Magai Matiop Ngong was just 15 when he was sentenced to death in South Sudan. Tell the government to commute his sentence and stop using the death penalty against children.

Before his life changed forever, Magai loved running and gospel singing. He was in secondary school and had ambitions to help people when he grew up. Now, Magai lives in prison, and spends every day living in fear of execution for something that happened when he was fifteen.

According to his testimony in court, Magai had fired his father’s gun at the ground to warn off his cousin who was trying to stop him fighting with another boy in his neighbourhood.

The bullet ricocheted and hit his cousin, who later died in hospital.

Magai faced trial for murder without a lawyer. He was convicted and sentenced to death.

Our research shows that the death penalty is disproportionately used against poor and disadvantaged people. According to international law, and South Sudanese law, sentencing a child to death is illegal.

Last year Magai was finally given access to a lawyer who has helped him file an appeal. He finally has a chance to turn things around. “My hope is to be out and to continue with my school,” he says.

Amnesty supporters take part in a Write for Rights campaign every year because it works. In 2015, supporters across the world helped free Moses Akatugba from death row in Nigeria. Moses had been accused of stealing three mobile phones and wrongfully sentenced to death when he was 16. Together we sent 800,000 messages to Nigeria’s authorities on his behalf. They granted Moses a full pardon and he is now free.

Together we can help Magai too. Sign this petition and demand that:

• The death sentence of Magai Matiop Ngong is commuted, taking into account the fact that he is a child
• The government commit to stop using the death penalty against people below the age of 18 at the time of the crime, in line with South Sudan and international human rights law.