WRITE UP 4 RIGHTS

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Letter Writing Marathon + Human Rights Fest

Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec, 12pm to 8pm

Presented by Amnesty International Malaysia

Admission Free


The Letter Writing Marathon is part of Amnesty International’s annual global solidarity and mass action initiative to moblise the public to speak up on various human rights cases everywhere, including Malaysia, in the form of personal letters.

Sending letters is one of the most effective ways for individuals to communicate their concerns to people who are responsible for violating human rights and those in positions to influence their actions. Your letters serve as a direct form of communication of concern to the authorities on human rights violations and obligations. Many people have been released from detention or saved from torture, rape and disappearance or even possible death because of these letters. It’s one of the most powerful forms of advocacy we have.

Come and join us and write for rights. Every letter counts.

As part of the Letter Writing Marathon, Amnesty International Malaysia is proud to present, in co-operation with The Annexe Gallery’s Arts For Grabs weekend, a two-day program of talks, photography exhibition, film screenings, children’s art workshop and music performances.

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EVENTS

SAT 12 DEC

12pm
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
Launch of Letter-Writing Marathon

1pm
HOMELESSNESS
Photo Exhibition Launch & Talk
Marginalised to the edges of society, the homeless and urban poor have virtually no rights. Without an address, they are denied many basic priviliges. The Homelessness photo exhibition project, organised by Amnesty International seeks to highlight the longstanding problems of poverty and homelessness in Malaysia. The exhibition will continue until Sun 13 Dec.

6.30pm
PERSEPOLIS
Film Screening & Talk
Directed by Marjane Satrapi & Vincent Paronnaud
Based on Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel, “Persepolis” traces the story of an outspoken young Iranian woman’s coming-of-age paralleled by the devastating political consequences of the Islamic Revolution. Awarded the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.

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SUN 13 DEC

12 pm
CHILDREN 4 DIGNITY
Children’s Art Workshop
A mini art workshop for children to express their thoughts and feelings on issues of poverty and human rights.

2pm
“DEEP SEA” & “HOMES TAKEN AWAY”
Film Screening & Presentation
"Deep Sea" is a film about the inhabitants of the Deep Sea settlement in Kenya who live under constant threat of forced eviction. The Nairobi 'slum' is home to around 7,000 people but private companies are trying to reclaim the land for development. In 2005, contractors (with police support) evicted hundreds of people in the middle of the night and then, despite a ruling by the Kenyan high court that it was illegal, demolished their houses.
Presentation on "Housing Rights in Cambodia: Homes Taken Away". The number of land disputes, land confiscations and evictions, including forced eviction reported in Cambodia has steadily risen in recent years. Victims are almost exclusively marginalized families and individuals living in poverty

7pm
SOLIDARITY NIGHT: DARI RAKYAT UNTUK RAKYAT
Party & Music Performances
A Special Tribute to Human Rights Defenders by the artist of the "Dari Rakyat Untuk Rakyat Project and Friends". The Project is an independent initiative undertaken by singer songwriter Meor Yusof Azzidin and friends best described as the first of its kind in the history of Malaysian folk music featuring various artists including Amin Iskandar & Mei Chern expressing the many various human rights and social justice issues in Malaysia. Other performers include underground punk band Carburetor Dung, poet and artist Rahmat Haron, singer songwriter Jerome Kugan, plus Kubher & Han.