We at AI @ NYU use several methods to work for human rights:
The most frequent actions we take are the urgent actions sent to us by Amnesty headquarters. Urgent actions are usually letter-writing campaigns directed at freeing prisoners of conscience, granting them fair trials, and ensuring that they are not subjected to torture. If government officials receive a multitude of letters requesting that a prisoner be treated fairly, they will usually comply. Hundreds of letters were sent on behalf of an adopted prisoner detained for many years in Soviet psychiatric hospitals. Later he said that his release had been a direct result of the letters from Amnesty. He believes they were also the key to better treatment during imprisonment. It may seem unbelievable but, through letter-writing campaigns, Amnesty members can give direct and effective assistance to prisoners of conscience. Since it was founded in 1961, Amnesty International has worked on behalf of more than 43,000 prisoner cases, of which 40,000 are now closed. In addition, many urgent actions address broader topics concerning human rights, in which case the letters are frequently addressed to officials who are responsible for committing the human rights abuses or for stopping them. In the past, the members of Amnesty International @ NYU have collected signatures for petitions, and have organized rallies, vigils, and other publicity events. We are always receptive to suggestions for new activities that constructively work toward the universal application of human rights.
