Every year during November and December Amnesty International invites us to join in Amnesty's Write for Rights campaign, by sending a simple, short message of hope to someone suffering human rights abuses.

It seems all too simple, but it really can make an enormous difference. Police chiefs and prison governors, even presidents, do take note when they receive hundreds of appeals to release a prisoner, stop the harassment of an activist or change an unjust law.

When they receive sack-loads of cards from ordinary folk from all over the world, the abusers know that the world is watching.

This year, Amnesty is focussing on 13 cases. There is the Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega, who is serving 18 years in prison for criticising the government.

When the Ethiopian government used anti-terror laws to silence its critics, Eskinder spoke out in protest.

Amnesty believes that Eskinder is neither a terrorist nor a traitor, merely a journalist exposing repression. The Write for Rights is our chance to help Eskinder.

Some of the human rights abuse cases that come to Amnesty's attention are truly horrific, and most of us would probably prefer not even to think about them.

But even in the worst cases, there is always something positive to do, such as helping to bring perpetrators to justice.

In Tijuna, Mexico, Miriam Lopez was abducted and taken to a military barracks, where she was raped and tortured until she signed a statement falsely implicating herself in drug offences.

Miriam was imprisoned for seven months and then released without charge, but no one has been brought to justice for the violence she suffered.

We cannot undo the wrong, but we can at least help to secure justice for Miriam now.

Another of Amnesty's featured cases is that of Laísa Santos Sampaio, an environmental campaigner in Brazil, who has been the target of persistent death threats since 2011. Laísa is a member of a group that promotes sustainable development. In May 2011 her sister and brother-in-law, both prominent environmental campaigners, were shot dead by contract killers. Two men were convicted in April 2013, but others involved in the killing and in threatening Laísa have not faced justice.

Laísa is one of the most high-profile critics of illegal logging and charcoal burning in her region, but receives little or no protection from the authorities. She currently remains outside her community for safety reasons. Again, we cannot undo the wrong that has been done, but we can at least help to secure justice and protect Laísa.

In the face of such awful cases, a short message on a greetings card might seem like a hopelessly feeble response, even trivial. But people featured in previous campaigns have told Amnesty that these messages do bring hope and comfort even in the face of the worst abuses.

They can help keep individuals safe, and bring hope to family members awaiting the return of a relative who has 'disappeared'.

This year, as usual, Monmouth's Amnesty group is taking part in the Write for Rights campaign.

Everyone is welcome to come along to Monmouth Priory on Saturday (December 7) between 10am and noon.

It's an opportunity to enjoy a break for coffee or tea and cakes, but also a chance to make a real difference, simply by taking just a few minutes to write a short message.

Amnesty Monmouth will provide details of all the cases featured, as well as the greetings cards.

Please do help us take a stand for human rights. Our freedom of expression really can help secure the freedom of others.

– Marian Fretter, Amnesty International, Monmouth and district.