Keira Knightley joins UK-wide call to celebrate local human rights defenders

Keira Knightley calls on the UK public to nominate changemakers for first-ever Amnesty Brave Awards

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‘No act is too small to create change. In 2020, let’s make every act of humanity count’ - Keira Knightley

Actor Keira Knightley has joined Amnesty’s campaign to search for some of the UK’s most inspiring activists campaigning for human rights up and down the country.

Earlier this month, Amnesty UK launched its first-ever Brave Awards, celebrating ordinary people with extraordinary passion across England who are making a difference in their communities.

Adding her voice to the campaign, long standing Amnesty supporter Keira Knightley writes:

“Of course, this new decade will bring on many new challenges. […] But if there is one lesson that we can take from 2019, it is that no one is too small to make a difference, and if we take the time to look for them, it is clear that changemakers are all around us.

“No act is too small to create change. In 2020, let’s make every act of humanity count.”

Launched in January of this year, the Brave Awards celebrates the local human rights defenders at the forefront of fighting for human rights in towns and cities across the UK.

The awards - supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery - are a fantastic opportunity for both budding and accomplished campaigners and activists to be recognised and celebrated for their work. Nominations are open to anyone in the UK campaigning on human rights issues, such as women’s rights, LGBTI rights, the climate crisis, justice, equality and much more.

In 2020, let’s make every act of humanity count, by Keira Knightley

For many of us, 2019 was not easy. In a world where inequality, injustice and divisions seem ever more prevalent, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the past year was a bad year for human rights.

But 2019 has seen some great wins for justice and equality in the UK and abroad, and has inspired hundreds of thousands to make a stand for what they believe in.

From the landmark legalisation of abortion and same sex marriage in Northern Ireland, to the momentous global mobilisation of the children and young people in the Fridays for Future movement, activists all over the UK have been galvanised to stand up for human rights.

Of course, this new decade will bring on many new challenges. Around the world, attacks against ordinary people who stand up for freedom, justice and equality are surging. In 2019 alone, more than 300 human rights defenders were killed in 31 countries.

But if there is one lesson that we can take from 2019, it is that no one is too small to make a difference, and if we take the time to look for them, it is clear that changemakers are all around us.

Everyday around the UK, ordinary people with extraordinary passion and determination make a stand to create more welcoming and fairer communities. They are teachers, nurses, journalists, students, volunteers, mothers and fathers, people from all walks of life committed to defending and upholding the rights of others – people like you.

They are local human rights defenders. It is time to give them the recognition they deserve.

That is why Amnesty International UK, supported by People’s Postcode Lottery, has launched its first ever Brave Awards, to make the start of 2020 a celebration of the passionate and dedicated individuals making a positive difference in communities up and down the country.

Until 10 February, Amnesty is calling on people across the UK to nominate people in their community campaigning, volunteering or working on human rights issues, such as women’s rights, LGBTI rights, the climate crisis, justice, equality and much more. People under 18 are encouraged to participate. 

Winners will be announced on World Day of Social Justice (20 February).

All you have to do is nominate yourself or others by visiting amnesty.org.uk/braveawards.

No act is too small to create change. In 2020, let’s make every act of humanity count.

To find out more about the Amnesty Brave Awards, visit amnesty.org.uk/braveawards

About the Brave Awards

Nominations for the Brave Awards close on Monday 10 February with the final winners being announced on World Day of Social Justice (20 February).

Winners and nominees will have the chance to have their campaigns featured on the Amnesty website. People under the age of 18 are highly encouraged to be nominated, and winners will be selected as part of a Youth Human Rights Defenders category.

All finalists will be selected by a panel of Amnesty judges and activists.

Visit amnesty.org.uk/braveawards for nominations.