Did you know that lawyers in Ghana, Argentina, Germany, Israel and Hong Kong are also organized into Amnesty International networks like the Legal Support Network? Since the 1960s Amnesty International sections and structures have recognized the important role that lawyers can play in the organization's work and have created special groups made up of lawyers. Today, there are approximately 25 Amnesty International sections which have active lawyers' groups. Those groups make up the International Legal Network (ILN).

The ILN is of particular importance to Amnesty International because its members are influential; well informed and adept at communication; widely respected internationally; and linked through national and international contacts and professional associations.

When you become a member of the LSN, you also automatically become a member of the ILN. As members of the ILN, lawyers work as a global body committed to advance Amnesty International's mandate on specific human rights cases and issues.

The ILN members have access to the ILN website, where all the letter writing actions concerning human rights violations against legal professionals and law students are published, as well as law-related human rights issues. On the website you can also find AI reports, relevant human rights documents, and the ILN "Human Rights Review."

ILN members are invited to participate in the International Lawyers' Meeting, which brings together AI lawyers from around the world every two years. In 2000, the meeting was held in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In 2002, it will be held in London, England.

Through the ILN you may also get into contact with lawyers around the world, and a system of mentorship for newly started lawyers groups has been created. Through the ILN, your lawyers' group can volunteer to become a mentor or get a mentor in another section or structure.

The ILN offers its members a wide range of activities, information, education, and possibilities for human rights work. If you would like to receive more information on the ILN, please email legal@aiusa.org.