Amnesty International Presentation

MARTIN MILLETE & RAJI TAÑADADEVELOPMENT THEORY

1960

It is a worldwide movement of people who work together to take action for HUMAN RIGHTS. It is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion.

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Ex.Internet Censorship

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1. Kidnap2. Unlawful

Detention3. Rendition4. Torture

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Operations

1. International Board • Secretary-General• International Board/International

Executive Committee• International Secretariat Directors• Secretary General’s Global Council

Secretary-General

is the operational leader of the movement, acting as its chief political adviser and strategist, its chief spokesperson and the chief executive officer of the International Secretariat, which carries out the majority of our research and campaigning work.

International Board/International Executive Committee

To provide a strong link with the governing board of the wider Amnesty International movement, one member of the International Board with relevant experience is appointed to serve a two year term as an ex-officio member of the Council.

International Secretariat Directors

The International Secretariat of Amnesty International is led by a team of Senior Directors headed by the Secretary General.

The Senior Directors work closely with the directors and deputy directors of the IS' programmes (departments) and together they provide strategic direction, operational management and direct support to the secretariat’s staff and volunteers. They also work closely with the directors of Amnesty International’s local chapters.

Secretary General’s Global Council

The Secretary General's Global Council is a forum that brings together leaders in the arts, business and philanthropy to raise Amnesty International's visibility in the global South and raise funds to support our work as we expand our presence in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Launched in September 2013, Global Council members use their high public profiles and draw on their professional expertise to advance human rights and Amnesty's work.

2. Financial Resourcesa. Donations:- individuals- national and international non-

government organizations - National and foreign government

bodies such as overseas development funds

- International governmental organizations such as European Union

Funding can be:-short term (ex. To resource a project or assist a human rights defender at risk)- Long term (ex. To enable an NGO to maintain, develop or expand its activities)

b. Fundraising-must adhere to the legal and administrative frameworks of the country

-80 offices across the globe-3Million members and supporters

3. Worldwide Presence

Role

Emphasis on Human Rights

“Until every person can enjoy all of their rights, we will continue our efforts. We will not stop until everyone can live in dignity; until every person’s voice can be heard;

until no one is tortured or executed.”

Development through Human Rights

Amnesty International began as an organization entirely focused on human rights (e.g. freedom of

expression, women’s right, abolition of death penalty, justice for crimes against humanity and

corporate accountability)Human rights, within the contemporary context of Amnesty International, cover economic, social and cultural (ESC)

rights“’Every organ of society’ has human rights responsibilities”

(Universal Declaration of Human Rights)


Amnesty International advocates ESC rights, which are protected

under the International Covenant on

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other human rights

treaties

• Rights at work• Right to

education• Cultural rights• Right to the

highest attainable standard of physical and mental health

• Right to adequate housing

• Right to food• Right to water


STATES are primarily responsible for protecting and developing initiatives

for human rights• ESC rights should be fulfilled progressively, subject to

the varying resources of states • States must fulfil “minimum core obligations” of each

right (e.g. free primary education for right to education)• NO DISCRIMINATION in laws and practices for resource

allocation

Membership

• Prospective members from countries with Amnesty International offices may join locally

• Prospective members from countries without Amnesty International offices may become an international member

Amnesty International has offices in 80 countries

worldwide

Projects• Amnesty International’s

Human Rights Friendly Schools Project

Integration of human rights into schools worldwide

• Rights Education Action Programme (REAP)

Addresses specific human rights issues through education

• Africa Human Rights Education Project

Human rights education at the community level in 10 countries

in East and West Africa

• Education for Human Dignity Project

Awareness, debate and action on human rights abuses causing

poverty

Development Strategy

Theory of Development

Rights-Based Approach to Development

“…a conceptual framework for the process ofhuman development that is normatively based

on international human rights standardsand operationally directed to promoting and

protecting human rights” (International Human Rights Network)

Theory of Development

Rights-Based Approach to Development

In employing the rights-based approach to development, Amnesty International grew over

the years to accommodate ESC rights, as defined by the International Covenant on

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other human rights treaties.

Method

Impact Assessment

“Within Amnesty International, impact is defined as any significant

changes- positive or negative, expected or

not - that result from our directintervention or contribution to

improving a human rights situation” (Amnesty International)

MethodImpact Assessment: Dimensions of Change Model

“Making a difference to people’s lives is atthe heart of Amnesty International’s purpose and projects” (Amnesty International”

Societal & Economic Development

Impact Study: “Forced Evictions and the Right to Adequate Housing” Campaign in

Nigeria



Nigeria

• April 2010 – December 2011

• Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

• 40 waterfront families under forced eviction by the Rivers State government without due process

CAMPAIGN GOALS:• Stop forced eviction• Ensure compliance with

international and regional standards for all evictions



NigeriaMETHODOLOGY:• Participatory approach with

stakeholders• Visits and discussions with

five waterfront communities in Port Harcourt (participatory review and focus group discussions with different stakeholders



Nigeria

HOW DID AMNESTY

INTERNATIONAL MAKE A

DIFFERENCE?

• Increased rights awareness and confidence

• Increased sense of security and hope

• No further demolitions• Government more cautious in its

actions• Increased media interest• Increased recognition of housing

rights as human rights• Emergence of community activists

and increased trust on working with civil society organizations



Nigeria

WHAT ARE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONA

L?

• Diverse campaigning initiatives

• Community activism and mobilization

• Visibility of the demolition issue in the Port Harcourt waterfronts

• International solidarity• Collaborative efforts of

partners



Nigeria

WHAT IS AMNESTY

INTERNATIONAL

RECOMMENDING?

• Community empowerment and mobilization

• Women’s participation• Media engagement• Changing public perceptions• Engaging with the

government• Connecting national and

regional initiatives• Partnership• Project planning and

monitoring

Amnesty International in the Philippines

• Initiated in the 1980s by Atty. Sammy Matunog and Ed Garcia

• Recognized as a section in 1991• Campaigned for the following

human rights causes through legislative advocacy: death penalty, juvenile justice, arms control, extra-judicial killings and disappearances, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights

• Successfully lobbied for the abolition of the Death Penalty Law (RA 7650) in 2005

End(Human Rights Violations)

Documents

Amnesty International Presentation