Cossette, Amnesty and Karolis Strautniekas Create Illustrations Inspired by Victims of Human Rights Abuses

As part of the 23rd edition of its Write for Rights letter-writing campaign, Amnesty International once again turned to Cossette to promote this annual event. The theme, Writing lights a way out, takes shape through three touching illustrations that shine a light on human rights issues with subtlety and sensitivity. 

To mark International Human Rights Day on December 10, the write-a-thon aims to mobilise as many people as possible to write letters of support and encouragement to individuals whose fundamental human rights are being violated.

“Participating in the letter-writing marathon is taking concrete action for change, since over 75% of the people Amnesty International rallied around in its previous Write for Rights campaigns were freed,” said France-Isabelle Langlois, executive director of the French-Canadian chapter of Amnesty International. “Through artistic expression, we want to show that the letters give victims hope for a better future.”

Cossette and Amnesty joined forces with Karolis Strautniekas to create three illustrations inspired by victims of human rights abuses from around the world: Ahmed Mansoor Al Shehhi, who is imprisoned for defending human rights (United Arab Emirates), the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, which is opposing a gas pipeline project on its territory (Canada), and activist Justyna Wydrzyńska, who was convicted for defending the right to safe abortions (Poland).

Each illustration features a central figure in a dark, hostile environment. With a letter in hand, they radiate a beam of light shaped like the tip of a pencil that illuminates a bright, colourful scene. Year after year, the pencil continues to be a symbol of the campaign and a reminder that writing can literally save lives.

“It’s definitely a challenge to address such grim topics without lapsing into sensationalism and, most importantly, in a way that opens a door to hope,” explained François-Julien Rainville, associate creative director at Cossette. “Through illustration, we were able to tackle these realities with sensitivity, while preserving the impact and clarity of the message.” 

The campaign will be featured on the radio, online and in OOH until the end of December.