Amnesty International Cases

Letter writing tips
Read the UDHR
Previous and ongoing cases

For more information on Amnesty International case work please go to
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Letter Writing Tips
  • Please read the Urgent Action and send a letter based on the "Recommended Action" to one or more of the listed addresses under "Appeals To."
  • Please use respect with these officials despite the wrongs they may have committed. Any offense could harm the person involved.
  • Letters should be short and to the point handwritten or typed. Always underline the name of the person at the top of the Action and always ask for a response. If you do get a response please forward it to a local AI group or office. If appropriate, thank the official who has replied and ask to be kept informed about the case.
  • If you are interested in more information about any country or region please refer to www.amnesty.org/news/ for press releases or www.amnesty.org/ailib/index.html for country reports. Please take action as soon as you can .
  • Carefully read the recommended action and send a telegram, fax or airmail letter immediately to one or more of the addresses given. With Urgent Action appeals, A.I. has to act rapidly to prevent a serious human rights abuse. An appeal is issued when the organization believes it has received reliable and accurate information in such cases. It is not always possible to verify all details independently and in some instances the situation outlined in the appeal may change. Urgent Action participants are always notified of any significant new information.
  • Send your appeals in English unless you are fluent with the language of the target country.
  • Information about the alleged connection of any person with an organization which is banned in their country is provided for information only and should not be included in appeals.
  • Postage costs: airmail letters to most countries which include an envelope and a one-page letter cost 60 cents; to Mexico - 40 cents. Aerogrammes and postcards are 50 cents each.
  • The name of Amnesty International may be used although letters written in a private or professional capacity are often more effective.
  • To find out the result of your action, please read the monthly Urgent Action Network Newsletter posted on the web at: www.amnesty-USA.org/urgact/newslett.html

 

Example Letters based on Urgent Action Cases

 


Much of our work is based on the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Please read it here.

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Previous and Ongoing Cases

AI Group 137 is deeply saddened by the murder of Digna Ochoa y Placido. Digna was a Mexican human rights attorney who had her life threatened by the government, but she courageously continued her vital work until finally the threats were carried out October 19, 2001. Find our more here. AI Group 137 only redoubles its efforts to fight human rights abuses in Mexico.

 

Released!!

Rebiya Kadeer is a prominent businesswoman and human rights defender in China. A member of the Uighur population, a Muslim minority in China. In September 1999, she was charged with "providing secret information to foreigners," though the supposedly secret information turned out to be nothing more than copies of publicly available newspapers. In March 2000, she was convicted and sentenced to 8 years in prison. She is the special focus case this year for the Western Region of AIUSA

Released!!

José Gallardo is a general in the Mexican Army who had been imprisoned for the last 8 years for proposing the creation of a human rights advocate within the Mexican armed forces. Amnesty International considered him to be a prisoner of conscience, and it was seeking his immediate and unconditional release. Group 137 was deeply involved in his case. More

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Contact Group 137