WRITE FOR RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
Hello, and thank you for joining us for this year’s Write for Rights!
Write for Rights is Amnesty International’s largest annual human rights campaign
This event held throughout the fall to mark Human Rights Day on December 10th. The best thing about Write for Rights is that it works! Each year, we write letters to support people and help end other abuses, such as individuals who are wrongfully imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their beliefs or identity—people we call prisoners of conscience.
This year's seven cases include human rights defenders and individuals at risk. Melike and Özgür, on the cover of this action guide, are members the LGBTI group at their the Middle East Technical University (METU) andcurrently face charges that could result in 3 years in prison simply for participating in a sit-in to celebrate Pride. We are demanding that all charges against the peaceful protesters be dropped.
Here’s how we help people through Write for Rights: millions of people around the world, like you, each write a letter to the government official responsible for the case. These letters pile up in their offices and can’t be ignored—imagine receiving a million letters! We supplement these letters with e-mail actions, lobbying, media attention and social media to increase the pressure on those officials. We also write “solidarity” notes to the people we are trying to help, or their families, to give them hope.
One key component of Write for Rights is to report your letters. It’s important because we share the total number with the people we are trying to help and with the officials we are trying to persuade. You can report at amnestyusa.org/w4r/report or mail us the form in this guide.
Remember, even if you only have time to write one letter, it counts. You are joining a movement of people around the world using the power of collective action—millions of us, each doing a small part—to help people. Because of us, prison doors will open, families will be reunited, justice will be achieved, and human rights activists will be safe and supported in continuing their important work to change the world.
Ready to get started? Here’s key information:
- Sign up* now at amnestyusa.org/w4r
- Write from now until January 31, 2021
- Report your letters by January 31, 2021 at amnestyusa.org/w4r/report
- Read the Instructions page in this guide and go online for more materials at amnestyusa.org/w4r
- Ask questions and get help by contacting me at w4r@aiusa.org and (212) 633-4181
*Affiliation information: The Tanner Center for Human Rights at the University of Utah
Thank you again for taking part!
Sincerely,
Laura Galeano
Programs Associate at Amnesty International USA