Write For Rights

Each year, Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign teams up with people worldwide to fight injustice and support those whose human rights are being threatened. 

Over the years, the collective efforts of ordinary people like you have made a real difference in people’s lives. Whether in Zimbabwe, Guatemala, or Kyrgyzstan, activists have been freed and justice has been served. 

This year’s campaign features stories from people around the world who are facing similar human rights violations. 

By writing letters, signing petitions, and sharing your stories, you can demand justice and push decision-makers to act in this year’s campaign and be part of a community working to create a more just and compassionate world.  

Time to Write!

Signing petitions to those in power is one way to get involved, but did you know you can also write letters directly to human rights defenders? 

Imagine being locked up alone and not knowing if anyone cares about what’s happening to you. If you receive a letter from someone saying they believe in you, that’s the power of a letter to bring hope amid a terrible situation. 

Get the write for rights kit

If you want to use the power of your pen to make a difference, download our handy letter-writing tool now!

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JOHN LEGEND: “I WRITE BECAUSE…”

Living without fear of being violated is a human right, and injustice affects us all. 

No matter who you are, where you are. 

Writing is a transformative experience. 

Writing changes lives. 

HOW LETTERS CHANGED A LIFE

Actual letters can bring hope to people in the direst situations. When they arrive in large numbers, they are also an unmistakable reminder to prison authorities and others that the world is watching. 

For every case, you can write two messages– one to the person in authority and one to the person we are fighting for, or their family, so they know we will never forget them.

Letter writing has always been at the heart of Amnesty International’s work. Even the slightest word can perform an unexpected miracle, and over 60 years of activism show us that words have power. 

Last year, we took over 4.6 million actions, and our members hosted events in more than 200 countries, even led to a successful case in Thailand We wrote millions of letters, emails, and tweets and signed petitions together.  

How Do Words Shape the World?

People from over 200 countries and territories have written millions of letters, emailed, tweeted, and signed petitions …

…for people being harassed, intimidated, and detained simply because of who they are and how they act.

These letters and signatures will help put pressure on governments and decision-makers…

to make changes, such as releasing activists and protecting the rights of those who stand up for their cause. 

Good News Stories

Human rights defender Rita Karasartova was jailed for publicly opposing a new border agreement and charged with attempting to “violently overthrow the government.” Over 400,000 actions were taken in support of Rita in the Write for Rights 2023 campaign, and on June 14, 2024, Rita was acquitted of the charges. 

Rita Karasartova

Joanah Mamomb and Cecilia Chimbiri were kidnapped and tortured after leading anti-government protests in Zimbabwe and were charged with a variety of offenses, including fabricating their abduction. Supporters wrote over 500,000 letters in support of the women, and on July 5, 2023, the High Court acquitted her of “communicating false information and obstructing justice.” 

Joanah Mamombe and Cecillia Chimbiri

Human rights defender and NGO worker Cherman Ruguki was released from prison after being found guilty of fabricated charges and sentenced to 32 years in jail in Burundi. He was imprisoned before he could hold his youngest child, who was born just weeks after his arrest in July 2017. His family had to flee the country fearing reprisals. Now Cherman is set to be reunited with his family after more than 400,000 petitions were filed for release. 

Germain Rukuki

Magai Matiop Ngong was sentenced to death when he was just 15 years old. But thanks to incredible support from people like you, his death sentence was overturned in July 2020. People worldwide have sent more than 765,000 messages, letters and tweets calling for Magay’s life spared – and it’s working. 

Magai Matiop Ngong

Gulzar Duishenova’s campaign for the rights of people with disabilities paid off in March 2019, when Kyrgyzstan finally signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Supporters sent nearly 250,000 messages in support of her demands. 

Gulzar Duishenova

Mahadeen, an online activist and father of seven, was released in April 2018 after spending more than 18 months in a Chadian prison on fabricated charges. More than 690,000 people wrote messages demanding his release. 

Mahadine

Chelsea Manning, a US whistleblower, was released in May 2017 after President Barack Obama commuted her 35-year sentence towards the end of his term. More than a quarter of a million people demanded her release. 

Chelsea Manning

Albert Woodfox was finally freed in February after spending nearly 44 years in solitary confinement in a US prison. “I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to receive letters from people worldwide. It makes me feel like I’m worth something… [and] have the strength.” 

Albert Woodfox

Moses Agatagba is granted a full pardon in Nigeria after pressure from Amnesty supporters. He was wrongly sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was just 16. “The story changed when Amnesty International came to his aid.”

Moses Akatugba

Belarusian political prisoner Ales Belyatsky was released in 2014 after receiving more than 40,000 letters. “This huge amount of letters gives me a very positive feeling. When I receive them, I feel delighted.”

Ales Bialiatski

Vladimir Achimenkov was released in December 2013 after being detained during protests in Bolotnaya Square in Moscow, Russia. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude. Your letters influenced my release.”

Vladimir Akimenkov

The Mexican government accepted responsibility for the military rapes of Valentina Rosendo Cantu and Ines Fernandez Ortega. “Without your letters, actions and solidarity, we would not have come this far,” Valentina said.

Valentina Rosendo Cantú and Inés Fernández Ortega

Jabbar Savalan, a youth activist imprisoned in Azerbaijan, was pardoned and released in 2011, just days after your letters reached the country. “The support I received was so great that I didn’t feel imprisoned.”

Jabbar Savalan

Ethiopian opposition leader Bertucan Middeksa was released from prison 2010 after her story was featured in the Write a Change the World campaign the previous year. “Your letters helped keep hope alive in the darkest of times.”

Birtukan Mideksa

Learn More

Read about our successes

Over 5.8 million movements in 2023.

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Watch our Write for Rights videos

Meet everyone and hear their stories.

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Download tools for schools and activists

Guidelines for teachers and activists to bring Write for Rights into their classrooms and communities.

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