2022 in review

Three big wins I’m excited to share [View in Browser]( Dear {NAME}, We’ve seen massive, unanticipated challenges to human rights in the past year. We write to you frequently about them. Today, I want to do something a little different — I want to take this chance to highlight some of our successes in 2022. Because when we act together, we get results. [WIN: People Fleeing Conflict Protected]( In March, President Biden announced [Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for people fleeing Ukraine,]( allowing thousands to safely remain in the U.S. Amnesty welcomed this swift action — and we also called for the same status for people fleeing conflict in Cameroon. Too often, TPS has been denied for countries with majority Black and Brown populations. That’s why it was such a win when, in April, the Biden administration also granted [TPS status for Cameroonians.]( Plus, just this month, the administration extended TPS for Haiti as well! We’re not done yet. Amnesty is rallying Congress to pass an [Afghan Adjustment Act]( which would create a permanent path to citizenship for Afghans. We are also pushing for TPS for others fleeing violence in other countries. [Crowd in front of building. Sign 'No Deportation.']( [TAKE ACTION]( [WIN: Activists and Human Rights Defenders Freed]( [Guatemala: Bernardo Caal Xol]( In 2018, Bernardo Caal Xol was sentenced to over seven years in prison for defending the rights of the Maya Q’eqchi’ Indigenous communities affected by the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on a vital river in northern Guatemala. Amnesty members and activists worldwide sent more than 511,000 letters and messages demanding his release. [And it worked: earlier this year he was finally freed.]( (Here he is below, reading letters of solidarity from Amnesty members around the world!) [Bernardo Caal Xol opening boxes of letter]( [Egypt: Hisham Fouad]( Journalist, trade unionist, and politician Hisham Fouad was arrested in Egypt in June 2019 for his peaceful political activism. He was accused of spreading "false news", and sentenced to four years in prison. Thanks to thousands of Amnesty members who sent letters to Egyptian authorities, [he was released after receiving a presidential pardon!]( [Are you liking your Amnesty Impact overview? Let us know!]( [Thumbs Up]( [Thumbs Down]( [WIN: Fighting to End Gun Violence in the U.S.]( Gun violence in the U.S. is a human rights crisis, and it disproportionately impacts Black and Brown communities. We know that violence prevention and intervention programs can actively reduce gun deaths. But they need to be supported and funded. [Three End Gun Violence protestors looking at camera]( After tens of thousands of Amnesty supporters joined the call to increase funding for violence prevention programs, we had one major win and one big step forward. In June, President Biden signed into law the first major gun safety legislation passed by Congress in nearly 30 years. It included $250 million in funding for community violence intervention programs. This law will save lives and reduce violence. And in September, the Break the Cycle of Violence Act passed the U.S. House. This legislation has been at the core of Amnesty’s strategy. It would provide over $5 billion dollars to community programs that have proven successful. While it still must clear the Senate, this is a meaningful milestone that bodes well for future legislation. [TAKE ACTION]( {NAME}, what we do matters. The global community faces terrible challenges to human rights today. Yet I believe with all my heart that our actions can keep progress moving forward. Indeed, we must do all we can. I’m so grateful that we’ve had your support this year. From all of us at Amnesty — thank you. [Paul O'Brien] Paul O’Brien Executive Director Amnesty International USA [P.S. This holiday season, consider making a gift to Amnesty to defend human rights around the world.]( [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]