Amensty International

It’s a worldwide movement which is independent of any government, political party, ideology, economic interest, or religious belief. Its activities focus strictly on prisoners:

Amnesty International was started in 1961 with a newspaper article by British lawyer Peter Benenson. He called on people everywhere to work for the release of thousands of men and women imprisoned throughout the world for their political and religious beliefs. There was an enormous response to his initiative and Amnesty International soon became the world´s largest human rights organisation. Today there are more than half a million members in over 150 countries.

Prisoners of conscience are held in nearly half the countries of the world. In 50 of these, people can be put in prison without trial. The death penalty is still carried out in 126 nations, and prisoners are tortured in 1 out of 3 countries.

Men and women who want everyone to be free to express their own political opinion and to practise their religion in their own way. Amnesty International members include: politicians, factory workers, doctors, housewives, lawyers, farmers, journalists, teachers and students.

When news of an arrest reaches Amnesty, the facts are examined to find out if the person arrested is a prisoner of conscience. The prisoner is then adopted by one of the world-wide Amnesty groups. Letters are sent to government, leading newspapers, and the prisoners family and friends. Members collect signatures for international petitions and raise money to send relief, such as medicine, food and clothing, to the prisoners and their families. If prisoners are tortured or facing the death penalty, Amnesty organises a flood of telegrams and letters to be sent to the government responsible.