THE DUBBO Amnesty International Group has taken its first breath in a week when the nation has shuddered at the execution of eight men including two Australians by the Indonesian government.
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A dozen people turned out to the group's first meeting in Dubbo, just hours before convicted drug traffickers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were shot by a firing squad on the prison island of Nusakambangan.
In the weeks before the meeting, a leader of the new group encouraged residents opposed to the death penalty to join it.
"Whether you are passionate about asylum seekers and refugees, abolishing the death penalty or Indigenous rights, there is a space for you to take action in this group," said Terence Duff, a Coonamble resident and long-time Amnesty International Australia supporter.
A dozen people attended the first meeting with Mr Duff's co-leader, Dubbo-based Kylie Jones, pleased with the turnout and eager for the group to get to work.
"The Dubbo Amnesty International Group will meet monthly and discuss future events to help lift the profile of human rights campaigns within the community through organising exhibitions in libraries, articles in the local press and information stalls at markets and festivals," she said.
"As an organisation Amnesty International is, and has always been, heavily reliant upon its local groups, made up of volunteers, for its strength in getting its message across to the public."
Ms Jones is "really passionate" about promoting and protecting human rights and is excited that the group's membership is "keen to be involved".
The meeting at Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre included an address by Amnesty International Australia community organiser Bede Carmody on the origins of the organisation and its work.
On Wednesday Amnesty International Australia condemned the executions "in the strongest possible terms".
"We stand in solidarity with the families of all those who were brutally executed in this senseless, tragic and wasteful act of state-sanctioned murder," a spokeswoman said.
Newcomers will be made welcome at Dubbo Amnesty International Group meetings.
The next meeting is scheduled for 5.30pm on Wednesday, May 20, at the Western Star Hotel, 62 Erskine Street. Dubbo Amnesty International Group has a Facebook page.
It can also be contacted by sending an email to dubbo.amnesty@gmail.com.