Amnesty International

Amnesty International started campaigning in 1961 to stop the abuse of human rights. British lawyer Peter Benenson launched a worldwide campaign, 'Appeal for Amnesty 1961' with the publication of a prominent article, 'The Forgotten Prisoners', in The Observer newspaper for two imprisoned Portuguese students His appeal was reprinted in other papers across the world and turned out to be the genesis of Amnesty International. The first international meeting was held in July, with delegates from Belgium, the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and the US. They decided to establish a permanent international movement in defence of freedom of opinion and religion.

A small office and library, staffed by volunteers, opened in Peter Benenson's chambers, in Mitre Court, London. The 'Threes Network' was established through which each Amnesty International group adopted three prisoners from contrasting geographical and political areas, emphasizing the impartiality of the group's work. On Human Rights Day, 10 December, the first Amnesty candle was lit in the church of St-Martin-in-the-Fields, London.

Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights to be respected and protected for everyone. It believe human rights abuses anywhere are the concern of people everywhere. So, outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world, it work to improve people's lives though campaigning and international solidarity. Its mission 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. Its members and supporters exert influence on governments, political bodies, companies and intergovernmental groups. Activists take up human rights issues by mobilizing public pressure through mass demonstrations, vigils and direct lobbying as well as online and offline campaigning.

Working with and for individuals the world over, it campaigns so that every person may enjoy all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It undertake research and take action aimed at preventing and ending grave abuses of these rights, demanding that all governments and other powerful entities respect the rule of law. It means it campaign globally and locally where ever it can make a difference. For example, it take action to:

• • Stop violence against women
  • Defend the rights and dignity of those trapped in poverty
  • Abolish the death penalty
  • Oppose torture and combat terror with justice
  • Free prisoners of conscience
  • Protect the rights of refugees and migrants
  • Regulate the global arms trade

Recently Amnesty International called for abolishing death panelty in India. Following intense campaigning by Amnesty International and its partners in the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee's 62nd session adopted resolution L29 calling for a global moratorium on executions.

It now have more than 2.2 million members, supporters and subscribers in over 150 countries and territories, in every region of the world.