Amnesty International
USA | East Bay
Amnesty International is a global movement of people fighting injustice and promoting human rights.
Prisoner of conscience: José Rubén Zamora
José Rubén Zamora was arrested on July 29, 2022. The founder of three Guatemalan newspapers: Siglo Veintiuno, El Periódico, and Nuestro Diario, Zamora is a prominent journalist dedicated to investigative journalism. At the time of his arrest, El Periódico had published 144 reports of corruption attributed to Guatemala's previous administration. Jose Rubén Zamora's case symbolizes the widespread criminalization of human rights defenders, justice officials, and journalists in Guatemala who exposed corruption and impunity for human rights violations.
Amnesty International has found no evidence to supporting the charges made by the Public Prosector's Office. Instead found that authorities have committed numerous human rights violations against the journalist.
On August 1, 2024, Amnesty International declared José Rubén Zamora a prisoner of conscience. United Nations experts have also condemned his arbitrary detention and called for his immediate release.
*UPDATE AS OF MARCH 10, 2025*
After spending two years behind bars awaiting trial, a judge granted him house arrest in October. Prosecutors appealed and won rulings in November and again on March 10, 2025 for his return to jail.
Zamora and free press advocates maintain that the prosecution is revenge for his investigative work in his newspaper against the administration of ex-President Alejandro Giammattei.
"He is being jailed again today only for his investigative journalism and for denouncing corruption," Ana Piquer, Amnesty's Latin America director
How can you take action?
Call Guatemala's Public Prosecutor's Office to drop all charges against him
Write to U.S. Embassy of Guatemala urging for transparency and fair trial for Zamora
Two ways to continue taking action:
If you’d like to continue writing letters on new urgent cases year-round, please sign up for the Urgent Action Network.
If your Amnesty Group would like to pick one case for long-term campaigning, you can make a Case Commitment. Please contact Andrew for a list of cases and more information: afandino@aiusa.org
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What does it mean to be a member of a local group and what do we do?
One of the hallmarks of Amnesty International is the involvement of local groups that meet around the world. Our local AI USA members belong to Group 612 and we meet monthly.
We work on many issues, including writing letters on behalf of Prisoners of Conscience. We have also taken action to help a specific prisoner of conscience over the past several years. Additional activities include participating in World Refugee Day events; a Close Guantanamo demonstration; lobbying for specific legislation that Amnesty International USA supports; and participating in campaigns against police brutality, capital punishment, and gun violence.
We work to support and advocate for people where justice, freedom, truth, and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is the world's largest grassroots human rights organization. We investigate and expose abuses, educate and mobilize the public, and help transform societies to create a safer, more just world.
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Our local group writes letters, gathers signatures, holds educational events, lobbies our representatives, and works to promote human rights change in our community and around the world.
Back row, L->R: Dave, Paula, Berto, Allyson, Elissa, Chilo; Seated, L->R: Judi, Bernard, Sallyann, Hilary
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