Between November 17 and December 3, the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union hosted three Write for Rights outreach sessions in Old Main, mobilizing the campus community to take action on eight urgent human rights cases from around the world. Throughout the campaign, members of the Equity Committee briefed the campus community on each case and guided them through sending letters or signing petitions calling for justice.
In Total, TRUSU sent 230 letters and collected 574 petition signatures, contributing to more than 300 meaningful conversations across the three sessions. These actions join millions of others from around the world, forming one powerful and united effort demanding safety, dignity, and accountability for the individuals featured in this year’s campaign.
Write for Rights is Amnesty International’s largest global human rights campaign. Each year, Amnesty selects urgent cases of individuals and communities facing imprisonment, violence, discrimination, or other human rights violations. Millions of people worldwide write letters to government officials, call for justice, and offer solidarity to those affected. These coordinated actions have led to dropped charges, improved detention conditions, releases from prison, and life-changing protections for countless people. By participating, TRUSU members added their voices to a global movement that has a proven record of creating meaningful change.
This year’s outreach highlighted all eight Write for Rights cases, each involving individuals and communities facing unlawful detention, discrimination, or state violence. Participants learned about the human rights issues at stake and were encouraged to take direct action by writing to government officials urging them to uphold international human rights obligations. TRUSU’s contributions add another essential piece to the global movement advocating for these individuals and pressing for life-changing outcomes.
“Folks were eager to step up and do what they could to help people facing serious human rights violations across the world.” said Payton Maffioli, Indigenous Representative “It felt meaningful to support them in taking action and standing with these eight individuals who deserve safety, justice, and hope.”
The Union looks forward to seeing the impact that our community helped build and remains hopeful that each of the eight individuals featured this year will see meaningful progress toward justice. Thanks to all that stepped up alongside us in this advocacy.
About the Equity Solidarity Work Program
The Equity Solidarity Work Program allows TRUSU to take consistent solidarity action in support of local, national, and international initiatives that advance equity and human rights. Through this work, we build connections with organizations leading this change and create opportunities for students to learn and participate in collective advocacy. For more information or to learn about previous initiatives we’ve supported, contact the Equity Coordinator below.