Changing lives and policies
We free people from prison who are being held unjustly because of who they are or what they believe. We change laws to protect millions of people’s human rights. We transform societies to be more fair, free, and just.
Featured Victory
Marilin* (31) and Yunior* (11), have been released! Before the family’s release this week, Marilin faced an anniversary no parent would want: one year of lockup with her child simply for seeking safety here in the United States.
Marilin and Yunior were featured in our family detention campaign surge – several weeks of sustained actions, from grassroots activism to billboards, to drive attention to the dozens of families who are invisible behind detention walls in Pennsylvania and Texas. We want them and the government to know they’re not forgotten, and that we are working to free them all.Â
Thank you all for your continuing support and activism on these case campaigns. Our collective action shines a bright light on these families and the unlawful detention of them and so many more people detained in immigration facilities, and helps push the needle for their release.
Browse Victories
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Dr. Mudawi Unconditionally Released (Sudan: UA 26.17)
Sudanese human rights defender Dr Mudawi Ibrahim Adam was released on 29 August after the Sudan government dropped all charges against him. Dr Mudawi was arrested on 7 December 2016…
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Activist Released After Charges Dropped (Myanmar: UA 73.17)
Activist Htin Kyaw was released from prison after the Myanmar Army announced on 1 September 2017 that all charges against him, and other named activists and journalists, were to be…
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Charges Against Two Media Workers Dropped (Myanmar: UA 137.17)
The charges against journalists Kyaw Min Swe and Kyaw Zwar Naing were dropped following an announcement by the Myanmar Army on 1 September 2017. The men had been detained solely…
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Three Journalists Released After Charges Dropped (Myanmar: UA 159.17)
Former prisoners of conscience Lawi Weng, Aye Nai and Pyae Phone Aung have had the charge against them dropped following an announcement by the Myanmar Army. The three journalists were…
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Religious Minority Leader Released But Still At Risk (Algeria: UA 205.17)
On 13 September the Court of First Instance in Ain Tedles, Algeria convicted and sentenced President of the Ahmadiyya religious community, Mohamed Fali to a 6 month suspended prison term…
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Palestinian Circus Performer Released (Israel/OPT: UA 12.16)
Palestinian circus performer and teacher Mohamed Faisal Abu Sakha was released on 30 August from Ketziot Prison in Israel. He spent nearly two years in administrative detention without being charged…
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Security Measures For Defender Implemented (Mexico: UA 169.17)
In recent weeks authorities have implemented some security measures for Mario Luna, human rights defender and leader of the Indigenous Yaquà community in Sonora state, northern Mexico, following an incident…
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Zambia Opposition Leader Released (Zambia: UA 90.17)
Leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), Hakainde Hichilema and five others accused with him have been released. He, together with five others had been arrested in April…
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Arkansas Governor To Commute Death Sentence (USA: UA 74.17)
On 25 August, the Governor of Arkansas announced his intent to commute the death sentence of Jason McGehee, who had been scheduled for execution on 27 April, when he received…
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Six Activists Commemorating Liu Xiabo Released (China: UA 190.17)
Six activists who were criminally detained in July 2017, after taking part in a seaside memorial for Liu Xiaobo in Jiangmen, Guangdong province, have all been released on bail. While…
Victory
Urgent Victory! Sudanese Doctor Released Without Charge (Sudan: UA 97.17)
Dr. Mohamed Yasin Abdalla, the chairperson of the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD), has been released without charge. He was arrested on 22 April in Khartoum by National Intelligence…
Victory
Urgent Action Victory! Governor Stays Execution, Orders Inquiry (USA: UA 183.17)
On 22 August, the governor of Missouri issued a stay of execution for Marcellus Williams who was due to be put to death later that day. The governor will appoint…