An international human rights campaign representative in Cardiff says that while bombs fall in Europe, a letter has never been so powerful.
According to a local activist, Cardiff residents may make a massive difference for human rights worldwide by just writing a letter.
Kiera McKillop, the president of Amnesty International Society in Cardiff, wants to see a record year of entries to this year’s Write for Rights campaign that sends letters to people wrongly imprisoned worldwide.
“We have trans women who were jailed for asking their names to be changed, an Iranian man who was executed for just protesting and so many others who have been jailed for exercising their right to protest. This is why this year’s campaign is important,” says Kiera McKillop.
First-time participant, Asya Kilinchan, said, “People do not know about so many others who have been facing disparities and injustice, this campaign is a massive platform to help people learn why they need to take action and how.”
Speaking about the importance of the Write for Rights campaign, Izabela Poniewierska, a law student at Cardiff University, said, “I think it is important because we all should help those whose human rights have been infringed or taken away, especially now and this campaign is perfect for it,”
Since 2001, Write for Rights has helped to transform the lives of over 100 people by freeing them from torture, harassment, or wrongful imprisonment. About 4.5 million actions were taken in 2021, making it one of the biggest human rights events.
One of the recent successes of the campaign was the release of Bernardo Caal Xol, a Guatemalan teacher and environmental activist who was jailed in 2018 because he fought to protect his motherland. He was featured in the 2021 Write for Rights campaign, where over half a million people took action against his wrongful detention and wrote letters of solidarity.
“I, Bernardo Caal Xol, a member of the Maya Q’eqchi’ people of Guatemala, am grateful to each and every one of you. You have given me hope for the justice, liberty and equality that must prevail in every people and nation.” said Bernardo in his video message.
As prisoners face harsh and inhumane conditions, activists like Bernardo and others need support to escape prison. That is why campaigns like Write for Rights are paramount for helping them get out.
To get involved in the Write for Rights campaign, please click on this link.