Amnesty International Australia Media Diary Alert 18 September 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Defend the Tortured - Candle Day 2000 Thousands of volunteer human rights defenders will take to the streets around the country next month for Amnesty International Australia's Candle Day 2000. Held nationally on Friday, 20 October, Candle Day is Amnesty International's only major fundraising event and this year provides the opportunity for Australians to 'Defend the Tortured' by donating to Amnesty International or joining the Human Rights Defender monthly pledge program. Candle Day 2000 coincides with the international launch of Amnesty International's campaign against torture. Amnesty International's campaign brings hope to thousands of the most vulnerable, from East Timor to Kosovo, who continue to suffer brutal acts of torture. Despite universal condemnation of torture it is still used to extract confessions, interrogate, punish or incriminate. The most vulnerable are women, children and prisoners who face torture in over half the world's countries. "Everyday in some corner of the world, someone is tortured, executed or thrown into jail, simply for what they believe or who they are. Supporting Amnesty International on Candle Day is a great way for Australians to become part of the global campaign for human rights, to be human rights defenders," said Kathy Kingston, National President, Amnesty International Australia. Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of more than one million members who work through international action to prevent some of the most serious human rights violations by governments and other political groups. As an independent, non-government organisation it relies solely on donations. To remain impartial and independent it cannot, does not and will not accept money from governments. Media Details Diary date: Friday, October 20 is Candle Day 2000. Call for volunteers: Amnesty International is calling for volunteer human rights defenders take to the streets for two hours to collect donations on Candle Day. Volunteers can register on 1800 808 157. National activities: Candle Day activities will be taking place in all Australian capital cities and major regional centres. Spokespeople: National and state/territory spokespeople are available for interview. Torture: Information, case studies and specialist spokespeople are available to interview on Amnesty International's campaign against torture. Images: Footage and still images are available on request. ------------------------------------------------------ RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." RecOzNet2 is archived for members @ http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/
