Annual Report 2012
The state of the world's human rights
Write for rights

Individuals at riskIn December 2011, Amnesty International shone a light on 14 individuals cases and achieved our biggest Letter Writing Marathon ever!

Together we generated over 1 million actions with events taking place in more than 80 countries. This is a fantastic achievement, really building on the successes of last year's event, which saw action in 51 countries and generated 636,139 appeals.

Hundreds of thousands of people took part, writing letters, signing petitions, sending SMS messages and taking action in many other different ways. Our supporters also called on their friends, families and communities to take action, drawing their attention to the 14 cases in a multitude of creative ways including street art and light projections. Even the Niagara Falls in Canada was illuminated in yellow for the occasion.

The best news, however, has been what's happened since the marathon for Jabbar Savalan and for Inés Fernández Ortega and Valentina Rosendo Cantú.

Jabbar Savalan, an Azerbaijani student who was sentenced to two and a half years for a Facebook post, has been released. He was freed after less than 11 months in prison when he received a presidential pardon on 26 December. Jabbar's lawyer, Anar Gasmiov, said that the pardon was "Amnesty's victory" and thanked all Amnesty supporters who wrote appeals to the President.

Jabbar says: "It feels good to be with my friends again. I feel good now that I can spend time with them and my family.  Amnesty International is a symbol of human rights and freedom, not just in Azerbaijan, but everywhere in the world. I am grateful for all the hard work done by your organization and other organizations which fight for freedom in Azerbaijan"

We have also had an update on another case. The Mexican government has formally taken responsibility for the rape and abuse of Valentina Rosendo Cantú, through a Public Act of Acknowledgement that took place on 15 December. This was one of the steps demanded by the Inter-American Count of Human Rights.

Valentina says: "The road to follow is still very long, however, we will like to take the opportunity to truly thank you for all your support; without your letters, your action and your solidarity, we would have not achieved this moment. To each one of you, Nomaá (Thank you in Me'phaa)".

Here are just a few of the exciting events that took place:

In Canada, Niagara Falls was illuminated yellow on 10 December. Friends and supporters of Amnesty International gathered in front of the Falls carrying lanterns featuring images of individuals at risk.

In Croatia, people at a human rights film festival watched videos about the individuals featured in the Letter Writing Marathon, and then took action on their behalf.

In Vienna, Austria, images of the individuals at risk were projected in Michael's Square.

In Accra, Ghana, a large portrait of one of the people featured in the Letter Writing Marathon was projected at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, a central spot in the city.

In two cafes in Puerto Rico there were "case menus" on the tables, and the waiters encouraged customers to write letters while waiting for their coffee.

In Spain there were 24-hour letter writing marathons organised by local groups in over 50 cities and towns across the country.

You can take action below on behalf of people at risk around the world.

Appeals for action

Drop the pending charges against Sudanese journalist Abuzar Al Amin

1 May 2012

Abuzar Al Amin was convicted on charges believed to be politically motivated, sentenced and subsequently released on bail. He is limited in his capacity to work and cannot write for his newspaper anymore. Call for all charges against him to be dropped.  

Protect Mexico’s Invisible Victims

5 November 2010

Every year, thousands of migrants face kidnap, rape and murder in Mexico. You can help them.

Video and Audio

Filep Karma, Indonesia

1 December 2011

Former civil servant Filep Karma is currently serving 15 years in prison after taking part in an annual ceremony at which a Papuan independence flag was raised. He was charged and convicted of rebellion on 26 May 2005. Take action

Hamad al-Neyl Abu Kassawy, Saudi Arabia

1 December 2011

Sudanese national Hamad al-Neyl Abu Kassawy makes a living as a "suitcase trader," travelling between Sudan, Syria and the United Arab Emirates buying and selling household goods and clothes. Take action

Natalia Estemirova, Russia

1 December 2011

Natalia Estemirova was a leading human rights activist working in Chechnya the North Caucasus region. She was abducted by armed men and killed in July 2009. The government has still not provided a full investigation into her killing and nobody has been brought to justice. Take action

WOZA, Zimbabwe

1 December 2011

Since February 2003, women belonging to the women's rights organisation Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) have repeatedly been arrested by the Zimbabwe police while taking part in peaceful demonstrations to protest the worsening social, economic and human rights situation in the country. Take action

Inés & Valentina, Mexico

1 December 2011

Indigenous women Inés Fernández Ortega and Valentina Rosendo Cantú were raped by Mexican soldiers in 2002. Although they were brave enough to report the attacks to the authorities and to follow up their cases, no substantive investigation has taken place and no-one has been brought to justice. Take action

Ragihar Manoharan, Sri Lanka

1 December 2011

20-year-old Ragihar Manoharan was among five Tamil students killed by the Sri Lankan security forces in Trincomalee on 2 January 2006. To date, no one has been brought to justice for their killing. This is just one example of the lack of accountability that plagues Sri Lanka.

Port Harcourt, Nigeria

1 December 2011

Over 200,000 people living in around 40 informal settlements on the waterfront in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, are at risk of losing their homes and livelihoods as part of the state authorities' urban renewal programme for the city. 

Fatima Hussein Badi, Yemen

1 December 2011

Fatima Hussein Badi is facing a death sentence, imposed after unfair trial proceedings exacerbated by blatant interference by the executive and legislative powers of the state. Her brother, Abdullah Badi, who was sentenced to death with her, was executed in May 2005

Jabbar Savalan, Azerbaijan

1 December 2011

Teravet Aliyeva, mother of Jabbar Savalan, speaks here about his arrest and how it has affected his family.

Mohammad Kabudvand, Iran

1 December 2011

Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, a human rights defender and journalist from Iran's Kurdish minority, has been detained in Section 209 of Tehran's Evin Prison since his arrest on 1 July 2007. In May 2008 he was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. He is a prisoner of conscience, held solely for the peaceful expression of his views.