Amnesty International is a global human rights organization focused on conducting research and taking action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights. Founded in London in 1961, Amnesty draws attention to human rights abuses and campaigns for compliance with international laws and standards. It works to mobilize public opinion to generate pressure on governments to end abuse. The organization has over 10 million members and supporters worldwide.
Some key facts about Amnesty International:
– Amnesty has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. This allows Amnesty to monitor, lobby and seek to influence the policies and actions of these bodies.
– Amnesty International is funded mainly by fees and donations from its worldwide membership. It does not seek or accept money from governments or political parties for its work investigating and campaigning against human rights abuses. This is important for maintaining Amnesty’s independence and impartiality.
– Amnesty has national sections in over 70 countries around the world. Each section is primarily responsible for researching and campaigning against human rights violations in its own country. The international Secretariat coordinates global research and campaigns.
– Over 1 million people support ongoing letter-writing campaigns by Amnesty International against human rights violations. These letters are targeted at government officials demanding policy change and the protection of people’s rights.
– In 1977, Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for “for having contributed to securing the ground for freedom, for justice, and thereby also for peace in the world.”
Amnesty International’s Vision and Mission:
Amnesty’s vision is for every person to enjoy all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. Its mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of these rights.
The main activities and focus areas of Amnesty International include:
– Investigating and exposing human rights abuses through detailed fact-finding and on-the-ground research. Every year, Amnesty publishes hundreds of reports, briefing papers, press releases and urgent actions on human rights crises around the world.
– Mobilizing grassroots activism through letter-writing campaigns, online petitions, demonstrations and public awareness events. Amnesty builds people power to create pressure on governments and others to respect rights and secure justice for victims.
– Advocating for policy changes on human rights at the national and international levels. Amnesty lobbies governments, intergovernmental bodies like the UN, and corporations to implement laws and practices that conform with international human rights standards.
– Providing support to human rights defenders, activists and victims around the world who are at risk due to their work. This includes legal aid, physical protection, training, and advocacy on their behalf when they are targeted for harassment or attack.
– Campaigning for the release of prisoners of conscience – people detained for peacefully exercising their human rights. Urgent appeals and other actions seek to secure the immediate and unconditional release of these prisoners.
– Opposing torture, the death penalty, extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances, political killings and other human rights violations through global and national campaigns aimed at changing policies and practices.
– Responding rapidly to emergencies and crises when people’s rights are at grave risk on a mass scale. This includes conducting investigations, providing humanitarian aid, and advocating for international intervention when appropriate.
Some of Amnesty’s key areas of focus over the years have included:
– Opposing the death penalty and torture
– Defending freedom of expression and conscience
– Protecting refugees and migrants
– Advocating for women’s and LGBTI rights
– Campaigning for economic and social rights
– Calling for accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity
– Demanding corporate accountability for human rights violations
Amnesty employs a range of tactics in its campaigns, including:
– Letter-writing and petitions calling for action from officials
– Public demonstrations, vigils and protests
– Advocacy and lobbying of governments and intergovernmental organizations
– Pressuring corporations through shareholder actions and consumer activism
– Legal interventions through courts and international tribunals
– Celebrity endorsement and artistic performances to raise public awareness
One of Amnesty’s most notable achievements was its multi-year global campaign to abolish the death penalty. Amnesty’s activism contributed to a 50% decline in executions between 1977 and 2012. Over 140 countries have now abolished capital punishment in law or practice due to this and similar human rights campaigns.
Amnesty has faced controversy at times, for example when it adopted prisoners of conscience later alleged to have engaged in violence. However, the organization has always sought to be guided by its core principles around securing the basic human rights enshrined in the UDHR and other international covenants.
Overall, Amnesty International has made an immense contribution to advancing human rights globally over its 60+ year history through groundbreaking research, mobilization of public pressure, and its lobbying of governments and international institutions. It continues to be one of the leading voices speaking out against human rights violations and campaigning for justice around the world.