Amnesty International launches flagship Write for Rights campaign to help people facing human rights violations around the world

Millions of letters and emails will be sent to support these people and urge the authorities to end the injustices.

“Sending a letter or an email may seem like a small act, but when they are sent by the thousands, they can change lives: those in power are obliged to take note” – Sacha Deshmukh

Amnesty International is calling on people across the UK to take part in its flagship letter-writing campaign, Write for rightsin support of people around the world who have been persecuted, imprisoned or faced human rights violations for standing up for their rights.

This year, Write for rights will support nine victims of abuse, including:

Ana da SilvaMiguelalso known as Neth Naharawas arrested in August last year after posting a video on TikTok criticizing President João Lourenço. The next day, Angola’s court of first instance found her guilty of “insulting the state, its symbols and its bodies.” She was sentenced to six months in prison and fined one million kwanza (about $1,200). Last September, Angola’s court of second instance extended Neth’s sentence to two years, following an appeal by the prosecutor. During his imprisonment, authorities denied Neth his daily HIV treatment for eight months, which seriously affected his health.

Oqba Hashadan Egyptian commerce student, has been arbitrarily detained for almost five years without trial solely because of his brother’s human rights activism. Despite a court order for his release, he remains detained in appalling conditions, including being denied a suitable prosthetic leg. Prison authorities questioned Oqba several times about his brother’s activism and his contacts with his family. Egypt, as a State party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, must ensure that prisoners with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation and health services.

Professor Şebnem Korur Fincancı, director of the Turkish Medical Association, faces more than seven years in prison because of her work in favor of human rights. Professor Fincancı is a prominent human rights defender, anti-torture advocate and forensic medicine expert. In October 2022, she was arrested and placed in pre-trial detention. A criminal investigation was opened against her after she called for an independent investigation into allegations that Turkish armed forces used chemical weapons in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, in comments during a live television interview. Professor Fincancı was later found guilty of trumped-up charges of “propaganda for a terrorist organization.” She is currently awaiting the outcome of an appeal, but also faces other charges related to her human rights work.

Sacha Deshmukh, chief executive of Amnesty International UK, said:

“The people we focused on this year are all imprisoned because their countries’ governments prioritize power over freedom of expression. By joining this campaign, people across the UK – and around the world – can help improve their chances of getting justice.

“Sending a letter or an email may seem like a small act, but when they are sent by the thousands, they can change lives: those in power are obliged to take note.

“Amnesty’s Write for Rights campaign helps protect the lives of persecuted people every year. We hope to see people across the country get involved to make as much noise as possible against the injustices these human rights defenders face. »

Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign dates back to the organization’s roots, founded in 1961, with early activists writing letters of support to those affected by human rights abuses, as well as letters of concern to governments across the whole world.

Successes of previous Write for Rights campaigns:

Human rights defender Rita Karasartova was arrested in 2022 along with 26 others for opposing a new border deal giving control of a freshwater reservoir to Uzbekistan. She was first arrested for organizing “mass unrest” and then charged with attempting to “violently overthrow the government,” which carries a potential sentence of 15 years in prison. Rita and at least 21 others were acquitted on June 14 this year: a significant victory for justice and human rights in Kyrgyzstan, although the prosecutor appealed the decision.

She then expressed gratitude for the countless letters she received from Amnesty supporters during the campaign, emphasizing that each one gave her immense hope and strength, reinforcing her belief in the power of solidarity.

In 2021, Amnesty campaigned on behalf of Egyptian human rights lawyer Mohamed Baker, who received a presidential pardon in July last year and was released from prison the following day. He has now been reunited with his loved ones safely.

Cecillia Chimbiri and Joanah Mamombe were acquitted by the High Court of Zimbabwe in July 2023 of communicating falsehoods and perverting the course of justice. The two men – along with Netsai Marova, who has not been tried because she is abroad – were arrested and kidnapped in May 2020 following a protest against the government’s failure to provide protection social during the Covid-19 pandemic. Amnesty campaigned on their behalf during the 2022 Write for Rights campaign.