Amnesty International Bury St Edmunds celebrates 50th birthday with Cllr Cliff Waterman

A West Suffolk human rights group celebrated its 50th birthday with the council leader last week.

On Tuesday, Cllr Cliff Waterman helped Amnesty International Bury St Edmunds mark its 50th anniversary with an event at West Suffolk College.

The ceremony saw Cllr Waterman cut a celebratory cake while staff, students and visitors were invited to add their names to greetings cards to three imprisoned human rights defenders.

The event coincided with Human Rights Day.

Avril Dawson, chairperson of the group, said: “We were honoured to be supported by leader of West Suffolk Council Cliff Waterman, and Robin Herne, course leader at the college.

“We were letting them (the defenders) know that they are not forgotten by the outside world – we know this makes a difference.”

Among the figures the group is highlighting is Ana da Silva Miguel, of Angola, who was jailed for criticising the President on TikTok.

The group has also noted Oqba Hashad, of Egypt, who was detained without trial in horrific conditions, for nearly 5 years, because of his brother's human rights activism.

Professor Sebnem Korur Fincanci, of Turkey, an anti-torture advocate and forensic medicine expert facing more than 7 years in prison for her human rights work is another person they are focusing on.

The group is holding another event at St Edmundsbury Cathedral today.

Members of Amnesty International Bury will be at the venue until 2 encouraging the public to add their names to the groups’ cards.

They will also be around after the morning service tomorrow.