Amnesty International has launched its annual Write for Rights campaign on Human Rights Day, 10 December, to support victims of human rights violations and demonstrate the power of collective action. This year, the campaign highlights individuals whose rights have been violated across the globe, including Indigenous land defenders in Norway, a photojournalist imprisoned in Myanmar, and a young boy who tragically died in South Africa. The initiative seeks to mobilize people worldwide to take action through letter-writing, social media, and petitions to defend human rights and promote justice.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, emphasized that despite global challenges such as authoritarianism and climate crises, activism and solidarity can bring transformative change. She highlighted that participants in the campaign are on the frontlines of critical issues, from protecting communities against environmental destruction to advocating for justice in the face of repression, and called on individuals to contribute in simple but meaningful ways.
This year’s campaign features a diverse set of cases, including Damisoa from Madagascar supporting climate-displaced communities, Ellinor Guttorm Utsi defending Sámi rights in Norway, Sonia, a Tunisian lawyer facing imprisonment, and the Guerreras por la Amazonía in Ecuador tackling environmental degradation. Other featured individuals include those defending Cambodia’s environment and a photojournalist in Myanmar jailed for reporting on natural disasters. These stories illustrate the wide-ranging challenges faced by human rights defenders and the urgent need for global solidarity.
Ellinor Guttorm Utsi, an Indigenous reindeer herder in Norway, expressed gratitude for Amnesty International’s support, highlighting the importance of collective action in protecting her land and way of life from government plans that threaten her community and culture. The campaign not only raises awareness but provides crucial moral support for individuals defending their rights against powerful interests.
Since its inception in 2001, Write for Rights has enabled millions to impact the lives of those facing human rights violations, with over 100 featured individuals experiencing positive outcomes. A notable example is Rocky Myers, a Black man with an intellectual disability who spent three decades on death row in Alabama. Following mass support through the campaign, his death sentence was commuted in February 2025, showing the tangible effect of global advocacy and solidarity.
The campaign underscores that collective activism can save lives and protect rights, offering hope to those in vulnerable situations. By participating, supporters contribute to a global movement for justice, dignity, and human rights, reinforcing the message that even in the most challenging circumstances, humanity can prevail.
