Study of Amnesty International, a worldwide movement to defend human rights

Abstract

In the latter part of the twentieth century public interest groups and movements have become increasingly important to the political process. Because of their diversity, the impact of such entities can only be assessed following empirical studies of many individual organisations. This is a study of the history, organisation, mandate and current challenges to Amnesty International; it includes numerous excerpts from interviews with Canadian members. The final chapter gives the results of a survey of more than 500 members of the Canadian Section. In a series of tables it lists their level of education, income, occupation, and preferences for participating in differing kinds of Amnesty activity. The Appendices include a copy of the Statute of Amnesty International and of the By-Laws of Amnesty International Canadian Section (English Speaking).