Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is the foundation of the international system of protection for human rights. In 1948 it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th, a day now celebrated annually as International Human Rights Day. The thirty articles of the UDHR establish the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of all people. Together, they represent a vision for human dignity that transcends political boundaries and authority and that commits governments to uphold the fundamental rights of each person.
Who funds Amnesty International's work?
Amnesty International (AI) is a democratic, self-governing movement funded largely by its worldwide membership and by donations from the public. No funds are sought or accepted from governments for AI's work.
Is Amnesty International a partisan organization?
No. AI is impartial. It is independent of any government, political ideology or religious creed. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, or the political opinions of the victims whose rights it seeks to protect. AI is concerned solely with the protection of human rights in every case, regardless of the ideology of the government, opposition forces, or individual in question.
How does Amnesty International get information about human rights abuses?
AI's campaigning activities are based on meticulous research. The organization systematically and impartially researches the facts about individual cases and patterns of human rights abuses. Research into human rights violations and individual victims is conducted by AI's International Secretariat, based in London.
What are Prisoners of Conscience?
Prisoners of Conscience (POCs) are people who have been detained solely because of their beliefs or because of their ethnic origin, sex, color, language, national or social origin, economic status, birth or other status and who have not used or advocated violence. Some POCs are prominent individuals, active and well-known in public life. Most, however, are ordinary women, men and even children who come from all walks of life. Frequently they are not political dissidents. They are imprisoned simply for their peaceful exercise of their human rights.
What is a political prisoner?
A political prisoner is anyone whose imprisonment is politically motivated. Perhaps the "crime" was politically motivated; perhaps the arrest, trial, or sentence has political undertones. In cases where it is not clear, AI's legal office makes a determination on a case by case basis. When political prisoners do not qualify as POCs (e.g., suspected members of armed opposition groups), AI works to ensure fair and prompt trials. If a prisoner has been detained without charge, AI will generally ask that he or she be charged with a recognizable crime or be released.
What is a fair trial?
The United Nations sets out international standards on fair trials, which AI urges countries to abide by. AI advocates fair trials within a reasonable time for all political prisoners and works on behalf of such people detained without charge or trial.
What is "cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishments?"
Both the Convention Against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights forbid "cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment." Although the terms have not been defined specifically, they are intended to provide the widest possible protection against both physical and psychological abuses, such as stun belts used as restraints, twenty-four hour a day isolation units, and death by stoning.
What are Extra-Judicial Executions (EJEs)?
Extra-Judicial Executions (political killings) are planned executions committed by governments or government-backed agents with a total lack of regard for due process of law and/or judicial procedure as protected in the UDHR. These killings are often the work of regular military and police forces, special units that function without normal supervision and "death squads" that operate while the government looks the other way. The term does not include killings by warring factions.
What is a "disappearance"?
AI defines enforced disappearances as the apprehension of people by a government or security force that never officially acknowledges the detentions. The people apprehended may be prisoners of conscience or may face torture or the threat of execution. "Disappearances" cloud the identity of the perpetrator. If there is no identifiable victim, prisoner, or body, no one can be accused of having done anything wrong.
Why does AI oppose the death penalty?
AI unconditionally opposes the death penalty on the grounds that an execution is a cruel, inhuman and degrading form of punishment that violates international human rights standards. The application of the death penalty is arbitrary and unfair, and it is applied in a discriminatory manner against the poor and against racial and ethnic minorities. Furthermore, the chance of executing an innocent person is too high. Since 1973 in the U.S., more than 125 people have been released from death row after having been found innocent.
What are Amnesty International's National Priority Campaigns?
Given the array of human rights violations that AI activists tackle each day, it is helpful to identify specific priority areas to guide how we collaborate with each other and organize our work. AIUSA's strategic plan, which guides our organization in fulfilling our mission to prevent and end grave abuses and to promote all human rights, calls on AIUSA to establish national priority campaigns to concentrate action and resources for maximum effect.
What is Amnesty International USA?
Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is the largest national section of Amnesty International, marshalling more than 370,000 members and 1,700 local and student groups that take action to free prisoners of conscience, prevent abuses and bring to justice those responsible. All international sections of Amnesty International participate in organizational decision making at the highest level by sending representatives to the International Council Meeting every two years.
AI sources of information
- Prisoners
- Prisoners' relatives and friends
- Lawyers
- Religious bodies
- Community workers
- Humanitarian organizations
- Refugees and exiles
- Journalists
- Diplomats
- Travelers
- Public news media
- Underground press
- AI research missions
