10 December 2011
On 10 December, Human Rights Day, Amnesty International is shining a light on individuals whose human rights are violated and bringing hundreds of thousands of people together to take action on their behalf.
In Amnesty International’s 50th anniversary year, iconic landmarks such as Niagara Falls are to be lit in bright yellow, as events in more than 50 countries in every region of the world mark a symbolic call to respect human rights.
International Human Rights Day will be commemorated by Amnesty International Philippines through Karapatan at Kultura, showcasing music and art and action booths for human rights, particularly for the women of Zimbabwe and for the enactment of a Reproductive health law in the country. The Quezon City Memorial Circle will be lit by lanterns and candles by members and supporters of Amnesty International joined by ordinary people who want to make a difference on human rights. Shine a Light ceremonies will also be held in Cagayan De Oro City, Davao City, Cebu City, Iloilo City and Baguio City. The winners of the Project 50 Proof Photography Contest will also be awarded.
From a candle-lit parade in Mali, a concert in Taiwan to street events in France, hundreds of thousands of supporters are uniting to take action in support of individuals whose rights are violated. Many events will include large scale projections of the faces of individuals Amnesty International continues to campaign for. This includes Halil Savda a conscientious objector in Turkey and Fatima Hussein Badi who faces the death sentence in Yemen after an unfair trial as well as Women of Zimbabwe Arize or WOZA which Amnesty International Philippines has been campaigning for since May.
“Amnesty International was founded on the idea that people, united, could shine a light on individuals who are facing injustice and create pressure for change,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“On 10 December, hundreds of thousands of people from across the world are coming together to show that this simple idea remains just as powerful today. Whether it is the symbolic lighting of an iconic landmark, a single candle or the writing of a letter, united we can all make a difference for human rights.” shared Dr. Aurora Parong, Director of Amnesty International Philippines during the Shine-A-Light ceremony.
Action has been taking place on behalf of individuals since 3 until 17 December 2011 in the following countries: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cameroon, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
In the Philippines, action has been taking place on behalf of individuals since November 25 at the start of the 16 days of activism that will culminate on December 10 in the following places of the country:
Baguio City, Cagayan De Oro City, Cebu City, Davao City, Iloilo City, La Union, National Capital Region and Nueva Vizcaya.
Further information on the Write for Rights campaign can be found here:
Images of events including projections and the lighting of iconic buildings will be available.
For further information regarding the activities in the Philippines,
please contact Mei Orias-Palma at 09996282066 or Aurora Parong at 09175299953.