Amnesty International Case Study

The History of Amnesty International In 1961 a UK lawyer, Peter Benenson, read about two Portuguese students who were arrested and imprisoned for seven years for drinking a toast ‘To freedom’ He wrote an article in the UK Press to launch an appeal to help the students because of the violation of their Human Rights This was the beginning of Amnesty International and their work to protect and promote Human Rights

The Issues it Deals with Amnesty fight to protect people against: Torture Death Penalty Disappearances Extra-Judicial Executions Unfair Trials Becoming Prisoners of Conscience

How it addresses such issues Research – Amnesty International employ researchers to gather accurate information about Human Rights Abuses around the world Publicity – Amnesty raise awareness about Human Rights Abuses through publicity, education, local groups, fundraising and the internet Campaigns – they start campaigns to deal with these abuses e.g. letter writing, protests etc. Results – Governments are pressured into dealing with Human Rights abuses in their countries

What can the individual, society and government do? Individual – Letter writing; campaigning; fundraising; donating; volunteering Society – Start a local Amnesty International group; campaign; protest; fundraise Government – Can change their Human Rights practices; can support people from their country who are victims of Human Rights Abuses at home and abroad

Current Campaigns MOROCCO: Last summer 11 students from Marrakesh were imprisoned after participating in protests that became violent. Amnesty believes they are prisoners of conscience. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Police burnt down homes and threatened people with guns while illegally evicting them from land alongside the Porgera gold mine. UK: Many asylum seekers survive on just £5 a day while they await a decision on their claim. They are asking the government to offer support and end the destitution of asylum seekers.

The Effectiveness of Amnesty International Amnesty International have had enormous success in helping reduce Human Rights Abuses around the world Many people’s lives have been saved and illegal convictions have been overturned Amnesty recently lost the support of the Catholic Church and Catholic institutions after it changed it’s position on Abortion – the Human Rights of the unborn child