Urgent action network blog

People in solitary confinement have reported that over time, colours fade until all you see is grey.

'In those six months, the Iranian authorities have never been willing to discuss why they have detained my family.' Richard Ratcliffe blogs on the imprisonment of his wife, Nazanin, and the enforced separation from their two-year-old daughter.

Three of Jorge's sons have been shot, in separate incidents. Only one of them survived. One was murdered by the police who were supposed to be protecting him. A family torn apart amid grief, this is the dark reality of black youth in Brazil.

Another promised release date has just passed for the UK-Iranian grandfather. Send him a message of support for his birthday.

British-Iranian charity worker continues to be imprisoned in Iran without charge, forcibly separated from her young daughter who has had her UK passport confiscated. Call for justice.

'I want to thank you for making my struggle your struggle'. Belén is serving an eight-year prison sentence for having a miscarriage in a hospital. Tens of thousands of people around the world have called for her freedom. She had these words to thank them…

Having a miscarriage is a traumatic and painful experience for any woman. How did Argentina care for one young woman who went to hospital in agony? By putting her in prison – for eight years. Call for Belén's freedom on social media before her next court…

'He has often been told he has a good chance of release 'next week' or 'next month' and yet that day never comes. I’m sure this constant oscillation between hope and despair is damaging his health. It’s certainly painful for the rest of his family.' The…

Mahdi Abu Dheeb is imprisoned for calling for a teachers' strike. Ask Bahrain to release him as planned on Monday.

A man from a poor background with low IQ is implicated in a serious crime. His dominant older relative is the prime suspect, but under intense police interrogation he confesses to the crime. Here's why you should care about Matsumoto Kenji, whose case is…

In the year since Raif Badawi was flogged, Saudi Arabian authorities have continued their intense crackdown on free speech. Raif is one of many people behind bars simply for exercising their human rights in the Kingdom. We continue to campaign for…

The Saudi Arabian authorities are trying to silence Waleed for his human rights work. Defy them by spreading his message.

Albert Woodfox was cleared for unconditional release earlier this year - but he's still imprisoned in isolation. Call on Louisiana to free him now.

"He has always been my rock whenever I felt weak, he was my strength and my source of motivation and inspiration..." Samar Badawi's husband is serving a 15-year prison sentence simply for standing up for human rights in Saudi Arabia. Samar continues to…

Ali Aarrass was tortured and sentenced to 12 years based on his forced 'confession'. After a 72-day hunger strike to protest the delays in investigating his torture, Ali has suspended his hunger strike due to health concerns. Tweet Morocco's Ministry of…