A Light in the Darkness

Amnesty International is a worldwide human rights organization run by its members. It is independent of all governments and all financial players. It is also independent of political convictions and religious faiths.

Amnesty International uncovers the facts about violations and breaches of human rights. The issues may concern individuals or conditions within a particular state, but the organization also pursues various themes, such as the death penalty. Results are published in special reports. Amnesty's members organize targeted action and campaigns to bring an end to violations.

Amnesty International was founded in 1961 by the British lawyer Peter Benenson. He got the idea for the organization's logo - the lit candle surrounded by barbed wire - from a Chinese proverb,“It is better to light a light than to curse the darkness”.