Amnesty International (Human Rights - Migration)
Structure of the organization
Aims and practices
The main aim of the organization is to essentially protect human rights. This includes fighting against torturers and bringing them to justice, changing oppressive laws and freeing the people wrongfully jailed for things such as voicing their opinion.
The full list of issues Amnesty International covers includes armed conflict and arms control, child rights, climate change, corporate accountability, death penalty, detention, disappearances, discrimination, freedom of expression, indigenous peoples, international justice, living in dignity, police violence, refugees, asylum seekers and violence, sexual rights, torture, United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Amnesty International aims to make a change by:
Conducting primary research: They thoroughly cross-check their research into human rights violations by countries and governments across the world.
Advocacy and lobbying: They use their methods of analysis to both influence and put pressure on governments and companies to do what is right.
Campaigns and action: Amnesty International creates petitions, protests, letters and campaigns throughout the world to press for immediate action from the institutions and people that can influence change.
Case studies and examples
In 2020, Amnesty International organized campaigns in several European countries to define rape as non-consensual sex corresponding with international human rights standards. This includes the Let's Talk About Yes campaign. Spain officially announced a bill to define rape as sex without consent as a result of the Amnesty campaign and the justice system failing victims of high-profile gang rape cases.
As a result of outcry and global appeals by Amnesty, Iranian spiritual teacher Mohammad Al Taheri was released from his death sentence and conviction to be reunited with his family in Canada in 2019. He was arrested in 2011 and sentenced to death for establishing a spiritual group called Efran-e Halgheh.
The government of Sierra Leone overturned a ban meant to prevent pregnant girls from attending school and participating in exams. The ban was instated for 5 years, which deprived many young women from their right to education. This was as a result of calls and legal action conducted by Amnesty International and some partner organizations.
Wang Quanzhang, a Chinese human rights lawyer was released from prison for his work of exposing human rights violations and corruption. During the 4.5 years he spent in jail, Amnesty had campaigned for his release.
Amnesty International is a NGO that mainly focuses on human rights and migration. Their headquarters is located in the UK and they have over 10 million supporters worldwide in over 150 countries and territories.The current Secretary General is Angie’s Callamard and other important members of are the senior directors of 8 subcategories of the organization which are 1.fundraising and growth 2.office of the Secretary General 3. Campaigns and communications 4. Research 5.law and policy 6. Global operations 7.organizational services 8.organization development and Human Resources. Amnesty International does not support or side with any government. They are non-religious and a non-political organization and they operate under their own policies and laws. The NGO is funded by donations from people all over the world and they do this to ensure full independence from governments.
Amnesty International is a successful NGO because it has continued to stay independent from governments and the organization is worth 279 million Euros. Their success can also be seen from how they have 2500 staff members in 70 different countries worldwide. With global respect and acknowledgement, Amnesty International continues to work towards their aims.
Effects of Amnesty International
Migration
Human Rights
Amnesty Internatioal has had many achievements over the last couple of decades. Throughout history the NGO has freed and saved millions of people from torture and abusive circumstances. They have won concrete protections for human rights.AI was apart of gaining global support which lead to creating the Internatioal Criminal Court (ICC) which has become very important as they deal with wat crimes, genocides, and crimes against humanity. They have also helped gain support which led to torturous methods being banned in countries including the dearth penalty.
Amnesty International does not work directly with any governments therefore they do not collaborate with governments on migration laws however they have been successful in making campaigns to make sure governments respect and take responsibly for refugees rights and make sure that the government protects them.