Taking action with Amnesty
Be inspired: One young person's experience of campaigning about human rights issues in China.
I have been a member of Amnesty International as part of my human rights school group in St. Peters College Dunboyne, County Meath for the past three years and have previously taken part in many different Amnesty campaigns. However, I first gained interest in the China campaign issues on a visit to Beijing in March 2008. It was there that l caught glimpses of a completely different side of China that the tour guide was less inclined for us to see.
For the Chinese government, it had been a long road to achieving their controversial Olympic status. After gaining the go ahead in 2001, many swift changes were implemented in order to prepare China to cope with what hosting a major event such as the Olympics entails. Most notably, the government made a series of promises as part of the deal to allow them to host the Olympics. These infamous 'promises' included freedom of press in the run up to and during the games. Most importantly, a much needed reform in the rights of its people was also promised. However as it soon became apparent, China fell short of fulfilling such promises.
A report published by Amnesty International China: The Olympics Countdown - Broken Promises details heavy censorship of media and a major systematic crackdown on activists by Chinese authorities even after these promises were made. During the games, many journalists who had been encouraged to report back to their home countries on the positives of Chinese life and achievements, ran into difficultly and hostility when China was shown in a negative light. Sam Zarifi, the Asia-Pacific director for Amnesty commented on the Chinese authorities' obsession with projecting an image of 'stability' and 'harmony' to the world at any expense.
On returning from the trip to China, I took part in a number of Amnesty events in relation to China and the upcoming Olympics including preparation for a demonstration which took place in Dublin in July.
When I was asked in August to help deliver a whopping 4,000 personally signed postcards to the constituency office of Brian Cowen in Offaly I was happy to take part. Amazingly this was the second batch of postcards to be delivered. The postcards urge the Taoiseach to make public recognition and to call on the Chinese authorities to deal with the urgent human rights issues in their country.
On the eve of the Beijing Olympics, several Amnesty members including myself braved the early morning Thursday train from Heuston Station to Tullamore to make the delivery. Together with the help of members of the local Amnesty group, the postcards were successfully left at the office. Unfortunately at the time Mr Cowen was not there to receive the postcards but a strong media presence ensured our message to the Taoiseach was heard.
As a young campaigner, I am aware that there is a lot of doubt surrounding the usefulness of such campaigning. The burning question often comes down to: ''Does it actually make a difference?''
The answer is a very easy 'yes', anyone can make a difference. Previous campaigning has taught me that even the smallest action, whether it be fundraising in your school or simply writing a letter to your local politician, makes an impact. A voice alone will always mean something because it represents concern. I think the event in Tullamore shows that the voice of many truly calls to be heard.
The media focus has drifted away from China with the Olympics finished, however Amnesty is determined that those still suffering from injustices are not forgotten. Accompanied by my school colleagues, I will continue to campaign actively for human rights in China this school year. We know there are always ears willing to listen.
By: Aidan Knowles
Find out more and get involved with the Amnesty campaign on human rights in China here.
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