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History of Amnesty International History of Amnesty International Canada
 “You were my light in the darkness of my jail. You were my hope that pushed me to survive.” Antoinette Chahin, imprisoned and tortured in Lebanon, thanks Amnesty members for their support Other people thank Amnesty. >>  “I support Amnesty because it is a grassroots organization. People can contribute in many ways. I am a mother. I also work with people who are often not given a voice. I am sensitive to small voices and to injustice. Working with Amnesty is a way to give people a voice, to make the world a more equal place. The people I have met through Amnesty give me inspiration.” Seiko Watanabe, Amnesty Canada member, Abbotsford, B.C. Read more >>  
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History of Amnesty International Canada
 Within several years, Amnesty International Canada grew quickly from 400 members and one part-time worker to 2,600 members, 12 staff and many dedicated office volunteers. Hundreds of members soon became involved in Amnesty’s global Urgent Action Network - a rapid response appeal system to protect people at risk of torture and other grave abuses. The late Father B. Osborg, the Network’s Canadian coordinator from 1978-80, organized things from his kitchen in Nova Scotia - and with far-reaching results.
He once described the force of many Urgent Action participants sending appeals as a “thundercloud of telegrams and express letters. Such a heap of mail on the desk of any government official cannot and will not be ignored.” Father Osborg was right. Amnesty International estimates that over the years, people have experienced significant improvements to their situations in about one-third of Urgent Action cases. Today - because of our use of modern technology and our unique location among global time zones - Amnesty Canada’s 2,200 Urgent Action activists are one of the first lines of response whenever individuals anywhere in the world are at risk of grave harm. >> Get involved in the Urgent Action Network.
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