Good news: How you've helped to keep hope alive

The world seems to be a darker place in the space of just a couple of weeks.

With the attacks in Orlando; the loss of human rights activist and our friend Jo Cox; the rise in hate crimes towards our migrant communities and now the devastating bombings in Istanbul just a few days ago, hope seems to be in short supply.

Now more than ever we must strengthen our resolve as a movement and remind ourselves of the powerful Chinese proverb:

'It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.'

With that in mind I want to share with you just some of the ways you have helped keep hope alive in the last few months.

1. Atena Farghadani freed

Activist and painter Atena Farghadani was imprisoned for drawing cartoons. Together we have fought the absurd charges levelled against her, and now she walks free. Thank you.

Read Atena's story

2. Phyoe Phyoe Aung freed

Thousands of you demanded the release of Burmese student union leader Phyoe Phyoe Aung, her husband and tens of other student activists. In April they were finally released. Now the Burmese government must keep its promise to release all prisoners of conscience.

3. Mahdi Abu Dheeb freed

In April Mahdi Abu Deeb, a school teacher and leader of a teaching union in Bahrain, was finally released after five unjust years in prison. Your actions ensured his case was not forgotten. Thank you.

See how Mahdi's release unfolded

4. Khadija Ismayilova freed

After a year and a half behind bars for her investigative journalism, Khadija Ismayilova was released on bail, just in time to celebrate her 40th birthday.

Thank you for helping make all this happen.

Please keep an eye out for our upcoming campaigns tackling human rights at home and overseas - we will need your support more than ever.