More people took part in Write for Rights 2021 in Canada than ever before!
More than 5,800 people across Canada gathered at 180 virtual and in-person events to send more than 80,000 letters, emails, solidarity messages, and tweets in solidarity with human rights defenders.
Your letters joined with more than 4.6 million actions taken around the world for the ten individuals and groups featured in Write for Rights 2021. Check out photos from across Canada and around the world.
Thanks to you, Write for Rights 2021 is already having an impact.
GOOD NEWS! Bernardo Caal Xol is Free!
Bernardo Caal Xol was released from the penitentiary centre in Cobán on March 24, 2022 after more than four years of imprisonment.
Thank you for the more than 26,000 messages from across Canada in support of justice for Bernardo and his people during Write for Rights 2021 and beyond. There is no doubt this put pressure on Guatemala to act.
Amnesty International gave me hope of freedom and now I am free. I am now with my family, I am now with my daughters, I am now with my partner. My mother has already cried with happiness to see me free. Thanks to each one of you, thanks to each one of you for spreading and sharing my letters.
Bernardo Caal Xol
We will update you on other cases in this space as we get more information in the months to come.
Your Words Matter!
Your letters matter and are already making an impact.
We’re happy to share a thank you message with you from Wendy Galarza, a young woman shot while protesting violence against women in Mexico:
There are no words to describe what I feel when I see that it is not only my case that is being made visible around the world, but also the stories of my fellow protestors. Thanks to Amnesty International for being present.”
Wendy Galarza
And from Imoleayo Michael, who is facing trumped-up charges for protesting police violence in Nigeria:
I sincerely appreciate all these letters; they mean a lot to me. I say a big thank you to you all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I received thousands of your letters posted and online. I’m greatly inspired. Your letters really got me emotional as I keep reading and I am more inspired and encouraged to do more for humanity. Once again thank you for joining me in solidarity for freedom.
Imoleayo Michael
About Write for Rights
In 2021 Write for Rights turned 20 years old. Beginning as grassroots activism in Poland, the campaign now sees over 70 Amnesty entities and people in 120 taking part. Every December, supporters across the globe write hundreds of thousands of letters, send thousands of solidarity cards, sign thousands of petitions and many other kinds of action – all calling for justice for those whose human rights are being attacked. And every year, real positive change takes place because of those letters and actions: People under attack are protected, people wrongfully imprisoned are released, torturers are brought to justice and people in prison are treated more humanely.
You can read the full global report from 2021 here.
