• Background: Overview of Amnesty International USA
• Structure: AIUSA encompasses eighteen member national board of directors

Background

• Founded in 1961, Amnesty International has campaigned successfully in recent years for the International Criminal Court and a UN Torture Treaty. Through their research and action, governments have been persuaded to stop human rights violations and change laws and practices. Death sentences have been commuted. Torturers have been brought to justice. And prisoners of conscience have been released. (Source: AIUSA)

• Additional information at www.amnestyusa.org and Wikipedia

Structure

• Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is one of many country sections that make up Amnesty International worldwide. AIUSA members elect an 18 member national board of directors to represent them. The board of directors employs AIUSA's executive director, who manages the staff. The staff works to serve and supports the members.

• National sections and local volunteer groups are primarily responsible for funding the movement. No funds are sought or accepted from governments for AI's work investigating and campaigning against human rights violations.

• Amnesty International has a varied network of members and supporters around the world. At the latest count, there were more than 2.2 million members, supporters and subscribers in over 150 countries and territories in every region of the world. Although they come from many different backgrounds and have widely different political and religious beliefs, they are united by a determination to work for a world where everyone enjoys human rights. (Source: AIUSA)

Recent Developments

• Amnesty International USA launches National Tour of Guantanamo Cell Replica Tour Aims to Increase Public Awareness and Mount Pressure on the Bush Administration to Close Detention Facility, Says Human Rights Group. (Source: AIUSA)

• Hard-hitting new video depicting waterboarding is sweeping the Internet just as a House Judiciary Subcommittee holds today's hearing on the Justice Department's role in sanctioning harsh interrogation topics.(Source: AIUSA)

Accomplishments

Criticism

Additional Information