Spark Newsletter
November 2025 | Vol 4 | No. 4
Spark is Amnesty International Canada’s monthly guide to activism and human rights in Canada (formerly known as the Activism Guide). From online petitions to events and important days of action, Spark is your resource for igniting change in your classroom or community, across Canada and around the world.
featured campaign
End Deadly Witchcraft Accusations—Urge Ghana's President to Act
Witchcraft accusations should be a thing of fiction, but they’re happening right now. In Ghana, hundreds of women are accused of witchcraft and struggling to survive.
Baseless witchcraft accusations have led to violence, expulsions, and the killing of women like 90-year-old Akua Denteh. Accusations can stem from illness, jealousy, or even dreams, targeting older women, widows, unmarried women, women in poverty, and women with disabilities.
Many are driven into isolated camps with poor living conditions and no path to justice.The Anti-Witchcraft Bill would outlaw accusations, protect victims, and finally provide a path to safety and justice.
Urge President John Mahama to sign it now and safeguard women’s rights and lives.
Take Action
Defend hope for human rights
Upcoming Events
Find a Write for Rights event near you and join a community of people who care. Your presence and your words can help change lives.
View all Write for Rights events near you!
Upcoming Events
Member Spotlight
Veda Chandra: Finding My Activist Home
A journey of community, belonging, and purpose within Amnesty International
I first officially got involved with Amnesty at the beginning of my undergrad, when I was searching for a place where activism felt honest and connected to real change. Amnesty immediately stood out. The spirit of grassroots action at the core of Amnesty is unlike any other, built on the energy and initiative of every one of its members.
My very first home in the movement was the local Group 56: Amnesty Ottawa-Gatineau. The support and sense of community in that group created the foundation that allowed me to grow. That sense of safety inspired me to take on new roles in governance and help others feel the same belonging I did. Since then, I’ve found joy in contributing to many activist structures: as a Youth Engagement Officer for NYAAC, Co-President of Amnesty uOttawa, Media Lead for the Amnesty Canada Specialized Team on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and a member of the People Power Strategy Committee. I have helped organize film screenings, protests, and social media education campaigns.
The “spark” of activism is within everyone, and I truly believe it grows strongest when it unites with others. I am Amnesty, and Amnesty is me. That connection can’t be separated. I’m forever grateful for every person, moment, and opportunity that led me to this movement. My life has changed for the better, indefinitely.
We’d love to hear from you too! Share your Amnesty journey with others in the movement by sending a short story to activism@amnesty.ca.
Get Involved
Write for Rights 2025
Events are happening worldwide; make yours count.
Write for Rights is already in full swing, with events happening around the world and activists coming together to demand justice. It’s an inspiring start to the season, and we’d love to see even more events pop up across Canada.
If you haven’t registered your 2025 event yet, now’s the time.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Your actions bring hope to people whose rights are at risk, and we want to hear how it’s going.
Send us your feedback, ideas, or stories from your events — this campaign grows stronger with you.
Power Up Your W4R
Need help with event costs? We’ve got you!
This Write for Rights season is shaping up to be one of our most impactful yet, and we’re excited to support your events from coast to coast. Your letters carry hope, solidarity, and real power, and we want to make hosting as easy as possible.
If covering postage, envelopes, or other materials is getting in the way, let us help. Email Shauna at smaclean@amnesty.ca to request funding and ensure your Write for Rights event has everything it needs to spark change.
Sign up for the Spark Newsletter
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Recommended resources
Check out some recommended Human Rights content curated by Amnesty members just like you.
Read
Catch up on what you’ve missed! Visit the Book Club archive to explore past book selections and download discussion guides for meaningful conversations on human rights and justice.
Watch
If you missed it, watch this Book Club event featuring Pacinthe Mattar in conversation with Niigaan Sinclair as he reflects on the life and legacy of his father, the late Honourable Murray Sinclair.
Listen
Listen to former Secretary General Alex Neve deliver this year’s Massey Lectures as he reflects on his path into human rights law, the strength of local Amnesty activism, and the power of small actions to drive big change.
Donate
Amnesty Canada doesn’t accept funding from the government. We rely solely upon the generosity of people like you to keep doing our crucial human rights work.
The Urgent Action Network
By becoming a member, you can help protect people at imminent risk
Amnesty campaigns for human rights in many ways, but when safety is a concern of the individual at risk, the best way to ensure their protection is the Urgent Action Network. Volunteers use letters, emails, and social media posts to urge authorities around the world to protect individuals and communities at risk of imminent human rights violations.
Over the past five decades, the Urgent Action Network has become one of Amnesty’s most effective campaign tools. Worldwide, more than 500,000 volunteers worldwide are standing by to take action. Want to join them? It takes just a moment to sign up. As a member of the Urgent Action Network, you’ll become a lifeline for those in immediate danger of human rights abuses.
hope in action
Stories to Energize and Inspire Your Activism
November 19, 2025
Thank you for supporting human rights
Sharing these success stories is only possible thanks to the continued generosity of donors like you.