AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Outline

Introduction

- What is Amnesty International?

- What does Amnesty International do?

People of Amnesty International

Vision and Mission of Amnesty International

Objectives of Amnesty International

Achievements and Benefits

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
(commonly known as Amnesty or AI)

is a non-governmental organization focused on human rights with over 7 million members and
supporters around the world.

was founded by British lawyer Peter Benenson in London in 1961.

draws attention to human rights abuses and campaigns for compliance with international
laws and standards. It works to mobilize public opinion to put pressure on governments that let
abuse take place.

WHAT DOES AMNESTY DO?

Investigate and expose the facts, whenever and wherever abuses happen.

Lobby governments, and other powerful groups such as companies. Making sure they keep their
promises and respect international law.

By telling the powerful stories of the people they work with, Amnesty International mobilize
millions of supporters around the world to campaign for change and to stand in defense of
activists on the frontline.

Support people to claim their rights through education and training.

PEOPLE OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

The International Secretariat (IS), is responsible for the conduct and daily affairs of Amnesty
International under direction from the International Board. It is run by approximately 500
professional staff members and is headed by a Secretary General.

The International Secretariat (IS) is responsible for:

Conducting research and reporting

Ensuring Amnesty International (AI) speaks with one voice globally about the whole range of
human rights themes and situations and their impact on people and communities

Providing expert legal analysis of our research data, forming the basis of expert lobbying of
international government organizations

Providing endorsed materials to sections for campaigning

Monitoring AI's financial health

Supporting and maintaining systems required to ensure that AI is ready to serve 24 hours a day

The International Council (IC), is led by the IC Chairperson and the function of the IC is to
appoint and hold accountable internal governing bodies and to determine the direction of the
movement.

Amnesty Internationals International Board, is elected by the International Council Meeting

(ICM). The International Board provides guidance and leadership for the AI movement.

The Secretary General, is the operational leader of the movement, and CEO of the International
Secretariat. A team of Senior Directors is responsible with the Secretary General for the
leadership of the International Secretariat.

The Secretary Generals Global Council, is a volunteer forum that brings together leaders in the
arts, business and philanthropy to work together to further human rights.

SECTIONS, GROUPS, INDIVIDUALS, AND NETWORKS

Sections, carry out AI work at a national and/or regional level. AI has sections set up in more
than 70 countries.

They are responsible for:

Lobbying local government

Campaigning/fundraising/communications within their country/region

Developing strategies for media work

 Recruiting new supporters for the organization

Conducting own research projects focusing on human rights abuses in their own country this
must be developed from research work carried out and agreed by the international executive
committee

Groups, are official units of the organization, and some of its most important work is done at
group level.

Individuals, consists of Members, Supporters and Activists.

Networks, are made up of members who share an interest, identity or expertise which gives
them a particular role to play in taking up human rights issues.

VISION AND MISSION

Amnesty International'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 standards.

In pursuit of this vision, Amnesty International's mission is to undertake research and action focused on
preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience
and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human
rights.

- Statute of Amnesty International, 27th International Council meeting, 2005

OBJECTIVES

The stated objective of the organization is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent
and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been
violated.

Amnesty International primarily targets governments, but also reports on non-governmental

bodies and private individuals ("non-state actors").

There are six key areas which Amnesty deals with:

1) Women's, children's, minorities' and indigenous rights

2) Ending torture

3) Abolition of the death penalty

4) Rights of refugees

5) Rights of prisoners of conscience

6) Protection of human dignity.

Achievements and Benefits

In 1977, Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 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 Freedom award for the Freedom of Speech

After more than 50 years of groundbreaking achievements, Amnesty has been through a major
transformation, adapting to dramatic changes in the world.

They have shifted from a large London base, to open regional offices in cities in Africa, Asia-
Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. These offices are major
hubs for our investigations, campaigns and communications. The new regional offices strengthen
the work of Sections who already work at the national level in more than 70 countries. They can
now respond quickly to events wherever they happen, and be a powerful force for freedom and
justice.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

Prepared by:

Miguel Louis R. Ocampo