Break Barriers - Open Doors

 

 

   

Date of Issue : 20 September 2013

In September 2013, the United Nations General Assembly will hold a High-level meeting on Disability and Development to raise awareness about the work of the UN in ensuring the equality and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development. A social media campaign "Break Barriers - Open Doors" will highlight how persons with disabilities can have a positive impact in their respective communities.

On 20 September 2013, the United Nations Postal Administration will issue six stamps on the theme "Break Barriers - Open Doors". For this stamp issue, UNPA selected artists from around the world with incredible stories that highlight the positive power of full and equal participation of peoples with disabilities.

New stamp on 50th anniversary of Amnesty International..

Date of Issue : 9 June 2011

German Post issued a postage  stamp on 9th June 2011 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International organization.

Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty and AI) is an international non-governmental organization whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."

Following a publication of Peter Benenson's article "The Forgotten Prisoners" in The Observer 28 May 1961, Amnesty was founded in London the same year. Amnesty draws attention to human rights abuses and campaigns for compliance with international laws and standards. It works to mobilize public opinion to put pressure on governments that let abuse take place. The organization was awarded the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize for its "campaign against torture" and the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1978.

Norway and Luxembourg Post have also issued this year commemorative stamps on 50 years of Amnesty International.

Norway

Date of Issue : 15 April 2011

Luxembourg

 

Date of Issue :  15 March 2011

 

 

 

On March 15th 2011, the Luxembourg Posts and Telecommunications issues: A special postage stamp ( Actual price of the stamp : 0,60 €) - European Year of Volunteering.

50 years of Amnesty International
European Year of Volunteering aims in a general way to encourage and support, particularly through an exchange of experiences and good practices, the efforts achieved by Member States, regional and local authorities as well as civilians to create favourable conditions for volunteering in the European Union and to increase the visibility of activities in a broad range of volunteering activities.

The European Year has the following objectives:

• 1. To work to put in place a favourable framework for volunteering in the European Union.
• 2. To provide the means for voluntary organisations to act and improve the quality of volunteers.
• 3. To reward and recognise the activities of volunteers.
• 4. To increase public awareness of the value and importance of volunteering.

 

 

50 th anniversary of Amnesty International

 

 

 Date of Issue : 15 April 2011

Norway Post issued a postage stamp on 15 April 2011, to commemorate 50th anniversary of Amnesty International . Amnesty International is one of the most influential organizations in the world today. The United Nations and governments in many countries listen with respect to Amnesty’s representatives, and its ability to expose cruelty and injustice is feared by those who are guilty of ignoring human rights. Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 and the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1978.

Amnesty International bases its work on the 1948 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which states for example that:

• Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person

• Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion

• Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression

• No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

Story behind Amnesty International

In 1960, British lawyer Peter Benenson read a newspaper article about two Portuguese students who had been sentenced to seven years in prison for proposing a toast to freedom.

Benenson wrote immediately to the Portuguese government protesting against the sentence. A year later The Observer newspaper printed his article, The Forgotten Prisoners, in which he appealed for the release of persons all over the world who had been sent to prison for their opinions or beliefs. He called them prisoners of conscience. The response was enormous, and by 1961 Amnesty International had been established with its headquarters in London. Soon afterwards, national offices were opened in seven countries. Initially, Amnesty concerned itself mainly with prisoners of conscience and torture. Gradually it included the death sentence, violence to women and poverty among its central tasks. Prisoners of conscience may be people who have criticized their country’s government, have connections with an opposing party, have refused to do national service or belong to a religious community that opposes the regime.

My recent Covers

Many thanks to Mr Wolfganag Beyer of Germany for these nice covers !!