Amnesty International: Reform 2004

Candidates' Forum - Questions and Answers Page 1

This page last updated: April 29, 2005

Question
I wonder if you realize how difficult it is to sort through all this information without a solid knowledge of the jargon and acronyms. I have spent maybe 15 minutes on the site and have yet to find a clearly-written, nonjargon/acronym filled explanation of why you believe reform is necessary. If the emphasis has gone off of individual prisoners of conscience, where has it gone? This is unclear to me. I'm afraid I don't have a lot of time to sort through and educate myself to the point where I can absorb understanding through acronym. Am I missing the place where the controversy is explained to the layperson? Thank you!

Answer:

The Reform slate has two goals:

(1) We seek to free prisoners of conscience and to save victims of torture and disappearances BOTH as an end in itself AND as a means to create a world where all respect HR. [We think the current direction of the organization only tends to the latter.]

(2) We have an obligation BOTH to those victims and others who suffer oppression AND to our members. By empowering our members to be effective HR activists, we transform their lives and serve them and the world. This is why we see grassroots activism as both a means and an end in and of itself.

In May 1961, Peter Benenson wrote an article, "The Forgotten Prisoners," that launched Amnesty International. In his article he coined the term, "Prisoners of Conscience" or POC for short. Amnesty's core work is campaigning for the unconditional release of prisoners of conscience. There is no other organization that works on prisoners of conscience the way Amnesty does.

AI's research unit is in London. It does the background research to produce Action Files. An Action File is the information groups receive from the research unit on a case. It gives background, history, recommendations, and addresses to write to. Action Files include POC cases as well as "disappearances" and torture cases. AI groups and networks around the world "adopt" and work on Action Files long-term; usually until there is a resolution. This method has proved very effective over the years and has earned AI its fame as one of the world's largest grassroots human rights organization.

In 1985, AI's research unit produced 2257 Action Files. In 2004, it produced 11.

There has been a big change in the organization regarding this kind of prisoner of conscience work. Over the recent years, Amnesty has gradually been abandoning it and replacing it with issues oriented campaigning (e.g., poverty, housing, health care, social rights, etc.). A prisoner of conscience may be used to highlight an issue. This change has become more apparent over the past several years as more and more AI groups wait longer and longer to "adopt" a case, even though there are over 1000 prisoners of conscience in Myanmar (Burma) alone.

Many members in the USA section are in the midst of a strong push to increase the number and types of issues AI works on. These issues are very worthy and definitely need the public's attention. However, Amnesty has neither the grassroots capacity nor the infrastructure to expand into these areas without jeopardizing our valuable prisoner of conscience work; our current mission that focuses on grave abuses of mental and physical integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination; and our resources to undertake any of this work. The production of only 11 Action Files, down from 2257, clearly states this. There are numerous organizations already in place and working on these issues. There is no organization taking over the prisoner of conscience work which AI is noted for and with which it is most commonly associated.

The Reform slate believes all human rights are important. The slate also believes every prisoner of conscience released, is another person free to motivate, encourage, and inspire the changes in their own country. We believe we must put our impartiality and integrity first. Integrity means honoring our past and present commitments before expanding into brand new areas. AI made a promise to the world and to prisoners of conscience to stand up for them and work for them, not to abandon them.

At our annual meeting just held in Austin, Texas 8-10 April 2005, the Reform slate was successful in passing a resolution to make prisoners of conscience a priority for AI again. Passing this resolution is but one step toward maintaining AI's commitment to prisoners of conscience.

In 1961, Amnesty told the world it would be there for prisoners of conscience. We are in danger of abandoning this cause. It is for the reasons above that we believe AI is in need of reform. Your votes will help us continue the reforms we have begun.

Read previous week's questions ->

Acronyms explained:

IEC = International Executive Committee [in essence, the "International Board"]
UDHR = Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948 [forms the basis of our work]
CEDAW = Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
FSA = Full Spectrum Approach [to our human rights work]
ICM = International Council Meeting [held every 2 years to make decisions for our movement]
ISP = Integrated Strategic Plan
NGO = Non-Governmental Organization [not just an AI acronym]


	Candidate Question Time
	Candidates' Forum - Questions and Answers Page 1 This page last updated: April 29, 2005 Question I wonder if you realize how difficult it is to sort through all this information without a solid knowledge of the jargon and acronyms. I have spent maybe 15 minutes on the site and have yet to find a clearly-written, nonjargon/acronym filled explanation of why you believe reform is necessary. If the emphasis has gone off of individual prisoners of conscience, where has it gone? This is unclear to me. I'm afraid I don't have a lot of time to sort through and educate myself to the point where I can absorb understanding through acronym. Am I missing the place where the controversy is explained to the layperson? Thank you! Answer: The Reform slate has two goals: (1) We seek to free prisoners of conscience and to save victims of torture and disappearances BOTH as an end in itself AND as a means to create a world where all respect HR. [We think the current direction of the organization only tends to the latter.] (2) We have an obligation BOTH to those victims and others who suffer oppression AND to our members. By empowering our members to be effective HR activists, we transform their lives and serve them and the world. This is why we see grassroots activism as both a means and an end in and of itself. In May 1961, Peter Benenson wrote an article, "The Forgotten Prisoners," that launched Amnesty International. In his article he coined the term, "Prisoners of Conscience" or POC for short. Amnesty's core work is campaigning for the unconditional release of prisoners of conscience. There is no other organization that works on prisoners of conscience the way Amnesty does. AI's research unit is in London. It does the background research to produce Action Files. An Action File is the information groups receive from the research unit on a case. It gives background, history, recommendations, and addresses to write to. Action Files include POC cases as well as "disappearances" and torture cases. AI groups and networks around the world "adopt" and work on Action Files long-term; usually until there is a resolution. This method has proved very effective over the years and has earned AI its fame as one of the world's largest grassroots human rights organization. In 1985, AI's research unit produced 2257 Action Files. In 2004, it produced 11. There has been a big change in the organization regarding this kind of prisoner of conscience work. Over the recent years, Amnesty has gradually been abandoning it and replacing it with issues oriented campaigning (e.g., poverty, housing, health care, social rights, etc.). A prisoner of conscience may be used to highlight an issue. This change has become more apparent over the past several years as more and more AI groups wait longer and longer to "adopt" a case, even though there are over 1000 prisoners of conscience in Myanmar (Burma) alone. Many members in the USA section are in the midst of a strong push to increase the number and types of issues AI works on. These issues are very worthy and definitely need the public's attention. However, Amnesty has neither the grassroots capacity nor the infrastructure to expand into these areas without jeopardizing our valuable prisoner of conscience work; our current mission that focuses on grave abuses of mental and physical integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination; and our resources to undertake any of this work. The production of only 11 Action Files, down from 2257, clearly states this. There are numerous organizations already in place and working on these issues. There is no organization taking over the prisoner of conscience work which AI is noted for and with which it is most commonly associated. The Reform slate believes all human rights are important. The slate also believes every prisoner of conscience released, is another person free to motivate, encourage, and inspire the changes in their own country. We believe we must put our impartiality and integrity first. Integrity means honoring our past and present commitments before expanding into brand new areas. AI made a promise to the world and to prisoners of conscience to stand up for them and work for them, not to abandon them. At our annual meeting just held in Austin, Texas 8-10 April 2005, the Reform slate was successful in passing a resolution to make prisoners of conscience a priority for AI again. Passing this resolution is but one step toward maintaining AI's commitment to prisoners of conscience. In 1961, Amnesty told the world it would be there for prisoners of conscience. We are in danger of abandoning this cause. It is for the reasons above that we believe AI is in need of reform. Your votes will help us continue the reforms we have begun. Read previous week's questions -> Acronyms explained: IEC = International Executive Committee [in essence, the "International Board"] UDHR = Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948 [forms the basis of our work] CEDAW = Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women FSA = Full Spectrum Approach [to our human rights work] ICM = International Council Meeting [held every 2 years to make decisions for our movement] ISP = Integrated Strategic Plan NGO = Non-Governmental Organization [not just an AI acronym]