Amnesty International (AI), founded in 1961, is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights.  In its early years, the main focus of AI's campaigns was to free prisoners of conscience.  Within a short time, its mandate expanded to include campaigning for prompt and fair trails for all political prisoners, to end extrajudical executions and disappearances, and to abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel treatment or punishment.  The organization also works to bring perpetrators of these abuses to justice in accordance with international standards.

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is the United States section of Amnesty International.  The section is governed by a Board of Directors.  The work of the section is carried out through the national office, regional offices, networks, country specialists (co-groups), student groups and local groups.  The collection documents the activities and development of the section, and includes a large video collection.

National Office Records

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The records of the national and regional offices include information on the direction and organization of AIUSA’s work.  The records of the national office also include the records of the Board of Directors.  The records include case files, country files, testimony files, minutes, reports, correspondence and records related to regional meetings, development, events, special projects, communications, membership, and the work of country specialists, networks, and local groups.

Country specialists (formerly known as co-groups) help manage the country- specific work of AIUSA and act as liaisons for casework activities.  Regional Action Networks (RANs) are focus on defending human rights in specific regions of the world.  The records of country specialists and RANs contain material on specific countries and regions and the work of Amnesty International in those areas.  The records include correspondence, case files, reports, newsletters, clippings, articles and other material.

Local groups organize local events and conduct work on Amnesty International actions, prisoner cases, campaigns, and other issues.  Materials in these collections consist of case files, campaign files, promotional material, photographs, clippings, and other records which document the work of the group.

Ivan Morris Papers

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The collection includes the papers of several individual activists.  The records in these papers vary according to the work of the individual, but include information on campaigns, actions, countries, and Amnesty International’s work to abolish the death penalty.

Cambodia Witness Exhibit

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