Junior Urgent Action Network

Pupils at Amesbury School taking part in the Greetings Card CampaignPupils at Amesbury School taking part in the Greetings Card Campaign

The aim of Junior Urgent Actions is for children to help those whose human rights have been abused, from every corner of the world by writing to in-country government officials and urging their intervention. Children are also asked to show their solidarity for an individual or community by writing to them directly or sending them a picture.

  • Sample Junior Urgent Action (pdf) Find out the latest on this case
  • Sign up to the Junior Urgent Action Network (you must be over 18 to sign up)

    Meet the Junior Urgent Action network: Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr, Bridgend, Wales

    Cards for NigeriaYears 5 and 6 from Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr, Bridgend, Wales made these lovely cards to show solidarity with the Njemanze community in Nigeria who were forcibly evicted two years ago this August. 
    When Amnesty's Nigeria team visited Port Harcourt they laid out all the cards received from UK activists in the Njemanze settlement area that now lies vacant. One card was then given to every family that was evicted. The pupils also raised over £100 for Amnesty on the same day.  

    Already, children have written on behalf of people whose human rights have been violated in over 50 different countries, including street children ill-treated by police in Brazil and child soldiers in Uganda.

    • Amnesty's free Junior Urgent Actions (JUAs) are specifically designed for teachers and parents of children aged 7 to 11.  
    • Through the Junior Urgent Actions, we ask children to stand up for human rights by writing letters and taking part in creative campaign actions.  
    • The JUAs are emailed to recipients six times a year during term-time.  
    • The JUAs ask for appeals on behalf of someone in need, sometimes another young person.
    • They are written in language children can understand.
    • You will receive a copy of the original case sheet, along with a map and background of the relevant country, discussion questions and advice on what to include in a letter.  
    • All graphic details of ill treatment or torture are edited out.

    Please read Amnesty's child protection statement Safeguarding Children and Young People before signing up to the network.

    All cases featured in Junior Urgent Actions are time sensitive - Amnesty researchers identify the best time to take action for individuals at risk, and the most appropriate type of action to take. Our actions often need to change - or to stop completely - in response to changes in the individual's circumstances. Sending letters after an action has been closed could sometimes be counter-productive.

    Amnesty cannot accept responsibility for the content of third party websites so please ensure content is suitable before sharing with under 18s.

    Sunflower petition for murdered 19-year-old student Claudina VelásquezSunflower petition for murdered 19-year-old student Claudina Velásquez