2015 ANNUAL REPORT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN SECTION (ENGLISH SPEAKING) David Fraser

Transcription

1 2015 ANNUAL REPORT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CANADIAN SECTION (ENGLISH SPEAKING) David Fraser

2 Paul Thompson/Amnesty International Amnesty activists outside the Saudi Arabian embassy in Ottawa call for the release of jailed blogger Raif Badawi (see page 8 for more on Raif s story). 2 Amnesty International Canadian Section

3 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Yara Bader is a Syrian human rights activist, a journalist and director of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom. In August 2015, Yara spoke before hundreds of Amnesty members who had gathered in Dublin, Ireland, for Amnesty s International Council Meeting (ICM). I had the honour of attending the ICM as one of the four delegates from our Canadian Branch. Yara joined us by Skype. She spoke about her husband, Mazen Darwish, who at that point had been in prison for three and a half years. Mazen was jailed on trumped-up terrorism charges; but, in truth, he was being punished for speaking out against human rights violations in Syria. Yara s courage and her passion were deeply moving, and I was proud that Amnesty members were standing alongside her. A few hours after Yara s address, an extraordinary turn of events made the day even more inspiring. News came through that Yara s husband, Mazen, had just been released! His freedom, conditional at first, was confirmed three weeks later when all charges against him were dismissed. Those few hours last August perfectly captured the essence of our global movement. Each of us is united with millions of fellow Amnesty supporters around the world. Together we stand in solidarity with those on the front lines, people like Yara and Mazen. And we never give up. Moments of joy like Mazen s release inspire us to continue our work to build a world where the human rights of everyone are respected. At the heart of Amnesty International is your support. Your activism and your gifts help drive our global movement. Thank you for what you make possible: every campaign, every research mission, every in-depth report, every press release, every letter-writing appeal and every online action. Sharmila Setaram, President Annual Report

4 Honduran human rights defender Angel Colón with Alex Neve at Amnesty s 2015 AGM in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Paul Thompson/Amnesty International 4 Amnesty International Canadian Section

5 TOGETHER WE ADVANCE HUMAN RIGHTS AT HOME AND AROUND THE WORLD LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY GENERAL We were reminded in 2015 that human rights struggles are often for the long haul. We were reminded too that continuing to shine the Amnesty candle does lead to change and that justice will prevail. Back in 2004, Amnesty International launched the Stolen Sisters report, which documented the alarming levels of violence and discrimination against Indigenous women and girls in Canada. For more than a decade we stood alongside the families of murdered and missing women, Indigenous women leaders and others in pressing for a public inquiry and national action plan to address the violence. Together we never once wavered. And finally, in December 2015, a landmark moment. Within six weeks of the federal election, Canada s new government announced there would be a full public inquiry. Following the election of a new government, we now face opportunities to press for meaningful change for advancing human rights in Canadian foreign policy and domestic affairs. Change is urgently needed after years of inaction. Many of our demands for change over the past decade are already reflected in commitments from the new government, such as joining the UN Arms Trade Treaty, reversing refugee healthcare cuts and protecting the rights of transgender individuals. But we must remain vigilant to ensure that promises are fulfilled. At the very heart of all of our efforts is the determination of Amnesty supporters across Canada. Together we continue to advance human rights at home and around the world. Alex Neve, Secretary General Bob Goodfellow, Executive Director Annual Report

6 AMNESTY S ACTIVISTS: STANDING UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS My freedom is your victory! ANGEL AMILCAR COLÓN QUEVEDO THANKING AMNESTY ACTIVISTS FOR THEIR SOLIDARITY Inspiring moments filled the weekend when Amnesty members gathered for our Annual General Meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in May We welcomed two very special guests: Honduran human rights defender Angel Amilcar Colón Quevedo who was unjustly jailed in Mexico until Amnesty activists took action; and Connie Greyeyes-Dick who works tirelessly to defend the rights of Indigenous people in her community in northern British Columbia. Part of the AGM was a dynamic Human Rights Conference hosted at Halifax s Central Library. Amnesty s youth leadership program went from strength to strength in Groups of Amnesty Youth Organizers are now established in Vancouver, Calgary, Waterloo, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and St John s. Toronto s Youth Leadership Council took on the role of organizing the anti-death-penalty event Cities for Life. Activists from the Maritimes took part in a training weekend for youth in Halifax; a similar event in Toronto was attended by youth from Ontario and Quebec. Write for Rights had its most successful year ever. The 600 events across Canada far surpassed the previous record of 330 events. Amnesty Community Groups and Action Circles organized many of the best attended write-a-thons. Online activists mobilize in their thousands whenever human rights are threatened. The growth in online activism by 50% in 2015 was astonishing even by the high standards set by this program in recent years. By year-end, we were able to call on a community of online activists numbering more than 275, Amnesty International Canadian Section

7 Evelien VanderKloet/Amnesty International Activists at Amnesty s youth conference on human rights in Halifax, Nova Scotia, October Annual Report

8 AT THE HEART OF AMNESTY S WORK: PROTECTING INDIVIDUALS AT RISK If you doubt these campaigns make a difference, I m living proof that they do MOHAMED FAHMY Defending and protecting individuals at risk is at the heart of what Amnesty International does. This work draws new supporters to the movement while continuing to engage activists who have been taking action for many years. Throughout 2015, Amnesty supporters spoke out passionately for the rights of Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for setting up a website for political debate. Week after week, Amnesty activists demonstrated in front of the Saudi embassy in Ottawa; just as they demonstrated on the streets of other Canadian cities. They were standing with Ensaf Haidar, Raif s wife, who has been leading the campaign to win Raif s freedom from her home in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Our work will continue until Raif is free. We celebrated a huge victory on September 23, 2015, when Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy was released from prison in Egypt. Fahmy was one of three Al-Jazeera journalists who received lengthy prison sentences after being found guilty of spreading false news and supporting the banned Muslim Brotherhood. Amnesty supporters had been part of a global human rights campaign to free the three men. Mohamed arrived back in Canada on October 11, and he has been working closely with our Branch ever since. Raif Badawi and Mohamed Fahmy are just two of the thousands of individuals whose human rights Amnesty supporters worked to protect in Amnesty International Canadian Section

9 STR/AFP/Getty Images Canadian Al-Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy with his wife, Marwa, celebrating freedom in Cairo, Egypt. Annual Report

10 STANDING WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE STRUGGLE FOR THEIR RIGHTS The federal government announced on December 8, 2015, that it would conduct a national inquiry into the violence facing Indigenous women and girls in Canada. This commitment was long overdue. For years, Amnesty supporters had joined Indigenous women s organizations in calling for action. Following December s announcement, Amnesty supporters continued to call on the government to ensure that the voices of affected families and communities be heard, that the inquiry be truly national and comprehensive, and that effective action be taken, both during the inquiry process and during the implementation of the inquiry s findings. In 2015, Amnesty Canada campaigners Jackie Hansen and Craig Benjamin carried out several research missions to northeastern British Columbia. They visited communities in the Peace River Valley to better understand the patterns of violence facing Indigenous women in the region, and the impacts of resource development projects on Indigenous peoples, and how the impacts may be different for people of different genders. The way I see it, they are stealing from future generations, both Indigenous and non-indigenous. We are not here just for us but for the ones that will come after us. HELEN KNOTT, TREATY 8 STEWARD OF THE LAND, ON THE SITE C HYDROELECTRIC DAM PROJECT. One of the largest resource development projects underway anywhere in Canada is the $9 billion Site C hydroelectric dam, which will turn 100 square kilometres of the Peace River into a reservoir, flooding land that is crucial to Indigenous peoples. Amnesty International supporters stood with First Nations and local farmers in their call for an immediate halt to construction of the Site C dam. 10 Amnesty International Canadian Section

11 Amnesty International Amnesty campaigners Jackie Hansen and Craig Benjamin spent several weeks in northeastern British Columbia learning how Indigenous families and communities are affected by resource development projects. Annual Report

12 CAMPAIGNING TO STOP TORTURE ONCE AND FOR ALL In the fall of 2015, In/visible Scars, an inspirational travelling photo exhibition, put the spotlight on eight courageous torture survivors or their loved ones living in Canada and their personal journeys to becoming tireless and passionate activists against torture. The exhibition was shown in communities across Canada and helped galvanize Amnesty s work around the ongoing Stop Torture campaign. Amnesty s activists continued to press the Canadian government to join the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). This treaty calls for regular national and international inspections of detention centres to make sure torture is not taking place. By the end of 2015, more than 25,000 people in Canada had signed the OPCAT petition. The shocking disappearances of 43 students from Ayotzinapa, Mexico, on September 26, 2014, horrified the world. Throughout 2015, Amnesty supporters in Canada called on the Mexican authorities to find the missing students, fully investigate the disappearances and bring those responsible to account. Amnesty supporters unflagging activism was deeply appreciated by the families of the disappeared. Thank you for your solidarity, wrote Hilda Legideño, whose son Jorge Antonio is one of the missing. The lies of the government have been exposed thanks to international organizations and the work you have been doing outside of Mexico. This has helped so much. Please accept a sincere hug and thanks from all of the parents. 12 Amnesty International Canadian Section

13 Florin Zamfirescu/Amnesty International Profiled in the In/visible Scars photo exhibition, Martha Kuwee Kumsa spent 10 years in an Ethiopian prison because of her work as a journalist and her support for the rights of the Oromo people. Annual Report

14 MAKING CORPORATIONS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR BEHAVIOUR In July 2015, an Amnesty Canada research team arrived in the village of Likely in central British Columbia. The previous summer, Likely had been the scene of one of the largest tailings pond breaches in Canadian history when the Mount Polley copper mine tailings dam burst, sending 25 million cubic metres of water and mine waste rushing into local creeks and Quesnel Lake. Amnesty campaigners Fiona Koza and Tara Scurr and Business and Human Rights coordinator Stephanie Gervais visited Likely to document people s stories about what happened that day, and to investigate how the company and the government of British Columbia responded to the disaster. Further research followed July s initial fact-finding mission and additional work highlighting the human rights impacts of the disaster is expected in Our business and human rights work in 2015 continued to focus attention on Canadian mining and oil companies whose foreign operations impact human rights. An Amnesty report revealed how Ivanhoe Mines (now called Turquoise Hill) lied publically about its copper sales to the Myanmar security forces, and may also have breached Canadian economic sanctions on Myanmar. We pressed for accountability, including filing a complaint to the British Columbia Securities Commission regarding the activities of Ivanhoe Mines/ Turquoise Hill in Myanmar As part of the Open for Justice campaign, we worked with coalition partners to call on the government to create an extractive-sector ombudsperson with the power to independently investigate complaints and make recommendations to corporations and Canada s government. We supported communities seeking justice through the courts. Our work continued in the civil case in Ontario against HudBay Minerals, and we sought intervener status in British Columbia in a case involving a Canadian company in Guatemala. 14 Amnesty International Canadian Section

15 Private Farmers protest before riot police at Letpadaung copper-mine in Myanmar. In 2015, an Amnesty report revealed that a Canadian company, Ivanhoe Mines, had been part owner of the mine but ownership was transferred in circumstances that were not fully explained. Annual Report

16 AMNESTY SUPPORTERS MAKE IT CLEAR: REFUGEES WELCOME HERE On September 2, 2015, the world finally woke up to the crisis facing Syrian refugees when the body of a three-year-old boy washed up on a beach in Turkey. Canadians took particular note when they learned that the family s decision to risk their lives was precipitated by the rejection of an uncle s decision for resettlement in Canada. In the following weeks, there was an outpouring of goodwill towards refugees. In 2015, Amnesty International launched Refugees Welcome Here!, a joint campaign with Amnesty Canada s francophone branch and the Canadian Council for Refugees. Activists urged John McCallum, the new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, to maintain the federal government s commitment to resettle 25,000 refugees in Canada. And we had long called on the federal government to restore health coverage to refugees. In early 2016, both these goals were achieved. But after years of cuts, the infrastructure in Canada to support refugees has been weakened. Amnesty pressed the government to adequately fund and support the organizations that deliver services to refugees. Amnesty also called on the government to ensure that refugees were resettled from other countries such as Eritrea, Colombia and Afghanistan. Amnesty supporters can be proud of contributing to a Canada that shows compassion for refugees and welcomes them into communities from coast to coast. 16 Amnesty International Canadian Section

17 Eugen-Florin Zamfirescu/Amnesty International Amnesty International activists in Toronto demonstrating in support of refugees. Annual Report

18 OVERSEAS MISSIONS BY AMNESTY CANADA STAFF ALEX NEVE S MISSION TO SOUTH SUDAN AND SUDAN In May 2015, Amnesty Canada s Alex Neve was part of a research mission to South Sudan and Sudan. Years of armed conflict in both countries has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. In Sudan s South Kordofan state, Alex met Alfadil Mohamed. Alfadil s wife and unborn child were killed by shrapnel from a Sudanese Air Force bomb. He asked why, after so many years of death raining down from the sky, the world had done nothing to stop the abuses in South Kordofan. He put it starkly: Is it because we do not matter? Alfadil s words cut to the very heart of the struggle for universal human rights. Governments promise that everyone s rights matter, while betraying that promise every day. And as Amnesty supporters we hold governments accountable for that betrayal. ALAIN ROY S SECONDMENT TO AMNESTY S WEST AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE Alain Roy, Amnesty Canada s Campaigns and Activism Director, spent much of 2015 at Amnesty s newly established West Africa regional office in Dakar, Senegal. Created as part of the movement s goal to move closer to the ground, the Dakar office is one of many new regional hubs around the world, which are responsible for carrying out regional research, handling regional communications work, and leading on campaigns and crisis work in the region. As Deputy Director of the new Dakar office, Alain worked closely with campaigns and communications colleagues a young, confident and keen group of human rights professionals. Alain s role was to help these highly-skilled individuals work together as a team to address human rights issues in the region. 18 Amnesty International Canadian Section

19 BELOW: Alex Neve (right) with Alfadil Mohamed (centre) in Sudan s South Kordofan state. Alain Roy/Amnesty International LEFT: Alain Roy visiting the Burkina Faso office of Amnesty International. In 2015, Alain worked out of Amnesty s newly established West Africa regional office in Dakar, Senegal. Alex Neve/Amnesty International Annual Report

20 BOB GOODFELLOW: A LEGACY OF HUMAN RIGHTS LEADERSHIP BOB GOODFELLOW RETIRES IN THE FALL OF 2016 AS AMNESTY CANADA S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. ALEX NEVE REFLECTS ON BOB S OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND TO HUMAN RIGHTS. Back in the summer of 1988 two dedicated Amnesty activists in Halifax took their leave of Atlantic breezes and headed up to Ontario. Both were determined to stay true to the human rights path. One, myself, wasn t entirely sure yet where that was heading. The other, Bob Goodellow, knew it was taking him straight to a job with Amnesty in Ottawa. And he never looked back; until now. After 28 years of hard-working and visionary leadership of our branch, Bob is retiring this year. We could not have been in the hands of a better Executive Director over these exciting, challenging and transformative years for Amnesty International in Canada. Bob s attentiveness, integrity, caring nature and passion for human rights has seen us through steady financial growth, has ensured that we have a strong organization in place to support our vital human rights program, and has made valued contributions to the growth of Amnesty at the global level as well. Bob s legacy extends to bricks and mortar as well. Nearly 15 years ago, he knew it was time for us to take the leap and buy the beautiful building in Ottawa that has become our national office; now a prominent, wellrecognized part of Ottawa s human rights landscape. We sometimes think of the office, situated in Ottawa s diplomatic row, as the Human Rights Embassy. Bob is very fond of an evocative poem that the Irish poet Seamus Heaney once wrote for Amnesty, known as From the Republic of Conscience. Put the Embassy and the Republic together and it is all very clear. Bob Goodfellow has been our tireless Ambassador. And we send him enormous appreciation for all that he has done. 20 Amnesty International Canadian Section

21 Paul Thompson/Amnesty International Amnesty Canada s Executive Director Bob Goodfellow with his wife Ellie at a celebration of Bob s career. Bob is retiring in the fall of 2016 after 28 years in leadership roles at Amnesty. Annual Report

22 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015 ASSETS Current Assets 2,321,835 1,798,504 Loan receivable 20,000 30,000 Investments 419, ,393 Capital assets 1,658,174 1,647, $ 2014 $ 4,419,383 3,763,985 LIABILITIES Current Liabilities 919, ,906 Long-term debt and obligations under capital lease 193, ,622 1,113, ,528 NET ASSETS 3,306,068 2,879,457 Net assets are comprised of: General fund 1,926,982 1,631,371 Internally restricted funds 801, ,061 Externally restricted funds 577, ,025 3,306,068 2,879, Amnesty International Canadian Section

23 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 GENERAL FUND INTERNALLY RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL GENERAL & INTERNALLY RESTRICTED FUNDS EXTERNALLY RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL TOTAL REVENUE 2015 $ 2015 $ Fundraising revenue 13,210,523 13,210, ,447 13,349,970 11,865,608 Less fundraising expenses (4,352,279) (4,352,279) (4,352,279) (3,790,257) 2015 $ 8,858,244 8,858, ,447 8,997,691 8,075, $ 2015 $ 2014 $ Groups/networks 42,710 5,052 47,762 47,762 54,841 Merchandise sales 9,573 9,573 9,573 17,502 Publication sales ,541 Event revenue 29,990 29,990 29,990 Investment revenue 3,137 3,137 12,631 15,768 11,614 Miscellaneous 50,256 50,256 50,256 18,107 8,994,299 5,052 8,999, ,078 9,151,429 8,179,956 EXPENSES Action Strategies 2,135,385 2,135,385 16,669 2,152,054 2,186,921 Grassroots Activism 2,195,607 25,862 2,221,469 2,221,469 2,090,510 Communications and Marketing 2,782,365 1,437 2,783,802 2,783,802 2,491,322 Information Technology & Systems 508, , , ,474 Organization 1,046,347 12,162 1,058,509 1,058, ,081 8,668,688 39,461 8,708,149 16,669 8,724,818 8,124,308 Net revenue (expense) for the year 325,611 (34,409) 291, , ,611 55,648 Annual Report

24 IMPLEMENTATION OF AGM 2015 RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION A-1 BRANCH VISION The Branch s Vision 2020 statement was accepted. Vision 2020 will guide the Branch s work to the year RESOLUTION B-4 RELATIONSHIP WITH AMNISTIE INTERNATIONALE CANADA FRANCOPHONE The Branch s by-laws were amended to affirm the close and cooperative relationship with Amnesty Canada s francophone Branch while recognizing that the two Branches are separately incorporated and independent of each other. RESOLUTION B-7 STANDING ORDERS Standing Orders were amended to ensure that they reflect the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. RESOLUTION A-2 RECOMMITTING TO A YOUTH STRATEGY The Branch proudly recommitted to being a leader in the global movement by implementing the principles and strategies of youth engagement, activism, participation and protection outlined in the International Youth Strategy. RESOLUTION B-5 BOARD POSITIONS The position of Board Secretary will be eliminated in 2017 and an additional position of director will be created. RESOLUTION C-8 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2014 The audited financial statements for the fiscal period January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014, were accepted. RESOLUTION B-3 BY-LAWS A number of Branch by-laws were amended to ensure consistent use of terminology and to ensure that all text was consistent with past AGM decisions. RESOLUTION B-6 REVISIONS TO THE RIGHT TO VOTE A member must be registered as a member 30 days prior to the start of the meeting of members to be able to vote at the meeting. RESOLUTION C-9 APPROVAL OF AUDITORS FISCAL 2015 Deloitte LLP have conducted the audit for fiscal Summarized financial statements are on pages 22 and 23 of this Annual Report. Complete audited financial statements are available upon request at or members@amnesty.ca 24 Amnesty International Canadian Section

25 Amnesty International BOARD: Top row, left to right: Andrew Thompson, Sharmila Setaram, Nancy Kingsbury, Renee Saviour and Lana Verran. Bottom row, left to right: Johsa Manzanilla, Gloria Nafziger (Staff Representative), Tim Carpentier, Bill Rafoss, Samantha Burdett and Brian Radburn BOARD OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CANADA PRESIDENT: Sharmila Setaram, Mississauga, Ontario VICE-PRESIDENT: Samantha Burdett, Courtice, Ontario CHAIR: Andrew Thompson, Waterloo, Ontario TREASURER: Brian Radburn, North Vancouver, British Columbia SECRETARY: Nancy Kingsbury, Ottawa, Ontario DIRECTORS: Tim Carpentier, Toronto, Ontario Johsa Manzanilla, Winnipeg, Manitoba Bill Rafoss, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Renee Saviour, Toronto, Ontario Lana Verran, Vancouver, British Columbia Annual Report

26 Paul Thompson/Amnesty International Amnesty International members gathered at the 2015 Annual General Meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. NATIONAL OFFICE TORONTO OFFICE VANCOUVER OFFICE HALIFAX OFFICE 312 LAURIER AVE E 1992 YONGE ST, 3RD FLOOR WEST PENDER ST GOTTINGEN ST OTTAWA, ON K1N 1H9 TORONTO, ON M4S 1Z7 VANCOUVER, BC V6B 1T3 HALIFAX, NS B3K 3B2 TEL: OR AMNESTY ( ) MEMBERS@AMNESTY.CA AMNESTY.CA