I thank the people of Brighton and Hove for their efforts in securing the release of the Tibetan musician and prisoner Ngawang Choephel, who was arrested by the Chinese authorities for making a video documentary about Tibetan dance and music in 1995 and was released recently before serving his full sentence, which is very rare in China.

This was due in no small measure to the pressure brought to bear by people around the world writing letters calling for his release, not least those people who took part in the Brighton and Hove Amnesty International group's annual 24-hour signathon and vigil on Human Rights Day last December, during which more than 600 cards to and about a number of prisoners of conscience, including Mr Choephel, were sent.

This just goes to show letters and active campaigning can and do make a difference.

Amnesty International's Brighton and Hove group meets at 8pm on the first Thursday of each month at Community Base, Queens Road, Brighton.

-Clive Lacey, Brunswick Road, Hove