Amnesty International (AI) is one of the world’s best known human rights organisations, with sections in more than 50 countries.
It supports people whose human rights have been abused, or who are in danger of such abuse, bringing together its large and committed membership and a team of experts to create a powerful campaigning force. The Foundation has supported several AI initiatives:
AI has always campaigned vigorously against the death penalty and there has been real progress: in 1977 only 16 countries banned the death penalty completely, now the total stands at 80. At the moment AI is focussing on stopping the execution of juvenile offenders, as well as campaigning in support of individuals who have been sentenced to death.
Each year in AI’s Greetings Card Campaign individuals send friendly greetings or messages of solidarity to others who are unjustly imprisoned or in danger. This not only reaches out to people in distress but also tells the authorities that their actions have been noted.
Recently, the Foundation has also given a significant grant to underpin a wide range of AI’s work.
