Tuesday, December 7, 2010

What to think about on Human Rights Day

Zachimalawi joins hands with Amnesty International to suggest that you consider the following issues on Human Rights Day, which falls on December 10 every year:

Father Solalinde arrested by municipal police in the town of Ciudad Ixtepec, Oaxaca state, Mexico 10 January 2007. He was then briefly detained with 18 Guatemalan migrants.

A 38-year old labour activist, Su Su Nway, is serving a sentence of eight and a half years in a remote prison in Myanmar because she put up an anti-government banner in Yangon.




In Mexico, Father Alejandro Solalinde Guerra, is being intimidated by gangs and officials for providing a safe refuge to migrants who are exploited by criminals.



A woman in Senegal, Khady Bassène, is still waiting for justice and to find out what happened to her husband who disappeared in 1999.



These are ordinary people involved in extraordinary struggles and we don’t want to forget them.



Write for Rights



That’s why we participate in Write for Rights. Every year around International Human Rights Day on 10 December, thousands of Amnesty International members and supporters get together. We write letters and sign petitions taking action for individuals facing the risk of human rights violations.



Father Solalinde arrested by municipal police in the town of Ciudad Ixtepec, Oaxaca state, Mexico 10 January 2007. He was then briefly detained with 18 Guatemalan migrants.





Letter-writing works



Igor Sutyagin, who was in prison in Russia for more than 10 years says letter-writing really works. He said,“The officials, they know about these letters. They know that this person is somehow untouchable and I really want to ask you and all Amnesty members to continue that activity because that will help others. I think it’s very, very important.”



Demand that the rights of Su Su Nway, Father Alejandro, Khady Bassene and others are respected.







You can also participate in a letter-writing event. Enthusiastic volunteers have organised events even in countries where we don’t have an office. Click here and browse through the month of December to find out if there is an event happening near you.



Join in and make this the largest global event of 2010.

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