Johannesburg, South Africa — As the world marks Nelson Mandela Day, CIVICUS is calling on people everywhere to dedicate 67 minutes to solidarity and action for imprisoned human rights defenders through the #StandAsMyWitness campaign.
The number honours the 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted to the struggle for freedom, equality and human rights. While taking action through the campaign takes only a few minutes, the 67-minute call reflects the Mandela Day tradition of giving time in service of justice, dignity and humanity. A small act of solidarity today can contribute to a lasting impact for human rights defenders and the communities they serve.
Launched on Nelson Mandela Day in 2020, Stand As My Witness (SAMW) draws inspiration from Mandela’s legacy and the enduring importance of solidarity with those who are persecuted for defending rights and freedoms. The campaign shines a spotlight on human rights defenders who have been jailed for speaking truth to power and mobilises global support for their release.
This campaign invites people around the world to spend part of their 67 minutes standing with imprisoned defenders by signing the petition, sharing campaign messages and amplifying the stories of those unjustly detained for defending fundamental freedoms.
“Nelson Mandela taught us that solidarity has the power to challenge injustice and bring hope where repression seeks to silence it,” said Asma Darwish, Lead of the SAMW campaign at CIVICUS. “Today, human rights defenders around the world are paying a heavy price simply for standing up for the rights of others. On Mandela Day, we honour his legacy by standing with them, amplifying their voices, and calling for their immediate and unconditional release.”
Through Stand As My Witness, CIVICUS are urging the public to support human rights defenders who continue to face persecution for their work. The campaign highlights the courage of those imprisoned for defending civic freedoms and emphasises the urgent need for global solidarity in the face of growing attacks on dissent and democratic rights.
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About CIVICUS
CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organisations dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world. CIVICUS has 17,000 members worldwide.
Find out more and take action here: Stand As My Witness
