Every letter, email, and signature you’ve sent this year has made a real difference. Thanks to your urgent actions, 2025 has already brought hope, freedom, and dignity to people who were unjustly detained or silenced. Let’s take a moment to celebrate what we’ve achieved together so far.
January: A new year begins with freedom
A presidential pardon in Angola: On January 1, 2025, Angolan TikToker Ana da Silva Miguel, known as Neth Nahara, walked free. She had been jailed for criticizing the president on social media and was denied HIV medication for months. But your actions, including over 8,000 urgent appeals, helped bring her case into the spotlight. Thanks to international pressure, she was pardoned and released on New Year’s Day. Her health has since stabilized, and she is free to recover and rebuild her life.
Justice for a journalist in Yemen: Just weeks later, on January 18, Yemeni journalist Ahmad Maher was acquitted and freed after over two years in arbitrary detention. He had been tortured, denied a fair trial, and wrongfully convicted. A December court ruling overturned his sentence, and on release he expressed gratitude to all who spoke up: “Thank you to everyone who advocated for my release.”
Guantanamo transfers move forward: On January 6, the U.S. transferred 11 Yemeni men from Guantanamo Bay to Oman including Toffiq al-Bihani, who had been cleared for release since 2010. While three men remain detained, this marked an important step toward finally closing this chapter of injustice.
A long-awaited reunion in Egypt: On January 23, Abdul-Baqi Saeed Abdo, a Yemeni asylum seeker unjustly detained in Egypt, was finally released and reunited with his family in Canada after three long years. His son Hossam wrote:
“We are grateful to our Lord and to you… May God bless you and your families.”
Justice restored in Mexico: In January 2025, Mexico’s Attorney General dismissed all proceedings against human rights defenders Ana Lorena Delgadillo, Marcela Turati, and Mercedes Doretti. For years, these women were unjustly targeted with surveillance and criminal accusations simply for working alongside families of missing migrants. Instead of investigating mass disappearances, authorities misused their powers to monitor and criminalize those seeking truth and justice. Thanks to international pressure and solidarity from activists like you, the charges were dropped.
February: The power of global solidarity
Freedom for Salma al-Shehab: On February 10, Saudi academic and mother Salma al-Shehab was freed after serving a reduced sentence of four years for tweets supporting women’s rights. Initially sentenced to 34 years, your continued pressure led to sentence reductions and her eventual release. She’s now reunited with her children, though restrictions may remain.
A teen’s life reclaimed: On February 25, Egyptian student Badr Mohamed was released after nearly five years in prison. Arrested as a minor, Badr’s sentence was finally reduced thanks to international pressure. His wife shared this heartfelt message: “Your advocacy played an important role in reuniting our family and ensuring his freedom… We truly appreciate your commitment to human rights.”
A voice returns in Egypt: Just days earlier, on February 21, Egyptian writer and opposition figure Hisham Kassem completed his sentence and was released. Detained for defamation, he had simply spoken truth to power. After his release, he wrote:
“Speaking out to expose oppression is a duty. Staying silent in the face of injustice is a form of complicity.”
A teacher freed in Saudi Arabia: On February 13, Saudi teacher Asaad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi was freed after more than two years in prison for peaceful online expression. Originally sentenced to 20 years, his case underscores the dangers faced by those who speak out, but also what’s possible when we raise our voices together.
March & April: Families reunited, voices unmuted
Victory in Mali: Etienne Sissoko released: On March 27, Malian professor and activist Etienne Sissoko walked free after a year in detention for criticizing government officials. Amnesty supporters sent over 8,000 emails on his behalf. The Minister of Justice even said: “I received more than 8,000 emails from Amnesty International… It’s harassment.”
Etienne later reflected: “These twelve months were more than just a struggle; they were a pilgrimage… Thank you to those who bravely demanded justice.”
Alberto’s hard-won freedom: Alberto, a father and asylum seeker in the U.S., was detained in March despite pending applications. Thanks to your mobilization, he was released on April 21 and reunited with his family. Though charges remain, your advocacy made his release possible.
Cesar and Norelia’s landmark win: On April 25, a judge in the USA granted release to Cesar and Norelia, two parents detained under the controversial Alien Enemies Act. In a groundbreaking ruling, the court found the government had failed to justify their detention. Just days later, they were reunited with their children, a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.
Life-saving access in Türkiye: Thanks to your appeals, Afghan asylum seeker Tabriz Saifi regained access to life-preserving medical care in Türkiye. The Human Rights Foundation of Türkiye wrote: “The actions of Amnesty International activists… have been crucial in achieving this outcome.”
May: Justice advances
Mahmoud Hussein freed in Egypt: On May 27, Egyptian protester Mahmoud Hussein was finally released after three years in prison, his only “crime” was wearing a T-shirt that said “A Nation Without Torture.” He had been tortured, detained without trial, and robbed of years of his life.“The prison experience is extremely harsh… The dream of a country without torture should not be a crime. Thank you for your support.”
Progress in Honduras: Though tragedy struck when environmental leader Juan López was murdered in September 2024, one month later a court cleared him and four fellow defenders of unfounded charges. Your actions helped pressure authorities to drop the case though we continue to demand justice for Juan’s killing.
June & July: Pride and perseverance
Pride marches on in Hungary: On June 28, 2025, Budapest Pride went ahead despite efforts to block it. A new anti-LGBT law and heavy police presence couldn’t stop 200,000 people, among them over 280 Amnesty activists from 23 countries, marching in solidarity. It became the largest Pride march in Budapest’s 30-year history. A defiant, joyful stand for love, equality, and resistance.
Mahmoud Khalil released in the U.S.: Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, arrested after peaceful protests at Columbia University, was freed on June 20 after more than three months in immigration detention. “Your messages have kept me going… Even if they would kill me, I would still speak up for Gaza.” His case is ongoing, but your support has made it possible for him to fight for justice outside a prison cell.
Thank you
Every person released. Every family reunited. Every voice heard. These wins belong to you. Through your letters, emails, petitions, and solidarity, you’ve helped protect lives and uphold human rights around the world. And while many of these individuals still face uncertainty, your actions have made an undeniable difference.
