Friday, August 5, 2016

Amnesty and Team Refugees

Amnesty International
August 5, 2016

Dear Supporter,

Tonight, when millions of people tune into the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, they’ll see a team of ten refugees march into the stadium as a team with no nation and no flag.

The unprecedented team is a reflection of the global refugee crisis, with more people displaced by violence and persecution than at any time since World War II. It’s also an opportunity to help shape how the public thinks of refugees – and how governments treat them.

Amnesty International is rallying behind the refugee team. We’re supporting a group of refugees who created a flag and an anthem for the team, and we’re partnering with a coalition of groups, including UNICEF, Sesame Street, and Save the Children, on an initiative called Team Refugees.

Together, we’re honoring these 10 brave athletes who have overcome tremendous obstacles. We’re showing refugees around the world that they are welcome. We’re galvanizing public support for the safety and dignity of all refugees. And we are demanding that governments do their part to help address the refugee crisis.

You can help by sharing these Facebook and Twitter posts.

While we cheer on the refugee Olympians, Amnesty will continue shining a light on human rights abuses in Brazil. We will not allow the human rights of anyone be disregarded—from the refugees struggling to find safety around the world, to the families living in favelas in Rio.

Join us today to tell the world: human rights have no borders.

In solidarity,
Eric Ferrero
Deputy Executive Director for Strategic Communications and Digital Initiatives
Amnesty International USA