WdKA tutor Cesare Davolio (Animation, Illustration) and alumnus Robert-Jonathan Koeyers (Animation, 2018) continue their collaboration with Amnesty International (read the story about their previous project). This time they have created animations and banners for the campaign supporting Saudi activists fighting for human rights.
Saudi human rights defenders fight for the rights of everyone in Saudi Arabia - no matter who they are. Campaign #ThisisWhyWeDefendRights highlights why human rights defenders are important for Saudi Arabian society. The Saudi crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman has a vision for his country. He wants ‘a thriving country in which all citizens can fulfil their dreams, hopes and ambitions’, according to Vision 2030.
Saudi human rights defenders fight for the rights of everyone in Saudi Arabia - no matter who they are.
Human rights activists, academics, journalists and concerned citizens and residents play an integral role for Saudi Arabia to realise this vision. They are not the enemy; they are dynamic drivers of positive reform. Their protests, writing and advocacy for social and political reforms are geared to ensuring greater rights protection for all people in Saudi Arabia. Out of love for their country, they expose abuses and demand redress. They work on issues such as restrictions to freedom of expression, unfair trials, discrimination and inequality between men and women. They know that fighting these injustices can get them in trouble with the government. The risk of lengthy prison sentences, travel bans and even corporal punishment or a death sentence hangs over their heads.
In spite of it all, they have continued to fight for change. Many human rights defenders are currently imprisoned for their work, and Amnesty continues to campaign for their release. It is important to remember what these activists are trying to achieve: they want to create a better future for all people in Saudi Arabia.
Visit Amnesty International site and read the stories of three human rights defenders who have fought for the rights of all: Mohammad al-Qahtani fought for the rights of all Saudis to a fair trial; Waleed Abu al-Khair fought for the right to freedom of expression and Loujian al-Hathloul fought for the right to drive and the end of the repressive guardianship system.
