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| Send a message of solidarity for human rights this Christmas | Send a message of solidarity for human rights this Christmas |
| (30 days later) | |
| Write for Rights 2012 from Amnesty International on Vimeo. | Write for Rights 2012 from Amnesty International on Vimeo. |
| There is something particularly powerful in writing to another person letting them know you are interested in their plight. | There is something particularly powerful in writing to another person letting them know you are interested in their plight. |
| Chekib El-Khiari knows that all too well. | Chekib El-Khiari knows that all too well. |
| Former prisoner of conscience, Chekib was arrested and held in prison for two years after he spoke out against corruption and human rights abuses in Morocco. While in prison, thousands of strangers sent him messages of support after Amnesty International informed them of his case. This is what he said when he was released: | Former prisoner of conscience, Chekib was arrested and held in prison for two years after he spoke out against corruption and human rights abuses in Morocco. While in prison, thousands of strangers sent him messages of support after Amnesty International informed them of his case. This is what he said when he was released: |
| "Every week I was waiting for these letters. I was reading them again and again, thinking of those people who took five minutes to write or to draw. Five minutes of their time gave me the energy to survive two years of unlawful imprisonment." | "Every week I was waiting for these letters. I was reading them again and again, thinking of those people who took five minutes to write or to draw. Five minutes of their time gave me the energy to survive two years of unlawful imprisonment." |
| Messages of support and solidarity can inspire, motivate and encourage others. They also send a clear warning signal to the authorities that their actions are being observed. And that simple act of writing a letter can contribute to the release of those who have been unfairly imprisoned or can help stop the illegal demolition of people's homes. | Messages of support and solidarity can inspire, motivate and encourage others. They also send a clear warning signal to the authorities that their actions are being observed. And that simple act of writing a letter can contribute to the release of those who have been unfairly imprisoned or can help stop the illegal demolition of people's homes. |
| Perhaps it is for its success that so many contribute to Amnesty International's popular annual Write for Rights Campaign. Perhaps it is for its simplicity. Or maybe it is both. | Perhaps it is for its success that so many contribute to Amnesty International's popular annual Write for Rights Campaign. Perhaps it is for its simplicity. Or maybe it is both. |
| In sending a message of support through a letter, card or Facebook message, Write for Rights successfully connects men and women, young and old with people elsewhere who have been wrongly imprisoned, at risk of harassment and intimidation or whose rights have been violated in other ways. It is also an effective way to encourage family members to persist in their pursuit for justice on behalf of their loved ones, and it offers a chance for us to urge the authorities to uphold and respect basic human rights. So far this year, Jeremy Irons, Ana Matronic and Dame Vivienne Westwood are among the thousands to have taken five minutes to stand in solidarity with individuals featured in this year's Write for Rights. They would be delighted if you stand in solidarity with them. As would I. | In sending a message of support through a letter, card or Facebook message, Write for Rights successfully connects men and women, young and old with people elsewhere who have been wrongly imprisoned, at risk of harassment and intimidation or whose rights have been violated in other ways. It is also an effective way to encourage family members to persist in their pursuit for justice on behalf of their loved ones, and it offers a chance for us to urge the authorities to uphold and respect basic human rights. So far this year, Jeremy Irons, Ana Matronic and Dame Vivienne Westwood are among the thousands to have taken five minutes to stand in solidarity with individuals featured in this year's Write for Rights. They would be delighted if you stand in solidarity with them. As would I. |
| This year people from China, Syria, Kenya and Afghanistan to name a few are featured within Amnesty's Write for Rights Campaign. You can send a message of solidarity to the family of Gao Zhisheng, one of China's most respected human rights lawyers, who is in prison and at real risk of torture. Or to the scores of families in Kenya's Deep Sea Settlement at risk of being evicted from their homes at a moment's notice. | This year people from China, Syria, Kenya and Afghanistan to name a few are featured within Amnesty's Write for Rights Campaign. You can send a message of solidarity to the family of Gao Zhisheng, one of China's most respected human rights lawyers, who is in prison and at real risk of torture. Or to the scores of families in Kenya's Deep Sea Settlement at risk of being evicted from their homes at a moment's notice. |
| Or perhaps you can take action for the two members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot still imprisoned. | Or perhaps you can take action for the two members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot still imprisoned. |
| A few minutes is all that it takes to have a significant impact on a person's life. | A few minutes is all that it takes to have a significant impact on a person's life. |
| To find out more about Write for Rights visit www.amnesty.org.uk/write. | To find out more about Write for Rights visit www.amnesty.org.uk/write. |
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