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 Update: 14 PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH IN RELATION TO PROTESTS (Iran: UA 103.22)
At least 14 individuals are at grave risk of execution in Iran in connection with the nationwide protests, including for acts not involving “intentional killing”, in violation of Iran’s obligations…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: JOURNALIST’S CONVICTION MUST BE OVERTURNED (Burundi: UA 13.23)
On 2 January, the High Court of Mukaza in Bujumbura, Burundi, sentenced journalist Floriane Irangabiye to 10 years in prison and a fine of one million Burundian francs (USD 482).…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: MAN AT RISK OF FORCIBLE RETURN AND TORTURE (Morocco: UA 12.23)
On 14 January 2023, Moroccan security officers detained Saudi citizen Hassan Al Rabea at Marrakesh airport at the request of Saudi Arabia who has charged him with terrorism- related crimes.…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER SENTENCED IN ABSENTIA (Morocco: UA 10.23)
On 21 November 2022, security agents arrested and imprisoned prominent human rights lawyer Mohamed Ziane, around one hour after the Rabat court of appeal confirmed his sentencing of three years…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: NGOS IN VENEZUELA AT RISK (Venezuela: UA 8.23)
On 24 January 2023, the Venezuelan National Assembly took its first step to approve a bill seeking to control, restrict, and potentially criminalize and close NGOs operating in Venezuela. If…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: PROTECT TWO GAZA WOMEN IN GRAVE DANGER (State of Palestine: UA 7.23)
Two Palestinian women have not been heard from since 6 January after the Palestinian security services in the Gaza Strip forced them back into the custody of their abusive father.…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: YOUTH WITH MENTAL DISABILITY RISKS EXECUTION (Iran: UA 6.23)
Mohammad Ghobadlou is at grave risk of execution in connection with Iran’s nationwide protests. He has received two death sentences after grossly unfair sham trials, marred by torture-tainted “confessions” and…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action: JUSTICE FOR VICTIM OF TORTURE AT RISK IN CHILE (Chile: UA 4.23)
In October 2019, Moisés Órdenes was attacked by Chilean police officers, Carabineros, while peacefully demonstrating. Over three years since then, on 5 December 2022, the public prosecutor at Santiago’s Eastern…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action Update: 18 KILLED DURING PROTESTS (Peru: UA 105.22)
On 9 January, 18 people were killed during protests in the city of Juliaca, in the Puno region, in Peru. The country continues to experience protests and violence in different…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action Update: 26 PEOPLE RISK EXECUTION IN RELATION TO PROTESTS (Iran: UA 103.22)
At least 26 people are at great risk of execution in connection with nationwide protests after Iranian authorities arbitrarily executed two individuals following grossly unfair sham trials in a bid…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action Update: PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE CONVICTED AND FINED (Bahrain: UA 100.22)
Danish-Bahraini prisoner of conscience Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja was convicted and fined in two separate cases on 28 November 2022 following an unfair trial. The Bahraini authorities have long targeted Al-Khawaja for…
Urgent Action
Urgent Action Update: JOURNALIST’S HEALTH FURTHER DETERIORATED (China: UA 284.16)
Huang Qi, founder and director of Sichuan-based human rights website “64 Tianwang” was able to speak with his mother on videoconference on 24 November 2022. His health has further deteriorated…