THE Group’s first meeting of 2009 was on January 27, when recent activities were discussed, the Xmas greeting card campaign, the Gaza conflict vigil on Wellington Square, and the showing of the film ‘In prison my whole life’, the powerful exposure of racial injustice in the US.

A decision was made to follow up new cases of prisoners of conscience in Equatorial Guinea –sad news for members who campaigned for so long, though ultimately successfully, for the release of others in that country.

Plans were made for a stall to mark International Women’s Day on March 7, when Amnesty’s campaign to Stop Violence Against Women will be featured. Minehead shoppers will have the opportunity to buy a white ribbon and pledge never to condone such violence, to sign petitions, and learn about the inequality of services for the victims of domestic abuse. SVAW Valentine cards will be sent out to our MP and local government officers reminding them of their responsibility to fund adequate support services throughout the UK.

Appeal letters were circulated as usual and news welcomed that a Human Rights activist in China had been released after four years imprisonment for demonstrating against forced evictions.