Petition for ‘human rights now’ by Amnesty

Press, 12 September 1988, Page 14

Petition for ‘human rights now’ by Amnesty

Forty years ago, after the revelation of Nazi atrocities, United Nations representatives signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since then Amnesty International has recorded breach after breach of the accord, in more than half the world’s countries.

Amnesty International is planning to present a petition to the United Nations calling for Human Rights Now. Christchurch branches have asked Russell Marshall to talk on New Zealand’s .contribution to Human Rights at College House, 100 Waimairi Road, tomorrow, September 13, at 7.30 p.m. He is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Disarmament.

Members, friends, and supporters are invited. Donations to help with Amnesty’s work throughout the world will be welcome. South African vision The Freedom Charter, drawn up at a people’s gathering in 1955, expresses a vision of a non-racial, democratic future for South Africa.

Prospects for that future will be outlined by Mr Penwell Haduna, a member of the Legal and Constitutional Department of the African National Congress at a public meeting in Christchurch on Friday. Penwell Maduna, aged 35, is Soweto-borh and has been in exile from South Africa since 1986. He has been active in drafting the A.N.C.’s proposals to supplement the 1955 Freedom Charter, on the political shape of a new South Africa.

His address, “PostApartheid South Africa: the Political Structures,” will be held at CORSO, 206 Barbadoes Street, at 7.30 p.m.

Healing Centre

Since the Healing Centre in Lichfield Street closed eight months ago, a group of committed and enthusiastic people have been planning a new and improved centre.

A suitable venue has now been found on the first storey of a threefloor building. The Yoga Room will be on the second floor, and there is the possibility of setting up a cafe and seminar space on the ground floor. It is hoped, in time, to include individual practitioners in such areas as chiropractic, naturopathy, and counselling. The Lichfield Street Healing Centre was unique in Christchurch, a restful place for the whole family and a centre for holistic healing. The numbers regularly visiting the centre showed that there is a definite need in Christchurch for this kind of facility. The centre closed because the building was sold. Anyone able to help

in any way with the new centre, or wanting to know more can phone Hubert on 385-422.

Towards 2000 -—‘Netlink’ Those involved in setting up the popular Towards 2000 gatherings each January are concerned that the conscious-ness-raising and resultant action should be ongoing. To this end, a small group has started a newsletter containing relevant articles, information, listings of events, and reviews. Called “T2OOO Netlink,” it will be published monthly. Towards 2000 has the aim of creating a world free of war, hunger and oppression by the year 2000. Issues will sell at $1 each. Anyone interested in subscribing or in contributing should write to "T2OOO Netlink,” P.O. Box 13-329, Christchurch. The deadline for contributions to the next issue is September 20.

Complementary

medicine

Natural therapy is based, on the balancing of life-style and the metabolic processes to enable the body to heal itself, says Stephan Russell, organiser of a Health and Awareness Festival being held in Christchurch at the week-end. “No toxic materials or invasive techniques are used. The emphasis is on safe, gentle remedies which stimulate the natural healing processes,” says Stephan. “Many varied therapies are used in natural medicine. The trend today is to refer to these processes as complementary medicine as a recognition that natural therapies have an essential place in the healing endeavour. “In natural medicine, the patient is central to the healing endeavour. Patients are encouraged to discover all they can about their own problems, and all the various methods that are available to help them achieve optimal health. Stephan Russell says it is not the purpose of natural therapy to replace orthodox medicine, rather to shift the emphasis to education, for the individual person who learns to restore and maintain their own health. Those interested in natural therapy are invited to attend the festival to discuss complementary medicine, attend lectures, and see displays.

The festival will be held at the Horticultural Hall, corner of Cambridge Terrace and Gloucester Street, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 18. Admission: Single $2; family, $3.50. For more information, phone 667-270.