International Day of the Disappeared today

It's a bank holiday in the UK, and for once it is actually sunny, even if it is not that warm.

However, today is also the International Day of the Disappeared, a day highlighting people imprisoned in poor conditions and with their fate unknown by their friends and relatives.

One such case is that of Mohammed El Sharkawi, detained without trial in Egypt since his extradition from Pakistan in May 1995, despite court orders for his release.

He has been ill-treated at each of the prisons in which he has been held, and is now in a remote prison where conditions are very harsh.

Mohammed El Sharkawi's family and lawyer have not been able to visit him for the past year and he has spent months in solitary confinement.

He is one of many thousands of Egyptian prisoners held under emergency legislation, which has been in force since 1967.

You can send a card to Mohammed El Sharkawi, as well as writing to the Egyptian government demanding they release him.

Another person held without trial highlighted by Amnesty International is Gambian journalist Ebrima B. Manneh, who has been held since July 2006, despite a West African regional court having called for him to be released.

The Gambian government, which has been accused of politically motivated arrests and murdering journalists, has denied they are holding Manneh.

You can send messages of solidarity as well as a demand that the Gambian government releases Ebrima B. Manneh at the Amnesty International page.

If you want to make a difference and help people like Mohammed El Sharkawi and Ebrima B.Manneh, support Amnesty International and other human rights organisations.