Thursday, December 10, 2015

December 10th is International Human Rights Day


Waleed Abu al-Khair, Saudi Arabian human rights activist and lawyer for blogger, Raif Badawi, is in prison for his work.
Tomorrow is the big day!
Will you help us make sure everyone knows December 10th is
International Human Rights Day? 
 
 
Dear Tracy,

Your right to freedom of speech, equal treatment, and freedom from torture and a whole range of violations were enshrined on December 10th, 1948, when almost every nation signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Tomorrow, on International Human Rights Day, we’re celebrating our rights and speaking out on some of the most pressing issues – globally and here in Canada – where we believe public action can make a difference.

Here’s how you can get involved and spread the word:


Write a letter on your own or at an event

Big and small "write-a-thons" are taking place in 80 countries around the world. Here in Canada, 1,500 public and private Write for Rights events are happening in schools, living rooms, cafes and places of worship from coast to coast to coast!

For each action, you can send a message to a government official and directly, in solidarity, to the individual or community at risk. The basics:

>>  Sign up to be a part of Write for Rights

>>  Find events near you

>> See our tips for writing and organizing
 
 >> See all letter-writing actions and petitions
Take a minute to sign and share our 3 priority e-actions

1. Welcome refugees
Canadians have opened their hearts and communities to sponsor Syrians who are seeking escape from the worst refugee crisis since WWII. Canada needs a long-term plan to welcome refugees from Syria and other crisis spots in the world.

2. Protect the Peace: Halt Site C  
The rights and livelihoods of Indigenous people are at risk as British Columbia pursues plans to flood the Peace River Valley.

3. Free Waleed
One million people have signed Amnesty’s petitions to protect blogger Raif Badawi from flogging in Saudi Arabia. Now his lawyer is in jail and needs our help.

Prefer to send a letter? All of our e-actions have letter-writing options and vice versa! 
 
 >> See how you can promote all our cases on social media
Spread the word
#Write4Rights


>> Share our video "Write like someone's life depends on it" to inform your friends about International Human Rights Day.

>> Use our Facebook & Twitter “twibbon”: Add a special "Write for Rights" wrap to your profile pic.

>> Join our Twitter Party! Help get #WriteforRights noticed tomorrow evening from 7-8pm EST.


Thank you for helping us celebrate International Human Rights Day tomorrow by taking action and spreading the word. Join us through the day on Facebook and Twitter, as we update activities from across Canada and around the world!


Alex Neve
Secretary General
Amnesty International Canada


P.S. Our actions are already making a difference. We just spoke with the partner of Yecenia Armenta, a detained torture survivor in Mexico, who said that Yecenia has already received a few dozen letters and has read every one of them. And Albert Woodfox, who has spent four decades in solitary confinement in the USA, said: "I am thrilled to have received 2,000 letters already. Please pass on my thanks and gratitude to AI and to all those who have written to me. Their letters make all the difference." 

No comments: