Tomorrow in Red Square, Tauranga's Amnesty International Group will be joining with Amnesty members throughout the world in a letter-writing marathon.

‘Write for Rights' is a campaign centred on United Nations Human Rights Day. The public are invited to join Amnesty International members to sign letters to the authorities of a number of countries whose citizens are experiencing human rights violations.

Postcards with messages of support are also sent to the victims themselves to show them they are not alone or forgotten.

This year they are focusing on individuals in nine countries: Indonesia, Australia, Egypt, United States, Azerbaijan, Peru, China, Iran and Malawi.

Amnesty International Tauranga Moana coordinator Gary Ware has been involved with the group for almost 40 years. He says they'll be addressing human rights abuses in the letters, including Australia's detention of refugees on Nauru, and Edward Snowden.

The American computer professional, former Central Intelligence Agency employee, and former contractor for the United States Government copied and leaked classified information from the National Security Agency in 2013 without prior authorisation.

'Edward Snowden shared intelligence documents with journalists back in 2013, revealing the shocking extent of global mass surveillance,” says Gary.

'We believe his courage has changed the world, sparking a global debate about privacy. But he faces decades in prison if he ever returns to the United States. So we're asking President Barack Obama to pardon him before his term is up.”

The group will also be writing to authorities in China about their human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in their country.

'Ilham Tohti is a university professor known for his moderate views on ethnic issues in China. He was arrested, and for five months family and friends were not told where he was. He was denied food for 10 days and kept in shackles.

'He was then given a life sentence supposedly for stirring up ethnic hatred. He comes from the Uighur community, a largely Muslim ethnic group facing widespread discrimination in China.”

Those interested in helping out should come down to Red Square tomorrow to learn more, and lend their signatures to the letters. The group will be set up between 10.30am and 1.30pm, and is aiming to better last year's total of 189 letters and postcards.