Amnesty International

Abstract

Abstract Founded in 1961, Amnesty International (AI) is the world's largest human rights organization as reflected by membership figures, geographic presence, and annual budget. In many ways AI is an archetype of the transnational social movements that flourished in the late twentieth century. More than two million individuals linked to internationally chartered local units work collaboratively across national borders to promote and protect human rights as elaborated in a commonly agreed set of objectives. For many decades AI conducted research and developed centralized campaign strategies from its International Secretariat in London. In 2013, however, AI commenced the most far‐reaching organizational restructuring in its history, relocating most of its research, campaign, and communications work to regional hubs. The organization's advocacy work continues to be done mainly by AI entities organized at the local and national levels. AI is distinguished from other international human rights organizations by its historical focus on individual cases, its democratic decision‐making structure, and the worldwide presence of its organizational and operational structures.