Our Organization
We are a non-governmental organization who concerns human rights.
Since its establishment in 1961, Amnesty International (AI) has grown to become a global non-governmental organization (NGO) with 3 million members and offices in 150 countries and regions. In 1977, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for “having contributed to securing the ground for freedom, for justice, and thereby also for peace in the world”. Its International Secretariat is stationed in London.
By undertaking research, action and education, AI works to promote human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.
We send researchers around the globe to document cases of human rights violations. Their findings and observations will be published to the international community. The international movement will be mobilized to exert pressure on the violators so as to curb further abuses.
On policy level, we lobby governments in around the world to implement laws and policies which better defend the fundamental freedom and rights of the people.
Founded in 1982, Amnesty International Hong Kong Section(AIHK) works not only on local human rights issues but is also actively involved in global campaigns. In addition, we are also dedicated to human rights education to promote people's understanding of and respect for human rights.
In order to maintain our independence, we do not seek or accept donations from governments or other political organizations. AIHK currently has over 2,000 donors and volunteers who contribute to over 80% of our budget. Every day we have fundraising ambassadors in different places of Hong Kong to introduce to the public the value of our work and the importance of human rights. We believe that the protection and promotion of human rights are rooted in the active involvement of the community.
Our Mission
Amnesty International is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, nor does it support or oppose the views of the victims whose rights it seeks to protect. It is concerned solely with the impartial protection of human rights.
Amnesty International’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.
Amnesty International’s mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.
Our work
Historically, the main focus of AI’s campaigning has been to:
- free all prisoners of conscience;
- ensure a prompt and fair trial for all political prisoners;
- abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
- end extrajudicial executions and “disappearances”;
- fight impunity by working to ensure that perpetrators of such human rights abuses are brought to justice in accordance with international standards.
Facing new human rights challenges, AI has expanded this mandate over the years to encompass human rights abuses committed by non-government bodies and private individuals (non-state actors). AI opposes abuses by armed political groups (in control of territory or operating in opposition to governments), such as hostage-taking, torture and unlawful killings. AI opposes human rights abuses against civilians and non-combatants by both sides during armed conflict. AI has also targeted abuses in the home or community where governments have been in conflict or have failed to take effective action. Female genital mutilation, abuses in the context of the trafficking in women and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people - where tolerated or condoned by the authorities - have all fallen within this category.