Amnesty's History
Amnesty International's campaign for the global protection of human rights started over 40 years ago.
In late 1960 British lawyer Peter Benenson read a newspaper article on his way to work about two students who had been sentenced to seven years in prison for toasting to freedom in a Lisbon bar. Outraged, Benenson published an article called “The Forgotten Prisoners” in the London Observer on May 28, 1961. The article asked readers to write letters to the Portuguese Government demanding the students' release.
Benenson's article unleashed a wave of support worldwide. Within days, “The Forgotten Prisoners” was translated into several languages and published in dozens of countries. Benenson started receiving letters from people all around the world offering their moral, financial, and hands-on support.
Soon thereafter, thousands of letters of appeal began arriving at prisons and work camps around the world. A candle had been lit and started to shine into the world's darkest recesses, ensuring that execution, torture, rape, political imprisonment, and other abuses could no longer happen in secret.
Within less than a year a new organization, Amnesty International, was officially founded with over 70 letter-writing groups in seven countries. Since then, membership has continued to grow, and in 1977 the efforts of Amnesty's tireless activists were publicly honored; AI was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Since its founding Amnesty International has campaigned on behalf of thousands of unjustly imprisoned individuals, to abolish torture and the death penalty, end impunity and to ameliorate human suffering the world over. The campaign continues.
Amnesty Timeline
1961
Peter Benenson publishes “The Forgotten Prisoners.”
1962
Members from around the world meet in Belgium and officially found Amnesty International. The new organization sends observers to the trial of Nelson Mandela.
1963
The International Secretariat is established in London.
1964
The United Nations gives AI formal consultative status.
1965
Amnesty International publishes its first country report.
1972
AI launches its first worldwide Campaign against Torture. AI is given consultative status at the Organization of American States.
1973
The first Urgent Action is issued on behalf of Professor Luiz Basilio Rossi.
1977
Amnesty International is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1986
Amnesty launches its Conspiracy of Hope concert tour.
1988
The “Human Rights Now!” concert event tours 15 countries.
1991
AI expands its mandate to promote all human rights enshrined in the UDHR.
1992
Membership passes the 1 million mark with 6,000 active groups in 70 countries.
1998
The first-ever campaign against human rights violations in the U.S. is launched.
2001
Amnesty International celebrates its 40th anniversary.
2003
Amnesty International sends high-level delegations to Iraq to monitor developing events.
2004
Amnesty International launches a two-year global campaign to Stop Violence Against Women.
