In Memorandum

Date: 02/14/2011
To: ENGL 1311 Students
From: Joshua Adams
Re: Amnesty International

All over the world there are people who are being denied basic rights or having those rights severely curtailed by their governments or other oppressive regimes. They are the voiceless ones who need advocates to campaign on their behalf in order to bring about needed change. As the world has become more and more interconnected, the scope of what constitutes human rights has grown to include more than just freedom from persecution, however. They now also include issues such as: education; economic, social, and cultural rights; human dignity and the abolishing death penalty; the concerns of indigenous peoples; and all forms of discrimination to name just a few.

Since 1961, Amnesty International has been at the forefront of the fight to end human rights abuses around the globe. Although originally founded in order to safeguard the rights of political prisoners, they now have broadened their scope to address all manner of human rights issues. They research reported cases and gather the necessary information in order to persuade governments to change the harsh policies which are affecting people. From demonstrations and letter-writing campaigns to community activities, they bring the story to the forefront, hopefully pressuring those in charge to bring about much-needed change. Individuals who wish to join in these efforts have many opportunities to do so, depending upon their desired level of involvement: monetary donations, membership in the organization, volunteer positions, internships, and full employment are all options.

Websites, newsletters, and podcasts are just a few examples of how Amnesty International spreads information on both its current campaigns and new issues which have just recently come to light. The organization also maintains an extensive online library of its publications, archives of reports, videos, and information about past campaigns it has waged; all of which can be found on the Amnesty International website: amnesty.org. When actively campaigning on an issue, they lobby the respective legislative bodies which directly shape the laws they are trying to change. Grassroots movements and other local organizations are also brought into the discussion so that the concerns of the people in the affected communities are heard.