Amnesty International’s response to Ukraine crisis – and how you can help

CRISIS IN UKRAINE: HELP FUEL AMNESTY'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE Friend, Last Thursday, Ukrainians — including members of my family and my Amnesty International colleagues — woke to the terrifying sound of Russian missile strikes. We are hearing from our Amnesty Ukraine colleagues on the ground that civilians are being urged to hide in defunct bomb shelters. People on the streets are frantically ducking into underground parking lots and metro stations. As of February 25, Amnesty International has documented three incidents that it believes to have killed at least six civilians, including a ballistic missile strike outside a hospital in Ukraine that killed at least two civilians. What is unfolding right now is terrifying. And as millions are forced to leave their homes, mass displacement will cause a refugee crisis on top of the disaster we are currently witnessing. Amnesty International is mobilizing all of our resources to protect human rights and lives in Ukraine, and hold leaders accountable. We need a groundswell of support — each one of us must do our part. We're preparing to send in crisis investigators — and that takes resources. Will you make an emergency donation right now to help protect Ukrainians at risk? Right now, our plan of action includes: Preparing crisis investigators to be on the ground to document human rights abuses that are committed, and mobilizing Amnesty's Crisis Evidence Lab to collect video and photographic evidence of attacks >> Lobbying the Biden administration, State Department, and Congress to allocate funding to support targeted activists in affected areas; identify individuals who may face retaliation for human rights activism and provide for their safe exit out of Ukraine; and dedicate additional support for members of minority groups who are most at risk >> Urging the Russian Ambassador to the United States to demand that the government of Russia immediately stop its indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Ukraine and comply with its obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law >> Working alongside a coalition of international groups to strengthen our collective global power to center human rights in the discourse over this conflict >> Grassroots supporters have always been the backbone of this organization, and that is especially true in these moments of crisis. Will you join me in making a contribution to fund Amnesty International's crisis response work right now? Your support is essential to ensuring we can monitor human rights abuses, protect internally displaced populations, and defend individuals likely to be targeted like human rights activists, LGBTI Ukrainians, and journalists. DONATE NOW This is a rapidly evolving crisis, and I am personally devastated by what’s happening — I am Ukrainian American, and have family and friends in Ukraine who are trying to move to safer areas as we speak. They are witnessing first hand the destruction of communities, and the inevitable human rights consequences of a major war. I am communicating with them as best I can — all are incredibly worried, to say the least. Since its independence, Ukraine has developed a vibrant community of independent non-profit organizations and journalists that track violations of human rights, uncover corruption, provide needed services, and support public health during a global pandemic. But with thousands of Russian troops within Ukraine and encamped along its border, these groups — and Ukrainian civil society at large — are in pure survival mode. If the history of Russia’s military interventions in Ukraine including ongoing aggression since 2014 is any guide, they have reason to worry. It is incredibly important for us all to stand together to prevent as many human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law as possible. We cannot allow conflict to act as a smokescreen for the violation of human rights, and must do everything we can to prevent suffering. Please, rush an emergency donation today. Your support is essential to ensuring Amnesty can monitor human rights abuses, protect internally displaced populations, and defend individuals likely to be targeted like human rights activists, LGBTI Ukrainians, and journalists. Amnesty International has spent decades building the grassroots power, infrastructure, and international recognition to have an impact in crisis situations just like these. That’s why we can never be silent, even in the face of events that appear unstoppable. Sincerely, Alexandra Durbak Chair, Board of Directors 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.