Amnesty International is a ten-million-strong movement that works to bring out the best in everyone and promote change so that people can all exercise their fundamental liberties. The institution envisions a society where leaders are held accountable, respect rules across borders, and keep their word. Most of the organization’s funding comes from membership dues and private donations, independent of all governments, political ideologies, economic interests, and religions. The idea is that demonstrating empathy and camaraderie with people worldwide will improve societies. Amnesty International is a non-governmental organization that focuses mostly on violations of the rights of individuals. The group maintains that everyone should be allowed to obtain all the rights guaranteed by international human rights agreements and other documents.
Logo or the emblem of the organization and its meaning:
What is the logo of the organization?
The organization’s logo is simple. The initials “AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL” are scribbled to the left of a lit candle with chains around. The background is either white or yellow. The adage “Better to light the flame than condemn the darkness” is illustrated in the Amnesty International emblem. The proverb first appeared in prehistoric China. The barbed wire appears to be a prison insignia. Here, it represents the unfair treatment and human rights violations that inmates frequently experience. The candle, in turn, stands in for charitable organizations’ actions to defend the rights of detainees and other individuals whose rights are violated. Although the proverb thoroughly describes the emblem, it needs to clarify how to interpret the logo. This is due to the image’s use of common symbols. If this symbol dared to talk, it would proclaim “hope for inmates.” The wordmark’s clarity provides at least two major advantages. First, it does not obscure the candle, keeping the fundamental symbolic statement unaffected. Additionally, it offers sufficient legibility. Amnesty Trade Gothic is the title of the typeface. It was made exclusively for Amnesty International.
The logo has remained the same throughout history since its inception. On the left of the symbol is the organization’s name. It is written in somber sans. The letters are slightly longer than typical, which is the single characteristic that distinguishes it from most other typefaces. Diana Redhouse is the creator of the Amnesty International emblem. The organization’s website explains that the design was motivated by Benenson’s conviction that their efforts would shine a light in the most obscure locations where constitutional abuses go unreported. Amnesty’s first-ever Christmas card required a symbol, and Benenson was searching for one. After seeing Diane Redhouse’s painting, he decided it was appropriate. It eventually turned became the organization’s symbol.
Function or objectives of the organization: What does the organization seek to do? What are its aims?
A specific mandate for Amnesty International is outlined in global law. Its principal goal in its advocacy is the release of all political prisoners. These are individuals who have been detained anyplace because of their convictions or considering of their ethnicity, sex, color, language, regional or social origin, financial circumstances, birth, or another status and who have not used or promoted acts of violence; ensure fair and immediate trials regarding political prisoners; eradicate the death penalty, torture, and any other inhumane or cruel treatment of imprisoned people end unlawful executions, and disappearances. Amnesty International condemns the use of hostages, torture, and execution of detainees. According to Amnesty International (2023), human rights are interrelated and indivisible; all individuals should be able to exercise them at all certain points, and no one set of freedoms may be exercised at the expense of another detainee, as well as other intentional and arbitrary killings committed by opposing parties.
Every year, members of Amnesty International from all over the world work together to promote human rights concerns in a given nation or on a specific human rights subject for the greater part of a year. Reporting on significant civil rights issues, urging authorities and diplomats to effect change, drawing attention to human rights violations, and collaborating extensively with regional human rights activists and other nonprofit groups are all part of these big campaigns (Lebert, 2018). Amnesty International’s key goals are to carry out in-depth research, take action to stop serious human rights violations and deliver justice to the underprivileged members of society. The initiative is set up to enable ordinary adults to speak up and oppose on behalf of many other individuals who are in danger of being abused.
The vision of Amnesty International is a world where everyone has access to all of the rights guaranteed by the International Covenant of Human Rights and other worldwide human rights norms (Amnesty International, 2023). As part of its efforts to advance all human rights, Amnesty’s mission is to conduct research and take action to avoid and eliminate grave violations of the fundamental rights to mental and physical wellness, freedom of morality and expression, respectively, and freedom from unfair treatment. Amnesty International supports initiatives that educate individuals on upholding and protecting their human rights. The organization organizes training sessions for educators, creates teaching resources for use in classrooms, and promotes training courses for law enforcement and security officers. The organization calls on all government education systems to include human rights instruction. Amnesty International urges authorities to ratify and uphold treaties relating to human rights worldwide and strengthen those standards.
Institutional history: When, by whom, in what context, and where was the organization founded? How did it grow or decline, acquire new functions and new agencies, and how did it change throughout time?
Amnesty International is a multinational group that promotes human rights. The work is underpinned by in-depth research and universally accepted standards. The organization has no ties to any political affiliation, business enterprise, or religious philosophy. British lawyer Peter Benenson was stunned when two Portuguese students were jailed in 1961 for no other reason than to lift a glass toward liberty (Amnesty International, 2023). He launched a campaign after publishing a piece of writing in The Observer that received an incredible response. The idea that people could unite in support of liberty and fairness worldwide emerged from his call for intervention, which was reproduced in media worldwide. An international executive committee comprised of nine people oversees the activities of Amnesty International. It is made up of eight volunteers who are chosen by a worldwide council every two years.
On May 28, 1961, a worldwide Benenson newspaper plea titled “The Forgotten Prisoners” attracted over one thousand offers of encouragement for a global movement to defend human rights (Buchanan, 2020). Within a year, the newly established group took on over two-hundred cases and sent representatives to six nations to advocate for convicts. Members of Amnesty International have established national organizations in seven nations. It was decided to operate under rigorous impartiality as well as autonomy standards. The focus was on the global defense of human rights, and Amnesty International members were instructed to take action on instances internationally rather than engage in matters domestically. Amnesty International has expanded beyond calling for the liberation of political captives to defending human rights. From removing the capital punishment penalty to defending reproductive and sexual freedoms, battling discrimination, and upholding the rights of refugees and migrants, this organization fights to empower and protect people. Additionally, it speaks up for everyone whose dignity and independence are in danger.
Amnesty International has more than a million members, customers, and frequent donors in more than one hundred and sixty nations and domains. At the International Secretariat, over five thousand local, youth and learners, and professional Amnesty International organizations are listed, in addition to thousands of other youngster and student organizations, expert groups, networks, and administrators in over ninety countries as territories worldwide (Buchanan, 2020). A total of fifty-six countries have nationally constituted sections, with over thirty being in Central Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean. The Worldwide Headquarters in London has more than three hundred permanent employment opportunities and ninety-five volunteers from more than 50 nations and serves as the organization’s nerve center.
Budget and political economy issues: What is the organization’s annual budget, and funded by whom, and any disagreements on funding or how the funds are used? What proportion for admin/staff costs and services/advocacy (for NGOs)?
Amnesty International spent over three hundred million Euros globally in 2021, an increase of seven million Euros from over two hundred and eighty million Euros in 2020 (Amnesty International, 2023). Much of our funding comes from modest contributions made by private citizens. In 2021, more than one million individuals sent money to Amnesty International. The average monthly gift was twelve Euros. The vast majority of the organization’s income comes from people worldwide. Amnesty International can uphold its complete neutrality from any administrations, ideologies of politics, financial considerations, or religions thanks to these private and unaffiliated donations. The organization does not request or accept money for human rights investigations from countries or political parties, and we only take donations from thoroughly screened corporations.
Amnesty International can stand steady and unyielding in defense of fundamental and indivisible fundamental freedoms through engaging in ethical fundraising that results in donations from individual donors. A global Secretariat and an association of country sections make up the Amnesty International movement. The Covid-19 pandemic persisted in 2021 for a second year, affecting people worldwide. The Amnesty movement changed and modified to fit new methods of operation and communication with participants worldwide. The company could sustain income levels despite spending less than anticipated, notably on fundraising efforts. A record-breaking €357 million was raised for 2021 (Amnesty International, 2023). Amnesty International has over two million supporters worldwide, which is twenty-five percent of all supporters. Individuals who independently join the global movement by providing their email address, name, and geography are referred to as global members because they reside in a country where Amnesty International does not have a physical presence. According to Amnesty International (2023), Since the end of 2019, there has been an increase of over 500,000 international memberships at an impressive growth rate.
Through its Remuneration Committee, the International Board and its members are appointed directly by the International Council Assembly, which is responsible for ensuring that the administration of compensation and perks is done objectively and without any possibility for bias or real or real or perceived conflicts of interest. The Remuneration Committee determines the Senior Leadership Team’s pay. Only 2% of the total amount spent (308 million euros) goes toward keeping the constitutional system’s management and costs associated with administration. The ideal percentage is 45%, with 15% for services and campaigning. Research, awareness-building, and education all receive increased funding.
Decision-making mechanisms: How are the binding and non-binding decisions taken, and what are the organizational structure and mandates of different organs? Explain with a short case study.
A unified worldwide movement of more than seven million individuals who take oppression personally” is how Amnesty International’s website portrays itself. Membership and others fund it (Amnesty International, 2023). Both advocates, participants, and activists belong among nearly seven million individuals. Amnesty International members and supporters are described as people who pay an annual subscription fee and people who donate, respectively. The people that take part in actions are known as activists, and one example of an action that can be taken online is signing an electronic petition. The activist can also actually carry out their efforts by participating in various demonstrations.
The International Secretariat (IS) is the focal point and the “professional heart of Amnesty Worldwide” within Amnesty International. Amnesty International’s offices are in the International Secretariat. Therefore, this is where the organization’s research on human rights abuses is managed (Amnesty International, 2023). Here is where many of the campaigns started that were carried out by people worldwide. Amnesty International has an International Board to give guidance and leadership. The group in charge of ensuring that it carries out its missions and aspirations is the International Board. It participates in creating strategic strategies and strives to make certain that Amnesty International conforms with its statutes. Additionally, it assesses the financial situation and decides on structural adjustments at the global level.
The Global Assembly comprises delegates from the different member units and international members and is Amnesty International’s ultimate decision-making body. The Global Assembly must endorse a global plan of action to carry out Amnesty International’s selected missions. Therefore, the Global Assembly makes decisions about Amnesty International’s activities’ charter, approach, and policies. The International Board is chosen by the Global Assembly, which also has oversight authority.
Case study
The case study shows how Amnesty International uses many organs to carry out its mandate and protect human rights. Since the Indian government has determined that Amnesty International’s assets in financial institutions should be thawed, the organization’s operations in India are now obligated to end. As a result, the staff in the nation has been forced to be laid off, and all initiative and research work will be discontinued. According to Amnesty International, this is essentially an effort by the Indian government to halt unbiased inquiries into violations of human rights (Amnesty International, 2023). In India, there are significant flaws in protecting citizens’ human rights. Human rights breaches in Jammu and Kashmir, India, are a serious issue because they go unreported and, as a result, are not sanctioned (Amnesty International, 2023). The law enforcement personnel and the armed organizations in the area abuse the civilian people there, engaging in everything from homicide to rape and different disappearances. By choosing to implement lengthy curfews, government officials in the Jammu and Kashmir region have failed to advance human rights and contribute to them.
The pervasive violence toward women and girls is also a serious issue in India. Several women and girls in the nation experience prejudice and abuse daily in private and public places, including in their households. The underprivileged groups like the Dalit and Adivasi have the worst effects on the women and girls in them. Amnesty International advances people’s fundamental rights in India (Lebert, 2018). Amnesty International has called for the freedom of all activists and journalists while reporting on the use of unnecessary violence and torture in Kashmir in its articles. In reaction to the organization’s statement, India decided to freeze Amnesty International’s bank accounts.
Membership structure and processes: Who can be a member, and what is the geographic distribution of members? Are there conditions for membership? How is membership approved? [This mainly applies to Intergovernmental Organizations rather than NGOs]
Amnesty International is a membership-based organization that depends on the involvement of its members in order to accomplish its objectives. All those who agree with the goals and values are encouraged to join the organization and participate actively in its operations. Many participants in Amnesty International do so by establishing a group headquartered in their local area, whether it be their town, village, or hometown, as well as their place of employment, educational institution, or place of worship. The organization’s recognized subdivisions are the Amnesty International categories, and these groups do some of the most crucial tasks. Amnesty International organizations often get together, typically once a month, to plan and execute the work they will perform for Amnesty International.
Members can also discuss Amnesty International-related problems at meetings, which may also feature guest speakers like past political prisoners, movies, or letter-writing exercises. Various country sections are operating for Amnesty International at local and national levels. Over seventy countries all through the world have these national sections. Members of the lesser local groupings, such as those from a city or institution, comprise the country sections. Many organizations are united by the humanitarian organization’s mission and collaborate on the projects it has agreed to work on. However, they can choose how they wish to conduct their fundraising efforts and raise money.
The groups can participate in the yearly general conferences and add to the worldwide consultations, which allows them to influence and be involved in choices made within Amnesty International (Amnesty International, 2023). People who pay an annual membership fee are considered Amnesty Members. People who participate in activism include writing letters, signing petitions, and attending rallies. Members of networks have a common interest, identity, or area of skill that gives them a special opportunity to address human rights challenges. The worldwide emergency intervention network, which has the most members, responds quickly and on demand to safeguard people whose lives or physical security are in danger.
Reform issues and challenges: Are there any proposals to reform the organization? What are the organization’s current challenges in terms of its funding, tasks, membership, and relations with other organizations? Is there specific criticism of organizations?
The business has seen an increase in governmental and constitutional constraints on human rights education (HRE), including the prohibition of HRE in schools, limitations on NGOs’ access to schools to conduct HRE and censorship of HRE (for example, in the teaching of sexuality, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and queers, sex, and racial prejudice (Amnesty International, 2023). For instance, the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted HRE, and the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine and elsewhere is inexplicable. It has already resulted in an unimaginably large human rights disaster, which will profoundly affect HRE.
The funding for Amnesty International reflects the organization’s autonomy and dependence on a broad base of support. Government funding is neither requested nor acknowledged for Amnesty International’s work researching and advocating against human rights abuses. The public and groups like trusts, charities, and businesses contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to support our effort. Amnesty’s report offers an action plan to address persistent shortcomings across ten sectors while acknowledging the significance of improvements. In order to do this, the organization calls on the government to provide access to fairness and redress, enforce and enhance labor protections, empower employees, and make work pay (Fernández-Aballí, 2016). These reforms are especially relevant in Qatar throughout the staging of the world cup. Amnesty International urges governments and other players in the conversation around human rights reform to address: The Commission on Human Rights has been prohibited from targeting, and frequently even debating, the pervasive or significant human rights breaches in many nations by power politics and double standards.
Amnesty receives a lot of feedback from various organizations regarding its activities. Amnesty International has been under fire for allegations of ideological and foreign policy bias and claims of bias in selection against non-Western or Western-backed nations. Ireland’s abortion regulations continue to be a source of several breaches of gender equality, according to Amnesty International. Many expectant mothers felt obligated to fly abroad for even basic medical care. Women who were expectant and desired an abortion were also compelled to seek only available assistance overseas. However, to receive the assistance offered abroad, one needed to have enough financial means. Young or financially constrained pregnant women were required to have abortions performed in secret without any medical assistance. As a result, it is difficult for women to receive safe and legal abortions, violating their human rights. Amnesty International is now concentrating on all types of human rights abuses. As a result, the humanitarian organization’s efforts are now less likely to result in significant improvements and offer insightful information.
The campaigns Amnesty International decides to work on regions that are prioritized based on the nations and issues that the media and the general public find to be of the most interest. Amnesty Worldwide considers this crucial to maintaining a sizable membership and a positive reputation. Instead of focusing on and working in areas where the gravest human rights violations are occurring, Amnesty International adopted a decision that promotes the organization’s agenda favoring nations that currently receive the most attention (Lebert, 2018). Despite having limitations in their capacity to be sufficiently powerful and efficient, Amnesty International demonstrates the significance of their work and the fact that, with their assistance, human rights may be enhanced in many regions of the world.
References
Amnesty International. (2023). Overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/
Amnesty International. (2023). Finances and Pay. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/about-us/how-were-run/finances-and-pay/
Buchanan, T. (2020). Amnesty International and Human Rights Activism in Postwar Britain, 1945–1977. Cambridge University Press.
Fernández-Aballí, A. (2016). Advocacy for whom? Influence for what? Abuse of discursive power in international NGO online campaigns: The case of Amnesty International. American Behavioral Scientist, 60(3), 360-377.
Lebert, J. (2018). Information and communication technologies and human rights advocacy: the case of Amnesty International. In Civil Society in the Information Age (pp. 19–36). Routledge.
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