Walking the talk for human rights

ONE of Australia’s oldest human rights campaign factions of its kind, the Bendigo Amnesty Group stands for freedom, equality, justice, and human dignity.

About 44 years old, the local community group will also celebrate Amnesty International’s 60th anniversary in 2021, offering positive ‘human rights impacts, delivered through activism.’

With a particular focus on refugee, indigenous, and women’s rights issues, and ending the death penalty, new convenor Jan Govett said 100 people of all ages are linked to the group, and they’re always seeking more advocates.

“Some of our original members are still on our email list, but we’ve also got young people; university students and young women, who have joined in the last six months. There’s a huge age range,” she said.

“One of the big things that Amnesty does is letter writing for various issues, and that has been our main focus, but now we have more young, fresh members, we’re taking on other campaigns, we’re on the street and we’re more active, which is a great thing.

“Activism can be anything from writing a letter, to holding a rally, to manning an information stall, or meeting with a local MP.”

Ms Govett said many people are mindful of human rights abuses, but they might not be proactive in changing things.

“We’ve found that if people don’t step up and take a role in things like Amnesty, governments can get away with amazingly terrible behaviour.

“We’ve always thought it was an overseas thing, but recently in Australia the refugee, women’s rights and indigenous issues strongly reflect the Australian government doesn’t always do the right thing,” she said.

“Amnesty gives you a voice and community of likeminded people you can work with, to do something to make a difference.”

Meeting once a month, now at the Bendigo Club, the Bendigo Amnesty Group is a welcoming, informal one. It’s a grassroots organisation with a global impact, and world of knowledge.

“Amnesty International does such careful, immaculate research on issues it raises. A lot of other activist groups are keen and dedicated, but the global reach for Amnesty is a bonus for it,” Ms Govett said.

“That research is a great foundation for everything we do.”

Bendigo Amnesty Group works closely with Bendigo’s Rural Australians for Refugees and Grandmothers for Refugees. They’re also part of a national refugee network.

Within their campaigning, they also highlight and respond to issues flagged as “urgent actions” by Amnesty International.

Visit amnesty.org.au or the Bendigo Facebook group at bit.ly/3qil8Sa.