Vigil No 120 attracts strong support
The need for the vigil as strong as ever March 2026 Middle East violence continues. Over 1,000 dead as Lebanon attacked. Al Jazeera reports over 1,500 dead in Iran with many injured and 18 killed in Israel. The economics effects promise to be catastrophic with many economies under great strain if the hostilities continue. Killing continues in Gaza where the death toll is put at 72,268.
http://salisburyai.com/2026/03/24/vigil-no-120-attracts-strong-support/
Rise in authoritarianism
Worrying increase in authoritarianism both sides of the Atlantic. Talk at the Exeter conference March 2026 Our rights are hard won. Britain still has elements of its feudal past. We think of ourselves as a democracy and great fuss is made of elections and polls but in many respects power is not with the majority or the people. Governments have steadily attempted to reduce the ability to protest and have passed legislation to make demonstrations…
Gay rights in Malawi
Speaker at the Exeter conference on the problems of LGBTQ+ rights in Malawi March 2026 We were delighted to hear first hand of the continuing problems being experienced by LGBTQ+ people in Malawi. Eric Sambisa (pictured), who is currently at the Dundee Human Rights Centre, gave a talk at the Exeter conference on these problems. Eric is the founder of…
Amnesty conference in Exeter
Well attended conference with a wide range of human rights issues discussed March 2026 The Exeter group of Amnesty puts together a conference every year and those attending this year were able to listen to a range of speakers on some of the current problems with human rights around the world. Each topic will need its own space so we shall be putting up a range of posts over the coming week or so to give them justice.
http://salisburyai.com/2026/03/22/amnesty-conference-in-exeter/
Talk by ex-Iranian prisoner in Romsey
Anoosheh Ashoori tells of his ordeal in Evin prison, Iran March 2026 Anoosheh was seized suddenly in 2017 by four men who, after checking who he was, bundled him into a car where he was blindfolded. Thus began 5 years of incarceration in fearful conditions mostly in the infamous Evin prison in Tehran. He never knew what his 'crime' was but it was later to emerge it was connected with the £400m tank deal with the UK that ensnared…
http://salisburyai.com/2026/03/19/talk-by-ex-iranian-prisoner-in-romsey/
Minutes and Newsletter
March minutes and Newsletter March 2026 We are pleased to attach this month's minutes and Newsletter for the group thanks to group member Lesley for preparing them. We do not publish a Newsletter as such but they contain a lot of material on the death penalty around the world, the state of UK politics as they affect human rights and the current refugee situation.
Middle East ‘forever’ wars
Iran, Lebanon join victims in the forever war. Vigils continue March 2026 The 119th vigil took place in Salisbury with over 25 in attendance, as the war intensified in the Middle East. We are in the third week of attacks on Iran as Israel and the US are bombing large areas of the country. Israel has resumed attacking Lebanon with over 800 dead.
Ex Iranian prisoner to tell his story
Anoosheh Ashoori will speak in Romsey March 2026 The story of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been widely told and she has become a household name. A BBC film was made of her ordeal and she came to Salisbury to speak. Iran is in the news at present with the bombing campaign being carried out by Israel and the US one aim of which - it is thought - is to rid the nation of the current regime, the regime which thought seizing hostages…
http://salisburyai.com/2026/03/13/ex-iranian-prisoner-to-tell-his-story/
Threat to Jury Trials: MPs Debate New Court Bill
Threat to trial by jury March 2026 MPs voted to allow the Courts and Tribunals Bill to proceed to the next stage after significant debate during its second reading. This was over proposals to replace juries in England and Wales with a single judge in cases where a convicted defendant would be jailed for up to three years. Justice Secretary David Lammy says changes to jury trials and other reforms can help turn around…
http://salisburyai.com/2026/03/12/threat-to-jury-trials-mps-debate-new-court-bill/
How the New UK Bill Aims to Prevent Foreign Election Interference
New bill to tackle electoral reform March 2026 A functioning democratic system is vital for human rights. It is about power and how it is wielded. Increasingly, we have witnessed powerful outside interests – whether they be states or wealthy individuals – influencing the political debate. Electoral reform is carried out infrequently partly because political parties settle into a comfortable relationship…
http://salisburyai.com/2026/03/12/how-the-new-uk-bill-aims-to-prevent-foreign-election-interference/
