Amnesty International’s Areas of Work

Amnesty international is a renowned International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) whose activities span across the globe. The organization was started in 1961 and it has championed the fight against human rights violation across the globe. In Africa, the organization has been involved in a number of activities aimed at promoting respect for human dignity by successive regimes. These activities range from activism to direct advocacy for rights of those deprived off their basic rights. Its presence in the continent is felt in all countries with most of the countries having a country office.

As a champion for human rights advocacy, Amnesty international has been in the forefront in whistle blowing activities that inform the world on suffering endured by people in different parts of Africa. The organization conducts checks on the conditions of victims of violence and provides necessary recommendations to relevant authorities in order to promote respect for human rights especially for civilians. This has been done in various countries especially in war torn regions such as Sudan, Somalia, Congo among others. As noted by Munchau, Africa is a land of many sufferings caused by armed conflict and natural catastrophes and thus organizations such as Amnesty International are vital providers of the needed services.

The organization also indirectly acts as a check institution of the governments in various countries. Other roles of this organization in are to check development process especially for projects funded by foreign donors to ensure that public money is not embezzled by corrupt officials. Going by the roles of this NGO it is evident that NGOs in various parts of the world have tremendous roles that are well appreciated by the locals.