AI is an international human rights non-governmental organisation with over 3 million members and supporters around the world. They have celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011.

Amnesty International was founded in London in 1961 by the lawyer Peter Benenson. Amnesty draws attention to human rights abuses and campaigns for compliance with international laws and standards. It works to mobilise public opinion to put pressure on governments that let abuse take place. The organisation was awarded the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize for its "campaign against torture", and the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1978.