Brief 1:
Op 9 september 2015 werd journalist en prominente pro-democratie-activist Itai Dzamara in een kapperszaak in de Zimbabwaanse hoofdstad Harare door vijf onbekende mannen ontvoerd en meegenomen in een auto zonder kentekenplaten. Sindsdien is er nooit meer iets van hem vernomen. Twee dagen daarvoor had Dzamara bij een demonstratie opgeroepen tot massaal protest tegen de verslechterende economische toestand in het land. Amnesty roep de minister van Justitie van Zimbabwe op om een onafhankelijk onderzoek in te stellen naar de verdwijning van Itai Dzamara.
Brief 2:
De Jordaanse wiskundeleraar en activist Ayman Sanduka postte in december 2023 een brief aan de koning op Facebook. Daarin uitte hij kritiek op de diplomatieke relaties van zijn land met Israël. Sanduka maakte alleen maar gebruik van zijn recht op vrijheid van meningsuiting. Toch werd hij tot 5 jaar gevangenisstraf veroordeeld. Sinds Israël in oktober 2023 Gaza binnenviel gebruiken de Jordaanse autoriteiten allerlei vage wetten om journalisten, activisten en anderen die kritiek hebben op het Israél beleid van de regering de mond te snoeren. Amnesty roept de koning van Jordanië op om Ayman Sanduka onmiddellijk vrij te laten.
Brief 3
Owen Chow Ka-shing zette zich in voor de democratie in Hongkong, onder andere door mee te doen met massale demonstraties tegen het Hongkongse bestuur, dat sinds 1997 steeds autoritairder werd en steeds minder mensenrechten respecteerde. Chow werd veroordeeld tot een gevangenisstraf van bijna 13 jaar, alleen maar omdat hij gebruik maakte van zijn recht op vrijheid van meningsuiting. Amnesty roept de minister van Justitie van Hongkong op om Owen Chow Ka-shing onmiddellijk vrij te laten en alle aanklachten tegen hem te laten vallen.
Brief 1:
To: Hon Ziyambi Ziyambi
Minister of Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs
Mgandane Dlodlo Building (New Gvt Complex)
Cnr Samora Machel Avenue & Simon Vengesai
Harare, Zimbabwe
Arnhem, April 2025
Dear Hon Ziyambi Ziyambi,
I am writing to raise concern over the failure to launch an effective investigation into the enforced disappearance of Itai Dzamara, a journalist and pro-democracy activist, who was abducted 10 years ago on 9 March 2015 by five unknown men. Ever since, his fate or whereabouts remain unknown. His family members and human rights attorneys have made unsuccessful attempts to find him.
Itai Dzamara is an activist who campaigned for good governance and called upon the government to address the deteriorating economic conditions in Zimbabwe. He was arrested and severely beaten by the police as he exercised his right to protest.
In light of the above, I urge you to hear the appeals of Dzamara’s family for answers and ensure that an independent judge led commission of inquiry is set up to comprehensively investigate the enforced disappearance of Itai Dzamara, establish his fate or whereabouts and bring to justice those suspected of criminal responsibility in fair trials.
Yours sincerely,
Brief 2:
To: His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein
Royal Hashemite Court
Amman, Jordan
Arnhem, April 2025
Your Majesty,
I am distressed to learn that the State Security Court in Jordan has convicted political activist and mathematics professor, Ayman Sanduka, of “incitement to oppose the political regime” solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression on social media.
On 21 December 2023, the State Security Court prosecutor summoned and detained Ayman Sanduka in relation to a letter he posted on Facebook in October 2023 addressed to Your Majesty, in which he criticized Jordan’s diplomatic relations with Israel. On 7 January 2025, the State Security Court convicted Ayman Sanduka of "incitement to oppose the political regime”, under article 149 of the Penal Code and article 15 of the Cybercrimes Law and sentenced him to five years in prison.
I urge you to ensure that Ayman Sanduka is immediately and unconditionally released as he has been convicted solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. Pending his release, I urge you to ensure that he is protected from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and has access to adequate medical care on request or as necessary.
Yours sincerely,
Brief 3
To: Secretary for Justice, Paul Lam
5th floor, Main Wing, Justice Place
18 Lower Albert Road, Central
Hong Kong
Arnhem, April 2025
Dear Mr. Lam,
Owen Chow Ka-shing is a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist. He was an active participant in the 2014 Umbrella Movement and 2019 Anti-extradition protests. Owen Chow has to serve a total prison term of in total 12 year and 10 months.
On 16 March 2024, Owen Chow was sentenced to 61 months and 15 days in prison for “rioting” over his participation in the 2019 storming of the Legislative Council Complex, to which he had pleaded guilty. The lengthy prison term was handed down despite the judge noting that Chow had not engaged in any acts of assault or violence. On 30 May 2024, he was found guilty of subversion under the National Security Law for alleged subversion by organizing and participating in unofficial primary elections in July 2020. Taken together, the slate of charges against Chow are nothing more than an effort to punish his peaceful exercise of freedom of speech and assembly, which should be protected under the ICCPR and the Hong Kong Basic Law.
I therefor urge you to release Owen Chow and drop all charges against him, as he was charged solely for peacefully exercising his rights.
Yours sincerely,
