Relations with other Organizations
Much of Amnesty International's work on the international governmental and non-governmental organizational level has concentrated on maintaining the momentum of the Campaign for the Abolition of Torture (CAT). Accordingly, the major initiatives undertaken at the United Nations General Assembly and with regard to the forthcoming Fifth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders are described in the chap- ter of this report dealing with the campaign, as are parallel initiatives within the framework of the Council of Europe. Details of other work follow.
United Nations
At the 31st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, held in Geneva, 3 February-7 March 1975, AI was represented by its permanent representatives, Henry Jacoby and Freydoun Kadjar, and by Professor Frank C. Newman of Al's United States Section. Portions of the session were also attended by AI Secretary General Martin Ennals and Legal Adviser Nigel S. Rodley.
AI had previously communicated information alleging consistent patterns of gross and reliably attested violations of human rights in Brazil, Chile, Indonesia and Namibia. With regard to Namibia, the Ad Hoc Working Group already in existence was authorized to continue its work. A similar group was set up to investigate the situation in Chile with particular reference to torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment.
No announcement was made concerning the outcome of private deliberations on a number of cases, including Brazil and Indonesia. However, press reports indicated that the Brazilian authorities may have been requested to supply further information. The same reports, corroborated by a letter from the Indonesian Ambassador in London to Amnesty International, suggested that no action would be taken on Indonesia. Such an omission would be most regret- table.
Also in private session, the commission requested the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), its parent body with which AI has consultative status, to take measures that would impose severe restrictions on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) communicating human rights violations to the UN.