Amnesty International

Amnesty is impartial

Amnesty International believes that human rights violations are worth fighting against wherever they occur. In any single year, this means taking action on some 140 countries. To safeguard impartiality, members do not work for prisoners in their own country.

Amnesty is independent

Amnesty International is independent of all governments, political factions, ideologies, economic interests and religious creeds.

Amnesty is supporter-funded

Amnesty International accepts no monies from any government. It is entirely funded by its supporters – informed and active citizens.

Amnesty is accurate

Amnesty International’s activities depend on meticulous research into allegations of human rights violations. The credibility and accuracy of Amnesty’s research is internationally recognised.

Amnesty is active

Victims of human rights violations and their families need practical help. Through its network of members and supporters, Amnesty International takes up individual cases, mobilizes public opinion, maintains pressure on governments for the release of prisoners of conscience, fair and prompt trials for political prisoners, an end to torture and executions, and improved international standards for the treatment of prisoners.

Amnesty is on the spot

Amnesty International representatives observe trials where accepted international standards are at issue, meet prisoners and interview government officials. Amnesty International also works to protect human rights with other international organisations such as the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation and UNESCO.

Amnesty is effective

Amnesty International works. It does more than expose human rights abuse. Since 1961 Amnesty International has seen thousands of prisoners released, torture condemned and the death penalty abolished in more countries every year.

Amnesty is community-based

Amnesty International has an active world-wide membership. There are more than 700,000 members in over 150 countries. Members, as informed and active citizens, come from all walks of life and are encouraged to participate as fully as possible in Amnesty International’s many activities.

What can individual citizens do?

Amnesty International’s lifeblood is voluntary support of informed and active citizens. Amnesty can use whatever time, skills or money citizens can offer. Collectively, the help of individual citizens makes a difference to the worldwide struggle for human rights. A citizen who becomes a member of Amnesty International can:

• Join a group
  Local groups carry out some of the most satisfying and effective civic work on behalf of victims of human rights abuse. There are over 4000 groups worldwide These groups work for a particular prisoner of conscience, participate in country or theme campaigns, promote Amnesty International’s concerns and activities in the local community, and raise funds to support Amnesty’s work.
• Join an action network
  Citizens work for human rights from their own home. Community action networks operate by getting as many people as possible to send letters or telegrams on behalf of particular cases of human rights abuses. Amnesty’s networks include: Prisoners of the Month, Urgent Action cases, Religious, Women’s, Trade Union, Medical and Lawyers’ Networks.
• Provide financial support
  Amnesty International urgently needs funds to help the victims of human rights abuse. The life-saving appeals, essential research, campaigning and vital publicity work all cost a great deal of money. Any amount citizens can give is gratefully acknowledged. As a Friend of Amnesty International, citizens are kept in touch with the organisation’s activities and members can support Amnesty’s work as and when they can.