Amnesty International facts for kids
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| Founded | July 1961 United Kingdom |
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| Headquarters | London, WC1 United Kingdom |
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| Services | Protecting human rights |
| Fields | Media attention, direct-appeal campaigns, research, lobbying |
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Members
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More than ten million members and supporters |
| Agnès Callamard | |
Amnesty International (also known as Amnesty or AI) is a global organization focused on human rights. Its main office is in the United Kingdom. Amnesty International has over ten million members and supporters worldwide. Its goal is to work for "a world where everyone enjoys all the human rights listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements." The organization is well-known for its work on human rights issues, often mentioned by news outlets and world leaders.
Amnesty International was started in London in 1961 by a lawyer named Peter Benenson. He wrote an article called "The Forgotten Prisoners" in a British newspaper. In it, he talked about students and others who were jailed in different countries just for their beliefs. At first, Amnesty focused on helping "prisoners of conscience" – people imprisoned for their beliefs. In the 1970s, under leaders like Seán MacBride and Martin Ennals, its work grew to include fighting against miscarriages of justice (unfair legal outcomes) and torture. In 1977, Amnesty International won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Amnesty highlights human rights abuses and pushes for countries to follow international laws. It works to get people to speak up and put pressure on governments where abuses are happening.
Contents
Amnesty International's Story
How it Started in the 1960s
Amnesty International was founded in London in July 1961 by a British lawyer named Peter Benenson. He was inspired by a friend who worked on campaigns for political prisoners. In 1960, Portugal was ruled by a strict government that jailed people for their opinions. Benenson read about two students jailed there for toasting to freedom. He felt that if people's feelings of disgust about such injustices could be brought together, something effective could be done.
Benenson worked with his friend Eric Baker to launch an "Appeal for Amnesty, 1961." This appeal was published in The Observer newspaper on May 28, 1961, in an article called "The Forgotten Prisoners." The article highlighted people "imprisoned, tortured or executed because his opinions or religion are unacceptable to his government." This meant governments were violating basic human rights, like freedom of expression, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The appeal aimed to quickly gather public support for these individuals, whom Benenson called "Prisoners of Conscience."
The "Appeal for Amnesty" was reprinted by many newspapers around the world. Benenson also published a book, Persecution 1961, which shared stories of nine "prisoners of conscience." In July 1961, the leaders decided that the appeal should become a permanent organization. The first meeting took place in London. On September 30, 1962, it was officially named "Amnesty International."
By the mid-1960s, Amnesty International was growing globally. It set up an International Secretariat and an International Executive Committee to manage its national groups, called "Sections," which appeared in several countries. Amnesty decided not to call prisoners who had used violence "Prisoners of Conscience." Besides its research, Amnesty's work expanded to helping prisoners' families, sending observers to trials, talking to governments, and finding safe places or jobs for released prisoners. Its influence also grew with international organizations like the United Nations.
In 1966, Peter Benenson resigned as Amnesty's president due to concerns about the organization's independence.
Growth in the 1970s and 1980s
Amnesty International's membership grew a lot, from 15,000 in 1969 to 200,000 by 1979. Amnesty pushed for the United Nations' rules for treating prisoners fairly and for countries to agree to human rights agreements. It also helped get new rules to forbid mistreatment.
In 1976, Amnesty's British section started a series of fundraising events called The Secret Policeman's Balls. These were comedy shows in London featuring famous British comedians. Later, top rock musicians also performed. These events were created by John Cleese from Monty Python and entertainment executive Martin Lewis.
Amnesty International received the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize for its work defending human dignity against torture. It also won the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1978.
In the mid-to-late 1980s, Amnesty organized two big music events to raise awareness about human rights. The 1986 Conspiracy of Hope tour had five concerts in the US, ending with a huge show at Giants Stadium. The 1988 Human Rights Now! world tour took place on five continents over six weeks. This tour celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Both tours featured many famous musicians and bands of the time.
Expanding Work in the 1990s
Throughout the 1990s, Amnesty continued to grow, reaching over seven million members in more than 150 countries. It was led by Secretary General Pierre Sané. Amnesty International pushed for the creation of a United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (set up in 1993) and an International Criminal Court (set up in 2002).
Amnesty kept working on many different issues and world events. For example, in 1992, South African groups joined Amnesty. Pierre Sané visited the apartheid government to push for investigations into police abuse and to end the death penalty. Amnesty also highlighted violations against specific groups, including refugees, minorities, women, and those facing the death penalty.
In 1995, Amnesty International tried to raise awareness about Shell Oil Company's involvement in the execution of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa in Nigeria. Some newspapers and advertising companies refused to run Amnesty's ads because Shell was also their customer. This showed how difficult it can be for human rights groups to get their message out when powerful companies are involved.
Challenges in the 2000s
After 2000, Amnesty International focused on issues from globalization and the response to the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States. Amnesty expanded its work to include economic, social, and cultural rights. This was a big change, as it had not worked on these areas before. Amnesty felt this change was important because companies were becoming more powerful, and many nations were being affected by globalization.
After the 9/11 attacks, some believed that the progress made by human rights organizations had been lost. Amnesty International argued that human rights are the foundation for everyone's safety, not a barrier to it. In 2005, Amnesty's Secretary General, Irene Khan, compared the US government's detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to a Gulag (a Soviet labor camp). This led to criticism from the US government.
Amnesty International also reported on the Iraq War in 2008, stating that the human rights situation was still very bad, five years after the war began. In 2009, Amnesty accused both Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement of committing war crimes during a conflict in Gaza.
Recent Years: 2010s and 2020s
In February 2010, Amnesty faced some internal debate when one of its staff members criticized the organization for working with Moazzam Begg, a former detainee. Amnesty stated that Begg spoke for himself, not for Amnesty.
In July 2011, Amnesty International celebrated its 50th anniversary with an animated short film. It featured music by famous composers Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe.
In August 2014, following protests in Ferguson, USA, about a police shooting, Amnesty International sent a team of human rights activists. This was the first time Amnesty had sent such a team to the United States. They aimed to meet with officials and train local activists in peaceful protest methods.
In 2016, Amnesty International asked the United Nations General Assembly to suspend Saudi Arabia from the UN Human Rights Council. This was due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record at home and its actions in the conflict in Yemen.
In October 2018, an Amnesty International researcher was taken and beaten while observing protests in Russia. Also in 2018, the Indian government froze Amnesty's bank accounts in India, suspecting financial rule violations. Amnesty said this was an attempt to intimidate human rights organizations.
In February 2019, Amnesty International's leaders offered to resign after a report found a "toxic culture" of workplace bullying, harassment, sexism, and racism within the organization.
In May 2019, Amnesty International filed a lawsuit in Israel against NSO Group, a company that makes surveillance technology. Amnesty was concerned that its staff might be targeted by this technology.
In August 2020, Amnesty International expressed worries about the "widespread torture of peaceful protesters" in Belarus. It also reported that over 1,100 people were killed by bandits in northern Nigeria during the first half of 2020. In September 2020, Amnesty closed its India operations after the government froze its bank accounts again.
In February 2022, Amnesty accused Israel of committing the crime of apartheid against Palestinians. This means Amnesty believes Israel maintains a system of oppression and control over Palestinians for the benefit of Jewish Israelis. The Israeli Foreign Ministry called Amnesty's report "lies." The Palestinian Foreign Ministry praised the report.
In April 2022, the Russian Ministry of Justice closed the offices of Amnesty International and other international organizations in Russia, citing "violations of Russian law."
How Amnesty International is Organized
Amnesty International is mostly made up of volunteers, but it also has a small number of paid staff. In countries where Amnesty has a strong presence, members are organized into "sections." In 2019, there were 63 sections worldwide. The highest governing body is the Global Assembly, which meets every year.
The International Secretariat (IS) handles Amnesty International's daily work, guided by the International Board. It has about 500 professional staff members and is led by a Secretary General. Its offices have been in London since the mid-1960s.
- Amnesty International Sections, 2005
Algeria; Argentina; Australia; Austria; Belgium (Dutch-speaking); Belgium (French-speaking); Benin; Bermuda; Canada (English-speaking); Canada (French-speaking); Chile; Côte d'Ivoire; Denmark; Faroe Islands; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Guyana; Hong Kong; Iceland; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Japan; Korea (Republic of); Luxembourg; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Nepal; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Peru; Philippines; Poland; Portugal; Puerto Rico; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Taiwan; Togo; Tunisia; United Kingdom; United States of America; Uruguay; Venezuela - Amnesty International Structures, 2005
Belarus; Bolivia; Burkina Faso; Croatia; Curaçao; Czech Republic; Gambia; Hungary; Malaysia; Mali; Moldova; Mongolia; Pakistan; Paraguay; Slovakia; South Africa; Thailand; Turkey; Ukraine; Zambia; Zimbabwe - International Board Chairpersons
Seán MacBride, 1965–74; Dirk Börner, 1974–17; Thomas Hammarberg, 1977–79; José Zalaquett, 1979–82; Suriya Wickremasinghe, 1982–85; Wolfgang Heinz, 1985–96; Franca Sciuto, 1986–89; Peter Duffy, 1989–91; Anette Fischer, 1991–92; Ross Daniels, 1993–19; Susan Waltz, 1996–98; Mahmoud Ben Romdhane, 1999–2000; Colm O Cuanachain, 2001–02; Paul Hoffman, 2003–04; Jaap Jacobson, 2005; Hanna Roberts, 2005–06; Lilian Gonçalves-Ho Kang You, 2006–07; Peter Pack, 2007–11; Pietro Antonioli, 2011–13; and Nicole Bieske, 2013–2018, Sarah Beamish (2019 to current). - Secretaries General
| Secretary General | Office | Origin |
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| Peter Benenson | 1961–1966 | Britain |
| Eric Baker | 1966–1968 | Britain |
| Martin Ennals | 1968–1980 | Britain |
| Thomas Hammarberg | 1980–1986 | Sweden |
| Ian Martin | 1986–1992 | Britain |
| Pierre Sané | 1992–2001 | Senegal |
| Irene Khan | 2001–2010 | Bangladesh |
| Salil Shetty | 2010–2018 | India |
| Kumi Naidoo | 2018–2020 | South Africa |
| Julie Verhaar | 2020–2021 (Acting) | |
| Agnès Callamard | 2021–present | France |
Important National Sections
- Amnesty International Ghana
- Amnesty International Australia
- Amnesty International India
- Amnesty International Ireland
- Amnesty International New Zealand
- Amnesty International Philippines
- Amnesty International South Africa
- Amnesty International Thailand
- Amnesty International USA
Amnesty International's Guiding Ideas
Amnesty International's main idea is to focus on prisoners of conscience. These are people who are jailed or stopped from expressing their opinions through violence. Amnesty is committed to opposing the suppression of free speech. Its founding principles also include not taking sides in political questions, carefully gathering facts about cases, and promoting human rights.
One key principle is about individuals who might support violence in fighting against unfair rule. Amnesty International does not judge whether using violence is right or wrong. However, if a prisoner is serving a sentence for violent activities after a fair trial, Amnesty will not ask the government to release them.
Amnesty does not support or condemn violence used by opposition groups. However, Amnesty does support basic humane standards that governments and armed groups should follow. If an opposition group tortures or kills captives, takes hostages, or commits deliberate killings, Amnesty condemns these actions.
Amnesty International believes that capital punishment (the death penalty) is the ultimate denial of human rights. It opposes the death penalty in all cases, no matter the crime committed, the situation, or the method of execution.
What Amnesty International Aims To Do
Amnesty International mainly focuses on governments, but it also reports on non-governmental groups and private individuals.
There are six main areas Amnesty works on:
- Women's, children's, minorities', and indigenous rights
- Ending torture
- Getting rid of the death penalty
- Rights of refugees
- Rights of prisoners of conscience
- Protecting human dignity.
Some specific goals include: ending extrajudicial executions (killings outside of legal process) and "disappearances" (when people are secretly taken away). It also works to make sure prison conditions meet international standards and that all political prisoners get prompt and fair trials. Amnesty also aims to ensure free education for all children, fight against impunity (not being punished for crimes), end the use of child soldiers, and free all prisoners of conscience. It promotes economic, social, and cultural rights for marginalized communities, protects human rights defenders, promotes religious tolerance, protects LGBT rights, and upholds the rights of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.
In October 2020, Amnesty International launched a free mobile app called Amnesty Academy. It offers online and offline courses on human rights for learners worldwide. The courses can be downloaded within the app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices.
Where Amnesty Focuses Its Work
Amnesty often reports more on countries that are relatively more democratic and open. This is because its goal is not to report on every single human rights abuse in the world. Instead, it aims to use public opinion to encourage improvements in places where that pressure can make a difference.
The actions of major Western governments and large non-Western states are important. As one former Amnesty Secretary-General said, "for many countries... the United States is a model." This means that what big countries do can influence smaller ones. Also, after the Cold War ended, Amnesty felt it needed to focus more on human rights issues in Western countries. This would show that it was fair and willing to report on human rights globally.
Amnesty's reports are influenced by several factors beyond just the number and seriousness of human rights abuses. For example, Amnesty reports more on economically powerful states and on countries that receive military aid from the US. This is because Western involvement in abuses can increase the chance that public pressure will lead to change. Amnesty also changed its media approach around 1993–94, producing more press releases and fewer long reports. This was to increase the impact of its reports and connect with existing news coverage.
How Amnesty International Gets Its Money
Amnesty International is mainly funded by membership fees and donations from its members around the world. It states that it does not accept donations from governments or government organizations.
However, Amnesty International has received grants from the UK Department for International Development, the European Commission, the United States State Department, and other governments over the past ten years.
Amnesty International USA has received money from the Rockefeller Foundation. These funds are only used to support its human rights education work. It has also received many grants from the Ford Foundation over the years.
Awards and Recognitions
In 1977, Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This was for "having contributed to securing the ground for freedom, for justice, and thereby also for peace in the world."
In 1984, Amnesty International received the Four Freedoms Award in the category of Freedom of Speech.
Amnesty International's Impact on Culture
Human Rights Concerts
A Conspiracy of Hope was a short tour of six benefit concerts for Amnesty International in the United States in June 1986. The goal of the tour was not to raise money, but to raise awareness about human rights and Amnesty's work on its 25th anniversary. The concerts featured famous artists like U2, Sting, Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Joan Baez, and The Neville Brothers. The last three shows included a reunion of The Police. At press conferences and through their music, the artists talked to the public about human rights and human dignity. These six concerts were the first in a series of music events and tours called the Human Rights Concerts, organized by Amnesty International USA between 1986 and 1998.
Human Rights Now! was a worldwide tour of twenty benefit concerts for Amnesty International. It took place over six weeks in 1988. The concerts aimed to raise awareness about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on its 40th anniversary and the work of Amnesty International. The shows featured Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman, and Youssou N'Dour, along with guest artists from each country where concerts were held.
The Amnesty Candle Logo
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Amnesty International's logo combines two well-known images. They are inspired by the saying, "Better to light a candle than curse the darkness." The candle represents the organization's efforts to bring light to the fact that political prisoners are held around the world. It also shows its commitment to giving prisoners hope for fair treatment and release. The barbed wire represents the feeling of hopelessness for people unfairly put in jail.
The logo was designed by Diana Redhouse in 1963. It was first used on Amnesty's Christmas card.
See Also
In Spanish: Amnistía Internacional para niños
- Ambassador of Conscience Award
- Amnesty International UK Media Awards
- List of Amnesty International UK Media Awards winners
- List of peace activists
- Scholars at Risk
- World Coalition Against the Death Penalty
