Sample appeal letters
We express ourselves in different ways. Elementary school students add drawings to their handwritten letters. A community activist asks others to add their signatures to his personal appeal. The professional writes for her colleague on letterhead. The result is a rich mix of expressions that portray a sincerity and widespread concern about human rights protection. This diversity increases Amnesty International's effectiveness.
Below are 3 standard sample letters. These letters are for reference only. Should you require further assistance, please contact the Urgent Action Coordinators in Toronto at urgentaction@amnesty.ca.
Sample #1 (Death Penalty)Your Excellency,
I extend respectful greetings to you from _____, where I work as a __________.
Your Excellency, when individuals commit horrible crimes, some of their rights must be denied for a time. The right to liberty is one example. Other rights, however, can never be denied in any circumstance. The right to life and the right to security of person are two examples.
I write today about the case of Mr __________. I am shocked at his cruel act of murder. But as a defender of human rights, I cannot tolerate the denial of his inalienable rights as laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I rejoice that your country has committed itself to respecting the rights in the UDHR and trust now that you will turn that commitment into reality with quick action to grant clemency to Mr __________ and thus protect his rights to physical integrity and to life.
Very sincerely yours,
Sample #2 (Death Threats)Dear Minister,
Much to my dismay, I have received news through Amnesty International that human rights workers, Ms ___ and Mr ___ who work with the _____Group, were subjected to threatening telephone calls on _____, 2005. I would like to encourage you to initiate a full and impartial investigation to determine the source of the calls and to lay charges against those who are responsible for these unlawful actions. Please contact the two human rights activists to determine together how best to protect them from harm.
I urge your government to adhere to its obligations to protect all human rights defenders in accordance with international human rights standards.
Respectfully and sincerely yours,
Sample #3 (Disappearance)Dear President,
Amnesty International has alerted me to the disappearance of a youth by the name of __________. She was apparently abducted near her home in __________ and her family has not heard from her since.
It is vital to her safety and the protection of her legal rights that her location is made public. Please find Ms _____ immediately. If she is in detention, please ensure that she has access to a lawyer of her choice. Allow close family members to see her, and provide medical attention for any physical needs she may have.
May I have confidence that you will act swiftly to ensure that the legal and physical rights of _________ are upheld?
Thank you.
View the Word version of the Sample Appeal Letters.