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Amnesty international was founded in 1961 by a man named Peter Benenson. He was a lawyer in Britain and had the intention of launching an appeal to obtain amnesty for all prisoners of conscience around the world. In 1963 is became international and an international secretariat, Sean MacBride, was established. 50 years later Amnesty International has over 3 million members, activists, and supporters. All of this started because Benenson was so outraged at two Portuguese students being imprisoned for raising a toast to freedom. In 2011 we raised a toast to 50 years of striving for human rights and freedom. Amnesty International is in over 150 countries working together to fight for human rights.
"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life." -Nelson Mandela |
Learn more at:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/who-we-are/history