Write a letter. Change a life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our virtual Write for Rights event is only a few days away. The registration page for the event is here<\/a>. As we approach December 10, International Human Rights Day, I\u2019d like to focus on one of the seven Write for Rights cases each day. Today, I’ll focus on Jani Silva, an environmental activist and community advocate in Colombia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jani Silva has worked to defend the Amazon ecosystem in Colombia and the rights of local communities for decades. This includes projects geared towards conservation, reforestation and community empowerment. However, with its rich supplies of natural resources such as oil, Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for environmental activists; and many are killed. On April 17 and then again on April 22 of this year, guns were fired less than 60 yards away from Jani Silva’s home. Weeks earlier, information concerning plans to kill her was provided to the Inter-Church Justice and Peace Commission, a human rights organization in Colombia. Amnesty International has since urged the Colombian Ministry of the Interior to provide protection for her. Please join us on December 10 in writing letters urging protection for Jani Silva and her colleagues as they continue their work to protect the Amazon rainforest and to stand up for the rights of local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More information regarding Jani Silva can be found here<\/a>. Also, you can sign an online petition created by Amnesty International here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Write a letter. Change a life. Our virtual Write for Rights event is only a few days away. The registration page for the event is here. As we approach December 10, International Human Rights Day, I\u2019d like to focus on one … Continue reading