Thank you to the thousands of you who wrote letters or sent greetings cards on behalf of the cases featured in 2011's Write for Rights campaign.
Below are updates on some of the cases we featured including their messages of thanks to you.
If you'd like to write more letters on behalf of prisoners of conscience and individuals at risk you can join our Urgent Action Network.
Find out more about Write for Rights | Join the Urgent Action Network
Inés Fernández Ortega and Valentina Rosendo Cantú
The Mexican government has announced that it has taken responsibility for the rape and abuse of Valentina Rosendo Cantú. To add to the great news, the government is expected to take responsibility for Inés soon too.
These formal Acts of Acknowledgement were originally demanded by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in August 2010 and now the Mexican government has agreed.
This is amazing progress for victims of rape like Valentina and she has asked us to pass on this message to everyone who has supported Inés and herself:
'The road to follow is still very long, however, we would like to take this opportunity to truly thank you for all your support; without your letters, your action and your solidarity, we would have not achieved this moment. To each one of you, Nomaá' (Nomaá means thank you in Me'phaa).
Jabbar Savalan
Imprisoned Facebook activist Jabbar Savalan was released on Boxing Day 2011 after he received a presidential pardon.
Whilst a pardon doesn't mean the charges have been removed or overturned, his release is still great news and we will continue to campaign for freedom of expression to be respected.
Upon his release Jabbar said:
'Amnesty International is a symbol of human rights and freedom, not just in Azerbaijan, but everywhere in the world... We will not be scared off by imprisonment or punishment. They may arrest us, but they can't break us. Freedom of speech is our right, as it is the right of everyone. We will continue our struggle.'
Afghan Women's Network
On 5th December 2011, We met with Afghan Women's Network board member Selay
Ghaffar to pass on some of your cards.
Selay told us how how important it is to her and to other Afghan women that they have the support of organisations like Amnesty International and asked us to pass on her thanks.
The Deep Sea settlement
![Residents retreat as fire engulfs the Deep Sea slum in the Parklands area of Kenya's capital Nairobi March 8, 2011 [For use until 30 Mar 2012]](/image_library/28/31/31421.jpg "Residents retreat as fire engulfs the Deep Sea slum in the Parklands area of Kenya's capital Nairobi March 8, 2011 [For use until 30 Mar 2012]")
The Prime Minister of Kenya has announced a halt to all evictions in Kenya until legal measures are put in place to make sure that residents are not left homeless by evictions. Although this is positive, it comes in reaction to a violent eviction at the Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi at the end of January, in which three people are reported to have died.
Djameleddine Fahassi
Safia Fahassi, the wife Djameleddine Fahassi of 
who disappeared in Algeria
almost 17 years ago, has been in contact with the Amnesty Cardiff group
about the letters she has received.
Safia said she has been receiving hundreds of cards every day and that she doesn't know how to thank everyone. Despite an increasingly difficult situation in Algeria towards the families of those who have been disappeared, Safia has continued to fight for the truth.
Ragihar Manoharan
Dr Manoharan, the father of Ragihar Manoharan the student killed by Sri
Lankan security forces in 2006, has been receiving bundles of letters. He was so moved by your lovely messages he
has now started writing back to some of you to let you know how grateful
he is.
In his letters he has written:
'Thank you for standing with me and my family on the way for justice for Ragihar's case. Your concern and thoughts won't be forgotten and all our humble requests are in your way for your great support in the future. Thank you'
He has also written the following message to those he can not respond to personally:
Dear friends,
'I use this opportunity to say our heartfelt thank you for all your thoughts and support.
'I very much wish to thank you personally to everyone for your precious cards. We have received a mountain of cards all over the world and overwhelmed.
'Thank you once again and I am humbly requesting your support in the future.'
Patrick Okoroafor
The solidarity cards you sent to Patrick have given him much
more than just something to read. He has received over 1,000 cards and
has said that they have given him the chance to feel like a human once
again.
He is now 'the big man' in the prison yard and can stand tall amongst his fellow inmates. We have been told by Patrick that your cards have also given the prison wardens something to think about. He now receives special treatment and his cell's conditions have improved.
Patrick feels special knowing that there are people all over the world showing concern for his life and safety. He plans to thank you for your words himself when he is released from prison, but until then he has asked us to say it for him.
You have made an amazing impact on a man who has been imprisoned since he was a child. So from Patrick and from us, thankyou!
Natalia Estemirova
The colleagues of murdered human rights activist 
have
been receiving solidarity cards from around the world.
The Memorial Human Rights Centre has told us how grateful they are for all your kind words. They said it is great knowing that so many people love and remember Natalia and support their continued work in her memory.
Manolis Kypreos
Greek journalist Manolis Kypreos has received thousands of letters and cards. The staff at his trade union office have
decided to share your letters with everyone by putting them in the
public entrance to their building.
Manolis has been in touch and asked us to pass on this message:
'There are times when you feel alone. Even more so when you have fallen. The body is one with the ground, looking only at the surface. Hard and full of stones. Some time ago, I fell too. Without knowing me, you came along and put me back on my feet. And I got to see you, all of you. You, beautiful people that helped me see again, and I saw the blue of the sky with you. You hugged me and I hugged you back. We then became a beautiful family from all four corners of the world. Then we made a promise: other people who have fallen will also see the blue of the sky, with us...with us standing. I thank you from the depths of my soul.'
In January 2012 we heard that an Athens Public Prosecutor has brought charges against unidentified police officers for intentionally causing Manolis serious bodily harm. The case has been assigned to a magistrate who will continue the investigation.
We are maintaining our call for the riot police officers who injured Manolis to be identified and brought to justice.
Ramze Shihab Ahmed
Ramze's wife Rabiha has asked us to pass on the following message to everyone who has supported her husband:
'I would like
to thank all of the supporters that contacted Ramze and shared their
grace. I appreciate all the emails that were sent.
'I would like to inform you that I have told Ramze about all the emails
and support I have received and he thanks everyone that was there for
him and wishes you all the best.
'I thank everyone that helped and wrote for Ramze, this really does help
him in his crisis and also helps me feel that there are still good
people that want peace.'
Sonia Pierre
On 4 December 2011 we got the very sad news that Sonia had died of a heart attack. This news came as a great shock, and our thoughts are
with Sonia's family and colleagues.
Sonia's courage and commitment will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew her. Her colleagues at MUDHA will continue advocating for women's rights and for equal rights and respect for Haitian migrants and Dominicans of Haitian descent.They would appreciate messages of support as they continue this important work whilst deeply mourning the loss of Sonia Pierre.
Please send cards to:
MUDHA
Apartado Postal 136 - B
Santo Domingo Distrito Nacional
Dominican Republic
Salutation: Dear friends at MUDHA
Suggested message: I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences to you for the tragic loss of your colleague Sonia Pierre. I would also like to express my support and solidarity as you continue your important human rights work at this very difficult time.
Salutation: Estimadas amigas de MUDHA
Suggested message: Por medio de la presente le hago llegar mis mas sentidas condolencias y simpatia por la perdida de su compañera y activista de los derechos humanos Sonia Pierre. Asimismo expresar mi solidaridad y apoyo ahora que toca a ustedes continuar con la importante labor de defensa de los derechos humanos.
Claudina Velásquez
Claudina's father told us that he has received over 2,000 cards and found it very encouraging that after six years of the campaign, people are still involved.
He still believes that justice can be won for Claudina. Over the last six years, he has received around 30,000 cards - and has saved every single one of them. They make him realise that he is not alone and provide him with strength. He has started the new year with new expectations and hopes.
Ibragim Gazdiev
Ibragim's father, Mukhmed Gazdiev, has asked us to pass on this message:
'We have received hundreds of letters and cards from you and sadly can't reply to them. But using this opportunity we would like to tell you that we are very very grateful to you. Your letters are a great support to us. It is so moving to see how many people are not indifferent to Ibragim's fate. We are sending our love to all of you. With very best wishes, the Gazdievs' family.'