Defending the human rights of individuals at risk
In countries around the world, people’s lives are threatened because of who they are or what they believe. Amnesty International puts protecting individuals at risk of human rights violations at the heart of our work.
Our campaign for Individuals at Risk mobilises ordinary people to provide hope and transform lives through simple, powerful and persistent action. We help free prisoners of conscience, people imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of their beliefs or identity. We provide rapid response when detainees are tortured and denied basic rights, when human rights defenders face death threats, when people are discriminated against because they are poor. We act to aid specific individuals at risk and pressure governments to address underlying human rights issues.
Each year we work on hundreds of cases from around the world. Standing up for someone in trouble and showing them your support is one of the simplest and most effective forms of campaigning. Knowing that you have not been forgotten and that someone you have never met is fighting for your rights is incredibly powerful. It gives people hope, inspiration and motivation. It also sends a message to the authorities that people around the world are watching what they do.
