I was sentenced to 32 years in prison for defending human rights. Please help me
gain my freedom. | View in browser [[link removed]] .


[[link removed]]
Dear John,

My name is Germain, and I come from Burundi.


[[link removed]] Help Germain reunite with his family.
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]In 2017, my wife Emelyne was just four months away from giving birth to our
third child, when early one morning we were startled awake by heavy footsteps
and banging on the door.

Suddenly dozens of members of the security forces surrounded us. They interrogated us both and arrested me. They took me to the notorious
headquarters of the National Intelligence Services where I spent two weeks
before being transferred to Ngozi prison, where I remain to this day.

Emelyne took our two boys and fled the country in fear of her life.

My wife and I both worked for non-profit, non-governmental organizations, which
have been targeted in a nationwide crackdown because of what the authorities see
as “insurrection”. Many organizations here have been suspended or shut down
completely and I was charged with “rebellion” and “threatening state security”.

I was sentenced to 32 years in jail.

Please tell the President of Burundi to release me immediately and
unconditionally.
[[link removed]]

This year, my stor y is part of Amnesty’s Write for Rights campaign, in which people like you sign
thousands of petitions, write solidarity messages and act together in the
struggle for justice around the world.


[[link removed]]VIDEO: Watch Germain's story and take action >>
[[link removed]]

I feel the suffering that breaks the hearts of my sons forcibly and unfairly
separated from their daddy, from my wife and all my relatives, friends and
acquaintances. However, this suffering, which after all brings to the surface a
notorious injustice, was worth it. How many victims of injustice would have gone
unnoticed?

With your action, you'll tell the President of Burundi that the world is
watching. Please get involved and take action for Write for Right now.
[[link removed]] Together, our actions have power.

Sincerely,

Germain Rukuki , on behalf of Amnesty International


[[link removed]] [[link removed]] [[link removed]] DONATE
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]

You received this email because you requested to be informed about opportunities
to protect human rights.
If you do not wish to receive emails from Amnesty, click here
[[link removed]] .


Amnesty International Canadian Section (English Speaking)
312 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1H9 1-800-AMNESTY (266-3789)
Charitable Registration # 11878 5914 RR0001


View Amnesty's privacy policy
[[link removed]]