Owen Chow is facing more than 12 years in prison on charges including 'conspiracy to commit subversion' after helping to organise an unofficial primary election in Hong Kong. Add your name to call for his immediate release and stand with all nine human rights defenders as part of this year's Amnesty International Write for Rights campaign.
Described by friends as adventurous and philosophical, Owen studied nursing, practises Tibetan Buddhism and enjoys photography, hiking and travelling.
At the age of 15, he joined his first pro-democracy march. In 2020, when Owen was 23, he helped organise an unofficial primary election in an entirely peaceful act of democratic participation, despite growing restrictions on political freedoms in Hong Kong. More than 600,000 people took part.
Owen Chow believed he could help build a fairer society.
But the authorities accused Owen and 46 others of conspiracy to commit subversion under Hong Kong's National Security Law. In 2021, he was arrested and, by 2024, sentenced to a total of more than 12 years in prison.
He may not be released until 2032 and has already spent at least three years in solitary confinement.
Add your name to join thousands of people around the world calling on the Hong Kong authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Owen Chow.
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Sign our petition to stand with all nine Write for Rights Human Rights Defenders:
Rokiatou Doumbia from Mali: In August 2026, Rokiatou Doumbia known as “Rose Poivron” on TikTok, was sentenced to ten years imprisonment, including seven years to be served in prison and three years suspended, after speaking out about rising living costs in Mali. Sign the petition to call for her immediate and unconditional release.
LGBTI rights defenders from Türkiye: Over 100 LGBTI rights defenders and journalists in Türkiye are being deprived of their liberty solely for exercising their human rights. Sign the petition to call for their immediate and unconditional release.
Daria Egereva from Russia: In December 2025, Daria Egereva was detained by Russian authorities and accused of involvement with an Indigenous rights network they had arbitrarily labelled “terrorist”, even though Daria’s work focused on peacefully defending her people and their rights. She could face up to 20 years in prison. Sign the petition calling on the Russian authorities to immediately release Daria.
Marwa Arafa from Egypt: Human rights activist Marwa Arafa has spent more than six years in prison after speaking out against the abuses facing Egypt's most vulnerable children and their families and helping them with the costs of prison visits. If convicted, Marwa could face life imprisonment. Sign the petition and demand her immediate, unconditional release.
Ayachi Hammami from Tunisia: Following a trial that lasted only minutes, respected human rights lawyer Ayachi Hammami was sentenced to prison and is now serving an unjust five-year sentence solely for his peaceful human rights work and for carrying out his professional duties as a lawyer. Sign the petition calling on Tunisia's president to immediately and unconditionally release him.
Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha from Pakistan: For married couple Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, defending human rights has always been more than a profession – it is a shared passion. On 24 January 2026, they were sentenced to lengthy prison terms because of social media posts expressing solidarity with Baloch and Pashtun activists and criticising the Pakistan military. Sign the petition calling on Pakistan's prime minister to release them immediately and unconditionally.
Ruth Eleonora López Alfaro from El Salvador: In May 2025, lawyer, teacher and human rights defender, Ruth was arrested at her home. More than a year later, she remains in pretrial detention in El Salvador, denied the right to a fair trial and regular access to her family or lawyer. Ruth is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for exercising her human rights. Add your name to call for her immediate and unconditional release.
Humphrey Polepole from Tanzania: On the night of 6 October 2025, Humphrey Polepole disappeared. Unidentified men, believed to be state security agents, abducted the former diplomat from his home. When his family arrived, they found the front door forced open and a significant amount of blood inside the house. Humphrey has not been seen or heard from since. Sign the petition and demand answers for his family from the Tanzanian authorities.