Amnesty International Relaunches Annual 'Write for Rights' Campaign

Amnesty International Luxembourg has announced the launch of this year's "Write for Rights" campaign, a global letter-writing campaign that aims to rally people to the cause of human rights.

In the run-up to International Human Rights Day, on Saturday 10 December 2022, Amnesty International Luxembourg is calling for commitment to human rights with a concrete action: sending a letter to the authorities or a postcard to someone whose fundamental rights have been violated. The messages from Luxembourg will join millions of others, sent around the globe at the same time, during this year's Write for Rights campaign.

Amnesty International Luxembourg is calling on the public to commit alongside hundreds of thousands of people around the world, members, activists and supporters in Luxembourg to show that their words have power: by writing letters, signing a petition or sending a tweet, in support of the ten people and groups for whom Amnesty International is mobilising for this year’s campaign.

Write for Rights is a global letter-writing campaign which has been held annually for over 20 years. Today, it mobilises people in more than 200 countries and territories and has become the world's largest human rights event with millions of letters, emails and social media posts being sent out, and petitions being signed for ten people and/or groups.

This initiative stands behind individuals and groups facing harassment, threats, and imprisonment solely based on their identity and activist pursuits. The letters, signed petitions and messages of support exert pressure on governments, leaders and decision-makers. Demonstrating support and compassion, they convey solidarity through messages, while some express their care more creatively, crafting drawings or posters. The overarching objective is to play a role in securing the release of activists, seeking justice for those whose rights have been infringed, and safeguarding those advocating for transformative change.

Information on the ten people and groups in the Write for Rights 2022 campaign and the different ways to get involved can be found on the dedicated website: https://write4rights.amnesty.lu/. Several events are planned around this campaign for which people can join with family, at school, with friends and colleagues.

Exhibition at Luxembourg station

This year, the individuals chosen by the organisation will be featured in an exhibition at Luxembourg-Gare. From Friday 5 December to Tuesday 30 January 2024, visitors can explore this free exhibition located on the footbridge connecting the Gare and Bonnevoie districts. The display comprises 38 panels containing descriptions of the situations, encouraging the public to make tangible commitments to these individuals. Luxembourg's national railway company, the CFL, has made this space available for the exhibition.

Human Rights March

The Write for Rights campaign is part of Amnesty International's activities around International Human Rights Day, observed on 10 December. This year’s "Human Rights March", will start at 16:00 in Place d'Armes.

The ten people highlighted at Write for Rights 2023 are:

• Chaima Issa risks, who is risking several decades of imprisonment for publicly speaking out against the President of Tunisia, Kaïs Saïed;

• Thulani Maseko, who was shot dead after openly criticising the repressive laws and excessive violence used by the state of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) to suppress peaceful protests; Amnesty International is calling for an independent investigation into his case and access to justice for his family;

• Rita Karassartova is facing up to fifteen years in prison after peacefully opposing a border deal that gives control of a drinking water reservoir to Uzbekistan;

• Thapelo Mohapi lives in hiding because he is targeted as the leader of a local movement working to improve living conditions in South Africa; in 2022, three members of the movement were killed;

• Rocky Myers, an African-American man with intellectual disabilities, spent more than 30 years on Alabama's death row despite improper proceedings; Amnesty International is calling on the governor of Alabama to pardon Rocky Myers and commute his death sentence;

• Ana Maria Santos Cruz is fighting to get justice for her son Pedro Henrique - the young activist against police violence was killed by hooded men at the age of 31;

• Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul are campaigning to preserve their ancestral lands on the Torres Strait Islands, Australia's northernmost region, which are threatened by climate change;

• Maung Sawyeddollah was fifteen years old when the Myanmar military launched a campaign of killings and violence against the Rohingya - today, he is attacking Facebook (META) for its role in these atrocities and demanding effective reparations;

• Justyna Wydrzyńska was convicted of helping a woman in a relationship with a violent man access a safe abortion in Poland;

• Ahmed Mansoor is in detention, held in solitary confinement in a cell without a bed, because of his commitment to human rights in the United Arab Emirates; Amnesty International calls for his release.