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 !!

New Wildlife stamps from Norway..

 

 

Date of Issue : 3 January 2011

Polar Bear

An encounter with a Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) in its own environment is the dream of everyone who visits the Arctic. The polar bear is the very symbol of the northern polar areas, just as penguins are the signature species of Antarctica. The polar bear is reckoned to be the largest land predator in the world, rivalled only by the Alaskan Kodiak bear. The record-holding polar bear was shot in Alaska in 1960 and weighed 1003 kg, but they rarely reach this size. A full-grown polar bear on Svalbard weighs about 500 kg and usually has a maximum life span of 25 years. The oldest polar bear recorded on Svalbard was a female aged 32. The population there is now estimated at about 1500.

The Musk Ox

The Musk ox (Ovibos moschatus) is related to both sheep and cattle. Its muzzle, hooves and short tail resemble those of a sheep, while its size and the four teats of the female are comparable to a cow.

The muskox’s horns are also formed in the same way as those of cattle and sheep and are not shed like the antlers of a deer. Compact and round in shape, the musk ox mostly resembles a prehistoric animal. Its large head with its characteristic horns is low and appears to be attached directly to its body. It has a long, shaggy coat beneath which its legs are barely visible.
It takes its name from the strong musky odour of the male, which he emits from two facial glands by rubbing his head against his forelegs or against tussocks or stones. If we get too close, this rubbing of his head against his forelegs will often be the first sign of his dislike of us. The muskox has its origins in Canada, Alaska and Greenland. It was imported from Greenland to Dovrefjell in Norway in 1932. The Norwegian population has since been supplemented and now numbers around 200.

:Top of The World of Stamps

Club News

Dear friends

A philatelic expo will be held in Vellore City between Feb 25 and Feb 27. All numismatic & philatelic dealers are welcome.

For more details please contact -
Mr.Tamil Vanan
Secretary,
Numismatic & Philatelic Association of Vellore Fort
e-mail: tamil_4442004yahoo.co.in

With Regards
Jagannath Mani
www.olympicgamesphilately.blogspot.com

 

Press Clippings

: Sandeep Chaurasia, Gorakhpur

New wildlife stamps from Norway..

 

 

Musk ox

Date of Issue – 3 January 2011

Norwegian Post issued a set of two stamps on 3rd January 2011, showing wildlife in Norway. The two stamps feature Musk Ox and Polar Bear.

Musk Ox

The Musk ox (Ovibos moschatus) is related to both sheep and cattle. Its muzzle, hooves and short tail resemble those of a sheep, while its size and the four teats of the female are comparable to a cow. 

The muskox’s horns are also formed in the same way as those of cattle and sheep and are not shed like the antlers of a deer. Compact and round in shape, the musk ox mostly resembles a prehistoric animal. Its large head with its characteristic horns is low and appears to be attached directly to its body. It has a long, shaggy coat beneath which its legs are barely visible.

It takes its name from the strong musky odour of the male, which he emits from two facial glands by rubbing his head against his forelegs or against tussocks or stones. The muskox has its origins in Canada, Alaska and Greenland. It was imported from Greenland to Dovrefjell in Norway in 1932. The Norwegian population has since been supplemented and now numbers around 200.

Polar Bear

Polar Bear

An encounter with a Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) in its own environment is the dream of everyone who visits the Arctic. The polar bear is the very symbol of the northern polar areas, just as penguins are the signature species of Antarctica. The polar bear is reckoned to be the largest land predator in the world, rivaled only by the Alaskan Kodiak bear. The record-holding polar bear was shot in Alaska in 1960 and weighed 1003 kg, but they rarely reach this size. A full-grown polar bear on Svalbard weighs about 500 kg and usually has a maximum life span of 25 years. The oldest polar bear recorded on Svalbard was a female aged 32. The population there is now estimated at about 1500.

Hunting of polar bears has been prohibited on Svalbard since 1973. Climate changes are starting to create serious problems for the polar bear and researchers are concerned about the recent developments in the Arctic. The absence of summer ice in the polar basin may become a reality in the course of this century. At the same time the winter period when new ice is formed may become shorter. This will restrict both living areas and the possibility of hunting seal. Seal represents more than 90 per cent of the polar bear’s diet.

 

Source : Official Philatelic Portal of the Nordic Countries