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.
Please note that the US postal service has suspended service to some countries in light of COVID-19 – reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Browse Urgent Actions
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER’S LIFE IN DANGER (South Africa 29.24)
Share: On This Page Nomsa Sizani, a human rights defender and former General Secretary of the Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM), is…
April 17, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: RELEASE JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (Kyrgyzstan 30.24)
On January 16, police raided the homes of 11 journalists known for their past and current involvement with “Ayt Ayt…
April 17, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: JAILED ACADEMIC’S HEALTH IN PERIL (Azerbaijan 77.23)
Gubad Ibadoghlu is a renowned economist and political activist. On July 23, 2023, the Azerbaijani authorities detained him on fabricated…
April 16, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: RELEASE TERMINALLY ILL PALESTINIAN PRISONER (IOPT 78.23)
*April Outcome: Death in Custody To read the full press release issued on April 8, 2024, please click here* Walid…
April 9, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: UNJUSTLY JAILED STUDENT WITH DISABILITY “ROTATED” (Egypt 110.23)
Despite a February court order for his release, Egyptian authorities are continuing to arbitrarily detain Oqba Hashad who has been…
April 8, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: ACTIVISTS APPROACHING ONE YEAR IN DETENTION (China 19.18)
On April 13, 2023, prominent human rights lawyer, Yu Wensheng, and his wife, Xu Yan, were taken into police custody…
April 1, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: DETAINEES REMAIN AT RISK OF FURTHER TORTURE (Lesotho 24.24)
On December 22, 2023, detainees at Maseru Correctional Institution (MCCI), Lesotho, were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment by the…
April 1, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: ARTIST JAILED FOR CRITICIZING PRESIDENT (Tunisia 27.24)
On January 31, 2024, the Monastir court of appeals in Tunisia sentenced artist, Rached Tamboura, to two years in prison…
April 1, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: PALESTINIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER IS RELEASED (Outcome IOPT 2.24)
NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUESTED. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT APPEALS. On February 29, Palestinian human rights defender and…
March 27, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: FORMER MP’S CONVICTIONS MUST BE QUASHED (Zimbabwe 90.22)
On January 30, 2024, former opposition leader, Job Sikhala, was released after 595 days of arbitrary detention. Job Sikhala was…
March 26, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: JAILED HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER AT RISK OF TORTURE (Equatorial Guinea 21.24)
On March 1, Anacleto Micha Ndong, an Equatoguinean human rights defender, was transferred to the Malabo prison of Black Beach…
March 26, 2024
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: RELEASE CONVICTED ANTI-WAR LOCAL POLITICIAN (Russia 23.24)
The Russian authorities are putting the health and life of Aleksei Gorinov at risk due to his treatment and conditions…
March 26, 2024