Amnesty International today asked publishers, distributors and booksellers to show their support for human rights by donating books to its “Big Booksale”, the UK’s only nationwide charity booksale.

Amnesty is asking for review copies and remainders for it to sell at “The Big Booksale”, a series of book sales that will take place all over the country from 1-28 February. Amnesty groups and members of the public will be collecting books and selling them from their offices, town and village halls and in other venues across the UK.

Anyone able to help should email bookdonation@amnesty.org.uk or contact Yvonne Heaton at Amnesty International to arrange delivery on 020 7033 1735

Yvonne Heaton said:

“’The Big Booksale’ stands to be a great source of funds for Amnesty but it’s dependent on our having quality books to sell – which is where people in the book trade can really help.

“The money raised will fund our campaigns to protect the human rights of individuals all over the world. In some countries people are thrown in jail and tortured or even killed just for what they write in a book, a newspaper or on a website. Amnesty’s work makes a real difference protecting freedom of expression and other basic rights.”

People attending the book sales in February will be able to buy books to help Amnesty and also take action to help real people suffering human rights abuses. Shoppers can fill in an ‘action card’ – for example calling on the Tunisian government to free Mohammed Abbou, a lawyer jailed for three years for writing an internet article condemning torture.

For more information on donating books, holding a book sale or to find your nearest “Big Booksale”, visit www.amnesty.org.uk/booksale /p>