Human Rights Calendar
from Amnesty International USA Local Group 361
The Color Key for Each Month
A link to Group 361’s Albany, NY, meeting dates and times appears in the navy blue field within each month;
Current activities and events are listed in the blue shaded areas;
Special dates which are observed annually appear in the palest areas.
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
This United State’s holiday honors a man who risked his life to inspire a peaceful movement to end racial discrimination. See King’s biography. You may learn more, and possibly hear King’s own voice and words at the King Center website.
February 12 -- Red Hand Day.
Have you seen the symbol of the red hands? The hands call for an end of the use of child soldiers. You may link to some more information from here. Amnesty International invites you to visit a webpage on the 12th: Here. You may view a YouTube video on Red Hand Day here.
February, 1987 February has been a pivotal month for the OAS -- The Organization of American States. February dates appear often in its history. The INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION TO PREVENT AND PUNISH TORTURE came into force February, 1987. The group dates back more than 60 years. See the organization’s website from this link.
March 8: International Women’s Day -- women and equality....
Read the day’s history and meaning in the UN webpage titled Women.
See also, UN actions and observances relating to the day.
March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
In South Africa in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid ‘‘pass laws’’. See UN webpage.
Spend a day in April in New York, NY or Washington, D.C. -- Get On The Bus (GOTB) for Human Rights
Each year, AIUSA Local Group 133 invites others to join them. Many from the Northeast region gather to meet with representatives, or demonstrate for Human Rights, often speaking out for Prisoners of Conscience. See more.
April: In 2010, the California State Legislature proclaimed April of each year Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month (GAPM). The State Legislature chose April because several 20th century genocides, from the Armenian genocide to Cambodia and Bosnia, are commemorated during that month. California is the only state in the nation to declare a Genocide Prevention Month, making April 2011 a historic month for California, and for the nation. You may read more about genocide at the United Nations website page.
April 7 World Health Day (WHO)
The right to medical care is stated in the 25th article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. See the United Nations links to actions and concerns on World Health, at their website.
May 3023 TULIP FEST -- Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Each year, AIUSA Local Group 361 has a presence at the Tulip Fest in Washington Park, Albany, NY. We invite you to stop at our booth. Come to say hello, or take a few moments to learn more about our work, perhaps pick up one of our brochures, or sign a petition in opposition to human rights abuse. Purchases from our selection of Amnesty International tee shirts and other memorabilia help fund our work. Our booth is located near the beginning of the Public Information booths.
Be sure to take time to enjoy the 200,000 tulips. You can learn more about the City of Albany’s annual event here. We look forward to seeing you!
May 3 World’s Press Freedom Day
A day marked by the United Nations in 1993, ‘‘...to inform the public of violations of the right to freedom of expression and as a reminder that many journalists brave death or jail to bring people their daily news.‘‘ Link to more details.
See 2010 stories and actions relating to journalists here.
May 4, 2011 Amnesty International awarded the Dalai Lama the first Shine a Light on Human Rights award. See his webiste.
Mother’s Day: Pregnancy and Mortality: Normally, pregnancy is a time of rejoicing for women. Yet, in countries where the majority of women are impoverished, pregnancy endangers their lives. While the rate of deaths related to pregnancy in the United States is less than in countries such as Sierra Leone, the stats in the United States are seriuosly disappointing, especially for people of color. Click to learn more in this Amnesty International video Amnesty International video on its home page. Consider Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Click here for actions.
May 28, 1961 The London Observer published ‘’The Forgotton Prisoners‘‘
British lawyer Peter Benensen’s article on six prisoners guilty only of speaking their mind began a world movement that became Amnesty International. See the article here.
Do you know what has happened to Troy Davis who is suspected to be innocent, but has been condemned to death? To learn more, you may send an e-mail to ckuehl@siena.edu.
Refugee Month 2011: The organization, USCRI (U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants), has a branch in the Capitol region. You may join them in observing World Refugee Day (June 20) throughout the month of June. Learn about the hundreds of families in the Capitol Region who have been forced to flee their homes due to war and persecution. They come from Burma, Iraq, Sudan, Bhutan, the Congo, and many other countries To learn more, connect with USCRI Albany as follows:
1) Website www.RefugeesAlbany.org
2) Facebook page www.facebook.com/USCRI.Albany.
3) Phone 518-459-1790;
4) E-mail info@uscri-albany.org.
June 12: World Day Against Child Labor
View two YouTube videos titled World Day Against Child Labor,
- by BetterWorld4YouAndMe playing against a song with words "We are the world...We are the children...."
- from UNICEF, faces, places and personal stories tell hard facts.
June 20: World Refugee Day
- Check the refugee situation around the world: UN webpages. See the contact information for events in our area in the above blue area.
- See a lesson on the issues of refugees at Columbia University’s Compass webpages.
- Hear the stories of refugee children from CNN video of interview: Angelina Jolie.
July 29, 1951 the United Nations held the Convention for Status of Refugees and Stateless people.
Read the text of the convention's document; and related facts and activities of the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
- August 9: International Day of the
World’s Indigenous People
- Check UN webpages for more information on the issues of the native people in countries around the world, here.
- Read about one group of indigenous people, the Maya, on Group 361’s page.
- August 12: International Youth Day
- The United Nations declared the day to address youth issues and promote youth participation for human rights.
- Read more here.
-
August 30: International Day of the ‘‘Disappeared’’
- Who are the disappeared? Why have they been ‘‘Disappeared’’? Where are they? Often, it is their government that knows.
- Their family, friends and/or partners in seeking human rights want and need the answers.
- See a list of the "disappeared" and learn more here.
September 8: International Literacy Day
There are now 4 billion literate people in the world today, yet literacy for all is yet to be realized. Throughout the world, there are children and adults unable to read and write. See United Nations Write up. and the Columbia University Compass page’s lesson plan on the inequalities that exist. Click here.
October 10: World Day Against the Death Penalty
Read the 2008 Amnesty International write-up Stop the Death Penalty: The World Decides.
October 17: International Eradication of Poverty Day
In 1987, around 100,000 people gathered in Paris, France to call for an end to poverty.
Since 1992, the call to the end of poverty is an annual event. Read more at this UN webpage.
A. CANCELLED Monday, November 14 at 7 p.m.; Sienna College:
Sienna’s Globalization Studies Program was to host Amnesty International’s Widney Brown, Senior Director, International Law and Policy. This was cancelled unexpectedly on the scheduled date. We will be seeking an explanation.
B. Prepare for two December happenings:
1. NORTHEAST REGIONAL CONFERENCEThe registration information should be available by calling the Northeast Regional Officeat 617-623-0202 or, checking this link: http://www.amnestyusa.org/events/regional-conferences/mid-atlantic-regional-conference?msource=W0010EERC1&tr=y&auid=9609432
2. Write for Rights - the world's largest letter writing event.
The state of human rights in the world tells us this event needs to be even larger. Why not write letters on behalf of those in danger of severe human rights abuses? One effort plus another...plus all those around the world frees prisoners of conscience, reduces torture, and stands for what is right -- human rights. Check out http://www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon/
November 16 International Day for Tolerance‘‘Tolerance does not mean indifference or a grudging acceptance of others. It is a way of life based on mutual understanding and respect for others, and on the belief that global diversity is to be embraced, not feared.’’ ~ UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
November 16, 1996: Observing its 50th anniversary, UNESCO proclaimed 16 November International Day for Tolerance and adopted a Declaration of Principles on Tolerance. See more at www.un.org/en/events/tolerancedayClick to Group 361's Regular Albany, NY, USA Meeting Info for December
December -- Join in the annual WRITE-A-THON around the globe.Write for Rights with us. Join people from around the world in writing letters on behalf of those in danger of severe human rights abuses. This event is THE largest letter writing event in the world.
- Online, Join Write for Rights at http://www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon/
- Locally, contact Carrie at 518-453-0545.
Help ’’write‘‘ wrongs.
December 10: Human Rights Day
On this day, Group 361 observes 3 anniversaries:
1. In 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
2. In 1961, the global organization of Amnesty International began with the lighting of a candle in a English church.
3. In 1978, Group 361 of the Albany, NY, USA area (members from 6 counties) signed its charter from Amnesty International USA.
On this day, the United Nations recognizes significant contributors to human rights with the Human Rights award. In recent years the award has gone to
- 2009: Thoraya Obaid, described as a tireless champion of women’s human and reproductive rights. Under her leadership, the United Nations Population Fund has played a major role in promoting maternal health and women's empowerment, and campaigns against female genital mutilation and fistula.
- 2010: Human rights workers worldwide. See the names on this UN page.
Return to Top
