Amnesty International & Human Rights
Howard has served in numerous volunteer roles including with Amnesty International where he has been the Convenor of his local action group and has also served on the NSW Regional Board of Amnesty. In those roles he has campaigned in particular for a human rights act in Australia and for legislation creating rights to shelter in order to address Australia’s homelessness levels about which he continues to be very concerned.
Howard Bell working an Amnesty stall
Certificate for participating in the St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout representing Amnesty and raising funds for the homeless
Defenders fight for human rights
Published in the Central Coast Advocate by Leah Davies
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 60 in December and Amnesty International is one organisation using the declaration to campaign for world equality.
“We are committed to educating people about a wide range of human justice issues and encouraging participants to stand up for what is lawfully their rights” Amnesty International’s Central Coast convenor Howard Bell said.
The Central Coast group has 230 human rights defenders and active members who has pushed for the fair recognition of refugee issues, the abolition of the death penalty and the ending of human rights abuses in China, Tibet and Burma.
The group manned campaign activities and education stalls at the Gosford waterfront on Australia Day and in Kibble Park, Gosford, on International Women’s Day. It was also at the GOATS Festival in San Remo earlier this year.
“Through out campaigning, we work hard to inform people about human rights through story telling, story writing, petitions, street theatre and radio talks,” Mr Bell said.
Workshop to explain human rights
Published in the Central Coast Advocate, 29 April 2009 by Leah Davies
Central Coast Amnesty International group is vigorously campaigning for an Australian human rights act to protect the dignity and fundamental rights of all citizens.
The group’s 270 human rights defenders and active members have pushed for the fair recognition of refugee issues, the abolition of the death penalty and the ending of human rights abuses in developing nations.
Now they are petitioning for a human rights act.
“Australia remains the only Western democracy without some kind of national human rights act or bill of rights” Central Coast convenor Howard Bell said. “We are committed to helping change this so that all Australians can share the same rights,” he said.
Under the Australian Constitution, human rights problems still arise.
“More than 100,000 homeless people don’t have adequate food, clothing and shelter and asylum seekers have been held in mandatory and indefinite detention,” Mr Bell said.
On Saturday, the group will run a human rights workshop.
“We invite everyone to attend and hear why we need a human rights act as part of Australian law,” he said.
Participants will also have the opportunity to write a letter or paint a picture depicting why we need the act, which will be sent to the Federal Government.
“Information on how to get involved with Amnesty International will be provided as well as details on the United Nations and what the future holds for Australia,” Mr Bell said.
The workshop will be held at Gosford Uniting Church Hall between noon and 4pm. Inquiries: secretary Liz Page on 0423 586 836.
Essays honour activist’s work
Published in the Central Coast Advocate by Leah Davies
Central Coast Amnesty International group will launch a high school essay competition to honour the memory of one of its most staunch supporters.
Group convenor Howard Bell said human rights activist the late Harry Boyle spent his life being a “watchdog” to fulfil a pledge he made to the memory of those killed in World War II.
In 1941, Mr Boyle joined the Sydney University Regiment and was part of the 9th Field Regiment at Holsworthy. He served in Papua New Guinea.
Mr Boyle moved to the Central Coast in 1988.
“Harry founded the Bays Progress Association for the Woy Woy, Phegans Bay and Horsfield Bay area,” Mr Bell said.
Mr Boyle continued until his death to seek interviews with councillors and state and federal members to discuss their policies and community needs.
“Harry saw his role as a social catalyst and had such an enthusiasm and energy for life, which we will keep alive through our essay competition,” Mr Bell said.
At 2pm on Saturday, the Central Coast Harry Boyle Human Rights Memorial Essay Competition will be launched at the Gosford Uniting Church hall.
The competition is designed to challenge students to engage with a current human rights issue in essay format.
The theme of this year’s essay is: Should Australia have a human rights act as part of its law?
Registration for the competition closes on December 10.
‘Politics in the Pub – Homelessness – Mary Perkins’, November 5, 2015