What's Amnesty International ?

Amnesty's work is based on the principles described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the U.N. on Dec.10,1948. There are over 2.8 million Amnesty members in over 150 countries and regions in the world. As well, there are Amnesty branches in over 80 countries and regions all over the world. Amnesty Kamakura is one of the 79 groups in Japan which works with the Amnesty Japan branch.

 

Introduction to Japan Amnesty International, Kamakura Group (#103)

-In late 1989, 

　We started the group with about 12 members. Many of them were mixed 

　couples, one spouse Japanese and the other American, British, Kiwi, etc.

　and a few singles such as myself. (My husband was Japanese, but never 

　became a member.)Over the years, our numbers grew, and shrank, and 

　now we are ten, consisting of one American, two Canadians, and the rest 

　Japanese (Three men, seven women). Ages range from mid forties to late 

　sixties (I’m just guessing here), a “mature” group, much in need of 

　some young blood.

　Most of us live in or near Kamakura, which, if you’ve ever visited Japan,

　is a tourist center, home of the big outdoor Buddha. We meet once a month 

　at a community hall, and our two-hour meetings seem to whiz by with our 

　busy agenda. Our coordinator, on whom we have relied for many years, sets 

　up the agenda and does most of the planning. However, much of the work is 

　done by other members, such as treasurer, letter writing, some yearly 

　events, etc. to lighten the coordinator’s job.

　

Our activities now consist of the following: 

　-Letter writing

　 Four or five letters are prepared by one member, copies for all members are made, 

　and we discuss them, and sign and address them, usually producing about thirty lett-

　ers a month. 

　Recent cases include prisoners in Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. Some of the letters 

　are on behalf of ongoing cases our group has been assigned and others are based on 

　urgent action cases.

    -Postcards-

　Last summer we had a visit from a young American AI member, who 

　told us about his project writing postcards to prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. 

　We have been following this up, sending two or three postcards each to 

　individuals chosen from a list provided by our visitor, including simple, 

　non-political or religious messages letting the prisoners know we are 

　hinking of them.

 

　-Speaking tour-

　Every other year the Japan office arranges for former POCs 

　or other activists to do a speaking tour in Japan. We try to host one of 

　these talks, either by ourselves, or with other groups in Kanagawa 

　Prefecture. This year we co-hosted a woman from Afghanistan who is working 

　on shelters for women in Kabul and other cities.

　-Daibutsu Bazaar- This annual event is sponsored by Kamakura City and inter- 

　national groups which are based here. Each group has a booth for selling 

　goods and promoting its activities, and there is live entertainment such 

　as Japanese taiko (drumming), Bali dancing, karate demonstrations, etc. 

　all taking place outdoors under the eye of the Buddha.

 

　-Annual concert-

　Working with the other Kanagawa Prefecture groups, we hold 

　a fund/conscience raising concert in Yokohama every year. Well known 

　musicians, such as cellist and former POC from Czechoslovakia, Vladan Koci, 

　offer their talent and time at minimal rate to Amnesty and perform for sold-out audiences. 

 

　-Other activities include taking part in NPO festivals, Human Rights Day 

　events in Yokohama, putting up Amnesty PR displays in public places, 

　taking part in the annual Japan AI general meeting, etc.

　However, it is not all work and no play. We have an annual 

　New Years party in January, usually a pot-luck supper at 

　someone’s home, and occasionally socialize after events.

　I hope this has given you a bit of a picture of our group and 

　activities. 

　Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in visit-

　ing us during a meeting or in taking part in an event.

 

Monthly meetings

Time: usually 4th Sunday of the month (except August) Place: Kamakura Shogai Center (3 minute walk from Kamakura Station, beside the main post office)