As an organisation, Amnesty does not claim credit when a prisoner is released, when death sentences are commuted, or when a government changes its laws and practices. However, former prisoners, torture victims and others who have suffered human rights abuses often say that international pressure secured their freedom and saved their lives.
Every year, Amnesty receives messages of thanks and solidarity that inspires us to keep working for human rights. Such messages show the positive effects of our work and that, together, we can make a difference.
Successful Cambridge Actions
SUDAN: Mariam Ibrahim freed from prison
The case of Mariam Ibrahim caused international outrage last year after she was imprisoned and sentenced to death for her Christian faith, whilst also being pregnant with her second child. Amnesty launched a letter writing campaign calling the Sudanese authorities to immediately release Mariam, which CUAI took part in. In June Mariam was released and cleared of all charges after an appeal court found her not guilty.
EL SALVADOR: Guadalupe freed from prison
Carmen Guadalupe Vasquez Aldana was released from prison in January after the intense efforts of local activists and international pressure, which included a letter writing campaign here at CUAI. Carmen suffered a miscarriage when she was only 18. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murder after being accused of having an abortion, which is illegal in El Salvador.
MEXICO: The last charges were dropped against Claudia Medina
A major focus of CUAI during the 2014-2015 academic year has been Amnesty’s Stop Torture Campaign. Claudia Medina was tortured and sexually abused by Mexican authorities in an attempt to a force a confession in relation to drug-related crimes. In February 2015 Claudia was cleared of all charges, which she says is largely due to the international pressure from Amnesty members. David Cameron promised to challenge Mexico’s human rights record during a visit by President Enrique Peña Nieto to the UK in March, another step towards ending the use of torture in Mexico.
SAUDI ARABIA: Raif Badawi’s wife thanks international support
This year CUAI memebers have taken part in letter writing and photo campaigns to push for the release of Raif Badawi. Raif was jailed for 10 years and sentenced to 1,000 lashes last year after setting up a blog promoting free speech and political debate. Though Raif is still not free, the efforts of campaigns like ours are making a big difference to his case according to his wife Ensaf Haidar:
“To you, free people still standing up for Raif, your protests are making a difference… Please do not stop until Raif is released.”
NIGERIA: Moses Akatugba thanks the efforts of Amnesty UK
At the end of Michelmas term 2014 CUAI took part in Amnesty’s annual ‘Write for Rights’ campaign. One of the cases Write for Rights focused on this year was that of Moses Akatugba. When he was only 16 years old Moses was arrested on suspicion of stealing mobile phones. Moses was subjected to severe torture until he admitted to the charges, and was sentenced to death by hanging. Though he is not yet free, Moses has thanked the efforts of Amnesty UK reflecting how important such campaigns are:
‘I am so grateful for everything that people are doing in the UK to help me. The letters I have received give me hope. When I hear about the level of support and everything that is being done for me by Amnesty International, it makes me the happiest man on earth.’