Dear President Tusk,

Responding to news that the Polish authorities detained an activist, Elżbieta Podlesna for several hours, on suspicion of offending religious beliefs, Amnesty International’s Regional Europe Researcher, Barbora Cernusakova, said:

Kindness, compassion, solidarity – these values are all part of being human. When people are forced to flee their home because of war, poverty, or persecution, we want to help them to get back on their feet.

We’re all different, all unique, and all equal. No one in our societies should be left behind or pushed aside because of who we are, or where we come from.

It’s 2019. It’s high time that we lived in a world where people of different genders are treated and respected equally.

Our world is precious; it’s one of a kind. We want to protect it, live happily in it, now and in the future.

For change, spread love, not hate

We’re all different, all unique, and all equal. No one should be left behind in society because of who we are, or where we come from.

Amnesty International has today launched a campaign, one month ahead of pivotal European elections being held on 23-26 May, showcasing the young people spearheading change in their communities and encouraging others to get involved.

The extraction, transport, and trade of minerals have been linked to conflict, corruption, and human rights abuses for decades. The minerals trade has financed armed groups, bankrolled oppressive security forces, facilitated money laundering and corruption, and allowed companies to benefit from serious human rights abuses, like child labour, land-grabbing, and forced evictions. As the world faces climate change, increasing populations and diminishing resources, global supply chains are under increased scrutiny. Whether examining their carbon footprint or links to corruption or other issues, it is clear that many of our supply chains are broken and systemic changes are needed to reform them. This is a global problem that affects us all, and more so communities in producing and trading nations like Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ghana, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

• Amnesty International spokespeople available for interview • Press conference opposite administrative court of Paris at 11.00 25 April

Eve Geddie has been appointed as Head of Amnesty International European Institutions Office and Director of Advocacy, where she will spearhead the organisation’s work advocating towards the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe (CoE).