Click photo to enlarge
More than 800 Otago Girls High School pupils form the word
"RIGHTS" at the school yesterday during an OGHS Amnesty
International Group event. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Otago Girls High School pupils stood up for their rights
when they took to the school's playing field yesterday.
In a display intentionally reminiscent of the recent Olympic
Games' opening ceremony in Beijing, the school's pupils
formed the word "RIGHTS".
OGHS Amnesty International Group organising members Rhiana
Clark, Serena Anderson, Natasha Smillie (all 15) and Alena
Plaksina (16) organised the event to raise awareness of human
rights abuses in China, and the plight of oppressed women
worldwide.
Many pupils participating in yesterday's event would sign a
letter to the Chinese Government, asking it to improve the
human rights record in its country. The detention of
political activists and journalists was a specific concern,
the group said.
While members welcomed promises made by the Chinese
Government before the Games to improve its human rights
record, continued pressure from independent international
groups would mean the assurances were not forgotten, Alena
said.
The OGHS Amnesty group has 17 members.
They are this year planning a support an awareness campaign
targeting domestic violence.
