What if it was your loved one who was disappeared?

Act now to help those who are missing [View in Browser]( [Amnesty International candle logo]( [HELP US HONOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE DISAPPEARED »]( Dear {NAME}, Today is the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances — a very important day to me, for personal reasons. Many years ago I had a good friend who was disappeared in Colombia. She was a passionate human rights defender, and one day she was grabbed off the street by armed gunmen. It’s still very painful for me to think about what might have happened to her. Where was she taken, was she being tortured, had she been killed? All those questions still linger decades later. Her whereabouts still remain unknown until today. Today, I channel my grief into action as Amnesty’s Individuals at Risk Program lead. As members of Amnesty International, we must shine a light on each case, and pressure governments to acknowledge the fate and whereabouts of all people who have been disappeared. But we can only do so with the continued commitment of supporters like you. [In honor of those who have been disappeared, please mark this year’s Day of the Disappeared by being one of the 30 supporters we need to donate before midnight. Together, we will fight to get them and their families justice.]( [Join the fight for justice for the disappeared]( [Donate today]( {NAME}, the International Day of the Disappeared will, unfortunately, go unacknowledged by most people. But I can personally assure you it provides a focal point for families and activists searching for the disappeared. We know that those who are taken frequently are tortured and in constant fear of being killed. Even if they are eventually released, the physical and psychological scars stay with them forever. Most victims of enforced disappearances are killed. Searching for the truth may put family members, friends, and colleagues in great danger. That’s why it’s critical for Amnesty to act in solidarity with them. To take their lead. To amplify their question — “¿Dónde están?” Where are they? The truth must be known. We cannot allow the international community to look away from this horrific abuse of human rights. With your help, Amnesty is calling on all governments to make enforced disappearances a criminal offense, and to commit to investigating disappearances and prosecuting offenders. [{NAME}, when people are disappeared and their voices are silenced, Amnesty International is there to seek justice. Will you donate right now to help the hundreds of thousands of disappeared people around the world?]( [I will help those in need]( I can tell you firsthand, as someone who has experienced the mental anguish of losing a close friend — disappearing someone is an act of extreme and inhuman cruelty. But, together, we can stop enforced disappearances once and for all. With your support, on behalf of all the people who have been disappeared — many of whom are passionate human rights defenders, like my friend — we will continue to seek answers and fight to ensure that those who took them are held accountable. In gratitude for all you do as an Amnesty member, [Andrew Fandino] Andrew Fandino Senior Program Officer, Individuals at Risk Program Amnesty International USA [DONATE NOW]( © 2022 Amnesty International USA 311 W 43rd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036 | 1-800-AMNESTY Please don't reply to this email. You can send questions to aimember@aiusa.org. We’re so happy you’re here to hear about the most important updates on human rights! If necessary, you can [opt to receive fewer emails]( or [unsubscribe here](. [supporter]