On May 28, 1961—64 years ago today—a British lawyer named Peter Benenson penned a letter for the Observer newspaper in the UK launching the “Appeal for Amnesty 1961,” a campaign calling for the release of people imprisoned around the world because of the peaceful expression of their beliefs. This movement galvanized into what is now Amnesty International, an organization founded on the idea that ordinary people around the world could protect human rights by coming together to take action on behalf of others.
Sixty-four years later, Amnesty is a worldwide movement for human rights with a collective power of 10 million people, each one committed to fighting for justice, equality and freedom everywhere.
Today, Amnesty is needed more than ever to confront a backlash against human rights and increasing authoritarian practices, including right here in the United States.
As a global movement, we have—and continue to—show up in solidarity for communities and across issues and geographies. Caring, compassionate people have powered our movement for decades as we’ve shined a light on injustice and defended human rights. We will raise the political cost of authoritarian practices through direct advocacy, constituent pressure on Congress and other leaders to use their power in the defense of human rights, and other impactful campaigning efforts.
As we mark our anniversary, we are recommitting to our efforts to champion and protect human rights, here in the United States, and around the world.
President Trump’s relentless attacks on human rights, the rule of law and due process have emboldened other leaders to follow suit. Amnesty is closely following this alarming trend that is threatening human rights everywhere, and it’s on us to stop it before it gets even worse.
In the first few months of his second term, President Trump has ruled with cruelty and chaos, accelerating a global human rights emergency. We know that what we are seeing in the United States is not unique or novel, though the implications are disproportionately far-reaching. But we have seen this before.
In fact, I was recently together with Amnesty International leaders from around the world, and they gave me some pretty good tips for confronting authoritarian practices, rooted in their personal experience and the richness of Amnesty International’s work across the world and across decades.
12 tips from Amnesty International leaders around the world:
- Fight hard against early attacks against individuals and institutions, and ask, “If we lose now, who will they come for next.”
- Watch for new government agencies and data collection designed for repression. Leaders who embrace authoritarian tactics create “lists” to target effective activists, often using social media. Surveillance is a red flag.
- Elections are dangerous flashpoints for accelerators of repression. Crackdowns and laws passed to restrict civic space often spike pre-elections.
- Resist the legal system being weaponized. Governments will use trumped up charges, long pretrial detentions and lengthy trials to sideline activists, denying bail and delaying appeals.
- Read new “unrelated” laws carefully with an eye on civic space and freedom of expression. Not every attack on rights will be direct and obvious.
- Be ready for fake “facts” and smear campaigns to paint human rights defenders as corrupt or criminal. How are you going to get the truth out quickly and widely?
- Catch repressive legislative drafts early and fight back hard and publicly. And don’t stop until bills are dead and won’t come back.
- Stay inspired about a pro-rights future, but create strategies and stay ready for worsening anti-rights scenarios.
- Public narrative matters. Anti-rights actors will reframe human rights as threats, to shrink civic space. Don’t let them. Resist and frame a public narrative that speech, protest and assembly are essential to defend all the other rights.
- Protect yourself, your wellbeing and your safety. Threats come in many forms and will be experienced differently by each activist. Do what is right for you.
- Be a good partner. Solidarity wins. Build coalitions, share resources, lean on allies and let them lean on you.
- Keep an eye on other contexts. Repressive leaders learn from each other. Human rights activists need to do the same.
From Hungary to China to Venezuela, and anywhere else leaders think they can act with impunity—we have fought back at every turn.
The world needs the Amnesty movement more than ever.
Journalists are being silenced for reporting on oppression. Protesters are being detained and even killed for exercising their right to freedom of expression. Threats to human rights are increasing in every corner of our world. What is happening is not without method or purpose. The ultimate aim for those seeking authoritarian power is to become unaccountable with the public’s acceptance. Public apathy as human rights are attacked will enable them. But we won’t be quiet. It’s been 64 years since our candle was first lit, and we continue to shine bright even in the most challenging times, thanks to the support of people like you.
At a time when it’s easy to get demoralized by the state of human rights, together we shine bright and continue to deliver hope. We are all a part of this extraordinary movement of millions who share an unbreakable commitment to justice.
As I reflect on more than six decades of Amnesty International’s existence, I’m inspired.
As the oldest and largest grassroots human rights organization in the world, we are ready to defend human rights, like we have always done, no matter our adversaries. What makes us unique is that we are a grassroots movement powered by people. With our members, we will expose abuses, organize, protect human rights, and turn despair into hope. It’s a privilege to be alongside you in this work.