Amnesty International
In its Annual Report 2008, 60 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted unanimously at the United Nations, Amnesty International documented torture in at least 81 countries. The organization has documented torture for decades, but governments’ actions in recent years have challenged the validity of the prohibition itself, particularly in the context of counter terrorism. In June 2008, Amnesty International will seek to reverse this trend.
Amnesty International has consistently condemned the acts of terrorism in recent years that have left thousands of civilians dead or injured.
Amnesty International is clear, however, that real security from such attacks can only be achieved through strengthening the human rights framework, not through undermining it by resorting to unlawful practices.
Amnesty International is campaigning to challenge counter-terrorism measures that erode respect for human rights and calling on all states to:
- Condemn all forms of torture and other ill-treatment and speak out against governments that perpetrate, are complicit in, or fail to act in the face of such abuse
- Prevent these practices, including ending all forms of illegal detention that facilitate torture or may amount to torture or other ill-treatment
- Hold to account those responsible through effective and independent investigations, prosecute all perpetrators of torture and other ill-treatment and provide reparations for victims
Amnesty International is a global movement of 2.2 million people in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights.
Amnesty International's vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.
Amnesty International is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion – funded mainly by our membership and public donations.
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