Minutes
Present
Rowan Dore, Jemima Kiss, Barbara Wiseman
Apologies
Adrian Colley, Fraser Addecott
Membership applications from Kitty Bale, Michael O'Flynn, Isobel Todd, Sally Gainsbury, Robin Emanuel approved.
Rest of meeting abandoned due to low turnout. It was unfortunate – and rather embarrassing – that the three of us were joined by no less than seven members of Justice for Colombia who arrived early to speak to our branch, fresh from their fringe meeting at the Trades Union Congress.
Other business
Questionnaires on how to improve our branch meetings: 13 received so far. Your comments would be helpful, so please send your completed questionnaires by post before 10 October to Adrian Colley, 35 Campbell Road, Brighton BN1 4QD. If you need another questionnaire or would like to be emailed a copy, please email jemima@journalism.co.uk.
Branch account balance is £1358.10.
The branch has received a copy of the NUJ petition to support the BBC. Please attend the next meeting on 20 October if you wish to sign this.
The NUJ has published ethical guidelines and working practices for journalists working in PR and information services. More information will be available at the next meeting.
The European Social Forum takes place 15-17 October: three days of international debate, celebration and protest. The NUJ has played a major role in organising the event and speakers include Tony Benn, George Monbiot and Jeremy dear. Tickets are £30 (£20 concessions); see http://www.fse-esf.org for more details.
Age discrimination at work seminar: 12 October, 1.30pm to 4.15pm at the NATFHE Centre, Britannia Street, London WC1. Contact the Institute of Employment Rights for more information on 020 7498 6119.
TUFS – Trade Union Friends of Searchlight: Ten copies available for members at the next meeting.
Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom: Our branch subscription runs out next month!
Searchlight: copy available at next meeting.
The Palestine Post: copy available at next meeting.
15 September 2004
Justice for Colombia speak to the NUJ
Liam Craig-Best, Tom Feiling and Oliver Houston of Justice for Colombia brought Hernando Hernandez to speak. Hernando is the president of the Colombian USO (oil workers' union) and has become a national hero in Colombia – their own Nelson Mandela – after numerous assassination attempts and 14 months under house arrest for his union activities.
Hernando spoke about President Uribe's regime and how the 'war on terror' has been used as an excuse to clamp down on trade unionists, claiming that they are collaborating with Colombia's guerrilla forces. The government wants to weaken the unions by removing their leaders, leaving US-controlled firms, such as Exxon and BP, in control of Colombia's lucrative oil industry. Some union leaders have been imprisoned for five to six years with no charge, and 1,500 trade unionists have been assassinated in Colombia in the past ten years.
Teachers and health workers, who are seen as community leaders, are also targeted by Uribe's military forces. Uribe is supported by the US, UK and Israeli governments only; Spain withdrew its support when Zapatero's government came to power in March this year. Justice for Colombia say that the regime displaces 650 Colombians every day, and kills 7,000 civilians every year.
Hernando was in the UK for just three weeks and also spoke at the Welsh Assembly, Amnesty International Newport, Northern TUC International Forum, at public meetings in Manchester and Glasgow and at the Labour Party conference.
Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the UJ, is vice chair of Justice for Colombia.
For more information on their campaigns, or to donate more to Justice for Colombia, please visit justiceforcolombia.org.
Hernando spoke about President Uribe's regime and how the 'war on terror' has been used as an excuse to clamp down on trade unionists, claiming that they are collaborating with Colombia's guerrilla forces. The government wants to weaken the unions by removing their leaders, leaving US-controlled firms, such as Exxon and BP, in control of Colombia's lucrative oil industry. Some union leaders have been imprisoned for five to six years with no charge, and 1,500 trade unionists have been assassinated in Colombia in the past ten years.
Teachers and health workers, who are seen as community leaders, are also targeted by Uribe's military forces. Uribe is supported by the US, UK and Israeli governments only; Spain withdrew its support when Zapatero's government came to power in March this year. Justice for Colombia say that the regime displaces 650 Colombians every day, and kills 7,000 civilians every year.
Hernando was in the UK for just three weeks and also spoke at the Welsh Assembly, Amnesty International Newport, Northern TUC International Forum, at public meetings in Manchester and Glasgow and at the Labour Party conference.
Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the UJ, is vice chair of Justice for Colombia.
For more information on their campaigns, or to donate more to Justice for Colombia, please visit justiceforcolombia.org.
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