WRITE A LETTER CHANGE A LIFE - LETTER-WRITING KIT - Amnesty International Canada
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LETTER-WRITING KIT WRITE A LETTER CHANGE A LIFE
WRITE A LETTER CHANGE A LIFE Welcome to Amnesty’s Write for Rights letter- writing kit. In it you’ll find everything you need to join Write for Rights: our global letter-writing marathon and the world’s biggest human rights event. You’re here because you want to make a difference to the lives of the many people worldwide who are under threat for standing up for what’s right. Whether you do this with a group of friends, classmates, your family or by yourself, the words you write will change lives.
“I can’t emphasize enough how
important getting letters from
people around the world is.
It gave me a sense of worth.
It gave me strength –
convinced me that what
I was doing was right.”
Albert Woodfox, freed in February
2016 after nearly 44 years in solitary
confinement in a US prison. Supporters
took more than 650,000 actions for his
release through Write for Rights 2015.
© Svetlana Zelenskaya/Amnesty InternationalWHAT IS WRITE FOR RIGHTS? Sometimes a letter can change someone’s life. That’s the idea behind Write for Rights, our global letter-writing campaign. We’ve been doing it for 19 years and today, it’s the world’s biggest human rights event. Every December, supporters across the globe write millions of letters for those whose basic human rights are being attacked. These supporters are people like you, continuing a long tradition of writing letters to right some of the world’s biggest wrongs.
HOW DOES WRITE
FOR RIGHTS WORK?
People in more than Putting pressure on
170 countries and governments, leaders
territories take part and decision-makers
in all kinds of events
Writing millions of Showing love and
letters, emails, tweets support for the people
and petitions and their families
Supporting people And making change
who’ve been harassed, happen – releasing
threatened and unjustly activists, securing justice
jailed for those whose rights
have been wronged and
protecting people who
stand up for changeWHY DO WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION? In country after country, people’s freedom – to speak out against injustice, to not be discriminated against – is under threat. Your letters, words and actions will put pressure on authorities to take immediate action, so that those who abuse will be brought to justice. And those unjustly imprisoned will taste freedom once again. WHO DO WE WRITE TO? Every year, we ask supporters to write two types of letters. One is to the person in authority – it could be a queen, president or head of police – who can help make change happen. And the other letter is to the person (or group of people) we are fighting for, so they know we will never forget them.
DOES IT WORK?
Yes! Every year, real change happens because
of your letters and actions. People wrongfully
imprisoned are released. Abusers are brought
to justice. And people in prison are treated
more humanely.
WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?
Write for Rights happens every year on
December 10th, International Human Rights
Day, but you can write your letters any time
from October 15th 2020 to January 31st
2021.
“Write for Rights made
a huge difference to the way
I see my activism. It boosts
me to believe more in myself.
I have realized that, indeed,
there is power in numbers.”
Climate change activist Marinel Sumook Ubaldo,
who featured in Write for Rights 2019. Marinel
testified at an inquiry launched by a human
rights body which eventually declared
that fossil fuel companies could be held
responsible for human rights harms linked to
climate change – a world first.
© PrivateHOW TO WRITE
FOR RIGHTS
1. REGISTER FOR WRITE FOR RIGHTS
Sign-up now at www.writeathon.ca/sign-up so
we can send you the latest updates.
2. READ THE STORIES
Visit www.writeathon.ca/resources to read the
stories of this year's 10 cases on their case
sheets and to access all the resources you
need, including tools for writing with children.
JANI SILVA, COLOMBIA
PROTECTING 3. WRITE YOUR LETTERS
THE AMAZON At the back of each case sheet are two
COULD GET addresses.
JANI SILVA, COLOMBIA
HER KILLED One is to a government or similar authority:
that’s the target address. This is the person in
Born in the heart of the Colombian Amazon, Jani Silva
has dedicated her life to defending the trees and land that
are everyone’s lifeblood. From the age of 16, she’s been
standing with the campesino farmers of Putumayo, a region
W4R2020_CaseCard_01_Colombia_Final.indd 1
authority who can make change happen.
nestled in the south of the country and brimming with
unique biodiversity.
Jani co-founded the Association for the Integral and
Sustainable Development of the Amazonian Pearl (ADISPA)
in 2008. Through it, she protects the environment and rights
The second is for a solidarity letter to the
of those living in the Amazonian Pearl, a campesino reserve
in Putumayo.
Her work placed her at loggerheads with the Ecopetrol oil
WRITE TO THE
PRESIDENT OF
person we are supporting, or someone they
company, which won a license to operate in areas overlapping
with the reserve in 2006. In 2009 the license was transferred
to the Amerisur oil company. Since then, at least two oil spills
COLOMBIA
have poisoned the water sources that local communities
are close to. This is your chance to write them
Tell him to protect Jani and all ADISPA
depend on.
members so that they can safely
defend the natural resources we all
depend on.
a personal message of friendship or support.
President of the Republic
of Colombia
Mr Iván Duque
Carrera 8 No.7-26
Feel free to draw pictures – be creative.
Bogotá, Colombia
Email: contacto@presidencia.gov.co
Twitter: @IvanDuque
Salutation: Dear Mr President
SHOW JANI YOU’RE
Defending the territory has had terrifying consequences
for Jani. She’s been followed, intimidated by unknown
aggressors, and threatened with death. COVID-19 has made
WITH HER
Tell her and fellow ADISPA members
how much you admire their courage.
This kit contains 10 sample letters to the
targets. You can either copy these out in your
matters worse, confining activists to their homes and limiting
Include one of these lines, and draw a
their protection.
picture that represents the one you’ve
chosen.
Still, Jani remains undaunted. “Because I defend my
own handwriting (great!), or write in your own
territory, people have put a gun to my head to kill me”, she Nature is _________ to me.
says. “However, I stay … because … we cannot run away or Thanks for taking care of it.
let ourselves be won over by fear.”
Water means ___________ to me.
Thanks for fighting for it.
Oficina Comisión Intereclesial
de Justicia y Paz
Carrera 37ª #25B – 42
words (even better!). You can do as few or as
many as you like.
Bogotá, Colombia.
December 2020
Index: AMR 23/2575/2020 English
Cover photograph: © Nubia Acosta
Script development: © David Hunter
Back page image: © VMLY&R/WHISKY
W4R2020_CaseCard_01_Colombia_Final.indd 2 8/3/20 12:03 PMHOW TO WRITE FOR RIGHTS 4. SPREAD THE WORD ONLINE Take a photo with your letters and post it on your social media channels, tagging it #WriteforRights and #W4R20. Please also tag @AmnestyNow in your posts on Twitter and @AmnestyCanada on Instagram so we can find you! 5. POST YOUR LETTER OFFLINE! Put your letter in an envelope, stamp it and send it on its way. Your words will change someone’s life. Thank you! 6. REPORT-BACK Let us know that you took part by visiting www.writeathon.ca and clicking on "Report." Reporting is just as important as writing! By letting us know how many letters you wrote, we can include your voice in our global count.
WHY DOES
SOLIDARITY MATTER?
You might think that writing to In 2019, our messages to
someone you don’t know will make Emil Ostrovko and his mother,
no difference, or that they won’t Yulia, were a lifeline. Emil was
want to hear from you. But when sentenced to 10 years in prison
you’re locked up or in fear for your for drug trafficking, later reduced
life for calling out injustice, having to six years. He was hired by an
someone tell you they believe in anonymous online company who
you matters a lot. Whoever you told him he was delivering legal
choose to write to, remember that smoking mixtures. Emil is among
they will love to hear from you. many young people jailed on
They may feel anxious and alone, inflated charges for minor drug
and your words will bring comfort offences in Belarus.
and hope to them.
Yulia wrote this message:
“This campaign has made a huge
difference in Emil’s life and in the lives
of many other children – 328 who are
imprisoned together with Emil. They all
excitedly waited for your letters and
read them all together. I don’t have
enough words to express my gratitude
to Amnesty International and its
supporters – just tears of joy. I didn’t
expect that so many people in the
world would support us in this terrible
situation and I remain strong because
of all of you and your solidarity.”
Yulia, 2019SAMPLE TARGET LETTERS There are 10 sample target letters. Feel free to either copy these out in your own handwriting or, even better, rewrite them, adding your own words. You can do as few or as many as you like. If you’ve already taken action online, please write a solidarity letter instead. If you only want to write a solidarity letter, that’s brilliant, too!
SAMPLE TARGET
LETTERS
JANI SILVA, COLOMBIA
Dear Mr President
Jani Silva has been standing alongside the campesino farmers in the Putumayo
region for decades. She has dedicated her life to defending the environment
and natural resources.
However, Jani’s work has put her in danger. She has been followed, intimidated
by unknown people with guns and threatened with death.
As protectors of resources that the world depends on for its survival, Jani and
the campesino farmers she stands with should be defended.
I call on you to protect Jani and all members of ADISPA, an organization she President of the Republic
founded along with her colleagues to preserve the peasant Amazon Pearl of Colombia
Reserve Zone. In doing so, you will be safeguarding not just them, but a whole Mr Iván Duque
ecosystem powering the planet. c/o Amnesty International
312 Laurier Ave. E.
Yours sincerely
Ottawa ON K1N 1H9
GERMAIN RUKUKI, BURUNDI
Dear Mr President
I call on you to immediately and unconditionally release Germain Rukuki.
Germain has dedicated his life and work to truth and justice. He is also a
dedicated father, yet because of his commitment to what’s fair, he has never
seen his own three-year-old son.
Germain is serving a 32-year prison sentence for defending human rights, after
a court found him guilty on three charges, including “rebellion”, in an unfair trial.
In your inaugural speech you made a commitment to respect human rights. I
urge you to honour that pledge.
Germain’s little boy wants his father back home. Please, free Germain today.
Yours sincerely Evariste Ndayishimiye
c/o Embassy of Burundi
350 Albert St, Suite 410
Ottawa ON K1R 1A4SAMPLE TARGET
LETTERS
POPI QWABE & BONGEKA PHUNGULA, SOUTH AFRICA
Your Excellency
It has been three years since Popi Qwabe and Bongeka Phungula were shot
dead. Both aged in their twenties, the two young women were talented drama
students with brilliant futures ahead of them.
But their dreams were cut short one night in May 2017 when they were killed,
and dumped by the side of a road. The police investigation that followed was
riddled with mistakes: a bloodstained taxi was recovered but the forensics and
autopsies were never published. As a result, key suspects were released due to
lack of evidence.
Popi and Bongeka’s families want answers and demand justice. You can help
them by asking the Minister of Police to ensure a prompt, thorough, fair and
impartial investigation into the murders. Her Excellency Sibongiseni Yvonne Dlamini-
Mntambo
Impunity for acts of gender-based violence cannot continue. High Commissioner for South Africa
Yours sincerely 15 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1M8
PAING PHYO MIN, MYANMAR
Your Excellency
I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Paing Phyo Min, a
22-year-old poet and student leader serving six years in prison solely for
exercising his right to freedom of expression.
In April and May 2019, Paing Phyo Min and other members of the Peacock
Generation, a satirical poetry troupe, performed Thangyat critical of the military.
The military took offence at their performances and brought charges against
them.
Paing Phyo Min should not be in prison simply for criticizing the military.
H.E. Aung San Suu Kyi
Everyone must be free to express their views in Myanmar, even if these are
State Counsellor
critical of the authorities. I urge you to release Paing Phyo Min immediately and
Ministry of the State Counsellor
unconditionally, and your government to repeal or amend all repressive laws that
Office
violate the right to freedom of expression.
Office No. 20, Nay Pyi Taw
Yours sincerely Republic of the Union of MyanmarSAMPLE TARGET
LETTERS
GUSTAVO GATICA, CHILE
Dear Mr National Prosecutor, Jorge Abbott Charme
Psychology student Gustavo Gatica was at a protest in the capital, Santiago,
when police shot ammunition into the crowd in ways they shouldn’t have.
Gustavo was struck in both eyes and was blinded. Commanders in charge didn’t
stop these officers. They let this violence continue unchecked for weeks.
I call on you to investigate all those responsible for Gustavo’s shooting, especially
commanders. They had a duty to avoid the misuse of force, but failed to fulfil
it. Gustavo must live with the consequences of their failure forever. He deserves
justice, truth and reparation.
Jorge Abbott Charme
Yours sincerely
National Prosecutor
Fiscalía Nacional
Catedral 1421-1453
Santiago de Chile
Chile
NASSIMA AL-SADA, SAUDI ARABIA
Your Majesty
Nassima al-Sada is a woman whom Saudi Arabia should take great pride in.
Her lifelong journey has been one dedicated to the improvement of women’s
freedoms and her vision of them being active members of an open, vibrant
society.
But instead of embracing Ms. al-Sada, the authorities arrested her in July 2018
and placed her in solitary confinement for one year. Today, she is still behind
bars. I respectfully call on you to release Ms. al-Sada and all other detained
women human rights defenders, immediately and without conditions. His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul
Aziz Al Saud
Yours sincerely
c/o Embassy for Saudi Arabia
201 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1K6SAMPLE TARGET
LETTERS
KHALED DRARENI, ALGERIA
Your Excellency
I call on you to immediately and unconditionally release Khaled Drareni, an
independent journalist, sentenced to prison simply for doing his job. He was
reporting on a Hirak demonstration on 27 March when he was arrested. He has
been detained ever since.
Khaled just wants a fairer, better Algeria that cares for and benefits everyone.
He is held on the sham charge of inciting an unarmed gathering and “harming
the integrity of the national territory”.
Khaled should be back on the streets, reporting the news, not locked up
for his principled journalism. Abdelmadjid Tebboune
President of the Republic
Please, release him without delay.
El-Mouradia – B.P 16000
Yours sincerely Algiers
Algeria
EL HIBLU 3, MALTA
Your Excellency
I urge you to drop all charges against the El Hiblu 3 and close the case.
These youths, two of whom were just 15 and 16 years old at the time of the
alleged incident, could be jailed for life for opposing their return to suffering and
torture in Libya. Yet there is little to no evidence to support the serious charges
against them.
The youths had acted as interpreters on the El Hiblu, an oil transporter, to help
preserve their lives and those of their fellow passengers after they were rescued
at sea.
Attorney General
They have been through grave hardship and trauma. Deliver justice: drop the
The Palace
charges, close the case.
VLT 1115 – Valletta
Yours sincerely MaltaSAMPLE TARGET
LETTERS
MELIKE BALKAN & ÖZGÜR GÜR, TURKEY
Dear Minister of Justice
Biology students Melike Balkan and Özgür Gür are among a group of 19 people
facing up to three years in prison for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
On 10 May 2019, a Pride sit-in at Middle East Technical University was violently
broken up by police. Melike, Özgür and 21 others were detained; they and 17
among the detained are now on trial.
As Minister of Justice, you know that participating in a peaceful gathering is
not a crime. I call on you to monitor the case to ensure they are acquitted of all
charges.
Yours sincerely
Mr Abdülhamit Gül
Minister of Justice
Adalet Bakanlığı
06659 Ankara
Turkey
IDRIS KHATTAK, PAKISTAN
Your Excellency
I urge you to release Idris Khattak, Pakistan’s expert on enforced
disappearances, who has himself been subjected to enforced disappearance.
If there is credible and admissible evidence that he has committed an
internationally recognized crime, then please try him promptly and fairly in a
civilian ordinary court, without recourse to the death penalty. If not, release him
immediately and unconditionally.
His daughters have not seen Idris since he was abducted in November 2019.
They don’t know where he is or whether he can take his medication. They just
want their father back home safe with them. Prime Minister Imran Khan
Prime Minister’s Office
You once made a promise to make enforced disappearance a crime under
Constitution Avenue G-5/2
national law. Now is your chance to honour that pledge.
Islamabad, Pakistan
Yours sincerelyYou can also read
