I submitted my first motion on safeguarding the right to a fair trial. Although the motion was brought about by the case of the NatWest 3. I think that it is important that no matter what country you are in this world you should feel safe that you are under the watchful eye that your country of origin and you will be protected from any injustices that face you. In this case it has not happened! 13 people before ‘The NatWest 3’ have been shipped off to the USA as part of this ropey extradition agreement which hasn’t even been ratified in the US senate!............. Imagine that!

The motion, passed if I remember unanimously!

Title: Safeguarding the right to a fair trial

Submitted by: Ama Uzowuru

Supported by: Stephen Brown, Gemma Tumelty, Alex Kemp, Louise Sweeny, Dave Charlesworth, Veronica King, Ellie Russell, Joe Rooney, Sam Lebens, Richard Budden,

Date: 18th July 2006

NEC Believes:

1. In 2003 Britain signed a bilateral extradition treaty with the USA

2. On July 13th 2006 David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby (NatWest 3) were extradited to face ‘Justice’ in USA.

3. Director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti said:

"We must not allow the defense of common decency to be presented as anti-Americanism. Reciprocity in extradition arrangements will be no comfort if everyone is treated equally badly. No one, British- American or Chinese should be plucked from home and family and transported around the world without a basic case to answer being proved in a local court."

"If a person's alleged crimes and victims all relate to their own country of nationality and residence- logic and humanity point to them being tried in the society of which they are a member."

4. The ‘crime’ if there was one, took place in Britain

5. Reciprocity is not the issue, safeguarding the right to a fair trial is.

NEC Further Believes:

1. The only comfort Tony Blair was prepared to offer them was the hope they would be allowed bail when they arrive in USA.

2. The treaty signed with the USA has NOT been ratified by the US senate

3. 11th July House of Lords voted to remove USA from the list of countries to which Britain allows a fast-track extradition until the treaty is ratified.

4. 13 people before July 13th has been handed over to the US judicial system.

NEC Resolves:

1. Oppose any action to remove anyone from the United Kingdom without a British Court having sufficient evidence first.

________________________________________________________________________

I gave the background of ‘One’ water in my last blog Stephen and I took a motion about how the students movement can really change lives in Southern Africa.

I feel that this is something that we can all get involved with and the changes that we can make are incredible!

Title: “One Water”

Submitted by: Stephen Brown & Ama Uzowuru

Supported by: Gemma Tumelty, Louise Sweeney, Alex Kemp and Dave Charlesworth

NEC Notes

1. That millions of people across the world cannot access clean water

2. That water of any kind is often inaccessible and difficult to obtain

3. Many people use hand pumps which have been placed over boreholes or must walk miles in soaring heats just to obtain poor quality water.

4. This chore usually falls on Women, young girls and children

5. That Trevor Field has developed the “playpump” scheme which aims to provide cleaner, more accessible drinking water for people of southern Africa

6. So far over 600 ‘Playpumps’ have been erected making a noticeable difference to the lives of thousands.

NEC Believes

1. ‘Playpump’ is practical, economic, creative way to provide FREE fresh drinking water to rural communities

2. That this scheme provides playground activities for young children in the area, which in turn pumps water out, stopping the difficult and energy-sapping current pump systems.

3. The pump can produce upto 1400 litres of water per hour

4. That through donations, the “playpump” scheme is able to drill further down into the ground thus ensuring cleaner, natural water.

5. That money from the donations also ensures more pumps in closer regions to villages and townships.

6. Supporters of the project include the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation

7. Further funding for maintenance is guaranteed through sponsorship by ethical and health-focussed organisations

8. That this project must continue to receive funding in order for it to reach out to other countries in Africa.

9. “playpump” foundation has developed a bottled water of which every penny goes to installing more play-pumps. This water is currently being trialled in Morrisons, Co-op and British Airways.

10. Further to this, “One” water is being sold in Manchester Students’ Union.

11. 22,000 bottles of ‘One’ Water will fund one ‘Playpump’

Conference Resolves

1. For the National Secretary and members of the NUS Services board to lobby NUS Services to meet with the “Playpump” foundation.

2. For National Secretary and members of NUS services board to recommend that this water is sold in CM’s once it has passed appropriate Environmental and Ethical criteria.

3. To give our full support to the project.

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