follows is a review of the recent Wednesday protest for the halmoni outside the Japanese Embassy from one of our members (INCLUDING A LINK TO A SHORT FILM), Angela Lytle, which I have stolen without her permission (I hope you don’t mind Angela)!

Thanks to all of you who were able to attend the Human Rights Day protest in front of the Japanese embassy today! A short account of how the day went down follows:

* we arrived in front of the Japanese embassy in the late morning, and the Halmoni arrived just before noon for their customary protest. About 100 or so supporters were there at the peak of the protest, with Korean and international speakers supporting the Halmoni
* the Halmoni were thrilled to see so many faces from so many countries–today we had representation from: Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Canada, Thailand, US, Malaysia, France, Peru, Brasil, Korea…and perhaps more that I’ve forgotten to mention
* the police got wind that we planned to protest longer than usual (’til 4, as advertised) and informed us that the protest was illegal and that we would be arrested if we stayed past 1 pm. We explained that many people were coming, that the publicity was done, etc. and we attempted to negotiate a middle way solution with the police…
* they finally told us simply that we would be arrested if we stayed past 1 pm, and around 12:45 about SIX police buses filled with riot police arrived and started to pen in the area
* when we didn’t leave immediately, the riot police lined up with shields, then started marching toward us to corral in those who hadn’t already fled
* we stayed for a while, but ultimately fell back/were pushed back and headed over to Insa-dong where we set up our speaker and posters. We made speeches, chanted and marched down Insa-dong until 4 pm. Speeches were made in English, Japanese, Korean, and even Spanish and French, to reach the variety of passers-by
* we received a lot of support from many Korean onlookers, and we wrapped up around 430 with a music performance

Needless to say, the show of force by the police for such a peaceful protest was shocking and disappointing, but not really surprising under the current government in Korea. And, the move to Insa-dong actually was great because we were able to reach out to so many people on Human Rights Day!

Even if you couldn’t make it out today, just telling someone the Halmonis’ story, or standing up against violence against women in small or big ways, is the key to creating a human rights-friendly society! Don’t forget to speak up—the bravery of the Halmoni is an example to us all!

You can find the edited video footage of the protest here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G7RRKlh3rs (With the Halmoni on Human Rights Day)

An article about the protest was also written by one of our members-from-abroad, Michael Solis:
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=384405&rel_no=1

Another article was published in the Joongang Daily:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2898658

Click to join AmnestyKorea48

APYN logo design competition

Amnesty G48 November Meeting Minutes

Caffe Themselves, Jongno, Saturday, November 1, 4 – 6pm

Present: Hyun Ju Park, Jason Suh, Markus Bell, Michelle Younghee, Nafalie Pedrozo, Rita Barbieri, Stephanie Boss, Tom Rainey-Smith.

1. Review of September & October meetings

These meetings were poorly attended and there were no concrete actions taken as a result of them. We are still considering strategies for getting new members to return and achieving more consistency with attendance.

2. Petitions (online activism)

No hard copy petitions made available at the meeting. Tom suggested that members check the mailing list regularly for e-petitions that he circulates. Paper petitions will be made available at the next meeting.

3. Asia Pacific Youth Network (APYN) actions

The APYN is a youth wing of Amnesty International made up of youth from around the Asia-Pacific region who promote youth activism and leadership in the region. Started up in May of this year, all representatives report to the International Secretariat and collectively decide on actions designed to engage youth elements of the population in their activities. Tom is a representative for Korea and is always receiving information on new projects that others can help out with. Tom will circulate new actions as they arise and ask for members to register their interest.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 60^th Anniversary DVD

Amnesty International Korea (AI Korea) was assigned 3 articles from the UDHR (there are 30 in total) to cover in three 60-second film segments. Two student filmmakers produced short films for articles 5 and 22 and Tom and Jang Suyeon (APYN Korea representatives) produced a third for article 25. These films will be made available to the group in the near future, including a translation of the script into English.

What follows is a draft flyer for the logo competition. Eventually this flyer will be stuck up around university campuses. Jason Suh agreed to translate this into Korean. So far AI Korea has agreed to circulate this at Chugye University for the Arts and Hongik University. We hope to extend this reach to other design departments at other universities around the country. Apologies as it is not exactly a visual feast!

Logo competition The Asia Pacific Youth Network (APYN) is offering an exciting opportunity to young designers to take part in a competition to create its logo which will be printed on t-shirts, widgets, badges, banners, bags and information packs. The prize! The designer who creates the winning logo will receive the latest Adobe “Creative Suite” software package or software of equivalent value plus one year’s membership to Amnesty International. There will be 50 runners up prizes and a certificate of participation will be available on request. The theme The Asia Pacific Youth Network connects young people in Asia who want to promote and protect human rights and to create opportunities to take action. Design specifications The logo you design should include: · Asia Pacific Youth Network and/or ‘APYN’; · The design needs to allow for the fact that the logo will also be translated into Asian languages including Chinese, Japanese and Korean; · The logo can be any colour or shape that you think will look good, but it needs to be as eye-catching on a small badge, as it is on a poster or t-shirt; · The design can include graphics or drawings; · For technical requirements for the logo please email APYNlogocompetition@amnesty.org to receive an automated response containing these details. Terms and conditions 1. All entries must be submitted before midnight on 15 December 2008 to APYNlogocompetition@amnesty.org 2. One winner will be selected by 30 December 2008; 3. No more than one entry per person will be accepted; 4. Entries must be submitted as jpegs or PDF files no larger than one megabyte;design entries as jpegs or pdf files no larger than 1 megabites;design entries as jpegs or pdf files no larger than 1 megabites;design entries as jpegs or pdf files no larger than 1 megabites; 5. By submitting an entry to this competition it is understood that you give copyright to the Asia Pacific Youth Network to use your design; 6. This competition is open to young people in Asia aged between 18 and 26 years. The winner will be asked to supply proof age.

4. Hmong Campaign Update

The Hmong Action Network (HAN) proposal is complete and ready to be circulated to government officials in Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and the United States this weekend (see attached file). HAN’s blog can be visited at www.hmongactionnetwork.blogspot.com. HAN meet online regularly and would welcome any support for future campaign work, article writing, etc.

5. Policing the candlelight protests (report summary)

AI Korea produced a report (see attached file) on the way the candlelight vigils from May through August of this year were policed. The report documents the use of fire extinguishers and water canons on protestors, the targeting of non-protestors and observers, mass arrests, excessive force, and other factors where it is believed the police response was disproportionate.

Korea’s Assembly and Demonstration Law* prohibits protestors from assembling between dusk and dawn without prior police permission. It also prohibits a demonstration within a 100 meter radius of the presidential residence (the Blue House).

What follows is a brief summary of the report’s recommendations (although you are encouraged to read the report in full):

1) Review police policies to make sure they conform to international law;

2) Provide adequate training on the use of weapons (lethal and non-lethal);

3) Provide a safe environment and access to medical treatment to those held in custody;

4) Investigate the crimes carried out by police;

5) End culture of impunity;

6) All law enforcement officials are to be easily identifiable;

7) Make reparations to victims;

Cooperate with the NHRCK investigations, and;

9) Implement recommendations

10) Phase out the use of military conscripts in the police force;

11) Amend the Assembly and Demonstration Law*.

6. Strengthening Amnesty’s internal democracy (consultation documents)

This document was not discussed due to time constraints and also due to the fact that most attendees were new and unfamiliar will the internal workings of Amnesty International. The deadline for feedback had also passed when Tom received this document (this is the second consultation pack). A third consultation pack will be released around January 2009 which will be able to discuss at a future meeting. If you are interested in looking at these documents, please e-mail Tom who will forward them on to you personally.

The only major change that is being recommended is the introduction of a Global AI Forum, which will allow all members to participate in consultations and discussions on how AI is run, what direction the organization should take, etc. This will be mostly done online.

7. Any other business

Stephanie spoke about her group Little Travelers. This group sells small dolls (known as ‘travelers’) for W5,000 each and meets regularly. 40% of the profits are returned to the producers in Africa and 60% go to a local aids center [please confirm these details]. There is going to be a fund-raising event in the near future. Stephanie will circulate details to the group.

Hyun Ju spoke about her recent experience learning about North Korea and talking to a defector. She recently joined an academic group that meets regularly to learn and talk about the issue. She will circulate further details to members.

Michelle has offered to present at a future G48 meeting on her experience in the West Bank in the Occupied Territories of Palestine.

Field trip to Gwangju

Field trip to Gwangju in Cheollanamdo to visit the May 18 Memorial Foundation and go on a guided tour of the city to look at its role in the democratic struggles of the 1980s. Tom will circulate more information (including a rough estimate of costs) in the near future and ask people to register their interest. There will need to be a minimum number of interested members to make this viable.

16 days of activism against gender violence

Tom still to confirm which activities AI Korea will be involved in. The following is some background on the 16 days of activism:

‘The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.’

Upcoming House of Sharing visits:  Nov 9 is full already, Nov 29 and Dec 14 are the next ones—there will be no visits in January as we focus on training new volunteers and getting ready for the year ahead, as well as the loss of Malcolm and myself from the group  (new website is still in progress, but Malcolm is working hard to complete it: www.houseofsharing.org). If you would like to visit sharing house on Nov 29 or Dec 14, please visit the website and book in advance – it books out early.

Dec 7^th – free screening of a documentary about former “comfort women”, called 63 Years On, location and guest speaker to be announced

Dec 10^th – (60th Anniversary of UDHR) Wednesday protest for the Comfort Women outside the Japanese Embassy in Gyeongbokgung, Chongdaehyup and other NGOs are organising and hope to get a BIG group of foreigners there that day to support the halmoni and draw attention to the issue as a HR violation—recruit anyone and everyone you know to be there that day!  We will be getting nice signs printed up and hopefully will attract some press.

Jan 17th:  1st annual Wild Women Performing Arts Festival—Angela is helping Rebecca organize a women’s music and performing arts festival at Club TA in Hongdae, and it will be a fundraiser for the KWAU.  We will definitely need volunteers closer to the date, and any leads on female musicians or performers would be much appreciated. If you are interested, please e-mail Tom (or Angela directly).

Details of next meeting: Meeting place to be announced, December 6, 4 – 6pm, followed by a meal and (optional) drinks. (Thanks to Rita for this suggestion.)

Amnesty G48 September Meeting

Present: Markus (new member), Rita, Soeun, Tom

Apologies: Angela, Ingrid, Joe, Layne

1. July and August Meetings

Meetings went well, but had small attendance due to many members being away on Summer vacation. Please remember to respond to meeting attendance requests (with a simple ‘Yes, I’ll be there’ or ‘No, I can’t make it’) so that the coordinator is able to plan the meetings accordingly.

We have been informed by the head office that we are unable to use their meeting room facilities for the time being due to a lack of security, but may be able to claim some expenses for meetings. For future meetings Soeun is going to secure a room in Sincheon which will provide us with meeting facilities such as a whiteboard, projector and unlimited refreshments (at a low cost). Further information will be circulated in the near future.

2. Petitions

No petitions were presented for signing. In future, head office will send us any Korean language petitions for us to sign.

3. Linking up to international campaigns

Rita would like more information on Control Arms campaign. Tom to e-mail her more information.

We decided that everyone should adopt a focus (area of interest). This means that Tom will know who to involve when a certain campaign, issue or activity comes up. From those present at the meeting the following was decided.

Area of interest G48 member

North Korea Rita, Markus

Migrant workers Soeun

Asia Pacific Youth Network (UDHR DVD Project)

Amnesty Korea’s youth representatives are putting together a DVD segment for the Asia Pacific Youth Network (APYN) to mark 60 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Korea has been allocated articles 6, 22 and 25 of the declaration to present in a 60-minute segment. Jungju from Head Office is currently in charge of this project, and Tom and Suyeon Jang will meet with her on Monday to discuss this further. Soeun would like to be involved in the DVD work and also involved in future campaigning for APYN. Tom to discuss this further with AI Korea.

4. Brainstorming Session

Volunteer Korean Language Program for Migrant Workers

Soeun to lead this program as head volunteer. Tom to help with coordination. Markus may be able to volunteer some time to run classes also. Others are more than welcome and encouraged to help out. Need to advertise for volunteers and approach AI for funding, etc. It was decided that volunteers will have to travel to migrant communities so make lessons as accessible as possible. Contact MTU and other migrant organisations to find out where different halls and other meeting/teaching venues are in heavily-populated migrant areas.

Minorities in Asia Profile Database

Tom to start compiling information about minority ethnic groups facing human rights abuses in Asia in order to eventually produce a database as a reference tool for G48. Information will be collected from the major human rights organisations in the region as well as smaller organisations specialising on specific minority groups. This tool will then be used to help inform members about the different issues facing minorities in Asia and one new group will be focused at each monthly meeting. Tom is to lay the groundwork and Markus has offered to do some research, time permitting.

5. Global Mala Yoga Day of Peace (Notification previously circulated)

Joe and Angela are organising this event to be held at Seoul National University from 12pm on Sunday, September 21.

6. Hmong Campaign

Michael, Ann and Tom put together an international campaign proposal for the Hmong refugees facing forced repatriation in Thailand, which was unsuccessful. They are planning to continue working on a campaign idea in the hope that it will be adopted by individual country sections.

If you are interested in helping us come up with ideas, please e-mail Tom and ask him for a copy of the proposal for you to look over.

7. Other Actions

The Herald advertisement is no longer being printed in the community section of the newspaper. Need to get this back up and also get an advertisement in other newspaper community columns.

Need to scrap the old Facebook page (as it is so outdated) and set up a new one with Soeun as the moderator (and Mickie, if she is still interested in running it). Need to contact Mickie to ask her to confirm this.

Next Meeting: G48 October Meeting, Saturday, October 4, 2008, Shincheon (exact location details TBC) 4 – 6pm

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MAY MEETING MINUTES

May 3, 2008,

3^rd Floor, Amnesty Head Office, 4-6:00pm

 

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MAY MEETING MINUTES

May 3, 2008,

3^rd Floor, Amnesty Head Office, 4-6:00pm

 

Meeting Theme: Action Planning & Capacity Building

 

Members in attendance:

Coordinator: Tom Rainey-Smith

Henry

Layne Hartsell

Angela Lytle (plus guest)

Ingrid Potgieter

Michael Solis (plus guest, Dustin Kahler)

Guest speaker: Victor Fic

 

I.                     Review of April’s minutes

This past month was not incredibly active, although members did attend the Halmoni protests in front of the Japanese embassy, the play “Hotel Splendid” by Lavonne Mueller, the protests against the Olympics Torch, and the petitioning signing event in Myeongdong. Tom highlighted the importance of translating words into action.

 

II.                   Petition signing

There were no petitions to sign, but if anyone has a petition, please send it out to the list. Some Amnesty members are teachers at schools and universities and can easily post up a petition on a wall in order to collect more signatures.

 

III.                 Review of last month’s actions

A.       China campaign

AI carried out a campaign in Myeongdong in order to raise awareness of Tibetan rights and the current situation in Tibet. We collected over 300 signatures for two petitions, one that highlighted the 4 main concerns of China’s human rights policies and the other calling for the release of the Tibetan monks who were imprisoned by the Chinese government.

B.        Hmong refugees in Thailand

Tom and Michael both contributed articles to Korean newspapers and OhmyNews International on issues pertaining to the current situation of the Laotian Hmong in the jungles of Vietnam, as well as the Hmong who are being forcibly repatriated to Laos from refugee camps in Thailand. Tom also began a website called the Hmong Action Network, on which he has posted documents for faxing, videos, contact information, and photos so that others have easy access to the issue.

According to Ann Peters, the Hmong are being financially bribed by the Laotian government to return to Laos. Because the details cannot be confirmed, this is an issue to watch with caution, as it is unfeasible that the Hmong would be willing to return on their own will.

 

IV.                 Theme discussion: action planning and capacity building

The group discussed ways to increase the number of and commitment to actions undertaken by Amnesty G48.

l   Michael proposed organizing a response to the Chinese mass mobilization during the Olympic Torch Event by coordinating foreign embassies in support of Tibetan rights to cooperate and begin a t-shirt campaign supporting Tibetan rights in direct response to China’s t-shirt campaign.

l   Angela proposed participating in a weekly vigil in coordination with the Buddhist order. Friday, 9 May 2008 will mark the day of the Buddha’s birth, and several activities are scheduled that weekend. The event will attract non-warring, peaceful groups who seek to limit and prevent conflict.

l   Tom read a message from Ann Peters, who is seeking help from G48 to research companies that are cooperating with the Laotian government. Layne suggested that we be careful with our word choices and discussed his reservations with using a world like “boycott” that has its origins in violent action. The group decided to use, for legal reasons, the term “non-cooperation” rather than “boycott.” G48 also decided that we need to be very careful about which companies to target in order to make non-cooperation effective. Therefore, G48 will research those companies that have direct ties to the Laotian military forces and any companies any companies that are directly or indirectly tied to the refoulement of Hmong refugees – particularly those that can be tied to powerful countries and in turn governments like the US. Tom sent a message to Ann asking for suggestions on how to further refine our targets. Layne, Michael and Tom all agreed to carry out individual research to target those companies discussed above. G48 also decided that it would be worthwhile to mobilize the young, ethnic Hmong in the US after deciding which companies to target.

l   Ingrid commented on a recent campaign that involved increasing awareness of the Hmong issue among US senators and asking for them to pressure the Thai and Laotian governments to put an end the forced repatriation and human rights abuses.

 

V.                   Coordinator Role

Tom asked if anyone would be willing or able to serve as the G48 Coordinator at the end of June and throughout July, as he will be out of the country. If anyone has interest in serving as the group coordinator, please contact Tom as soon as possible. Tom also discussed ideas for increasing membership, either through other news publications or reaching out to areas outside of Seoul.

 

VI.                 “Comfort Women” Betrayed (Victor Fic)

Victor presented on the various sources of betrayal against the Korean “comfort women””

1.        The Japanese government

2.        The Korean government and business officials who compromised themselves through increased business interactions with Japan

3.        Japanese journalists who did not properly investigate the claims

4.        Koreans who knew what the Japanese government was doing to their Korean sisters

5.        Japanese women and feminists who behaved as if the “comfort women issue did not exist

6.        Asian prejudice which excluded outsiders from writing about discrimination. Then the topic was taboo, but now it is semi-open.

 

Victor proposed 5 ways to address the issue now:

1.        Avoiding collaboration and maintaining clean hands as human rights activists

2.        Responding with tough-minded reporting; putting the victims first

3.        Understanding that victims are not the shameful ones in this situation. The shameful are always the perpetrators of human rights abuses.

4.        Overcoming prejudice

5.        Understanding the consequences of corruption (ex. Kim Dae Jung)

 

VII.               Upcoming Events

 

G48 has proposed holding weekly, candlelight vigils in front of City Hall on Thursday events around 6 or 7:00pm. Susie Wigowsky has agreed to take on a leadership role in this capacity. Please let Tom know of you availability to participate on Thursday nights. We will need G48 members to help invite representatives from the local Buddhist community, Tibetan rights groups, and others. Keep posted on the email list for updates on the first vigil.

 

VIII.             Date and Time of Next Meeting: Sunday June 7, Amnesty Head Office, 4pm

 

 

Thanks to Michael Solis for these minutes!

Amnesty G48 May Meeting

May 2008, 3^rd Floor, Amnesty Head Office, 4 – 5.30pm

 

Meeting Theme: Action Planning & Capacity Building

 

1)                    Review of April’s minutes

2)                    Petition signing

3)                    Review of last month’s actions

-          China campaign

-          Hmong refugees in Thailand

4)                    Comfort women betrayed (Victor Fic)

5)                    Theme discussion: action planning and capacity building

6)                    Coordinator role

7)                    Any other business

-          Hmong boycott (Tom – on behalf of Ann)

-          Sharing House training (Angela & Joh)

 

Date & Time of Next Meeting: Sunday, June 7, Amnesty Head Office, 4pm

 Amnesty G48 April Meeting

MINUTES

April 5th 2008, Amnesty Office, Dongdaemun, 4 – 6.30pm

Meeting Theme: Women’s Rights

 

Disclaimer: These minutes are brief and probably need correction in multiple areas. Please blame any mistakes on Tom! In many cases I have let primary sources (documents) do the talking.

 

Review of February’s minutes

No alterations.

 

Petition signing

l         Human rights in China (Amnesty)

l         Human rights in Tibet (Amnesty)

l         Prisoners of conscience (Michael)

l         End the violence against and stop the forced repatriation of Hmong (Ann)

 

Review of last two months’ actions

Migrants’ Trade Union, Prisoners of conscience, Comfort women 800th/803rd protests, International Women’s Day – Please see the website for individual postings and photos from these events.

 

Prisoners of conscience (Michael Solis)

Michael discussed the work that he has been doing through the Human Rights Commission and summarized the situation of prisoners of conscience in Korea. He included personal testimony. See attachments.

 

Amnesty Leaders’ Forum (Tom R-S)

Tom and Yuni attended the Leaders’ Forum (16-17 Feb). Translation services were provided graciously and free of charge by Yuni. Report available on request.

 

China campaign update (Tom R-S)

Beijing Olympics Asia Pacific Youth Meeting in Hong Kong (May 7-9) planning is underway. Planning committee meet weekly to discuss developments and strategies. Four main foci are: 1) stopping the executions, 2) fair trials and an end to detention without trial, 3) respect and protect the rights of human rights defenders, 4) complete media freedom for journalists and an end to internet censorship. (Summary document and further info available from Tom.)

 

Petition collection and information dissemination stall was held on Sunday the 6^th of April. A combined total of over 250 signatures were collected on the two petitions first circulated at the meeting. The Olympic candle is going to pass through Seoul on Sunday the 27^th of April. An event will be planned to coincide with this.

 

Comfort women betrayed – and solutions (Victor Fic)

Presenter did not show. He has indicated that he would like to present at the May meeting to discuss this topic.

 

Working with the Hmong people (Anne Peters)

Ann spoke to the group about the ongoing plight of the Hmong in Laos and Thailand, a minority population who have been victimized for over 30 years by the regional governments for their supporting role in the CIA’s “secret war” against the revolutionary communist forces along the supply lines of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which ended with a mass exodus after 1975. Thousands of ethnic Hmong fill the Laotian jungles and refugee camps of Thailand. Ann worked in Thailand last year on the Bamboo Housing project to construct housing for Hmong refugees (see video footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wnOsoFZnUs).

 

The documentary Still a Secret War was screened and is available on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mi68GYu64k. Al Jazeera has also produced a documentary film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5k8oXaG-bQ.

 

Michael is going to start a letter campaign and he, Ingrid and Tom have all agreed to write articles on the situation (Michael’s article is complete and ready for submission). Subsequently, Tom set up a website called the Hmong Action Network Korea, which can be visited at http://hmongactionnetwork.blogspot.com/.

 

Theme discussion: Women’s rights (Angela Lytle)

Angela summarized the current situation for women living in Korea and touched on the major issues women are facing. Many laws have been enacted to further women’s social position but there has been no real change on the ground (and the government’s commitment to advancing women’s rights has been watered down, for example the Ministry of Gender Equality has now become the Ministry of Gender Equality and Families). A major concern is poverty: women have no access to regular employment (women fill part-time, irregular roles) and therefore lack job security, benefits and support that men have. Age discrimination is also prevalent with women over the age of 32 having a hard time finding work. Women’s economic status is still low compared to that of men. Other areas of concern discussed are the increasing trend of imported brides and the sex trade in Korea. While the government is clamping down on prostitution and has resolved to address the issue, prostitutes themselves are categorized by the government as ‘forced’ and ‘unforced,’ categories which themselves blur the issue.

 

Future actions (brainstorming session)

A few areas of concern were discussed including gay and lesbian rights, refugee rights, education for children of immigrants and highlighting the plight on the Hmong in Laos and Thailand (see actions highlighted above). Besides this no future actions or dates were earmarked related to these themes, but it was agreed that we continue to pursue those areas that we are already working on.

 

Any other business

Association for Teachers of English in Korea (Tom R-S)

ATEK is a group for English instructors in Korea. It is currently looking for active volunteers in all areas of the country. Please visit the website to find out more: http://atek.or.kr/.

 

ITF & Eco-tourism (Layne Hartsell)

Layne spoke to the group about his new business project: integrated tours to South-East Asia, including time spent working with the local communities to help develop the local economy. The work is mostly done with women working on micro-credit projects in the area. Please see www.integraltrust.org for more info about his work. He is also planning to launch a new (unnamed) magazine and a phone business in the near future.

 

Date and time of next meeting: May 3, 2008, Amnesty Office, Dongdaemun, 4 – 6.30pm

 

Please note: Segments of the meeting should soon be available to view on the Amnesty’s Korea language website at www.amnesty.or.kr.

Amnesty G48 April Meeting

April 5th 2008, Amnesty Office, Dongdaemun, 4 – 6pm

Meeting Theme: Women’s Rights

1. Review of February’s minutes

2. Petition signing

3. Review of last two months’ actions

l Migrants’ Trade Union

l Prisoners of conscience

l Comfort women 800th/803rd protests

l International Women’s Day (Angela)

4. Amnesty Leaders’ Forum (Tom)

5. China campaign update (Tom)

6. The Comfort Women Betrayed — and Solutions (Victor Fic)

7. Working with the Hmong people (Anne Peters)

8. Theme discussion: Women’s rights

9. Future actions

10. Any other business

l Association for Teachers of English in Korea (Tom)

l ITF & Eco-tourism (Layne Hartsell)

Please have a look at get back to me with your comments. See the directions to the new location below:

1. Line 2,4,5 Dongdaemun Stadium Exit 4 ->  after you out of the Exit 4, you’ll see a crosswalk on your right

-> cross and follow the street about..50m then you will find the Hyundai motor agency on your right. The office is on the third floor in that building (take the elevator inside the garage).

2. Line 3 Dongguk Univ. Exit 3 -> follow the street (Dongguk Univ. at your back) and find Kyungdong Church

-> next to the Kyungdong Church, you can find the Hyundai motor agency on your right. The office is on the third floor in that building (take the elevator inside the garage).

It’s easy to find it and it’s closer from Dongdaemun Stadium.

I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting!