Write for Rights is a moment when Amnesty International’s movement of ten million comes together to challenge injustice and take action for freedom, justice and equality.
Over nearly 20 years, those actions more have made a real difference in many lives.
In 2019 Amnesty activists took more than six million Write for Rights actions. And in 2020 we heard good news in four of the ten cases from 2019.
On 5 February 2020 a court in Iran substantially reduced the sentence of women’s rights defender Yasaman.
Over one million people took action for Yasaman during Write for Rights in 2019.
“Thank you so much. I have no words. You have no idea how much my heart was filled with happiness.”
Magai, South Sudan
On 29 July 2020, Magai was removed from death row and his death sentence was quashed.
In 2020 the Canadian government signed an agreement to build the care facility the Grassy Narrows desperately needed, decades after they were poisoned by mercury poisoning.
Ibrahim Ezz El-Din, a housing rights researcher, appeared at the Supreme State Security Prosecution in Cairo after 167 days of enforced disappearance in November 2019.
“I will forever be grateful to Amnesty’s supporters. Keep up the good work.”
Eskinder, Ethiopia
Eskinder was arrested and sentenced to 18 years in prison because of his work as a journalist. He was released in 2018.
Whistle-blower Chelsea Manning walked free in May 2017, after her 35-year prison sentence was cut short by outgoing President Barack Obama.
In 2015 more than a quarter of a million people wrote for her release during Write for Rights.
“While before I felt all hope had gone, the story changed when Amnesty International came in … I regained hope.”
Moses, Nigeria
After more than 800,000 actions from activists all around the world, Mose’s life was spared in June 2015. He was wrongfully sentenced to death when he was only 16.
“Every single signature for the petition to get me free made a difference. Now I’m free. I’m no faiytale, I’m a true story.”
Teodora, El Salvador
Teodora was sentenced to 30 years in prison following the stillbirth of her child under draconian anti-abortion laws.
She was released in February 2018.
These are a handful of those lives changed over nearly two decades of Write for Rights.