Freedom Writers ®
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
When I print the sample letters from the website, the website address appears at the top of the page. How can I print the letters so that information does not appear?
You need to adjust a setting on your Internet browser. If you are using Netscape Communicator, click on "File," then click on "Page Setup." Make sure that Header and Footer are not checked. If you have MS Internet Explorer, click on "File," then "Page Setup" and make sure that there is nothing in the boxes for Header or Footer.
To which of the two addresses provided do I send my letter?
Both, if possible. It's most important that you send a letter to the address at top, the official to whom the letter is directed. The address below is often that of the country's embassy in the U.S. or of another official.
How soon after I receive the FW bulletin should I send my letters?
Please send your letters as soon as possible, preferably within one month.
Should I send you copies of the letters that I write?
It is not necessary.
What do I do if I receive a reply to one of my letters?
Please send a copy of any reply you receive to: Individuals at Risk, AIUSA, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington DC 20003.
Should I send copies of my letters to my Members of Congress?
Please do. It's important that Members of Congress be made aware of human rights violations wherever they occur. A letter or telephone call from a Member of Congress can be highly influential in obtaining vital information or winning the release of a prisoner of conscience.
Can I send a copy of my letter to the U.S. Ambassador in the target country?
Yes. While AI is already in touch regularly with officials at the U.S. State Department, contact from Freedom Writers could help mobilize U.S. embassy staff on particular cases. Embassy addresses can be found through most libraries.
Many of the letters have salutations like "Your Excellency" or "Your Majesty." Why does Amnesty treat human rights violators so respectfully?
The purpose of Amnesty's actions is to have a positive effect, and we have found that courteously-worded appeals are more likely to achieve this goal. We generally address government authorities by their official titles and use standard diplomatic protocol when constructing our salutations.
Is it permitted to send follow up letters if a prisoner is not released at once?
This usually is not advised. The situation could change in such a way that a follow up letter could hurt a prisoner more than help him. Please rest assured, though, that these cases are being monitored and worked on by AI.
Why are the cases of U.S. political prisoners never seen in the Freedom Writers bulletins?
This is because AI has something called the "work-on-own-country" rule. Under this rule, AI members do not, in their AI capacities, gather, assess or act upon information aout human rights cases in their own country. The purpose of this rule is to maintain the movement's independence and impartiality. It establishes -- and demonstrates -- an objective "distance" between the activist and the human rights concern. This practice is particularly important when AI deals with allegations of torture, unfair trial or imprisonment, political killings, or "disappearances," which are often surrounded by controversy and official denials. Even at AI's central research office, the International Secretariat, individual researchers are not permitted to work on their own countries. Although members of Amnesty USA cannot act on U.S. cases, Amnesty members in other countries do.
Why does AI take up the cases of people imprisoned for their conscientious objection to military service?
The right to refuse military service for reasons of conscience is inherent in the notions of freedom of thought, conscience and religion as laid down by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. AI believes that governments should recognize the right to conscientious ojection and that they should provide a civilian alternative to military service. AI believes that the length of alternative service should not be such that it could be considered punishment for one's conscientious objection.
How does Amnesty get its information?
The International Secretariat subscribes to hundreds of newspapers and journals, gets the transcripts of radio broadcasts, government bulletins, reports from legal experts, and letters from prisoners and their families. It also sends fact-finding missions to assess situations on the spot, interview prisoners, observe trials, and meet government officials.
