by Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all.
All people have fundamental human rights. But those rights are abused or denied every single day. When that happens Amnesty International finds the facts, exposes what’s happening, and rallies people together to force governments and others to respect everyone’s human rights. Established in 1961, this non-partisan organization has been advocating for universal rights for 60 years.
And that work gets results. Last year alone, Amnesty International helped free 153 people who were wrongfully imprisoned because of who they are or what they believe. And over the 60 years since its founding, tens of thousands of individuals have been helped by the organizations efforts.
HCCC Amnesty International Chapter began in 2008 and is going on its 13th year of advocating for rights. During this time students and staff have demonstrated the power of the pen to use their freedoms to work on the behalf of others. Our yearly events have yielded an average of at least 400 letters yearly to governments in support of universal human rights. Due to COVID we are struggling to continue to make a meaningful difference in lives by taking advantage of Amnesty International online opportunities to petition governments in support of human rights.
From start to finish, Amnesty International’s work focuses on the individual – people whose human rights are abused, and people who have the power to change the world. In 1977 Amnesty International received the Nobel Peace Prize for their life-saving work.
What follows is just one of many examples of past cases and a contemporary case in which you can make a difference. Watch for more A.I. news and information in the General, put together by HCCC A.I. student club. We are honored and grateful that The General is allowing us space to share Amnesty International’s work.
Additionally, students can visit www.amnestyusa.org and specifically, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/02/myanmar-un-security-council-must-act-urgently-hold-military-accountable/ for more information on upcoming actions. We also invite you to visit our club’s facebook page photo section that documents, in pictures, some of our club’s work. https://www.facebook.com/HCCCAmnestyInternationalClub
LETTERS and APPEALS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
“Thank you very much each and every one of you. Not just for campaigning for my release, and the release of other prisoners, but for helping to keep our hope and our beliefs alive.” -Phyoe Phyoe Aung, Write for Rights 2015
Phyoe Phyoe Aung is a human rights defender and Secretary General of one of Myanmar’s largest student unions. On March 10, 2015, she and 50 other students were arrested by police for their peaceful demonstrations against an education law they believe limits freedom of education. Phyoe Phyoe Aung faced up to nine years’ imprisonment and was a prisoner of conscience. She was freed on April 8, 2016.
With the current issues in Myanmar, including the recent coup, HCCC A.I. will be advocating in future weeks for human rights in Myanmar among others. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/02/myanmar-un-security-council-must-act-urgently-hold-military-accountable/
This week’s “Make a Difference Action” offers individuals the opportunity to:
Join the international call to ensure everyone is vaccinated, as soon as possible, no matter where they live. Call on pharmaceutical companies to do their part to end COVID-19. Pharmaceutical companies have the power to speed up the fight against COVID-19 by sharing their knowledge and technology.
Let’s use our power in numbers to show companies that we want them to live up to their responsibilities and share their expertise, so that everyone has a fair shot at a vaccine. Learn more and sign the petition at:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/covid-19-vaccination-pharmaceutical-companies/
HCCC AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH A QUOTE FROM NELSON MANDELA, ON WHOSE BEHALF A.I. WORKED IN 1962.
For More Information see: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/nelson-mandela-and-amnesty-international
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” ― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
