Amnesty International raises awareness on human rights’ breaches during worldwide campaigns.  Copyright (c) 2021 Robert Buchel/Shutterstock. No use without permission.

Amnesty International raises awareness on human rights’ breaches during worldwide campaigns.  Copyright (c) 2021 Robert Buchel/Shutterstock. No use without permission.

In 2021, Amnesty International celebrates 60 years of existence and engagement towards awareness of human rights. Like every year, the organisation initiates its campaign. The Luxembourg branch has revamped the traditional barbed wire candle for the occasion.

There are several ways to show support and raise awareness around the humanitarian campaign. Some will light an Amnesty candle on 10 December—International Human Rights’ Day. Others will participate in the “Write for Rights” event, where every year for the past two decades, people worldwide write, tweet or e-mail Amnesty International letters about ten people or groups who have been unfairly persecuted or imprisoned.

How to get involved

The Luxembourg branch organises some collective letter writing sessions at the Institut national des langues (INLL) on 1 December, the CID Fraen a Gender on 9 December and the CITIM on 10 December. On the 10 December, a march is also organised in the capital.

For those not willing to brave the cold to join the cause, “Write for Rights” letter kits are available for free on the . The site also sells candles and a variety of merch to support the business.

This year, to celebrate the 60th anniversary, Amnesty International Luxembourg has invited artists to add their touch to the merchandise sold. Local artist Irina Moons has redesigned the iconic candle to signify all the ways one can help the cause:

“The idea is really that each person does what they can: there is one who knows how to write, so she writes, there is one who wants to demonstrate in the street, so she demonstrates ... if each and everyone gets involved, we can change the world,” she says in an official statement.

Artists Roger Leien and Lucien Czuga designed a sticker featuring national cartoon hero Superjhemp too. These are also available on the NGO’s online store.

The special edition has been designed by Luxembourg artist Irina Moons to symbolise the small ways in which everybody can contribute to the cause.  Amnesty International Luxembourg 

The special edition has been designed by Luxembourg artist Irina Moons to symbolise the small ways in which everybody can contribute to the cause.  Amnesty International Luxembourg 

This year’s focus

As every year, Amnesty International chooses people who have been persecuted or imprisoned unfairly. This year, Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan who was jailed for her reporting on the covid pandemic in Wuhan, and 15 year old Janna Jihad, who speaks out and reports about her life under the oppression of Israeli forces, among others, will be the subjects of the letters.

The campaign runs from 18 November to 10 December.