Editor,
Thousands of people are in prison around the world because of their beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity.
Many are held without charge or legitimate trials and are at risk of torture and execution. Student leader Majid Tavakoli was arrested on Dec. 7, 2009, for speaking at a demonstration marking National Student Day in Iran.
Following an unfair trial — one that his lawyer was not allowed to attend — he was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. He is a prisoner of conscience, jailed solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression — something that students in the United States take for granted.
The student chapter of Amnesty International at UNM is working to raise awareness about these human rights abuses and empower others to take action against these violations.
Some might argue that simply writing a letter is ineffective. Amnesty International’s human rights campaigns have been instrumental in obtaining freedom for prisoners of conscience worldwide through pressure from letters, faxes and activists’ e-mails.
Tens of thousands have been released from jail, rescued from torture or aided in other ways following Amnesty International’s action.
Recently, the military rulers of Myanmar (also known as Burma) released Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who was jailed and put under house arrest for 21 years after campaigning for democracy and human rights in her country. Along with other factors, it was activists and students’ worldwide efforts that contributed to her long-awaited release.
Today, the UNM chapter of Amnesty International is participating in the world’s largest letter-writing event. The goal is to contribute to the tidal wave of letters and cards for the shared cause of protecting human rights.
I implore readers and students to take action today by stopping by SUB Ballroom A from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Pizza will be served to participants who contribute to our goal of 1,000 letters. We also encourage readers to join us Friday to celebrate International Human Rights Day.
If we don’t stand up for human rights, who will?
Adrian Carver
Co-President of Amnesty International-UNM
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