Frequently asked questions

 

Amnesty International has no political affiliation, endorses no political party, accepts no funds from governments or any political party. Amnesty International is impartial. It is independent of any government, political persuasion or religious creed. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, nor does it support or oppose the views of the victims whose rights it seeks to protect. It is concerned solely with the protection of the human rights involved in each case, regardless of the ideology of the government, opposition forces or the beliefs of the individual. Its independence is recognised through the observer status it has with the United Nations and regional intergovernmental organisations. Amnesty International does not grade countries according to their record on human rights; instead of attempting comparisons it concentrates on trying to end the specific violations of human rights.

 

Amnesty International has more than 2.2 million members globally. Here in New Zealand we have 31 Amnesty International regional or local groups, five university groups and more than 100 high school groups. To strengthen the impartial international protection of human rights, groups work on cases and campaigns relating to countries other than their own and reflecting geographical and political diversity. Research into human rights violations and individual victims is conducted by the International Secretariat in London. No section, group or member is expected to provide information on their own country, and no section, group or member has any responsibility for action taken or statements issued by the international organization regarding their own country.

 

Amnesty International's policies and plans are discussed and decided at annual general meetings of the membership in each country and meetings of their elected representatives held every two years as the International Council. Between International Councils the international affairs of Amnesty International are managed by the Secretary General who heads the International Secretariat and reports to an elected International Executive Committee (IEC). A New Zealander, Vanushi Rajanayagam Walters is currently on the IEC.

 

Amnesty International's policies and plans are discussed and decided at annual general meetings of the membership in each country and meetings of their elected representatives held every two years as the International Council. AIANZ is led at the national level by a Governance Team elected by members at the Annual Meeting, and a management team headed by the CEO.

 

We have a record of real achievement. We know this because the people we try to help tell us that our pressure has had an effect on their own lives and because at key times governments are persuaded to change their laws and practices. Our international solidarity helps keep hope alive locally. 

Read our success stories here.

 

The overwhelming majority of our income comes from individuals the world over. These personal and unaffiliated donations allow AI to maintain full independence from any and all governments, political ideologies, economic interests or religions. We neither seek nor accept any funds for human rights research from governments or political parties and we accept support only from businesses that have been carefully vetted. By way of ethical fundraising leading to donations from individuals, we are able to stand firm and unwavering in our defence of universal and indivisible human rights.

Click here to see a FAQ sheet about AIANZ's income and expenditure.

Our research teams focusing on particular countries and themes investigate reports of human rights abuses, cross checking and corroborating information from a wide variety of sources and contacts. We receive information from many sources, including:

• prisoners and others suffering human rights abuses and their representatives
• survivors of abuse and their families 
• lawyers and journalists
• refugees
• diplomats
• religious bodies and community workers
• humanitarian agencies and other human rights organizations
• human rights defenders

They monitor newspapers, websites and other media outlets. Amnesty International often sends fact-finding missions to assess the situation on the spot.

 

How does Amnesty International make sure it has the facts right?

Before any statement, publication or report is issued, its text is subject to close review to ensure it is factually accurate, politically impartial and consistent with Amnesty International's mission. When Amnesty International deals with allegations rather than undisputed facts, it makes this clear in its findings and may call for an investigation. If Amnesty International makes a mistake, it issues a correction. As a result, Amnesty International's research is recognized globally for its reliability. We are consulted widely including by governments, intergovernmental organisations, journalists, scholars and other human rights organizations and campaigning groups.

 

How does Amnesty International obtain information about "closed" countries?

If Amnesty International is denied official access to a country, research teams may have to rely on sources of information outside the country, including news media reports, experts, refugees, diplomatic representatives and human rights defenders.

 

How does NZ differ from the other Amnesty sections?

We strategically involve ourselves in campaigns that play to our strength as a country based in the Asia-Pacific. Our timeline position in the world is a key opportunity for us –

• Amongst the first to respond to urgent action requests
• Torture, death, disappearance etc more likely to occur within the first 24 hours, making those early days of response vital
• In almost 40% of urgent actions we notice some improvement i.e freedom, access to medical help, lawyers and or family, and torture stops if it has started.

 

What do you do in our area and in the Pacific?

• Currently, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific team at the London headquarters are working on a strategy for 2010 - 2016. Within out Demand Dignity campaign, which seeks to counter the human rights abuses that feed or cause poverty, we will be undertaking more research and campaigning in the Pacific, and particularly on the rights to safe motherhood and adequate housing.
• We add local angles to relevant campaigns, for example we participate in White Ribbon Aay as part of our ongoing Stop Violence against Women campaign, particularly working on behalf of women's rights in the Pacific and Asia.
• We are active in a quarter of all high schools throughout New Zealand, building leadership and campaigning skills and educating about human rights.
• We consistently lobby our government on human rights violations here and overseas, and to ensure that NZ maintains its status as a good global citizen.
• We involve ourselves with lobbying for the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees in New Zealand.
• We partner with other organisations and coalitions to strengthen and develop the existing human rights network.