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Background on the program:

The Urgent Action Network (UAN) is an Amnesty International program designed to provide a quick, effective response to situations of urgency involving prisoners, detainees and other threatened individuals. There are Urgent Action Networks in 78 countries where there are established Amnesty International organizations. In the United States, thousands of individual AI members, student groups, community chapters and other organizations make up its Urgent Action Network.

On December 10, 1972, the 24th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Amnesty International intitated its Campaign for the Abolition of Torture. Its purpose was to arouse public consciousness throughout the world regarding the epidemic of systematic use of torture by governments.

A little more than two months later, Amnesty would get its first opportunity to respond quickly to a situation where a person was currently being tortured and asking for the organization's help: Luis Basilio Rossi, Professor of Brazilian History at Sao Paulo University, Brazil. A first "Urgent Action" was issued to Amnesty International members and the professor was released. Later that year, on December 10, 1973, after extensive publicity and in an effort to provide specific directions for future activities, A.I. helds its Conference for the Abolition of Torture in Paris. The conference produced a large number of recommendations and proposals for future action, some of a general nature and others specific, as well as those of immediate urgency. From the latter category came Amnesty International's commitment to establish a program designed to respond to situations of individuals who are under the threat of torture. Out of that commitment came the formation of the Urgent Action Network.

The Urgent Action Network has since expanded its focus to include writing on behalf of those who are victimized by: ill-treatment, death threats, capital punishment, "disappearance", forced repatriation, extrajudicial execution, untreated health problems, unacknowledged detention and denial of access to legal counsel.

Some general guidelines:

• Please take action as soon as you can (hopefully when you receive Urgent Action appeals). Carefully read the recommended action and send a telegram, fax or airmail letter immediately to one or more of the addresses given.
• With Urgent Action appeals, A.I. has to act rapidly to prevent a serious human rights abuse. An appeal is issued when the organization believes it has received reliable and accurate information in such cases. It is not always possible to verify all details independently and in some instances the situation outlined in the appeal may change. Urgent Action participants are always notified of any significant new information.
• Send your appeals in English unless you are fluent with the language of the target country.
• Information about the alleged connection of any person with an organization which is banned in their country is provided for information only and should not be included in appeals.
• Your letters should be brief, polite, nonpartisan and to-the-point.
• Copies of any replies from government authorities should be sent immediately to the Colorado office. If appropriate, thank the official who has replied and ask to be kept informed about the case.
• Postage costs: airmail letters to most countries which include an envelope and a one-page letter cost 60 cents; to Mexico - 40 cents. Aerogrammes and postcards are 50 cents each.
• The name of Amnesty International may be used although letters written in a private or professional capacity are often more effective.

If you would like to receive Urgent Actions by email, send us an email with your request.