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

Dear John,

My name is Germain, and I come from Burundi. 

	Help Germain reunite with his family.

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.

This year, my story 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. 

VIDEO: Watch Germain's story and take action >>

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. Together, our actions have power.

Sincerely,

Germain Rukuki, on behalf of Amnesty International