Recent Event Highlights: Human Rights Day, World Day Against the Death Penalty, Amnesty International celebrates its 50th birthday, Launch of Annual Report, Death Penalty report, Nobel Peace Prize, and 208 more...
Created by aitimeline on 19/05/2011
Last updated: 10/06/11 at 18:59
Amnesty International members help to protect human rights by participating in the Letter Writing Marathon. © Amnesty International
As part of Amnesty International’s global campaign to support women’s reproductive rights, people across the world are showing their support for local Women’s and Girls’ organizations in Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, abortion has recently been criminalized in all circumstances, even for survivors of rape and incest. Women's reproductive rights are human rights, and Amnesty International helps to defend them. © Amnesty International
Everyone is encouraged to find the nearest Section or Group to “Toast Freedom” with Amnesty International © Amnesty International
Amnesty International's 2011 report reveals a world in which people continue to challenge oppression despite the powerful array of repressive measures used against them. It shows that the communities most affected by human rights abuses are the real driving force behind the human rights struggle. © Amnesty International
Amnesty International publishes its latest research on the use of the Death Penalty and progress that has been made since the UN Moratorium was first introduced in 2008. Image: Death Penalty Campaign billboard © TBWA \ Paris
Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor sets himself on fire. He is protesting against the harassment and humiliation that was allegedly inflicted on him by municipal officials. This act becomes the catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution, sparking deadly demonstrations and riots throughout Tunisia in protest of social and political issues. The long-time President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is eventually ousted on 14 January 2011. © Corbis
Liu Xiaobo, a prisoner of conscience, is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize but he is not allowed to travel to Norway to accept the prize, nor is his family on his behalf. On the night of the awards ceremony, Amnesty International hosts a torchlight parade through Oslo for Liu Xiaobo. Image: Torchlight parade through Oslo for Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, Norway, 10 December. © Greg Rødland Buick
Salil Shetty begins a symbolic journey from the CIVICUS 2010 World Assembly in Montreal, to the UN summit on the Millennium Development Goals in September in New York. The Millennium Development Goals are the world’s most prominent global initiative against poverty, but are largely silent on human rights. The human rights basis for the goals is evident: universal primary education, promotion of gender equality, improvements in maternal health, to name just a few. But unlike the legal requirements bound in international human rights instruments, progress toward these goals is largely thought to be a matter of goodwill rather than a legal obligation. It is a central part of the Demand Dignity campaign. Image: Closing ceremony at Civicus 2010, Montreal, Canada. © Tristan Brand
Amnesty International campaigns for migrants in Mexico. Every year thousands of migrants are kidnapped, raped and sometimes murdered in Mexico. Driven by grinding poverty and insecurity back home, they travel through Mexico in hope of reaching the USA, but all too often their dreams are turned to nightmares. Campaign video: Directed by Gael García Bernal and Marc Silver for Amnesty International, this film The Invisibles exposes the truth behind one of the most dangerous journeys in the world and reveals the untold stories of the people who make the journey north through Mexico. © Amnesty International
Amnesty International launches the campaign "Whose Justice? Women of Bosnia and Herzegovina Still Waiting". Fourteen years after the end of the war in the region, women survivors of sexual violence had not received justice. Working with local women’s organizations and survivors, Amnesty International’s supporters and activists lobbied governments, donors and decision-makers. Less than a year after the launch of the campaign, a number of war criminals are prosecuted and the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina begins introducing laws and strategies to tackle the issue. Image: Sabrina was only 13 years old when she was raped during the 1992 - 1995 war in Bosnia. © Robin Hammond/Panos Pictures
Amnesty International’s research shows that thousands of women die each year from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth in Sierra Leone. Almost all of these deaths could have been prevented by accessible, affordable and timely medical care. The resources devoted to health care are totally inadequate. The discrimination women face in almost all aspects of their life in Sierra Leone is reflected in the lack of priority given to their health needs and undermines their right to health.
As part of the Demand Dignity campaign, Amnesty International organized a caravan across Sierra Leone with activists, musicians and a drama group to engage with local communities, including in rural areas, on problems around the high level of maternal mortality in the country. The caravan encouraged people to become active in demanding their rights and accountability from the authorities. The campaign takes hold in Sierra Leone and across the world, and leads to the government introducing policies for free maternal health care.
Image: Launch of the caravan, for Amnesty International's campaign to stop maternal mortality in Sierra Leone, September 2009.
© Amnesty International
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR51/005/2009
Amnesty International brings together its work on various abuses of human rights carried out or allowed by corporations, from Bhopal to the Niger Delta. Campaign video: “Shell: Human rights go up in flames” © Amnesty International
People around the world took part in “Fire Up” actions to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, thousands of people lit candles, fires or flames as part of a mass demonstration in support of human rights. Image: “Fire Up” action in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, 10 December. © Amnesty International
The UN General Assembly adopts the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, enabling the Committee to receive and consider complaints from groups and individuals. © APGraphicsBank
Amnesty International's campaign to Stop Violence Against Women starts 16 days of activism across the world. Image: Part of Amnesty International Turkey's event to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Members of Amnesty International light hundreds of candles to form letters in eight different cities in Turkey. The candle letters are brought together to form “ARTIK YETER!”, which means “IT'S ENOUGH” in Turkish. © Amnesty International
The Beijing Olympics Campaign provides an opportunity to review China’s human rights record and assess China’s progress at the end of the year. The campaign included specific requests to free Hu Jia, a prisoner of conscience and winner of European Parliament’s Sakharov prize. It also calls for China to reduce the number of capital crimes and to publish the number executions each year. A short film: False Start: Beijing Olympics 2008. © Amnesty International UK
The Reverend Bienvenido Samba Momesori is released from prison in Evinayong, Equatorial Guinea. He has been held without trial since 2003, and this imprisonment is thought to be politically motivated, due to his known peaceful political opinions and his ethnic origin. Prior to his release, Amnesty International had been working on his case for several years and members around the world had taken action on the Reverend Samba’s behalf. He later tells Amnesty International “I want to thank you and congratulate you for the work you do and for getting me free. I knew of your work because two years ago I received a letter in prison from a woman in Spain who said she was a member of an NGO. It was a miracle that I received it... Thank you for your solidarity.” © Private
Amnesty International's global campaign for girls' education is launched on International Women's Day. © Amnesty International
The UN General Assembly adopts the first-ever resolution calling for a global moratorium of the use of the death penalty. The President of the General Assembly had been given a book with more than 5 million signatures collected worldwide on a petition to the General Assembly calling for a global moratorium on executions, at UN Headquarters in New York. The General Assembly President meets members of the Coalition Against Death Penalty. © UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is adopted by the General Assembly, by a majority of 144 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA) and 11 abstentions. However, since its adoption, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA have all reversed their decisions. © APGraphicsBank
Amnesty International publishes a report on sexual violence against Indigenous women in the USA – Maze of Injustice. Governments have a responsibility to ensure that women are able to enjoy their right to freedom from sexual violence. As citizens of particular tribal nations, the welfare and safety of American Indian and Alaska Native women are directly linked to the authority and capacity of their nations to address such violence.
The International Council Meeting takes place in Morales, Mexico in August.
Image: Maze of Injustice: The failure to protect Indigenous women from sexual violence in the USA.
© Amnesty International
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR51/035/2007
In Australia, Irene Khan accepts the Sydney Peace Prize on behalf of Amnesty International.
© Jeremy Piper / Oculi
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/POL10/001/2006
Amnesty International launches an emergency campaign to again highlight the situation in Sudan’s Darfur region, calling for a robust peacekeeping response from the UN. Image: Global Day for Darfur – activists in Denmark forming the word “NOW”. © Amnesty international
A major milestone for the Control Arms campaign: the UN General Assembly vote overwhelmingly to start work towards an International Arms Trade treaty. © Amnesty International
Nelson Mandela accepts Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience award and congratulates Amnesty International for making the struggle against poverty its focus for the coming years. © Amnesty International (photo Mark Morrison)
The UN adopts Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law. © APGraphicsBank
Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience award goes to U2 and their manager Paul McGuinness. Image: Rock group U2, receive the 2005 Ambassador of Conscience Award from President-Elect of Chile, Michelle Bachelet. © Amnesty International
Peter Benenson, Amnesty International's founder, dies aged 83. © Amnesty International
Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to Wangari Maathai of Kenya
Amnesty International launches its global campaign to Stop Violence Against Women, with its first phase focussing on women in armed conflict. Amnesty International field research exposes the extent of mass rape, abduction and murder in Darfur, Sudan. ©Amnesty International
Mikheil Saakashvili wins the popular election following ‘Rose revolution’ in Georgia. The European Union expands to include Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. © Corbis
The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families enters into force. © APGraphicsBank
Amnesty International, Oxfam and IANSA launch the global Control Arms campaign.
© Amnesty International Norway
http://www.controlarms.org/
Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to Shirin Ebadi of Iran – the first Muslim woman to receive the prize.
The International Criminal Court is established by treaty with its official seat in The Hague, Netherlands. Governed by the Rome Statute, the Court is the first permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. Image: International Criminal Court logo over its building, The Hague, Netherlands. © AP
Amnesty International undertakes its first research mission to Iraq after not being allowed into the country in 20 years. The research team meet many groups working to rebuild the country. The documentary includes touching interviews with relatives of the "disappeared" discussing how their lives have been affected. © Amnesty International
Amnesty International is granted access to Myanmar for the first time after years of requests. ©Amnesty International
Amnesty International joins forces with Oxfam to argue for tough new export laws on the arms trade. © Oxfam
Amnesty International marks its 40th Anniversary, and adopts its new mission focusing on the indivisibility of human rights. This paves the way for work on economic, social and cultural rights. Amnesty International has covered more than 47,000 cases – only 2,000 are still open.
Irene Khan is appointed Secretary General. The International Council Meeting is held in Dakar, Senegal.
©Amnesty International
http://amnesty.org/en/library/asset/POL10/001/2001/en/547d6a61-dc5c-11dd-bce7-11be3666d687/pol100012001en.pdf
UN adopts The Millennium Declaration, and details eight Millennium Development Goals, with targets to be reached by 2015, including the reduction of maternal mortality. © APGraphicsBank
In the UK the Home Secretary halts extradition proceedings of former President Augusto Pinochet to Spain. In Zimbabwe, government forces and allies attack political opponents, white farms and black farm workers. In Serbia, Slobodan Milošević forced to resign following accusations of rigging presidential election. © Corbis
Launch of report on Saudi Arabia’s secretive judicial system. The campaign leads to a wider debate about human rights in Saudi Arabia and ratification of the UN Women’s Convention. © Amnesty International
The global launch of the campaign to "Stamp Out Torture". The site www.stoptorture.org takes Amnesty International’s campaigning into cyberspace, and wins The Revolution Awards 2001, for “best use of email”.
Image: Logo for Stamp Out Torture campaign.
© Amnesty International
http://amnesty.org/en/library/asset/POL10/001/2000/en/20799676-dfca-11dd-8e17-69926d493233/pol100012000en.pdf
Amnesty International hits the 1.8 million members mark with national branches engaging hundreds of thousands of other donors and supporters. International Council Meeting is held in Portugal and the decisions made there lead Amnesty International to, for example: develop its work on the impact of economic relations on human rights; to work to empower human rights defenders; to campaign against impunity; enhance its work to protect refugees, and strengthen its grassroots activism.
©Amnesty International
http://amnesty.org/en/library/asset/POL10/001/1999/en/1763abda-e2c7-11dd-a23e-250891ff01f9/pol100011999en.pdf
An independent inquiry in the UK into the police investigation of the killing of Stephen Lawrence finds ‘institutional racism’ in the police force. Russian forces commit serious human rights violations against thousands of Chechen civilians in conflict with Chechen Republic. East Timorese vote for independence and following attacks on civilians by Indonesian forces, UN peacekeepers are brought in to protect the populace. © Corbis
Amnesty International launches campaign “Get Up, Sign Up!” to mark the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, collecting 13 million pledges in support of the Declaration.
Image: Mick Jagger, singer of the Rolling Stones, signs Amnesty International's Declaration campaign pledge in Guyana, March 1998.
© Amnesty International
http://amnesty.org/en/library/asset/POL10/001/1998/en/c32b001d-e822-11dd-9deb-2b812946e43c/pol100011998en.pdf
The international community reaches an historic milestone when 120 States adopt the Rome Statute, the legal basis for establishing the permanent International Criminal Court. An International Conference in Rome overwhelmingly agrees a treaty to establish a permanent international criminal court. Image: One thousand demonstrators lie down as a “Human Carpet” to put pressure on delegates negotiating the statute of the International Criminal Court. © Antonio Sesta
Out of the 432 prisoners executed during the year in the USA, 44 per cent are from ethnic minorities. A black person convicted of killing a white person is 15 times more likely to be sentenced to death than a black person who had killed another black person. Amnesty International Secretary General Pierre Sané visits death row in Texas, which has 40 condemned inmates. Image: Pierre Sané speaks to death row inmate in Texas. © Amnesty International
At least 4,272 prisoners are executed in 39 countries and 7,107 people sentenced to death in 76 countries. China leads with 3,500 executions and is followed by Ukraine, Russia and Iran. © Amnesty International
Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to Bishop Carlos Belo and José Ramos-Horta, both from East Timor.
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