Responding to the question of: What has Amnesty ever achieved? (Trigger warning of mention of sexual assault and torture)

Have you ever wondered what Amnesty really does, or perhaps you have heard friends and family saying Amnesty has never really changed or achieved anything? Well, I’m here to prove that wrong, Amnesty as an organisation has been fighting for the protection of human rights since 1961 and in that time, it has achieved a lot. Most notably through their ‘Write for Rights’ annual letter-writing campaign that advocates for the release of prisoners of consciousness.

Write for Rights started in 2001 and on the 10th of December every year people all around the world write letters of solidarity and urge governmental officials to release the persons. Since 2001, 100 people who were part of the campaign have seen a positive change in their case. Write for Rights does make a difference in a person’s life, many of these people have been released from prison and reunited with their families, and awareness is spread about the violations occurring in the country.

The impact of the 2022 campaign can already be seen, 5.3 million messages of support and appeals to authorities were sent on behalf of 10 people. In July 2023 the High Court of Zimbabwe overturned Cecillia Chimbiri, Joanah Mamombe, and Netsai Marovs conviction of obstructing the course of justice. The three were arrested after leading an anti-government protest, and when in police custody forcibly disappeared where they were sexually assaulted and tortured. At the time there was no investigation into their disappearance and their allegations of torture and sexual assault.

Amnesty aimed to get justice for the women in terms of getting the convictions dropped, as well as spread global awareness of the sexual and gender-based violence that occurs within Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe stigmatises victims of sexual assault and often sees them as sex workers, this was the case for the three women who were not taken seriously by authorities or people as they were viewed as sex workers. They were gagged by a system that refused to let them speak and tell their side of the story. Amnesty wanted to disrupt this narrative and give the women a platform to tell their stories.

Cecilia, Joanah, and Netsai have now all been acquitted of the crimes they were convicted for, thanks to pressure put on the judiciary about the absurd charges. Further to this there has been increased awareness about the situation in Zimbabwe, with many campaigns started to bring an end to the sexual and gender-based violence faced by women. It was through Write for Rights this was possible, and the countless efforts of amnesty supporters and members in spreading awareness of the human rights violations that occurred and pressuring the government that the three women are free.

So, coming back to the question at the start, what has Amnesty achieved? Well, it’s changed people’s lives for the better, it has stopped violations of human rights from continuing and spread awareness of such violations. Write for Rights is evidence of this, Amnesty provides people a platform to help change the world to become a better place, when we act together, we can change lives!

Write for Rights is an annual event that happens every, this year we are campaigning for another 10 people enduring human rights abuses. Join us on the 5th of December to write a letter and show your support (and prove to those family members who say Amnesty never does anything). Your words have power, power to make a change!