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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SOCIETY LOBBIES MPS TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST ALL WOMEN

Professor Susan Edwards with members of Buckingham's Amnesty International Society and Andy Slaughter MP

Professor Susan Edwards (2nd from left) with members of Buckingham's Amnesty International Society and Andy Slaughter MP

Monday 23 November 2009

On 4 November, Amnesty International (AI) called for a mass lobby of Parliament demanding that all women in the UK are given equal access to refuges and support services. Members of the Buckingham Amnesty International Student Society (Katherine Smith, Farnaz Mirshahi, Elizabeth Abraham and Randall Berbick) accompanied by the Dean of the Law School, Professor Susan Edwards, joined hundreds of people at the House of Commons to lobby their MPs and secure their commitment to making this happen.

Buckingham's students were fortunate enough to discuss the issues with Andy Slaughter MP and were greatly encouraged by his commitment to this issue and his continuing pledge of support. Many others who waited for several hours in Central Lobby to meet with their MPs were not so successful.

As reported by Amnesty International: "The UK Government is obliged to protect, respect and fulfil women’s human rights. As the 2010 general election is coming up and a change of government is possible, all political parties must address violence against women."

Report by Farnaz Mirshahi (President, Amnesty International Student Society) and Professor Susan Edwards