THE people of Worcester helped lift the spirits of prisoners of conscience by sending them Christmas greetings cards to let them know they have not been forgotten.

Amnesty International Worcester Group was outside the city’s Guildhall on Saturday to ask people to send solidarity messages to those suffering human rights abuses across the world.

The event also marked the closest weekend to human rights day (today).

Prisoners of conscience are people in prison for their political or religious beliefs who have not used or promoted violence.

Amnesty International provided the cards and paid for the postage.

Representatives of the Worcester group said the event was to promote awareness of the plight of these people rather than to raise funds although donations were welcomed.

Through Amnesty International, people have the chance to write both solidarity messages to the prisoners themselves or an appeal letter targeting the authorities.

Mayor of Worcester Roger Berry was among those to write messages as part of the Write for Rights greetings card and letter-writing campaign.

The public also had a chance to learn about 15 people across the world facing human rights abuses, including Gao Zhisheng, one of China’s human rights lawyers, who is held in prison and remains at high risk of torture, and Hakamada Iwao who, now aged 76, has spent 44 years on death row for a crime he claims he did not commit.

Peter Yates, of St John’s, chairman of the Worcester group, said: “We’re inviting people to send a greetings card to say ‘you have not been forgotten’.

“That has a huge impact on their mental wellbeing. The aim is to keep their spirits up.”

He said that up to half of all cases could see some improvement thanks to the work of Amnesty International.

Mr Yates also said there were incentives for overseas Governments to improve human rights which could lead, for example, to more western aid.

The Worcester group has 12 active members and has been in existence for 33 years.

For more information, visit amnesty.org.uk or the Worcester group’s website, worcester-amnesty.org.uk