Write a Letter and help save a life:

Your words can SAVE LIVES.

Each year hundreds of thousands of people across the world recognize International Human Rights Day on December 10th. In honor of this day, my Amnesty International Club kicked off our first major event Thursday night by joining in the annual Write for Rights Global Write-a-thon and hosting our very own letter writing party at the campus club room.  We wrote letters lobbying 12 government officials to demand that the rights of specific individuals are respected, protected and fulfilled.  Among those officials, a few we wrote to were:

The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives to prioritize passage of the "Improvements in Global Maternal and newborn health Outcomes while Maximizing Successes Act,", known as the "Global MOMS Act." Every year thousands of women die unnecessarily in childbirth due to high costs for care--these costs  lead to delays in deciding to seek care and prevent some from receiving treatment in hospitals.  If passed, the act will expand access to better quality maternal health services, remove barriers to care, and ensure care meets international human rights standards.



To President Felipe Hinojosa  demanding the prosecution of policemen who detained and physically and sexually assaulted dozens of women in the town of San Salvador Atenco in May 2006. Although authorities have acknowledged that abuses took place, none of the perpetrators have been held accountable for the crimes committed against these women. More than four years later, the women continue to seek justice. 


The Bureau of Public Security in China to demand the release of Mao Hengfeng  who  has been repeatedly detained, tortured and ill-treated because of her work to defend human rights.She has also campaigned against forced abortions and forced evictions in China. She is currently serving 18 months in China's "re-education through labor" under appalling unsanitary conditions and has been banned from visits from her family for having protested in 2009 the arrest of Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo. 


Also to Iranian government officials for the release of prisoner Majid Tavakoli -- 
who was arrested on December 7, 2009, for speaking at a demonstration marking Student Day in Iran. Following an unfair trial, one which his lawyer was not allowed attend, he was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison with long terms of solitary confinement. He now suffers from a serious respiratory condition that may deteriorate while he is imprisoned. He is a prisoner of conscience, jailed solely for peacefully exercising his human right to freedom of expression.
 I was personally very inspired after reading his most recent publicized letter: Executed in Iran: For those who represent a nation ( link: 
 http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=38973) which discusses the unjust executions of his friends and his determination to continue to fight against tyranny.



And that is just a few cases, everyday thousands of people are tortured, imprisoned, or killed for voicing their beliefs. It is important to not only spread awareness of cases exampled above yet also take action in whichever small or large way we can:  by writing letters we show solidarity with those suffering human rights abuses and work to bring about real change in people's lives. Letter writing actually DOES make a difference, this year alone the efforts of Amnesty International followers have freed over four prisoners of conscience and recently welcomed the release of Aung San Suu Kyi this past November 13th.

I am so proud of my special team of officers who all helped me organize, fund, and make the event possible and just an overall success. ( YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!)In just three hours we were able to write a total of 37 letters, which was almost double our initial pledge. We had such a positive response that we will now continue to collect and write letters until the 12th of December. I encourage everyone  who is just as horrified by these cases to speak out and participate. I hope you will join me.  Also,now that you know, spread the word ( please!).

 Special people: