The aim is to send a widely visible signal that human rights are still valid and under threat around the world. But also so that we can all stand up and contribute to the protection of human rights.
Shoura Zehetner-Hashemi, General Director of Amnesty International Austria
This year we wrote about the following three cases, which are the focus of the campaign in Austria:
Chaima Issa from Tunisia
Tunisian human rights activist Chaima Issa faces 10 years in a Tunisian prison. She publicly criticized the Tunisian government and the increasingly deteriorating human rights situation in her country.
As a result, her freedom of movement was severely restricted and several legal proceedings were opened against her, including for alleged “conspiracy”. Amnesty International calls on the Tunisian authorities to immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against Chaima.
Justyna Wydrzyńska from Poland
Justyna Wydrzyńska campaigned for safe access to information and help for pregnant people in her home country. The activist collective “Abortion Dream Team”, co-founded by Justyna, fights for destigmatization and offers those affected support in accessing safe abortion.
When she sent medication for a safe abortion to a concerned woman, she was charged and sentenced to eight months of community service. As Justyna’s conviction sets a dangerous precedent, Amnesty International is calling for the verdict to be overturned.
Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul, Australia
Residents of Australia’s Torres Strait Islands have been feeling the effects of climate change immensely for years. Rising sea levels and regular flooding are destroying the islands’ buildings, infrastructure and food production. Indigenous communities who have inhabited the islands for thousands of years fear for their livelihoods and their homeland.
Community leaders Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul, called “Uncle” out of respect, are now in court demanding the Australian government take appropriate action to preserve their home islands. Through the marathon of letters, Amnesty International supports their demands and calls on the Australian government to take appropriate action on climate change to preserve the livelihoods of Torres Strait communities.
Words change lives – writing letters for justice
Anyone wishing to engage effectively in these three cases should send a letter to Amnesty – together these letters will then be forwarded to those responsible in order to increase pressure to overturn the illegal arrests or convictions or to drop the charges. “You can keep a single letter without reading it. “Millions of letters insisting on respect for human rights cannot be ignored,” says Shoura Hashemi-Zhetner.
Achievements: “Now we begin our journey to healing”
The successes of recent years show that the card marathon is effective. Just this year, Joanah Mamombe and Cecillia Chimbiri were acquitted of one of the charges after being arrested in 2020 for leading an anti-government protest. This is a significant step forward for both. Upon reading the many letters of support, “Thank you to our friends at Amnesty International who wrote us all these letters. We are now beginning our journey to healing.”
Amnesty Letter Marathon: Writing to People in Danger
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