What is the Urgent Action Network?
The concept is simple: Take Action, Change a Life.
Urgent Actions ask our community of volunteers to flood the mailboxes, inboxes, phones and social media of authorities when someone is in imminent danger of human rights violations. Your letters, emails, phone calls, faxes and Tweets have helped to halt executions, support human rights defenders and free prisoners of conscience—people jailed solely for the peaceful expression of their beliefs and identity.
Please note that the US postal service has suspended service to some countries in light of COVID-19 – reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.
How Does It Work?
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STEP 1: Sign Up Today!
Sign up to receive Urgent Action emails. You can choose to receive all emails or a more limited number. You can also choose to receive emails on specific issues or regions.
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STEP 2: Take Action Now!
Urgent Action emails specify the case, local and international government officials to contact, their contact information and suggestions about what to write, say or Tweet.
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Our Educator’s Guide
Are you an educator looking for ways to engage your students in human rights? Find out how your students can show their power through letter writing!
In many cases, your action on these cases leads to better conditions for prisoners and their eventual release. Those individuals at the center of these Urgent Actions often send their thanks to Amnesty International, citing that these messages serve as a source of hope.
The reason we could resist the ban and move forward was the international support and solidarity by Amnesty International activists around the world. We could not have gone further without your support.
I am very grateful for all the support I received while I was in prison. Life in prison was very difficult and I was treated badly, but the support of those who believed in me made me strong.
My case once again showed how important solidarity and attention are in protecting the freedom of speech and human rights. I admire your noble work and boundless courage, dear activists.
Browse Urgent Actions
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: FACING TRIAL FOR PROTESTING PEACEFULLY (France: UA 52.21)
The trial of long-standing trade unionist Frédéric Vuillaume starts on May 20, 2021. His peaceful participation in protests as part of the Yellow Vests movement since its outset has been…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: Repression Against People Protesting (Colombia: UA 51.21)
Since April 28, 2021 thousands of people took the streets across the country calling for the withdrawal of a tax reform and for better social and economic measures in a…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: Release Aid Worker Sentenced to 20 Years (Saudi Arabia: UA 50.21)
On April 5, 2021 Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, a 37-year old Red Crescent worker, was sentenced by the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh to 20 years in prison to be followed by…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: JOURNALIST ARRESTED FOR COVERING A PROTEST (Algeria: UA 49.21)
On April 18, 2021 the Algerian authorities arrested journalist Rabah Kareche shortly after he published an article in Liberté newspaper, covering a protest staged by the Tuareg population of the…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action Update: LAWYER FACES CHARGES FOR REPORTING TORTURE (China: UA 164.20)
Human rights lawyer Chang Weiping was officially charged with “subversion of state power” on April 16, 2021, six months after police officers took him away for publicly detailing incidents of…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: Denmark: Protect Syrians at Risk of Return (Denmark: UA 45.21)
Between 2020 and April 1, 2021, Denmark has revoked or not renewed the residence permits of 380 Syrians, claiming that certain parts of Syria (Damascus and the Rif region) are…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: PAPUAN FARMER IMPRISONED FOR FACEBOOK POST (Indonesia: UA 47.21)
Soon Tabuni, a Papuan farmer, sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and a fine of IDR 1 billion (approximately USD68,828) for a Facebook post. Court proceedings have been incredibly slow, with…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: Tortured Monk at Imminent Risk of Execution (Egypt: UA 48.21)
Death row prisoner monk Wael Tawadros, known as Father Isaiah, is at risk of execution. He was subjected to serious human rights violations including enforced disappearance, torture and unfair trial.…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action Update: UYGHUR HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR 2 YEARS (China: UA 79.20)
Uyghur tech entrepreneur Ekpar Asat has been held in solitary confinement since January 2019, according to information shared with his family. It is believed that his prolonged isolation, malnutrition and…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: Activists Beaten and Jailed for Protesting (Nigeria: UA 43.21)
Activists, Larry Emmanuel and Victor Anene Udoka have been unlawfully detained since April 5, 2021. They were physically assaulted and tortured by unidentified men on April 5 while peacefully protesting…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: NGOs and Survivors Under Threat (Venezuela: UA 46.21)
As of May 1, 2021, all Venezuelan civil society organisations must comply with abusive registration measures or face criminal prosecution, according to new regulations under counterterrorism and organised crime legislation,…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: Rural Communities and Environment at Risk (Colombia: UA 42.21)
On April 12, 2021, President Ivan Duque signed decree 380 allowing the spraying of glyphosate for the eradication of illicit crops to resume. This policy, which was stopped in 2015…