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which AI has to study and evaluate before deciding which action is necessary to fulfil our objectives of working for the human rights of those restricted or faced with execution or torture.
Another new area approached by AI during the 1974-75 period was the commission of inquiry into allegations of torture of prisoners taken by Syria and Israel during the October 1973 Middle East war. The commission (which received the cooperation of both governments) specifically set out to make proposals which were positive and related to existing international legal commitments undertaken by both governments under the Geneva Conventions. The commission decided not only to assess allegations on the basis of evidence but also to pin- point weaknesses of prison camp administration which were in violation of the conventions. If the conventions were implemented they would make torture allegations more difficult to fabricate. This approach by AI did not receive uni- versal support. Many thought that AI should apportion blame and make comparisons. The proof of our judgement will lie with the governments not only of Syria and Israel, but of all countries engaged in conflicts which result in taking prisoners of war.
Amnesty International started as a case work organization dealing with people in prison. Today it is developing, in addition to its individual case work, a pro- gram designed to prevent violations of human rights and torture and to shape governmental conduct in the future. Belief in the need for codes of conduct in the medical, legal and police professions to forbid ill-treatment of prisoners is no longer held by AI alone. They have now received endorsement from the United Nations General Assembly, and draft codes of ethics have been prepared within each of the professions. The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners will be reviewed in 1975 not only as standards but also with a view to their enforcement.
The continued growth of AI reflects the international concern for human rights and the values contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations covenants and other international instruments. Such public con- cern, when expressed in countries where dissent is not encouraged, creates risks for AI members-not necessarily because of their membership of AI but just because AI attracts those who feel commitment to the principles of human rights. For AI members in such countries there is a risk of becoming "hostages" for governments who resent Al's criticisms.
During the year, AI members at national or group level have been arrested in Nepal, South Korea, the Soviet Union and Peru. This cannot be ignored by the movement as a whole. It is a risk which inevitably limits the expansion of AI through its orthodox channels of national sections and groups.
Another element in the growth of the organization is the varying economic and social difficulties experienced in developing countries. A special conference was held in New Delhi 20-23 March 1975 at the invitation of the Indian Section to find out whether there were common factors affecting the development of Al in countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, whose problems were different from those in Western Europe, North America and Australia-areas in which AI has strong national sections. New ideas were dis- cussed and a special meeting of the International Executive Committee has
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