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Urgent Action Network

Answer the call to defend people under immediate threat of grave human rights abuse.

Albert Woodfox, spent 44 years in solitary confinement
Albert Woodfox, spent 44 years in solitary confinement

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.

How Does It Work?

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.


Sign Up Now

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.


WHAT TO WRITE

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!


CHECK IT OUT
Messages of Thanks

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.

— ODTÜ LGBTI Solidarity Student Organized Pride March in Turkey (UA 83.18)

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.

— Munther Amira Palestinian Human Rights Defender (UA 26.18)

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.

— Bobomurod Abdullayev POC from Uzbekistan (UA 232.17)

Browse Urgent Actions

Urgent Action

Good News! Oman: Abdullah Habib Released (UA 92/16)

  Omani poet, writer, film critic and human rights defender, Abdullah Habib was released without charge on 4 May.    For the full Urgent Action please click on PDF version…

April 22, 2016

Urgent Action

Sudan: Release the Five Student Activists (UA 89/16)

  Five student activists from the University of Khartoum in Sudan have been detained without charge in Khartoum North since 13 and 14 April after being  arrested  by the National…

April 20, 2016

Urgent Action

Chad: Release Dr. Albissaty Salhe Alazam (UA 84/16)

  Dr. Albissaty Salhe Alazam arrested and detained on 4 April for his participation in organising a peaceful demonstration that took place on 5 April in N’Djamena, Chad, has received…

April 12, 2016