Author: Eleanor Turnbull

This term Cambridge University Amnesty International are focusing on an extremely important human rights issue that often does not receive enough attention: disability rights . Through this term we will be discussing human rights issues related to disabilities, listening to some incredible speakers, and fundraising for Amnesty International UK in order to support their campaigns and work.

There will be weekly meetings for the first four weeks of term. On 2nd May join us for Jamnesty, our music fundraiser looks set to be better than ever this term with exciting new acts and venue. After the exams we will be hosting Amnestea; our annual tea party to raise money for Amnesty and celebrate the end of the year. Further details to follow.

Do you want to get more involved in Amnesty, or make a difference in your college?

CUAI are looking for college reps for Michaelmas and Lent 2017-2018. With the support of college reps coordinator Molly Hales, you will set up weekly letter writing sessions in your college, as well as termly fundraising events, and get involved in CUAI’s termly campaigns.

Being a college rep for CUAI is a great way to get involved in human rights and feel like you’re doing something useful, whilst also giving you the freedom to make as much of the role as you want to.

To find out more, or to let us know that your interested comment below, or email Molly at msbh2@cam.ac.uk.

Some of our members were lucky enough to go to the 2017 International Symposium on North Korean Human Rights on the 18th May! The conference focused on the state of Human Rights in North Korea currently, and on finding solutions for improving human rights.

Attending were the the All Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, and the European Alliance for Human Rights in North Korea will co-host the 2017 International Symposium on North Korean Human Rights. The conference brought together policy makers, UN representatives, politicians, North Korean exiles, academics, and members of the public. Topics of dicussion included media access in North Korea, children’s rights, and accountability.

Our chair Laura Bates, was able to attend, and took some interesting notes at the conference:

Seminar 1: Media Access

• many people have Chinese phones
• peer to pear sharing of information
  • USB, DVD etc
• foreign radio is key to establishing human rights
  • broadcasted from South Korea
  • we need to pay attention to content and language
    • needs to feel relevant and familiar
  • incredibly low levels of internet access
    • even elites only have intranet access
    • digital media
      • we should look at who is providing blocking software
        • some are produced in the EU
      • could be interesting to try broadcasting satellite internet from the border
        • see if Chinese phones can connect
      • North Korea has produced many of the best hackers
        • possibly responsible for the NHS attack
      • GCHQ has looked into offensive attacks
        • very small numbers use intranet so there is not much point
        • perhaps look at spreading false information?
      • psychological effects of censorship
        • people don’t know what they think because they can’t discuss
        • North Koreans are very keen to know what other people about the leadership
      • if North Korea falls it will be due to a elite coup
        • so we should focus on them because they are easier to access
      • foreign attempts to access North Korea
        • BBC is starting a broadcast in September
        • US may pass a law to fund media access
        • leaflet dropping used to happen from South Korea
          • but 2004 was banned by the government
          • NGOs continued
          • but it’s getting harder due to threats of missile attacks
          • exiles say it is incredibly effective
        • experiences of exile
          • she watched South Korean movies and US dramas
          • she owned a Chinese cell phone
            • to stay in touch with her mother in China
          • media exposure made leaving less unimaginable
        • why is media access significant?
          • media is not a silver bullet
          • but effect on individuals can become collective action
          • media sharing creates horizontal bonds
            • counteracting atomisation
          • preference falsification – why revolutions erupt so quickly
            • everyone keeps private thoughts of dissent
            • but only once other people voice them do people suddenly express them
            • cascade effect
          • look at private economic enterprise
            • stalls and small trading are basically legal
            • within these there are markets for information

 

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