How Write for Rights works

It doesn’t take much to sign a petition, send an email or write a letter but it could make a world of difference to those who need your help.

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Teodora Vasquez hugs her family and friends shortly after being released from the women's Readaptation Center, in Ilopango, El Salvador on February 15, 2018, where she was serving a sentence since 2008, handed down under draconian anti-abortion laws after suffering a miscarriage.
A white flower generously shared, a scarf gently removed: two simple gestures that Yasaman Aryani dared to make on a public train in Iran. It was International Women’s Day 2019 and Yasaman, an actor who loves mountain climbing, stood up to Iran’s forced veiling laws in a brave act of defiance. With her mother, she walked through a women-only train carriage, hair boldly uncovered as she handed out white flowers. She spoke of her hopes for a future when all women would have the freedom to choose what to wear so that one day they could walk together “me without the hijab and you with the hijab”. These moments, captured on video, went viral in March 2019. On 10 April, Iran’s authorities arrested Yasaman, holding her alone in a cell for days while interrogators questioned her. They told her to “confess” that foreign elements were behind her activism and to “repent” her actions. If she didn’t, they said they would arrest her friends and family. On 31 July, Yasaman learned to her shock that she has been sentenced to 16 years in prison. She must serve at least 10 years.Yasaman’s cruel punishment is part of a wider crackdown on women campaigning against forced veiling laws in Iran. Since 2018, dozens of women, including Yasaman’s mother, Monireh Arabshah, have been arrested. The Iranian authorities must not be allowed to rob Yasaman of the best years of her life – simply because she believes women should have the right to choose what they wear.

Stand up and speak out

In 2019 we're working with 10 courageous young people, pressuring governments around the world to respect their rights.

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Take Action Now

Every voice counts and time is of the essence if we want to protect the rights of these courageous young people.
  Help find him
Help find Yiliyasijiang Reheman
Yiliyasijiang Reheman has gone missing – his family believe the Chinese authorities have detained him in a political ‘re-education’ camp. Demand his release now
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Help release Yasaman from prison
Yasaman has been sentenced to 16 years in prison – all because she believes women should have the freedom to choose what they wear. Tell Iran to free Yasaman now.
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  Facing jail for saving lives
Demand the charges against Sarah and Seán are dropped
In Greece, you can go to jail for trying to save a life. It happened to Seán Binder, 25, and Sarah Mardini, 24, when they helped to spot refugee boats in distress. They face up to 25 years in prison.
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Get justice for poisoned Indigenous community
The Indigenous community of Grassy Narrows, Canada, has been devastated by mercury poisoning. Fifty years on, the community’s youth are determined to get justice.
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Help free Magai from death row
Tell the government to commute Magai Matiop Ngong's death sentence and stop using the death penalty against children.
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Resources

Here's all the information you need to take offline action in 2019.

Updates for Activists

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Through the power of collective action, your letters, emails and petition signatures convince governments to free people unjustly imprisoned, stop torture and end other abuses.
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