Letter writing guide (Amnesty)
http://action.amnesty.org.au/wiki/Letter_writing_guide/
Send letters, save lives
Sending letters: by mail, fax or email - is one of the most effective ways
for individuals to communicate their concerns to people responsible for
violating human rights and to those in a position to influence their
actions. Letters and faxes are best; emails can sometimes be re-
directed. When you write in response to an Amnesty International (AI)
appeal, you join tens of thousands of other people in a worldwide
campaign. A steady stream of letters does have an effect on
governments. We know of many prisoners who have been released
from torture or possible death.
A few simple rules for writing letters
Always be polite. Your aim is to address a situation of human rights
abuse, not to relieve your own feelings. Governments do not
respond to abusive letters.
Always write on the basis that the government concerned is open to
reason and discussion.
It is important to show respect for a country's constitution and judicial
procedures and an understanding of current difficulties. This will
give you more scope to point out how the human rights situation
could be improved.
Take care to follow AI's instructions on a case. For example, if a
Newsletter asks you to appeal for medical treatment for a
prisoner, make sure that you only ask for this and not for a
speedy trial or release which may be inappropriate.
Never use political jargon. You should never give the impression that
you are ideologically or politically opposed to the government in
question. You will be more effective if you stress that your
concern for human rights is not politically biased, but in keeping
with the principles of international law.
It is good to give an indication of who and what you are. Some of our
sample letters show how this is done. You prove you letter is
genuine and illustrate to a government that people from all walks
of life are following event in their country.
If you have a special interest or link with the country, it is good to
mention this in your letter. For instance, you may have been
there, or studied its history, or been a member of a local
friendship association. You should indicate you would like to see
a better image at the country abroad.
Be brief. Sometimes a simple, one-line letter is adequate. Please write
no more than one page, as long letters are less likely to be read.
Only in exceptional cases are long letters thought to be more
effective and we will advise you of this.
In the case of Urgent Actions or Rapid Response emphasise how the
addressee can intervene in the situation at another human being.
Let them know they can make a difference.
Some sample letters
Dear Sir,
I am writing to you about the plight of Mrs.....who I
understand has been detained for nearly three years now under the
National Security Act without any reason being given. If this information
is correct, this would appear to violate Article 9 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, which says "No one shall be subjected to
arbitrary arrest, detention or exile". I therefore humbly request you to
look into this case urgently with a view to releasing Mrs ...
Yours
respectfully,
Yours Excellency,
Some time ago I wrote to you about the case of a
prisoner of conscience, Mrs ... Since then, I was happy to hear that she
had been released and is happily re-united with her four young children.
I do appreciate this act of compassion and humanity on your
part.
Yours sincerely,
Dear Minister,
I am writing to you to express my concern over the
recent "disappearance" of Mr ... in your country. I understand that
around [date], Mr ...was arrested by police in [town], possibly on
suspicion of being a drug trafficker. Since his arrest, there has been no
word on Mr ... and nobody appears to know what has happened to him.
His family has not been able to visit him and cannot get clarification as
to where he is. His "disappearance" is extremely worrying, and there is
serious concern for his welfare. If he is suspected of a criminal offence,
he should be charged and have access to a lawyer. He is also entitled
to a fair trial. I have deep respect for your country and its people, and I
appeal to you to ensure that Mr ... is safe.
Yours faithfully
Letters of appreciation
Not all of your letters need make requests on behalf of victims of
abuses. It is important to write to a government when you hear some
good news: a death sentence has been commuted, for example, a
prisoner released. This may encourage governments to grant similar
relief to other victims. We are showing the government that its human
rights record is of great concern to the rest of the world.
Please keep us informed
If you receive a reply to one of your letters, please send it (or a copy) to
your local Amnesty office. AI's future strategy on a country can be
influenced by a government's reaction to appeal. Always refer to the
index no. of an appeal when giving us a feedback.
"I have a message for Amnesty International: please keep sending
letters. The only thing I can rely on to help convince the cabinet to
spend money on our prisons is the pressure from Amnesty
International."
Minister of Asian government in aside to Amnesty International
delegation