The Sisters of St. Joseph have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Amnesty International, a global organization focused on upholding human rights. That relationship continues through the annual visit from their leadership to us. This year Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General for Amnesty International Canada’s English-Speaking section, came to speak to us about their mission. Since 2012, the Sisters of St. Joseph have participated in the world’s larges human rights campaign, Amnesty’s Write for Rights. Write for Rights is a global letter writing campaign to fight injustice and support those whose human rights are threatened. Participants from around the globe write letters of support for those who face threats of violence and imprisonment for who they are and what they stand for. These letters put pressure on governments and leaders by showing them that the eyes of the world are watching and will not accept inaction. By writing letters to leaders and those in need, participants of Write for Rights fight injustice and protect those who advocate for change.
This year, our Write for Rights event was open to Sisters and staff who proved the might of the pen! Our words and actions supported five causes - four abroad and one right here in Canada. We supported three activists facing imprisonment and violence: Dang Dinh Bach (an environmental lawyer in Viet Nam), Şebnem Korur Fincancı (a human rights defender in Türkiye), and Manahel al-Otaibi (a women’s rights supporter in Saudi Arabia). We also supported systemic change by writing for Kyung Seok Park and Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination, a disability activist group in South Korea. Here in Canada, we supported the Wet’suwet’en land defenders who continue to fight to protect the environment and their ancestral lands from the construction of a fossil fuel pipeline, even in the face of criminal charges.
Pre-made letter writing packages were available for pick up on November 22 and a sit-in writing marathon event was held on International Human Rights Day, December 10th. Filled with a passion for change and delicious treats, Sisters and staff put their hands and hearts to work and wrote letter after letter. In total, 266 earnest letters were carefully written by Sisters and staff! Thank you to all who attended in person or submitted letters in advance.
The Write for Rights event was a smashing success and, supported by our prayers, we know our letters and petitions will enact change.
-Rhiannon Allen-Roberts & Sarah Morrison