Being a human rights activist is dangerous in China. You risk arrest, imprisonment, torture, and even execution.

In 2006, Gao Zhisheng, one of China's most respected human rights lawyers, was sentenced to three years imprisonment for standing up for his people's rights. Gao was jailed and repeatedly tortured. No one, not even his family, was allowed to see him.

Four years later, after authorities were under pressure to disclose information about him, Gao was temporarily released and appeared in a media interview. He described the torture he had been through saying that he was beaten to within an inch of life. Gao was last seen a month after the interview.

In 2011, the Chinese government announced that Gao had been sent back to prison. All we know is that he is currently being held somewhere in northwest China.

Amnesty International is demanding that Chinese authorities immediately free Gao. Sign our petition and stand up for human rights in China and around the world.

Dear [decision-maker],

I stand with Amnesty International and respectfully urge you to immediately release Gao Zhisheng.

[Your comments will be inserted here.]

Yours sincerely,
[Your name here]