Written by Artur Karkusati
For more than 20 years, Amnesty International's annual Write for Rights campaign has been making a difference in the lives of people whose rights have been violated. Through the power of words, activists of Write for Rights are united in support of a common cause: together, we can change lives for the better.
The Write for Rights campaign goes to the very essence of Amnesty International: its aim is to show solidarity to people around the world suffering injustice and to endorse their fights. This is achieved by sending either messages of support to those affected by human rights abuses or messages of concern to governments and people in power around the world.
Over one million letters are written each year by Amnesty International supporters and organizers described it as “a very powerful, spiritual and moving experience.” It is a way to reach out to people facing inhumane treatment and “to give that person a little spark in the darkness to hold on to.”
This year Amnesty’s global letter-writing marathon is all about the right to protest, featuring 10 people whose lives have been negatively impacted by governments’ crackdown on this precious right. In this article, we want to bring to your attention three cases of people whose struggle for human rights deserves your help:
Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, imprisoned after posting on facebook that he would be attending a large demonstration
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is a self-taught Black Cuban artist. He loves painting, dancing, and wearing bright pink suits. He is a member of the San Isidro Movement, formed to critique government censorship, and was detained on July 11, 2021, after posting a video saying he would join island-wide peaceful protests, one of the largest demonstrations Cuba had seen in decades. Luis was arrested and taken to Guanajay maximum security prison, where he remains to this day. In prison, Luis Manuel’s health is declining, and he needs proper medical care. Cuban officials declared that, apart from Luis, more than 700 people were arrested during the demonstration, and families and activists have denounced the lack of transparency in the trials.
Yren Rotela and Mariana Sepúlveda, protesting for the State to recognise their gender identity and new names in Paraguay
Yren Rotela and Mariana Sepúlveda are two trans women in Paraguay fighting against a system that makes trans people’s identities invisible. Trans people in Paraguay can’t legally change their names or obtain documents that match their gender identity. This results in a great disadvantage in finding a job and, more generally, inserting in society: the lack of recognition by the State hinders trans people’s possibility to fully exercise citizenship and their human rights. What’s more, it is difficult for trans groups to protest and speak out about the barriers they face, as LGBTI manifestations are often targets of violence andcensorship, other forms of silencing that contribute to trans people’s invisibility.
Aleksandra Skochilenko, jailed in Russia for sharing information about the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Artist Aleksandra “Sasha” Skochilenko from Russia has been arrested for protesting against the invasion of Ukraine. In March, she replaced price tags in a supermarket with paper notes containing information censored by Russian state media. She was accused of "deliberately spreading false information about Russia's armed forces". Sasha has been in custody since then, where she is facing harassment by staff and cellmates. Despite her suffering from coeliac disease, the detention center does not provide her with suitable food. If convicted, she faces up to ten years in prison. Amnesty International declared her a prisoner of conscience.
The people picked out are examples - there are many more activists all over the world facing imprisonment. Often, they are detained without a legitimate reason, without a legal process, no access to a lawyer and under inadequate prison conditions (such as overcrowded cells). This is a clear violation of international human rights law, where everyone is entitled to a fair trial.
How do I join in with the Write for Rights 2022 campaign?
You can take first-hand action in order to make a contribution in the fight for justice for Luis, Yren, Mariana, Aleksandra and many more. If you plan on joining the campaign by writing letters, you can request here a home writing package free of charge. You can also sign letters online: Amnesty will print them and make your voice be heard by governments involved in human rights violations.
Upcoming events
AISU is also hosting two events open to the public: come join us if you want to sign a letter or find out more about the campaign in the Utrecht University City Centre Library on December 8th from 14:00 to 16:00. A longer event will take place in Malakkastraat 6 (Lombok) on December 10th from 14:00 to 17:00, where you will be able to take active participation in the conversation on human rights. You don’t need to sign up, you can just show up. Check our social media pages to stay updated!