• Amnesty International (AI) is an international, nongovernmental, human rights organization. The primary goal of the group is to research, draw attention to, and take action on the abuses of human rights. The organization, often called Amnesty or AI, was founded in the United Kingdom in 1961. In 1977 the won the Nobel Peace Prize for their "campaign against torture." Today, they continue to inform public opinion and use it to exert pressure on individuals and governments who commit abuses and violations.

• Fast Facts

  1. Members: 2.2 Million
  2. Founded: 1961
  3. Founder: Peter Benenson
  4. In 2006: 330 Urgent Actions on behalf of over 5,000 issues
  5. Major Campaigns: Stopping Capital Punishment, Saving Darfur, Close Guantanamo Bay, Stopping violence against women, control arms supply and distribution, defend the freedom of speech
  6. Revenue 2006: $43,161,394
  7. Expenses 2006: $43,578,913

• Criticisms

  Amnesty International has drawn criticism for alleged selection biases and also ideological biases. Critics asserting a selection bias point out that there are more reports pertaining to abuses in relatively open countries, in particular Israel, as compared to countries like North Korea, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Critics of the alleged ideological bias claim the group either conducts one-sided reporting or fails to recognize threats to national security as a factor in human rights issues. Countries that frequently claim an ideological bias include the United States, Russia, China, and the DR Congo.

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