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Introduction
by Stephanie Grant, Head of Research
This report describes initiatives taken during the past year for the release or relief of prisoners in 107 countries. In a few instances the issues were new; in others-Ethiopia, Portugal or Mozambique-new problems arose in familiar situa- tions. But in most countries Amnesty International has continued its traditional patterns of action, aimed at the release of prisoners of conscience, the ameliora- tion of legal and penal treatment for all political prisoners and the prevention of torture and capital punishment.
Between June 1974 and May 1975, 2169 cases were written up for Al groups, and 1,699 of those already under adoption or investigation were released; missions were sent to 31 countries; a major report was produced on Chile, and substantive material published on imprisonment in India (West Bengal) and psy- chiatric treatment in the Soviet Union. Lists of imprisoned writers, journalists, trade unionists, lawyers and women have been prepared in response to appropri- ate international events. Al groups are now working on the cases of 3,650 prisoners, a figure which represents only a nominal increase over the year. This was caused by the unprecedentedly high rate of release among adopted prisoners.
The reasons for release have been many. In Portugal, South Vietnam and Greece, tens of thousands of prisoners were freed as the direct consequence of radical political change. In South Korea a large-scale amnesty followed intensive international pressure, particularly from the United States. In the Soviet Union, women prisoners of conscience were released in an amnesty to mark International Women's Year. In Chile prisoners could leave their prison and their country on condition that their air fare was paid. In Bahrein 26 adopted trade unionists were released by court decision. In Spain, some of the "Carabanchel 10”—also trade unionists-were released after a successful appeal attended by international observers. A change of law in the Netherlands regarding conscientious objection benefitted only one prisoner, but assured future freedom to conscientious objectors.
Each situation had been a focus of AI activities, but in the majority of cases it is neither accurate nor responsible to trace any causal connection between AI work and release. Nonetheless the pages which follow report a number of instances where adoption, a mission or publicity has been succeeded by the release of a