QUICK RESEARCH ON AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL WITH REGARD TO

THE MEETING AT THE COURT ON 28 JUNE/ 1 JULY 2022

This is a quick research on getting to know what actually Amnesty

International is so that during the meeting at the court the participants will
have a clear picture of whom they are getting engaged with. A letter seeking
a meeting request letter with the court was sent by Deprose Muchena,
Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Amnesty International.
The main aim of the meeting is to have engagement with court on the
mutual areas of interest that is on the promotion and protection of human
rights and deepening the engagement with the court.

Down below is a quick preview on the issues that the is brought to the
participants attention.

A. What is Amnesty International?

Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organization

focused on human rights, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom. The
organization says it has more than 10 million members in over 150
countries and supporters around the world. It was founded in 28 May 1961
in London by Peter Benenson. The aim of its establishment is to campaign
to end abuses of human rights. After more than 50 years of groundbreaking
achievements, Amnesty shifted from a large London base to open regional
offices in cities in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin
America and the Middle East, The offices are major hubs for investigations,
campaigns and communications.

B. What does Amnesty International do?

Amnesty International investigate and expose the facts, whenever and

wherever abuses happen. They advocate and lobby governments, and other
powerful groups such as companies. They support people to claim their
rights through education and training. Through their detailed research and
determined campaigning, they help fight abuses of human rights worldwide.
They bring tortures to justice. Change oppressive laws. And free people

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 jailed just for voicing their opinion. They indulge themselves in various areas
of human rights such as;

i. Armed conflict
ii. Arms control
iii. Child rights
iv. Climate change
v. Corporate accountability
vi. Death penalty
vii. Detention
viii. Disappearances
ix. Discrimination
x. Freedom of expression
xi. Indigenous peoples
xii. International justice
xiii. Living dignity
xiv. Police violence
xv. Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
xvi. Sexual and reproductive rights
xvii. Torture
xviii. United Nations
xix. Universal declaration of human rights.

C. On what areas of mutual interest can Amnesty collaborate with

the court?
i. The Court may inquire on how Amnesty international deliver the
free on line human rights course.
The Amnesty international offer a wide variety of human rights
courses in more than 20 languages. Every single language is available
for free to anyone with an internet connection, The course range in
length from 15 minutes to 15 hours, and many offers an official
Amnesty International certificate upon successful completion. The

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 Human rights Academy is regularly updated with new learning
content.
The court can acquire this technology and apply it while conducting
sensitization missions in promoting the court’s works across the
globe.

ii. The court can request Amnesty International to be the court’s

amicus curiae.
Amicus curiae are permitted in the African court Practice and
Directions under Rule 49 which states that “an individual or
organization that wishes to act as amicus curiae shall submit a
request to the court, specifying the contribution they would like
to make with regard to the matter” Rule 52 of the Practice and
Procedure gives power to the court to act on its own motion calling an
individual or organization to act as amicus curiae in a particular
matter pending before the court.

iii. The Court can request Amnesty International to encourage

African intergovernmental Organization to the African charter
and protocol to access the court various human rights violation.
The court gives access under Article 5(3) of the Protocol. This will help
the court receive applications of various nature of human rights
violations across the continent that have never been filed before and
set jurisprudence of various matters.

iv. The court could inquire if Amnesty International provide legal

aid at any instance during their advocacy of human rights
globally. If so, then the court will be glad to learn and engage more in
this. Considering that Legal aid scheme at the court is young and
growing .

NB: More can be discussed when the meeting takes place.

Thank you!