Amnesty International Urgent Action Bulletin

The Urgent Action Bulletin is an advocacy tool launched by Amnesty International in 1973 to mobilize a global network of subscribers. Its goal is to rapidly flood governments with letters, faxes, and emails on behalf of individuals at immediate risk of human rights abuses.

Participants sign up to receive alerts via email or the Amnesty app detailing a specific case of a prisoner or individual in danger. Supporters are then asked to write polite, immediate appeals to government officials urging them to intervene and protect the person.

Yes, Amnesty International tracks the outcomes of their Urgent Actions and reports that many individuals experience improved conditions, are released, or are spared execution following the campaigns. The sheer volume of international scrutiny often forces governments to change their actions.

The very first Urgent Action was issued on March 19, 1973, on behalf of a professor in Brazil who was arrested by the military government. This initial bulletin laid the foundation for a rapid-response network that now comprises hundreds of thousands of advocates worldwide.