Amnesty International - Group 27, Victoria - Urgent Action

Amnesty International
Urgent Action Network
Group 27, Victoria

group 27
Amnesty International
Victoria, BC


  Group 27
  P.O. BOX 5217 Stn. B
  Victoria BC V8R 6N4

e-mail address Group 27: aivictoria@wraytimes.com
website: group27@wraytimes.com

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launched on January 18, 2001
update: 5 November 2004

If you are interested in joining the Urgent Action Network ...

  • ...write to: aivictoria@wraytimes.com to get in touch with Darralyn B. who will e-mail your name, address, etc. to the Toronto office, or
  • e-mail it directly: mmckim@amnesty.ca. - Tell them you're in Group 27!
You can find further information about Urgent Actions on the web site of AICS(ES)

Amnesty International and the Urgent Action Network

A powerful tool to lighten up dark corners - read about it on the organization's UA website

Current Cases

note: this is a Swedish site. Please look up the ambassador in your country and send him or her a copy of your appeal.
(Embassies in Canada)

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A number of Group 27 members belong to the Urgent Action Network. As the name implies this network works on cases that have an urgency about them. It is worldwide, with the actions generated by research in AI's head office in London, UK. Actions are sent from there all over the world. In Canada (English-speaking) they come to our UA office in Toronto. From there individual appeals are e-mailed, faxed or mailed to individuals across Canada, including Victoria. Those who get them send faxes or letters (sometimes e-mails) to officials etc. on behalf of the person named in the appeal as fast as they can. The November 2000 UA Newsletter tells us 22% of Canadians usually respond within 24 hours, 37% respond within 48 hours, and a further 22% within 72 hours.

Group 27 members also are Lifeline sponsors. We send money for telegrams or faxes to be sent from the Toronto office on the most urgent cases. The telegrams are sent out over signatures from some of us in Group 27 and over the address of the Group.

There are 3 kinds of Urgent Action appeals:

  • UA (Urgent Action or Urgent Action update)
  • EXTRA (Express Transmission) for rapid action - that bypass the postal system and are prioritized for the quickest distribution out of the London office
  • WARN (Worldwide Accelerated Response Network) that researchers can direct to selected UA coordinators worldwide for after-office-hours appeals.

Are UAs effective?

Sometimes governments tell us we are: the Rwandan Minister of Justice wrote to AI about how UA appeals had prompted an official investigation into the "disappearance" of Edouard Mpabuka. Updates on UAs and EXTRAs tell us nearly 30% of all cases meet their primary objective (stopping death threats, torture, etc.).
"I do not know how to say this but let me just say it. I was so overwhelmed by the support from Amnesty members and I think that I now have a good idea of what a membership organization can do. To all of the people who sent out appeals, I say a big thank you. I owe my release to their efforts. Once again, thank you."
Njuguna Mutahi
Njuguna Mutahi and Wahome Karengo were arrested in May 1998 and held in incommunicado detention. Amnesty Internastional issued an Urgent Action on their behalf. Njuguna Mutahi sent this message to Amnesty International after both had been released on bail.

by Darralyn B. (The quote and italized text ist based on the AI News Release ORG 10/03/99 of June 16, 1999)

Each day, thousands of "ordinary" people write letters that demand an end to specific human rights abuses or offer messages of support to human rights activists who are at risk of harm.
    Letter writing works - Amnesty International sees improvements in about one-third of our appeal cases. We also receive many messages of thanks from people who believe they have been helped by our letters.
    The most effective letters are short, clearly focused, based on fact, and respectful and personal in tone.

There are a few simple rules:

  1. Use a reasoned and respectful tone. Yes, many human rights abuses are outrageous. But your aim is to be listened to. Assume your reader is open to reason and a respectfully-worded appeal.

  2. Careful follow the facts and instructions given by Amnesty International for each appeal story. The "Facts" help your reader identify the case about which you are writing. The "Recommended Action" or appeal says what we want to see happen so that the situation will improve.

  3. Use your personal voice. A personal reference ("As a mother of two children ...," "As a student...") shows that people from many walks of life are concerned and sending appeals.

  4. Base your appeals on international law, not political opinions. Human rights are based on international laws, agreements, and obligations. Effective letters are based on these obligations. Political judgements or jargon are not effective and can sometimes do harm.

  5. Point to positive opportunities for change. Where possible, point to a country's traditions or ideals that support human rights. Look for opportunities to encourage further support for human rights.

  6. Express your personal interest in the country. If relevant, include a brief reference to your personal experience with the country and its peoples, such as travel experience or studying its history.

  7. Be brief. Most letters can easily fit on one side of a single page. Often a simple, two or three sentence letter can be effective.

Thank you for taking action!

Amnesty International