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Being a maths teacher can be a tough job at the best of times, but Iranian Esmail Abdi has it tougher than most.

He’s the leader of the Tehran branch of the Iran Teachers’ Trade Association, and in February 2016 he was convicted of national security offences after organising peaceful protests.

He was landed with a six-year jail sentence for his pains, but was released on temporary leave in June this year after going on hunger strike.

He could be recalled to prison at any time.

Esmail Abdi features in this year’s Amnesty International Write for Rights campaign, in which the public is invited to send letters and cards in solidarity with people under fire for defending human rights.

Details can be found on Amnesty International’s website, and leaflets will be available at the annual Human Rights Day event at Sunderland Minster at 2.30pm on Sunday, December 10. Steve Newman, Secretary, Wearside Amnesty International Group