INTRODUCTION / AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL – A WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN
recognize and investigate human rights violations were drawn together by the common belief that ordinary people can take effective action to protect the human rights of others. They are all inspired by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which forms the basis of Amnesty International's work. The organization's strength lies in its membership and supporters - people from over 150 countries who are prepared to write letters, send telegrams and organize campaigns to stop human rights abuses wherever they occur. In 1990 the number of Amnesty International members and regular donors surpassed 1,000,000 one reminder to all governments of the depth of feeling that exists around the world about human rights.
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Many members work through one of more than 6,000 volunteer groups active in over 70 countries worldwide. To ensure impartiality and independence. no group is asked to work on the case of a prisoner in its own country. In 45 coun- tries Amnesty International sections coordinate the work of the local groups and organize campaigns, publicity and fund-raising. New groups are being formed all the time and the movement has expanded to reach all corners of the world. Eastern Europe achieved rapid membership development in 1990; by the end of the year there were about 700 international members and between 30 and 40 functioning groups in the region. Groups existed or were in formation in every country in Eastern Europe except Albania, and even in Albania developments in late 1990 promised a brighter future for human rights work in the country. In Sub-Saharan Africa groups were formed in Benin and Togo, joining those already active in Zambia and Mauritius, and a fifth African section was established in Sierra Leone. In the Middle East and North Africa members were active in eight countries although members in the Sudan and Kuwait were forced to severely restrict their activities owing to political developments in both countries. In the Asia/Pacific region Amnesty International sections existed in five countries with less formal groupings in a further 11. In the Americas and the Caribbean, sec- tions continued their activites in 11 countries and there were functioning groups in a further eight. It is this surge of interest in Amnesty International in Eastern Europe and the developing world, alongside the organization's still increasing strength in North America and Western Europe, that has pushed membership to record levels. In 1990 Amnesty International groups worldwide were working on behalf of 4,500 prisoners held in 77 countries. At least 1,296 were released during the year.
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As has been the case since Amnesty International's foundation in 1961, members campaign for the release of prisoners of conscience
men and women imprisoned solely for their beliefs, ethnic origin, language or religion who have neither used nor advocated violence. Members also work on behalf of victims of torture and unfair trials, those who have "disappeared" or have been extrajudicially executed, and all those who face the death penalty. A variety of methods are used to campaign for these victims. Members write letter after letter to government officials, judges, prison officers anyone who may be able to help. At the same time, groups seek to publicize the prisoner's plight in their local press, approach embassies, or ask influential people to sign
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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT 1991