wRITE FOR rIGHTS

Take action. Choose resistance.

For 25 years, Write for Rights has shown that ordinary people can challenge injustice through collective action. Millions have written letters, signed petitions and sent messages of hope to people whose rights have been denied. Together, those actions have helped free prisoners of conscience, reunite families, change unjust laws and remind countless people that they are not alone.

Today, that shared determination is more important than ever.

Authoritarian practices are expanding at an unprecedented pace — eroding civic freedoms, weaponizing surveillance, and silencing those who speak up, all to further entrench power. From genocide to repression and the dismantling of hard-won rights, we are witnessing a systemic assault on the foundations of our shared humanity. This is not the work of a single leader or a single moment. It is a pattern — and it demands a response. 

The individuals at the heart of this year’s campaign have experienced that repression firsthand. By writing letters, signing petitions, and raising your voice, you become part of that resistance too.

Now is the time to make a choice. Join Write for Rights.

Now, write a letter

Signing a petition is a great way to take part in the campaign. But did you know there are other ways to take part in Write for Rights?  

Imagine being locked away, alone, not knowing if anyone cares where you are. Now imagine receiving a letter from someone, telling you they believe in you. That’s what real letters can do: bring hope to people in the direst of situations. When letters arrive in huge numbers, they are also an unmistakable reminder to prison authorities and others that the world is watching. 

If you want to lend your pen to this kind of direct action, download our handy letter-writing kit.

Get the write for rights kit

Featuring template letters, case cards and more.

How does Write for Rights work?

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People in more than 200 countries and territories support those whose rights have been violated. Writing millions of letters, emails and social media posts and signing petitions…

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…putting pressure on governments, leaders and decision makers…

…showing love and support for people and their families…  

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…and making change happen – releasing activists, securing justice for those whose rights have been wronged and protecting people who fight for change. 

Juan López dedicated his life to protecting communities and the environment in northern Honduras from harmful mining and energy projects. On 14 September 2024, he was shot dead after leaving church. Following 333,102 actions taken by supporters for Juan during Write for Rights 2025, Honduran authorities arrested three people alleged to have masterminded his killing, including the former mayor of Tocoa. Their trial is scheduled for January 2027 – an important step towards Justice for Juan and his family.

Juan lopez

Russian authorities arrested and detained artist and anti-war activist Aleksandra (Sasha) Skochilenko in April 2022 for replacing price tags at a grocery shop with information about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Following huge public campaigning through Write for Rights 2022, Sasha was freed in a historic prisoner swap in August 2024, after more than two years in prison.

Aleksandra (Sasha) Skochilenko

In October 2023 Human rights defender Rita Karasartova was arrested for publicly opposing a new border agreement and charged with attempting to “violently overthrow the government”. Over 400,000 actions were taken for Rita during Write for Rights 2023 and on 14 June 2024, Rita was acquitted!

Rita Karasartova

Joanah Mamombe and Cecillia Chimbiri were abducted and tortured after leading an anti-government protest in Zimbabwe and charged with various crimes including that they had faked their abduction. Supporters wrote over half a million messages on behalf of the women and on 5th July 2022 they were acquitted of “communicating falsehoods and obstructing the course of justice” by the High Court.

Joanah Mamombe and Cecillia Chimbiri

In June 2021, NGO worker and human rights defender Germain Rukuki was released from prison after being found guilty of a slew of sham charges and sentenced to 32 years in prison in Burundi. He was jailed before getting a chance to hold his youngest child, born just weeks after he was taken in July 2017. His family fled the country for fear of reprisals. Germain has now been reunited with his family, after more than 400,000 actions calling for his release. 

Germain Rukuki

Magai Matiop Ngong was only 15 when he was sentenced to death. But thanks to the amazing support of people like you, his death sentence was cancelled in July 2020. People around the world wrote an incredible 765,000 actions, including letters and tweets, calling for Magai’s life to be spared –and it worked.

Magai Matiop Ngong

Gulzar Duishenova’s campaign for disability rights paid off in March 2019 when Kyrgyzstan finally signed up to the Disability Rights Convention. Supporters wrote nearly 250,000 messages backing her calls.

Gulzar Duishenova

Father of seven and online activist Mahadine was freed in April 2018 after more than 18 months in a Chad prison on fabricated charges. 690,000 people wrote for his freedom.

Mahadine

US whistle-blower Chelsea Manning was freed in May 2017, after her 35-year prison sentence was cut short by outgoing President Barack Obama. More than a quarter of a million people wrote for her release.

Chelsea Manning

Albert Woodfox finally walked free in February after nearly 44 years in solitary confinement in a US prison. “I can’t emphasise enough how important getting letters from people around the world is. “It gave me a sense of worth…[and] strength.”

Albert Woodfox

Moses Akatugba was granted a full pardon in Nigeria after pressure from Amnesty supporters. He had been wrongfully sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was 16. “The story changed when Amnesty International came in.

Moses Akatugba

Good news stories

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Read about our successes

Over 4.6 million actions in 2024.

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Meet all the individuals and hear their stories.

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Guidance for teachers and activists to bring Write for Rights into their classrooms and communities.