Letter Writing

Get the latest Urgent Actions here, or off the Amnesty Site, where you can search for actions by country or identity.

For the latest pigeon hole petition, email Hannah at (hep30).

From the very beginning of Amnesty International in 1961, people have written letters on behalf of victims of human rights abuses. Today, hundreds of thousands of ordinary people throughout the world challenge cruelty and injustice by taking a few minutes to write a letter.

Writing letters is easy – and it works

Letters don’t have to be long or detailed. In each action, Amnesty will include the exact request to make and details of who to write to. If you have specific knowledge of a country or the language then you may choose to write a more detailed letter, but all types of letters are valuable. Remember, your letter, combined with others from all over the world, can lead to a dramatic improvement in the situation of a victim of human rights abuse. Putting pressure on officials through letter writing can result in torture being stopped, access granted to doctors or lawyers, death sentences being commuted, ‘disappearances’ investigated, and prisoners released.

General Tips

  • Speed is vital if you are taking an Urgent Action - a brief letter, covering all the recommended action points listed in the appeal is all that is necessary.
  • Letters should be brief, factual and polite. Take special care not to sound aggressive or offensive. Write in a natural style.
  • Keep letters factual and to the point. Details to include will be outlined in the action.
  • Don’t discuss ideology or politics – Amnesty International opposes human rights violations, not governments or political systems.
  • Be positive – make a clear request and write as if the reader is open to reasoned argument.
  • If you are writing on behalf on an individual case, give the full name of the prisoner or the individual/s at risk
  • Say a little about yourself if you want to – for example something about your occupation or background to show that all kinds of people everywhere are concerned about human rights.
  • Write in English unless you can get an accurate translation.
  • Letters can be hand-written or typed.
  • Use a conclusion that encourages a reply.

Sample Letter

I am writing about the case of (name) who was arrested on (date) and (place). I understand he is in poor health, and has been held without charge for several months. Please use your influence to ensure that he receives medical treatment and that he is charged with an internationally recognisable criminal offence and promptly brought to court or released.

Please could you let me know what medical treatment (name) has received and when, and tell me when he will be charged?

I look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.

Your respectfully

(Your name)

Phrasing your letter

Key points

  • Do not feel you have to use formal or elaborate phrases.
  • Straightforward, polite wording is always acceptable.
  • Always follow the instructions given by AI on the case.
  • Use language that is natural to you, and always keep the tone polite. Here are a few suggestions, but please do not feel you have to follow a formula. 

Beginnings

You can usually start by identifying yourself, or Amnesty International, or by referring to the particular case.

Examples:

  • I write as a member of Amnesty International – which is an impartial organisation working on behalf of prisoners of conscience, against the death penalty, torture, political killings and ‘disappearances’.
  • I am a taxi driver working in London, and I am interested in what’s happening in the world. I was very concerned to read about the case of …
  • I understand that (name) is being detained.

Making your request

The central part of your letter should make a specific request to the person you are writing to.

Examples:

  • Please use your influence and authority to ensure the prompt release of (name) because, according to Amnesty International reports, she is a newspaper journalist and has not committed any offence.
  • I am asking you to make sure that (name) is charged with an internationally recognisable criminal offence and promptly brought to court or released.
  • Please ensure that (name) is given adequate access to medical and legal advice.
  • I am writing to ask you to order an investigation into what the security forces did in the village of (name) on the night of (date).

Make the exact request that Amnesty International asks for. For example, if AI asks for a death sentence to be commuted, don’t ask instead for a pardon.

Ending your letter

Examples:

  • I look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.
  • I would be grateful if you could confirm that your government does indeed oppose such practices.
  • Please can you confirm that (names) are being held in custody / are being given access to lawyers.

Try to include a phrase that encourages a reply. Make sure your name is clearly legible: printing in capitals helps. Yours respectfully or Yours sincerely are the best endings.