The Work of Amnesty International
AI’s Worldwide Movement Works Towards Human Rights For All
An introduction to Amnesty International, a human rights organization, with details on the work of the organization, its history and how people can get involved.
Amnesty International (AI) is a non-governmental organization campaigning worldwide for “internationally recognized human rights for all”. Through campaigning and international solidarity of its network of more than 2.2 million members and subscribers, Amnesty International works to improve human rights around the world.
The Statute of Amnesty International states that AI’s vision “is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.”
Amnesty International works in more than 150 countries and territories in every region of the world, with offices in 80 countries. AI is a democratic and self-governing organization, independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. According to AI’s website, “campaigning can change people’s lives – of victims and survivors of human rights abuses, of human rights activists and defenders and even of the abusers.”
History of Amnesty International
Amnesty International was first founded in 1961 in the UK when British lawyer Peter Benenson heard the terrible story of two Portuguese students sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for raising a toast to freedom. Benenson wrote to the British newspaper The Observer calling for an international campaign to protest about the “forgotten prisoners”. On 28 May 1961, The Observer launched Benenson’s year long campaign, Appeal for Amnesty 1961, calling on people worldwide to protest against “prisoners of conscience”.
In 1977, Amnesty International received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work. During the Nobel Peace Prize Presentation Speech, Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Aase Lionæs said that Amnesty’s work for prisoners of conscience “has shone a torch of hope into his cell, maybe precisely when its inmate is sunk in the depths of despair and degradation.”
Amnesty International continued its campaigning on prisoners of conscience, torture and the death penalty with many successes over the years. In 2001, the organization celebrated its 40th anniversary and in the same year Irene Khan was appointed Secretary General of Amnesty International. In recent years, according to Amnesty International Australia's website, the organization has responded to changes in the world and “expanded on [their] area of work to encompass work on economic, social and cultural rights.”
Current Campaigns and Research at Amnesty International
Amnesty International works both globally and locally, and some of its current campaigns include stopping violence against women, defending those trapped in poverty, abolishing the death penalty, freeing persons of conscience, protecting the rights of refugees and migrants, and regulating the global arms trade. One of AI’s major campaigns is focused on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Amnesty is highlighting the human rights abuses occurring in China.
Amnesty International has research teams which, according to AI’s website, “investigate reports of human rights abuses, cross checking and corroborating information from a wide variety of sources and contacts.” Amnesty International’s research teams also monitor newspapers, websites and other media outlets and they often send fact-finding missions to assess the situation on the spot.
The Amnesty International Report 2007 documents human rights issues of concern to Amnesty International (AI) during 2006. The report includes regional overviews and gives readers a clearer understanding of the state of human rights around the world.
How To Get Involved
According to Amnesty International Australia, when human rights are violated Amnesty International searches out the facts, exposes what is happening, and mobilizes people to put pressure on governments and others to stop the abuse.
Amnesty International is involved in various activities to improve human rights worldwide. Some of these activities are public demonstrations and vigils, letter-writing campaigns, awareness-raising campaigns, email petitions, community activities and cooperation with student groups.
Those interested in getting involved with Amnesty International can join, donate or volunteer their time. The Amnesty International website lists its country offices where readers can find out more information on what local AI groups are working on and where help is needed.
