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Amnesty International
COLCHESTER

 UNITED KINGDOM SECTION
GROUP No. 182

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email us at: COLCHESTER-GROUP
Example Letters

One of Amnesty International's primary tools is letter writing to government officials, embassies, heads of state, prisoners' or other victims relatives, prison governors and prisoners themselves.

Letters need not be beautifully composed or very long; they are there to express the writer's concerns and make a simple request.

 

A complete letter-writing guide is available from the main office but here are a few points to bear in mind:
  1. Letters should be brief, factual and always polite. Please take special care not to express yourself in a way that could be interpreted as being aggressive or offensive.
  2. Stay within AI's mandate.
  3. Don't discuss ideology or politics. Remember that AI is a non-partisan organisation. It opposes human rights violations, not governments or political systems.
  4. Give full details of the situation, (name/s, date of arrest / killing etc., where the arrest or human rights violation occurred), if these facts are known.
  5. Identify yourself by profession and nationality to emphasise the fact that all kinds of people everywhere are concerned about human rights in that country.
  6. Write your letters in English unless they can be written correctly in the language of the country involved.
  7. Follow the directions given in the appeal. For example, AI asks for the release of the prisoner only if they are prisoners of conscience.
  8. You may write as an AI member or as a concerned individual and letters may be typed or hand-written.
  9. There is no common international practice for addressing authorities but you may safely use:
    1. Prime Minister or Minister - Esteemed President / Minister
    2. Ambassadors - Your Excellency
    3. Local authorities or prison governors - Dear Sir or Dear Madam
    4. Judges - Your Honour
    5. Military officials - Dear Admiral, General, Captain etc.
    6. Yours Respectfully or Yours Sincerely are the best endings.

REMEMBER: THERE IS PLENTY OF EVIDENCE THAT LETTERS DO HAVE AN EFFECT!

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The Colchester Local Group acknowledges the essential and important information at the International Secretariat site at www.amnesty.org and the UK Section site at www.amnesty.org.uk