Community members are invited to pick up a pen this weekend to challenge human rights abuses around the world.
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To mark Human Rights Day, Amnesty International hosts a Write for Rights event each year, asking people around the world to pen letters to governments of countries in which there are selected cases of human rights abuses.
This Saturday, the Bendigo Amnesty group will host a series of COVID-safe writing events at which people can challenge injustices and show their support for those suffering them.
Group convener Jan Govett said information on each of the cases would be available and participants could write their own letters, base their letter off a pro forma letter already written, or sign a petition.
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The letters will be collected by Amnesty International and delivered to the governments of the countries in question.
"It does have an impact," Jan said, adding that people had been freed from prison, had their sentences reduced, or been granted a trial, due to the pressure of activists in previous years.
This year, Amnesty's Write for Rights is focusing on 10 cases that include a Burundian human rights defender who has been jailed for 32 years, a Chilean student blinded by police during a demonstration, and a Saudi Arabian women's rights activist who has been detained for more than two years.
On Human Rights Day, Thursday December 10, members of the Bendigo Amnesty group, Rural Australians for Refugees, and Grandmothers for Refugees will stand on street corners in the Bendigo CBD and call on the government to end the indefinite detention of refugees in Australia.
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The groups are supporters of the national #TimeForAHome campaign to have refugees released from detention and resettled in the community.
Write for Rights participants will meet from 10am to noon, and 1pm to 3pm on Saturday, December 5.
Anyone who wishes to participate or wants more information can contact Jan on 0417 313 037 or email Bendigo.Amnesty@gmail.com.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
