Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of 7 million people dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights. Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.
How We Use Your Money
Research and reporting
All our campaigning and research is fact based. Among the many activities we carry out, we:
• send experts to talk with victims
• observe trials
• interview local officials
• liaise with human rights activists
• monitor global and local media
• publish detailed reports
• inform the news media
• publicize our concerns in documents, leaflets, posters, advertisements, newsletters and websites
Stopping human rights abuse
We help stop human rights abuses by mobilizing the public to put pressure on governments, armed political groups, companies and intergovernmental bodies via:
• public demonstrations
• vigils
• letter-writing campaigns
• human rights education
• awareness-raising concerts
• direct lobbying
• targeted appeals
• email petitions and other online actions
• partnerships with local campaigning groups
• community activities
• co-operation with student groups
Why Choose Amnesty?
• We are completely independent from government and corporate interests, religious or political ideology; our work is unbiased and focuses exclusively on improving human rights worldwide.
• We are the largest grassroots, membership-based human rights organization in the world.
• We have sections and partnerships in over 150 countries, providing us access to parts of the world many people do not have access to.
• We were established in 1961, giving Amnesty the longest history in terms of human rights organizations.
• Our research and reporting is respected worldwide and is believed to set standards for the human rights movement as a whole. You will often hear Amnesty’s work cited in media and conferences, and used as a source for human rights education in classrooms.
What Freed Prisoners Have to Say
“In our Cairo prison, we weren’t allowed to write or receive letters. On December 10, write for rights, and save a life. Take a stand like Amnesty and others did for Tarek and me.”
– John Greyson
Canadian filmmaker who spent 51 days in a Cairo prison with fellow Canadian Tarek Loubani. Both were the subject of an Amnesty International Urgent Action
“It’s finished now. With your support I’ve been reunited with my family. With your support I don’t have the nightmare of execution. And with your support you got my freedom back. And I want to thank you.”
– Hamid Ghassemi-Shall
He returned to a warm welcome in Canada after being released from prison in Iran. He was incarcerated for 5 years, spent time in solitary confinement, subjected to torture and was never given a fair trial. Amnesty International around the world campaigned on his behalf until he came home.
Breakdown of Spending
Please visit our financial information page for a breakdown on how Amnesty International spends its financial support.