MEMBERS of Amnesty International in Stroud are urging people in the local community to show their solidarity with victims of human rights abuses from all over the world.

The Stroud-based group will be holding a campaign evening on Wednesday December 9 as part of Amnesty International’s annual Write for Rights campaign.

The event is to be held at 7pm in The Star Anise Arts Café in Stroud.

Anyone can come along and send personal messages of support and solidarity to people behind bars, or whose lives are in serious danger, simply for exercising their human rights.

Karen McKeown, Chair of Amnesty International Mid Glos said: “Here in the UK we tend to take human rights for granted but in many parts of the world standing up for what you believe in is a risky business that can lead to a hefty prison sentence.

“Letters of solidarity can make a real difference to a prisoner wrongly detained, for family members waiting for news of a loved one who has ‘disappeared’, or for a torture survivor fighting for justice. They are a source of hope, comfort and inspiration.”

“Letter writing can also show the authorities that the world knows what’s going on, it can help to secure a prisoner's release, stop the harassment or change an unjust law.

"Last year’s campaign included Nigerian torture victim Moses Akatugba who has since been pardoned and released from prison – proving that sofa activism really does work.

“It would be fantastic if as many people in and around Stroud as possible come along and put pen to paper. Together we are powerful and can make a real difference.”

Letters would be sent to people like the prominent Saudi Arabian human rights lawyer, Waleed Abu al-Khair, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of ‘disobeying the ruler’ and ‘harming the reputation of the Kingdom’.

Or Teodora Del Carmen Vasquez who was imprisoned for a staggering 30 years after suffering a stillbirth and being charged with ‘aggravated homicide’ in El Salvador where abortion is a crime.

Or Phyoe Phyoe Aung, one of over 100 student protesters violently arrested in Burma during a protest against a new National Education Law.

For more information please visit: www.amnesty.org.uk/groups/mid-gloucestershire