Vasco Guerra

---

Amnesty International

---

Did you know...

---

...that Amnesty International is deeply connected to Portugal? Actually Amnesty International was launched in 1961 by Peter Benenson, a British lawyer, after reading about two Portuguese students who had been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for raising their glasses in a toast to freedom. This incident prompted him to launch a one-year campaign called "Appeal for Amnesty 1961" in the London Observer, a local newspaper.

His newspaper appeal, "The Forgotten Prisoners", was published worldwide on 28th May 1961 and brought in more than 1,000 offers of support for the idea of an international campaign to protect human rights. Within 12 months the new organisation had sent delegations to four countries to make representations on behalf of prisoners, had taken up 210 cases, and had organised national branches in seven countries.

From the beginning, the principles of strict impartiality and independence were established. Amnesty members were to act on cases worldwide, but not become involved in cases in their own countries and the emphasis was on the international protection of human rights.

This was the begining of the story. Now have a look at the activities of Amnesty International (here you have the american, british and portuguese sites. Or find your own country A.I. site...). And then, why don't you join A.I.?