Amensty International

Amnesty International

What is Amnesty International?

It’s a worldwide movement which is independent of any government, political party, ideology, economic interest, or religious belief. Its activities focus strictly on prisoners:

It seeks the release of "prisoners of conscience". These are men and women imprisoned for their political beliefs, race, or religion, and who are not guilty of any violence. It demands fair and early trial for all such prisoners. It opposes the death penalty and torture, or any other kind of inhuman treatment or punishment of all prisoners. It tries to find out about people who have disappeared because a government find them or a member of their family too critical.

When did it start?

Amnesty International was started in 1961 with a newspaper article by British lawyer Peter Benenson. He called on people everywhere to work for the release of thousands of men and women imprisoned throughout the world for their political and religious beliefs. There was an enormous response to his initiative and Amnesty International soon became the world's largest human rights organisation. Today there are more than half a million members in over 150 countries.

Where do the prisoners come from?

Prisoners of conscience are held in nearly half the countries of the world. In 50 of these, people can be put in prison without trial. The death penalty is still carried out in 126 nations, and prisoners are tortured in 1 out of 3 countries.

Who works for Amnesty International?

Men and women who want everyone to be free to express their own political opinion and to practise their religion in their own way. Amnesty International members include: politicians, factory workers, doctors, housewives, lawyers, farmers, journalists, teachers and students.

How does it work?

When news of an arrest reaches Amnesty, the facts are examined to find out if the person arrested is a prisoner of conscience. The prisoner is then adopted by one of the world - wide Amnesty groups. Letters are sent to government, leading newspapers, and the prisoners family and friends. Members collect signatures for international petitions and raise money to send relief, such as medicine, food and clothing, to the prisoners and their families. If prisoners are tortured or facing the death penalty, Amnesty organises a flood of telegrams and letters to be sent to the government responsible.

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