The origin of Amnesty International traces back to the year 1961. The organization advocates for human rights and was founded in Britain following the sentencing of two Portuguese students behind bars for a period of seven years. The organization concerns itself with equality and fair treatment of all persons and more so political detainees in various countries. Historically, it has advocated for equality and eradication of any forms of mistreatment directed towards any group of persons.
In reference to the history, this group has been in the forefront in the fight against corporal punishments. The same group associates itself with the abolition of the death penalty in many nations of the world. Needless to point out that the same group was behind the termination of apartheid policy in South Africa just the other day in 1994. Amnesty International as a human right group has been instrumental in bringing fairness and equal treatment of all persons regardless of their race or even gender. In that context, the organization has also played a major role in the fight against gender inequalities. The group has jealously fought for the rights of women in different spheres of their lives cutting across social, political and economic spheres.
It is on that premise, therefore, that this paper strongly feels and opines that Amnesty International should be afforded more support financial, moral or technical support since the group plays a crucial position in sustaining high standards of human dignity. On that premise, many nations of the world have signed the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. In fact, most nations have adopted this declaration in their Constitutions. Thus, these nations are bound to uphold the rule of law, respect to human rights and maintain high standards of human dignity by eradicating any forms of mistreatment.
There exists a relationship between the Amnesty International and the United States. The same traces back to 1948 through the United Nations after the Second World War. The same refers to the time when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the newly created United Nations to replace the League of Nations with the aim of cubing the occurrence of another world war and enhance peaceful co-existence amongst States of the world.
In addition, the United States, since time immemorial, has been known for advocating for personal liberty, freedom of speech, freedom of association, among other fundamental human rights. This clearly shows that United States has been used as the standard unit by the Amnesty International. Furthermore, the United Nations has been accused and termed by several nations as “a United States behind the curtains”. United States, being the superpower nation, and also a member of the United Nations with a veto power, has been accused of having excess influence in the operations of the United Nations. It should be noted by now that Amnesty International is more or less an arm of the United Nations since it carries the same mandate of maintaining harmony, peace and equality.
In summary, therefore, Amnesty International should be given all the support it requires in carrying out its mandate of advocating for equality, fairness and justice by eradicating all forms of inhuman treatments and discrimination.
References
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Cole, G., & Gertz, M. (2012). The Criminal Justice System: Politics and Policies. New York: Wadsworth.
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Ingram, J. L. (2010). Criminal Procedure Theory and Practice. New York: Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice .
