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Amnesty International

2013 event kit


Welcome to the worlds biggest event to support human rights. Heres everything you need to get started.

ts h g i R for e t i r W it K r, e t t n r e o v p E up S s t 2013 h g i R n a m u H : Attn a d a n a C

Writeathon.ca @AmnestyNow #write4rights 1-800-AMNESTY

Thank you for joining Write for Rights 2013


Your Write for Rights 2013 guide
Human rights cases for 2013 Letter-writing works!
Every year, around December 10th, International Human Rights Day, activists in more than 75 countries around the world come together to write letters calling for the protection and promotion of human rights. Why December 10? It was on December 10th, 1948, that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), was adopted at the United Nations by world leaders. A Canadian, John Humphrey, was one of the principal writers of the UDHR. Most international human rights law uses the UDHR as a base. Unfortunately, human rights violations, ranging from torture, unfair trials, mass killings and enforced disappearances to unlawful eviction, are still common in many countries. The purpose of Write for Rights is to mark International Human Rights Day by bombarding the authorities responsible for human rights abuses with letters from all over the world on just a few selected cases. Last year, over 1.9 million actions took place in 78 different countries. In Amnesty International Canada, over 30,000 participants contributed 35,000 letters to the worldwide total. And we have proof that our letters work. Amnesty Internationals activism was a significant factor in helping many of the individuals we profiled. Write for Rights is the power of one multiplied many thousand times over to make a difference in peoples lives.

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Planning your event, step by step Letter-writing tips Activity ideas for hosting your own Write for Rights event Get the word out Raise money for human rights Wear yellow December 10th Resources for your event

Materials included in this kit:


Write for Rights posters Write for Rights postcards Tracking my case sign-up sheet DVD with videos, PowerPoint on Write for Rights and other resources

Let us help!
Contact us today: writeathon@amnesty.ca or 1-800-AMNESTY (1-800-266-3789)

Thank you for joining us this year!

Amnesty International

Write for Rights Kit 2013

HUMAN RIGHTS CASES FOR 2013


A brief overview of cases we will be featuring this year. Full details will be posted in November at Writeathon.ca

Belarus: Attacked for being gay


Ihar Tsikhanyuk is a gay activist. As he was being treated for a stomach ulcer, police officers abducted him from hospital and beat him up. Earlier he and his colleagues had tried to register a human rights group that supports LGBTI rights. Ihar is free but now seeks our help to make the police officers accountable for the attack.

Mexico: Torture survivor still fights for justice


In February of 2011, Miriam Lopez dropped her children off at school and was suddenly grabbed by two men wearing balaclavas. For a week, soldiers raped her repeatedly. The torture stopped when she falsely implicated herself in drug offences. She is home but needs justice for the horrific attack.

Myanmar: Campaign for the release of a medical doctor


Authorities asked a respected doctor, Tun Aung, to help them keep the peace as tensions rose between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohinyga Muslims. Witnesses say he did everything he could but violence erupted. In the aftermath, authorities arrested him. He is serving a 17-year sentence.

Nigeria: Bulldozers have left more than 2,000 homeless


In February this year, officials ordered heavy equipment to demolish 266 homes in Badia East outside Lagos. The residents have yet to receive compensation or be offered new homes. Many are still living in makeshift shelters.

Palestine: Villagers face ongoing violence


Israeli settlers and army have encroached on land belonging to Palestinians in the village of Nabi Saleh. The residents no longer have access to the spring that provides them a source of water, nor can they freely farm on their land.

Russia: Ill health and lengthy detention for peaceful protestors


Three men participated in protests in Moscows Bolotnaya Square in May 2012. They were picked up, released, but then re-arrested and are still in custody without a fair trial in sight. One is going blind, one is not getting medication he needs, and one has a speech impediment that is getting worse.

Tunisia: Facebook activist receives lengthy sentence


Jabeur Mejri is serving a sentence of 7.5 years for posting articles critical of Islam on Facebook. He is a prisoner of conscience whose continued detention is not justifiable.

Amnesty International

Write for Rights Kit 2013

Letter-writing

works!

Your organization has always been a great support for me and I say that as someone who has spent 14 years of my life behind bars.
Taghi Rahmani, husband of Narges Mohammadi, Iran

Write for Rights 2012 was overwhelmingly successful in providing solidarity with people demanding their basic rights. Knowing that others are concerned about the violation of their rights is utterly affirming. It provides them stamina to continue speaking up. It makes rights holders brave. And it can temporarily quiet a tense situation. As one Colombian human rights defender declared, Your interventions give us the oxygen we need to continue campaigning for our rights.

the European Roma Rights Centre. The meeting was a strong signal that the Ministry wants to resolve the access of Roma communities to housing.

YOLANDA OQUEL, GUATEMALA:

THE ROMA COMMUNITY, ROMANIA:


The Roma community of Pata Rt was living in dreadful conditions after their forced eviction from Coastei Street.

Yolanda was threatened and then shot after speaking out against a proposed mining operation in Guatemala. She survived, and received many messages welcoming her home from hospital and ensuring her that her community is not alone. Looking at the cards, she exclaimed Its the most beautiful thing Ive received in my life! Im going to frame them. There are some drawings from children of 8 and 9 years old that are so pretty!

Amnesty members responded in a big way, when supporters from 80 countries wrote letters calling for justice for those who had lost their homes. Members in Canada also wrote 150 messages of solidarity directly to those from the former Coastei Street community. Claudia, a community member, wrote to say, Thank you very much to everyone for the letters that have been sent to the mayor, and also for the letters of solidarity that we received. We feel very much supported and we have confidence that with your support from around the world we will succeed. We do not give up because we know we have so many people that are standing by us in the fight for justice. We are really touched to know that people from all over the world are thinking about us and have written to us. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Just days after Write for Rights ended, the mayor spoke publicly length about the situation of the Roma community and presented upcoming plans to resolve the situation. The plans include desegregation of Roma children, ensuring social housing for the residents, and developing small businesses for local employment. In addition, the new Minister of Regional Development met with delegates from Amnesty International, and

NARGES MOHAMMADI, IRAN:

Narges is an Iranian womens rights activist and a mother of 5-year-old twins. She received a sentence in April 2012 of six years in prison on charges related to her human rights work. She received some of the messages we sent to her via her husband. Taghi Rahmani sent a gracious note of thanks to everyone who wrote to her: Your organization has always been a great support for me and I say that as someone who has spent 14 years of my life behind bars. My wife, Narges Mohammadi and I, as human rights activists, have always been warmed by Amnesty Internationals dedication to promoting human rights. For me, Amnesty International is the symbol of an organization that wants human rights for all people. An organization that, free from any political affiliations, urges governments and other entities to respect human rights.

Amnesty International

Write for Rights Kit 2013

We as a people thank all those who have nursed this initiative. We are sure that this struggle on our behalf will yield fruit gradually. We are hopeful for the best.
Chief Baribor Koottee, Bodo community, Nigeria

In 2008, two consecutive oil spills, caused by faults in a Shell pipeline, resulted in thousands of barrels of oil polluting the land and creek surrounding Bodo, a town of 69,000 people in Nigerias Niger Delta. Good news recently reached the community, informing them that the court of the Economic Community of West African States has ordered the Nigerian government to punish oil companies for the pollution they were causing. Dinebari David Vareba, from Nigerias Bodo community commented on the actions taken by Amnesty International supporters: I think this solidarity, I would say, is the highest we have had. assisting the Bodo people to actually have a better situation in the disaster which they had. Our international office reports that the Bodo people were positively overwhelmed by the solidarity from all over the world It has created a profound positive impact on them. Perhaps Chief Baribor Koottee put it best: We as a people thank all those who have nursed this initiative. We are sure that this struggle on our behalf will yield fruit gradually. We are hopeful for the best. We are encouraged. In fact, it is this kind of support that is helping us to live on.

BODO COMMUNITY, NIGERIA:

and father-in-law were only allowed to meet with him for half an hour. They could not ask any questions about his treatment or his case. Nor could they ask if he had received any letters. He looked fine physically and appeared clear-minded. Gao Zhisheng did not speak much but simply asked that his wife Geng take good care of the children and not worry too much about him in the prison. Geng later wrote that the visit could not be achieved without the international communitys concerns and the effort and support from the membership of Amnesty International, for which my family and I feel most grateful. I hope Amnesty International will continue to promote this activity, allowing more people to come to know my husbands situation, until he gains his freedom. I have been receiving cards and letters from friends around the world. And a tremendous thanks for all those seeking justice for me and supporting me with all your heart.
Chiou Ho-shun, Taiwan

CHIOU HO-SHUN, TAIWAN

GAO ZHISHENG, CHINA

Gao Zhisheng is a lawyer unlike many in China: he is courageous enough to represent victims of human rights violations. Gao Zhisheng has experienced every form of human rights violation. He remains in prison today. However, a month after Write for Rights 2012, family members were able to visit him in prison for the first time in nine months. The visit was tightly controlled. Gao Zhishengs brother

Chiou Ho-shun has survived 24 years now in a Taiwanese detention centre. Amnesty International has been trying to get him off death row. After receiving a deluge of supportive and thoughtful messages, he wrote:

Recently, I have been receiving cards and letters from friends around the world. Its very touching. And a tremendous thanks for all those seeking justice for me and supporting me with all your heart. I also thank you for the love and care youve shown me, and to maintain the fairness and the righteousness of the Taiwanese justice system, I will fight until the end. Dear friends, all of the true passion you have shown me will bring my strength and give me courage. Words cannot express the gratitude I have towards everyone. Thank you! Finally, to all my friends, please accept my blessing, and may you and your family enjoy peace and harmony.

Amnesty International

Write for Rights Kit 2013

Planning your event: step by step


for you. Events can involve one person, ten, or hundreds. They can be public or private. And they can run for an hour, an evening, or a day.

What: Decide what kind of event works best

Organize events in your classroom, school cafeteria, faith group, workplace or community. How about in a pub or coffee shop, a bookstore, or among family and friends? See the Activity Ideas section for more ideas.

Resources section and order your supplies as soon as possible. Ordering last minute means higher shipping fees plus lots of anxiety as to whether your supplies will arrive on time.

Order materials: Check the Write for Rights

posted throughout November as they are finalized and all will be at Writeathon.ca by December 1. Make sure passersby notice where and when your event is taking place. Before and during your event, set up large signs outside and around your event location. Use street or hallway signs to publicize your ever-increasing letter-writing tallyits a great way to encourage more people to join your event.

Download appeal cases: Actions will be We are here!

Monday. Choose a day that works best for youon December 10th itself or just before or after. Students. Co-workers. Family and neighbours. Members of your Amnesty group. Book club. Faith community. Decide who you want to attract to your event and how best to attract them.

When: This year Human Rights Day is on a

Who:

accessible to the people you want to attractaround a kitchen table, in a school gym or classroom, in a workplace lunchroom, during or after a faith service, at your local library, caf or pub, or among email friends.

Where: Choose a location that is inviting and

event at Writeathon.ca as early as you can. If you are still waiting to finalize the exact time and location of your event, include instructions for your viewers on how to contact you for more information. Letterwriters need to know well in advance if there is an activity planned in their community. Once you have the complete information, go back on-line and edit your registration. Check to see if other Write for Rights events are happening where you live. If so, consider coordinating your activities or ways to give each other support. Many larger communities can easily support several write-a-thons.

Register your event: Register your

Welcome participants and help them get comfortably involved in letter-writing. Copy and distribute the handy one-page Letter Writing Tipsremember that many people may be writing appeal letters for the first time. Prepare pre-printed address labels to make the addressing of envelopes easier. Show an Amnesty video or PowerPoint introduction (on the DVD). Include snacks, Amnesty candles, and music. For public events, bring in guest speakers for short presentations.

Create a welcoming atmosphere:

Set up an area for children

Rights flyers and posters. Use the space on posters to include information about your event. Use the tips and resources in the Get the Word Out section to attract even more participants.
Amnesty International

Attract participants: Distribute Write for

Write for Rights Kit 2013

Step by step planning will help make your event a success


Involve children: Set up an area where Ask for donations to Amnesty International: There are many more cases to

children can create their own colourful messages with crayons and paints. Use our special online childrens cases. See Involving Children at Writeathon.ca.

Include a people counter and a letter counter where participants can see the growing number of participants at your event and the number of letters they are writing. Ring a bell or blow a horn and announce your totals during your event.

Create excitement and momentum:

work on than will be featured during Write for Rights, and Amnesty needs financial support to continue our work beyond this event.

Thank participants then make follow-up contacts: Thank participants for


their positive contribution to Human Rights Day. Gather names and emails and send them to Amnesty International Canadas national office. We will send a thank-you to each participant, along with updates on the cases they worked on. If you are an Amnesty group, make follow-up calls inviting your guests to participate in upcoming events.

Have lots of writing paper, pens, envelopes and stamps on hand. If you are using computers and printers, check the day before to ensure everything is working and that you have plenty of paper and ink. Use a jar to collect donations for postage.

Tools of the trade:

And lastly, have fun!

Include a letter counter, announce totals

Have fun!

Amnesty International

Write for Rights Kit 2013

Letter-Writing Tips
6. Make it personal
Use your own voice. Writing a letter in your own words and with your own style will be more effective than a form letter. You may also wish to give an idea of who you are as this indicates that the letter is genuine and that people of all ages and walks of life are interested in the case.

1. Give the facts


Give as much information (date and place of the violation, names and other facts about the victim) as possible. Name the human right that has been violated. This will convey that you are informed as well as concerned.

7. Watch your language


Even if you are writing to a country where English is not an official language, a well-written English letter is better than a letter in another language that may contain mistakes. In the same manner, if you are fluent in another language and feel that an appeal may be more effective written in that language, write away!

2. Follow the facts and instructions given by Amnesty


Each appeal includes instructions on what to say in your letter. Be sure to follow these exactlyif the action asks for a prisoner to receive medical treat, say thatdont ask for things that arent included in the instructions.

8. End with a request


It can be very effective to end your letter with a question that asks for action (e.g. Have you initiated an inquiry to find those responsible for carrying out these attacks? Can you write back to me with news about the steps you have taken to address this troubling matter?).

3. Be brief
A short letter is adequate and certainly better than no letter at all. Describe your concern in the first sentence and make a request in the second. A good rule is not to write more than one page (one side of a paper).

4. Be courteous and respectful


Remain impartial. Avoid making reference to any particular religious beliefs, cultural norms or political ideologies.

5. Base your appeals on official human rights standards.


Human rights are based on international laws and obligations. Letters are more persuasive when they are based on these obligations. Political judgments or jargon are not effective and can sometimes do harm.

Amnesty International

Write for Rights Kit 2013

your letter
CC as per the
instructions. That means you write two copies of the same letter, one to each person.

Keep it short:

Odds are an intern is reading your letter and deciding what to do with it in 15 seconds.

Date: Standard,
but it gives the reader a sense of immediacy: you expect results!

Underline Be confident for You can be sure emphasis:


You really mean it!

Polite Respectful To the point:


Indicate in a single sentence what you are writing about.

the point youre making is correct because Amnesty has done the research.

What you want:

A simple todo list written with Amnesty instructions.

Courteous

Signature:

Ignore minor boo boos:


Just keep writing...

right to the end.

Your signature, name and address prove you are a real person.

No marks for style but make

printing legible. Make your letters hand-written whenever possible.

Remember: A five minute hand-written letter like this could have more influence on a government leader than 200 emails on the subject.

Amnesty International

Write for Rights Kit 2013

Activity ideas
You can Write for Rights anywhere!
At home, in your community, at work or at school. Make a party out of itorder food, invite some friends, and get writing! If youre feeling competitive, start up a Write for Rights Challenge. Here are some ideas to get you started...

In your school
Offer exam study distractions in the library with letter-writing cases and holiday treats. Or have a hot chocolate stand by the library with petitions to sign. Set up a skip-day where students can skip study period for a small donation and a letter.

At home
Throw a cocktail party, pizza night, or potluck. Order delivery or takeout inspired by a country youre writing on. Show a film or documentary to motivate letter writers to respond. Host an open house or party, inviting friends and neighbours to stop by and write a letter. Have a toboggan or skating party and warm up by the fireplace with hot chocolate and letter-writing.

Order pizza and sell it for money or letters (e.g. $3 donation or write 3 letters for a slice). Set up a letter-writing booth in the cafeteria or atrium, show videos or have creative solidarity actions available.

In your community
Go to pubs and cafs. Gather with friends at your favourite hangout. Ask the owner to sponsor your event. Its good for business! Visit bookstores, libraries or shopping malls. All you need for a public display is permission, a few Write for Rights posters, a petition and Amnesty bookmarks or buttons to give away. If the venue asks for insurance coverage, contact us and we will handle the paperwork. Think warm thoughts. Set up a hot chocolate and letter-writing stand at a bus station or skating rink. Connect with local artists and craftspeople to support your Write for Rights activity. For example, a group in Coquitlam asked a local potters guild to create unique candle sticks one for each participant. The participants later lit the candles for a short vigil in honour of those who risk their lives for human rights.

At work
Set up a letter-writing hub in your lunch room or near the coffee machine. Promise tasty snacks and people will come! Offer ready-tosign petitions or postcard actions. Throw a potluck and letter-writing lunch event for your colleagues.

Amnesty International

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Write for Rights Kit 2013

Ask the mayor in your town or municipality to mark Human Rights Day in the community. You can organize a flag raising ceremony and raise the Amnesty banner in front of city hall.

Whatever y ou us about it do, tell !S photos and hare your re Writeathon port at .c @Amnesty a or Now

In your spiritual community


Feature one of the Write for Rights cases and ask your community to sign a petition or postcard. Or make an announcement about Human Rights Day. Organize a Write for Rights event with coffee, tea and snacks after a service, or with your community. Advertise the event in your community newsletter. Provide each member with a candle of hope a simple white candle wrapped with a ready-to-sign appeal.

Ideas that work anywhere


Create a Write for Rights Challenge: Organize a challenge in your school or workplace. Challenge another class or department to see who can write the most letters or raise the most money. Or offer prizes to individuals who write the most letters or raise the most. Promote Write for Rights! Post your letter-writing event and tally on Facebook and Twitter. Ask your friends to do the same. Fundraise for Amnesty. Invite your letter-writers to help you fundraise for Amnesty so that we can continue our human rights work beyond Dec. 10th.
Amnesty International

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Write for Rights Kit 2013

Get the word out


You can help get Amnestys human rights message out to others and recruit people to your event by making the most of local and social media. Use #write4rights with all your posts to help add your voice to the international momentum!

Promote your event locally


Send the description of your event to local media, event websites, community associations and organizations. Connect with other local activists and arts to get the word out. Submit a Letter to the Editor about one of the Write for Rights cases, inviting readers to join your event. Hand-deliver a letter for signature to a radio station host. Ask a popular local musician to perform at your event. Connect with local event and social issue bloggers to help get the word out. Create a Facebook event for your Write for Rights Use existing events between now and December 10th such as film festivals and holiday events, to promote Write for Rights 2013. Please send a report of any media coverage you receive to Beth Berton-Hunter, Media Relations, at bberton-hunter@amnesty.ca. Other organizers will be inspired by your ideas and success. For a full media kit and more ideas go to Writeathon.ca and click on Resources or call 1-800 AMNESTY (1-800-266-3789). The online Media Kit includes sample letters, news releases and tips for contacting the media.

Promote Write for Rights across Canada


Join our online community! Follow Amnesty International Canada on Facebook and @AmnestyNow on Twitter to get Write for Rights updates and share them with your contacts. You can also share your ideas and chat with writeathon@ amnesty.ca to get free materials. You can also share your ideas with us drop us a note att writeathon@amnesty.ca Use #write4rights with all your posts.

@AmnestyNow
Amnesty International

/amnestycanada
Write for Rights Kit 2013

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Raise money for human rights


Invite your guests to donate to Amnesty International or help you fundraise
These powerful stories of people at risk are brought to you as a result of meticulous research the kind of research that could not happen without your financial support! You can help continue Amnestys life-saving work and get more letters mailed by inviting the guests at your event to make donations to Amnesty International.

Collect money in a cookie jar


As part of this kit we sent you some stickers why not put one on a glass jar and invite everyone to make a donation to Amnesty International in honour of International Human Rights Day. You can mail the funds back to Amnesty International at Write for Rights 2013, 312 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1H9. [Please note that donations of $10 or more are tax receiptable, and we would require the full name and mailing address of each donor. Please note: we regret we are unable to provide a tax receipt for money used to pay for stamps at your event.]

I count the times Amnesty members have saved me. Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Laureate, Kenya

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 organisation and other organizations which fight for freedom in Azerbaijan. Jabbar Savalan, was arrested the day after he posted on Facebook calling for a Day of Rage in Azerbaijan, inspired by protests in the Middle East and North Africa.
Thanks to 2011 Write for Rights campaign that sent 130,000 actions, Jabbar Savalan was released two weeks later.

Dont be shy! Just remember: youre giving people the chance to stop human rights violations. People wont know unless you ask them and the worst that will happen is they will say no. Most people will be happy to donate when they realise they can create real change for others.

Amnesty International

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Write for Rights Kit 2013

wear yellow December 10th!


Wear yellow on December 10 and spread the human rights message!
Whether its a party at your home, workplace, or school, create fun and exciting visuals by using Amnestys signature colour to enhance your event! Declare December 10 the day to wear yellow at your school or workplace. You can charge a toonie for each person wearing something yellow and perhaps double for those who arent.

Set up a yellow-themed bake sale to draw people over to your letter writing table. Perhaps throw a yellow cloth over your table and sell lemon tarts, banana cream pie, yellow cupcakes or pineapple cake. How about a yellow-themed party or ball using a yellow disco ball, or yellow balloons? You could develop a fun yellow-themed quiz night or play songs with yellow as the theme or title. Buy one of our exclusive Amnesty International yellow toques for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one. Take advantage of our limited time offer of $20 a toque! For more fundraising ideas, order our 50 Ways to Raise Money for Human Rights booklet for free at materials@amnesty.ca.

Amnesty International

Paul Thompson/ Amnesty International

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Write for Rights Kit 2013

available now for your event


Free posters
11x17 posters that you can personalize with your Write for Rights event time, date and location.

t-shirts
Get your Amnesty International T-shirt. Many sizes available.

$35.00
+ HST

Free postcards
4x 6 postcards: let people know about your event!

Amnesty Toques
Buy one of our exclusive Amnesty International yellow toques for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one. Take advantage of our limited time offer. $20.00
+ HST

Free stickers
Free Amnesty International stickers.

Free booklet
50 Ways to Raise Money for Human Rights - great fundraising tips.
Amnesty International

order NOW!
To order contact us at

1-800-AMNESTY (1-800-266-3789) or materials@amnesty.ca


(shipping and handling may be extra) 15
Write for Rights Kit 2013

December 10 2013
Writeathon.ca @AmnestyNow #write4rights 1-800-AMNESTY

participate in the worlds largest letter writing eventeither on your own or with others in your community. We deeply appreciate your activism. Write on!

Thank you! You are about to

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