Amnesty International Nigeria has called on citizens to wield the “power of the pen” as a means to champion human rights and seek justice across the nation.
The appeal came during the organisation’s 2025 Write for Rights campaign in Abuja, themed “Write, Create, and Defend”, where participants were urged to use letters, petitions, and other forms of expression to spotlight violations and hold authorities accountable.
Auwal Rafsanjani, Chairman of Amnesty International Nigeria, highlighted the pressing issues facing the country, including shrinking civic space, discrimination, and systemic injustices in policing and governance.
He described the annual campaign as a simple yet powerful tool: “Every letter sent, every voice raised, is a signal that oppression will not go unnoticed.
Each message brings hope to those whose rights have been violated.”
Rafsanjani emphasised that the campaign is part of a global movement, uniting millions across cultures and borders to advocate for individuals who have been silenced, detained, or tortured for their beliefs or peaceful activism.
“When people unite, change becomes inevitable,” he said.
Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, stressed the tangible impact of collective action.
He recounted the case of Moses Akatugba, a Nigerian sentenced to death as a minor, who was eventually pardoned following international human rights advocacy.
“These letters and petitions reach the right people.
”They translate into real change,” Sanusi said, urging citizens to recognize the value of their engagement, ” he said.
In her keynote address, Ms. Funke Adeoye, Founder of Hope Behind Bars Africa, reminded participants that despite over two decades of democracy, human rights violations remain widespread.
She called on young Nigerians to leverage every tool at their disposal, voice, art, education, mobile technology, and writing to challenge injustice and promote freedom.
Adeoye concluded with a call to action: “Each petition written is more than words on paper—it is a beacon of hope, a push for accountability, and a step toward justice.”
The event underscored Amnesty International’s commitment to empowering individuals to defend human rights, demonstrating that even small acts, when multiplied, can create meaningful societal change.
