Summer Solidarity Action
Express Your Support for Human Rights
"Free speech" comes at a price. In many parts of the world, speaking your mind can cost you your freedom, your job, even your life.
The repression of peaceful protestors in the Middle East has been a dramatic illustration of freedom of expression under assault. The act of "speaking truth to power" can elicit a harsh response when authorities fear, rather than support and promote, people's right to express their views.
The people featured in this action have been targeted because of their words and actions. But you can use your "free speech" to stand up for these women and men and affirm that their voices and thoughts cannot be silenced.
Update: Ayat Alqormozi has been conditionally released. However, her conviction stands and she remains at risk of being returned to prison at any time.
Bahrain: Ayat Alqormozi is serving time in prison for reading a poem. Ayat Alqormozi, a 20-year-old poet and university student at the Faculty of Teachers in Bahrain, was sentenced on 12 June 2011 by a military court to one year in prison on charges of taking part in illegal protests, disrupting public security and inciting hatred towards the regime. She was held incommunicado for the first 15 days of her detention, during which time she was allegedly beaten and tortured with electric shocks. Take Action
Colombia: The Peace Community of San José de Apartadó consists of individuals who defend their right not to be drawn into Colombia's armed conflict and refuse to take sides with any of its parties. Since the Peace Community's formation in 1997, more than 170 of its members have been killed or subjected to enforced disappearance, threats or sexual assault. One of the most infamous attacks on the Peace Community took place in the hamlets of Mulatos and La Resbalosa on 21 February 2005. Take Action
Guatemala: Human rights defender Norma Cruz leads a women's rights organization, Survivors' Foundation (Fundación Sobrevivientes), based in Guatemala City. As a result of her work documenting cases of violence against women and fighting for justice, she has been repeatedly threatened with death since 2008. Take Action
India: Kartam Joga, an Adivasi (Indigenous People's) political activist, has been imprisoned on politically motivated charges since 14 September 2010. Kartam is an elected member of a local self-governing body in the Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh. Amnesty International believes that Kartam has been charged and imprisoned in response to a petition he filed with India's Supreme Court regarding impunity and human rights violations. Take Action
Iran: Mahboubeh Karami is one of at least seven members of the Campaign for Equality who are currently in prison for their work to promote human rights and gender equality in Iran. Mahboubeh was first arrested on March 2, 2010 as part of the wave of persecution against human rights defenders, journalists and activists that took place after the first anniversary of the 2009 disputed presidential elections in Iran. Take Action
Sri Lanka: Prageeth Eknaligoda is a Sri Lankan journalist, cartoonist and political analyst. He went missing on January 24, 2010, shortly after leaving work at the Lanka-e-News office in Homagama, near the capital Colombo. Local residents told the Sri Lankan press that they saw a white van without number plates near Prageeth's home shortly before he disappeared. According to his close friend, Prageeth had believed that he was being followed in the days leading up to his disappearance. Take Action
Turkey: Halil Savda is a human rights defender who in the past has been repeatedly prosecuted for his refusal to perform military service in Turkey. In 2004, Halil Savda declared himself a conscientious objector, because of his strong commitment to human welfare and dignity and his opposition to all wars and compulsory military service. Since then, he has been arrested on multiple occasions and prosecuted three times for refusing to perform military service. Take Action
Zimbabwe: The activists of the human rights organization Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) know the price of freedom. For organizing peaceful demonstrations to protest the social, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe, WOZA members have been repeatedly harassed, intimidated, beaten and jailed by authorities. The activists of WOZA struggle every day to bring positive change to the human rights of the people of Zimbabwe. Take Action
Read our suggested guidelines for sending cards of support.
