International Justice

Amnesty International is working together with thousands of other organizations to lobby governments worldwide to create an international system of justice that complements and reinforces national justice systems. Such a system is essential to deter those contemplating human rights crimes, to enable survivors to obtain justice and redress, and to support post-conflict reconciliation. | Watch AIUSA's new film | Find a local event!

International Justice Day

International Justice Day 2008 commemorates the day ten years ago on which the international community adopted the groundbreaking treaty establishing the International Criminal Court -- and the day each year on which activists throughout their world call on their governments to help make the promise of that treaty a reality. This year's celebration couldn't come at a more important time in history.

| Read the letter from Vienna Colucci
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| Watch Justice Without Borders
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Check out AIUSA's New Film "Justice Without Borders"

"Justice Without Borders" is a 37-minute documentary film by Amnesty International USA and Skylight Pictures. The film explores the current landscape of international justice through the stories of survivors and the legal cases they are pursuing in Peru, Chile, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Hague, Guatemala and Spain.
| Watch the film! | About the project | Sign up today to host a screening! | Contact us »

Arrest Now!: Take Action for Justice
Demand Security for Human Rights Defenders in Guatemala

An email was sent to Fredy Peccerelli of the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation on May 19 threatening to kill him, his sister and four leading members of the organization he heads, which exhumes bodies of people buried in secret graves during Guatemala's internal conflict.

Witnesses to the Guatemalan genocide of the 1980s have recently finished giving testimony to a court in Guatemala City. This court is acting on behalf of the Spanish courts as part of a genocide case currently proceeding in Spain against former high-ranking members of the military junta of the early 1980s. It is believed that the prominence of the hearing has led to the latest threat.

| Take Urgent Action on this case (pdf) | Take Further Urgent Action (pdf)

Human Rights Goals

Build support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) among US public and policy makers.
The International Criminal Court | Ensuring Justice for Women | Watch a video clip!

Promote the effective exercise of universal jurisdiction by ensuring that anyone responsible for torture, "disappearances", extra-judicial executions, genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes can be brought to justice, regardless of where the crimes were committed or where the suspects are found.
Universal Jurisdiction: Q & A | USA: A Safe Haven for Torturers (pdf)

Support the work of international criminal tribunals, including the Yugoslavia and Rwanda Tribunals, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and other international criminal courts created in the future.
Handbook for Government Cooperation | More on international tribunals

Defend survivors' rights to an effective remedy, including the right to obtain adequate reparations.
The Alien Tort Claims Act | End Impunity: Justice for Victims of Torture