Day 20, Free José Ramón and Pascual, Amnesty International to Mexican Prez Calderón

Today's letter is through Amnesty International, one of the more famous organizations that leverages the strength of international outcry, generally in the form of petitions and letter campaigns.

People from all over the world write letters for someone they will never meet, who will probably never directly impact their lives in any way.

But it's also about principles - we want to live in a world where human rights are respected, and if they are violated it helps everyone when we speak up.

José Ramón and Pascual, illegally detained for increasing water to their village

Also, Amnesty writes the letter for you, so the lazy bonus is strong!

This letter is for two indigenous leaders detained in Mexico for legitimately increasing access to water. They are to spend 7 years in prison for a crime they didn't do because of their work with water. Full story here.

Letter taken directly from Amnesty website: 

Dear President Calderón,

I am writing to you to express my deep concern regarding the unfair trial of José Ramón Aniceto Gómez y Pascual Agustín Cruz, two indigenous human rights defenders from the Nahuan community of Atla, in the municipality of Pahuatlán, Puebla State.

They have already spent more than two years in prison for a crime they did not commit as the result of their work to guarantee access to water in their community. In 2010, they were detained, tried and sentenced to almost seven years in prison by Puebla state courts.

The two men are prisoners of conscience and Amnesty International will campaign on their behalf until they are released. The human rights organisation has documented many of the irregularities which resulted in the unsafe conviction of José Ramón Aniceto Gómez y Pascual Agustín Cruz, including the denial of their right to an impartial hearing, equality before the law, the presumption of innocence, and the right to an effective defence.

I welcome the fact that the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation has decided to review the case, as it is essential to correct the injustices that the two men have faced and to remedy the human rights violations committed against them.

Mr President, I call on your government to ensure José Ramón Aniceto Gómez y Pascual Agustín Cruz’s immediate and unconditional release, to guarantee a full and impartial investigation into their unfair detention and trial and to hold to account those responsible.

My snail mail went to:
FELIPE DE JESÚS CALDERÓN HINOJOSA
Presidente Constitucional de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos Casa
Col. San Miguel Chapultepec, C.P. 11850, DISTRITO FEDERAL, México

You can send online here: http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/freedom-and-justice-Jose-Ramon-and-Pascual