INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAM: INTERNSHIP PROGRAM JULY 2003

Transcription

1 INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAM: INTERNSHIP PROGRAM JULY 2003 LEGAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAM INTERNSHIP PROGRAM - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS Dear Friend 03 March 2003 We are welcoming applications for the next round of volunteer internships in the International Law and Organizations Program (ILOP) of Amnesty International. Please publicize these internships and pass the information on to colleagues and appropriate contacts. Five internships will begin in July 2003: three in LIOP=s offices at the International Secretariat in London, one at AI=s UN office in Geneva and one at AI=s UN office in New York. All internships run for a period of six months, full-time, and are voluntary (unpaid). Interns return travel costs (agreed in advance by the program) are paid as well as a stipend to cover daily travel expenses and lunch A background in law, international politics, international relations, political science or similar is essential for these volunteer posts. Some knowledge of international human rights law or practice or of international relations or intergovernmental organizations is useful. Some administrative experience is essential to work in Geneva and New York. The cost of living in both cities is high. A very good level of French is required for Geneva in addition to English. For New York, prior permission to work in the USA is essential. Completed applications for all available internships should be sent to: LIOP Coordinator, International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton Street, London WC1X 8DJ, UK Deadline: Friday 11 April 2003 Thank you for your assistance in advertising the Internship Program. Yours sincerely Monica McIntosh ILOP Coordinator

2 INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAM INTERNSHIP PROGRAM SECOND HALF OF March 2003 Dear Friend, Thank you for your enquiry about the Legal and International Organizations Program (LIOP) Internship Program. I am enclosing our information/application pack containing full details of the program. For the July - December 2003 Internship program we require:- London 3 interns Geneva 1 intern New York 1 intern Please be sure to note the special requirements for the New York and Geneva internships regarding language, costs and visas. The deadline for receipt of applications is 11 April Completed applications for all available internships should be sent to: Monica McIntosh, LIOP Coordinator, International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton Street, London WC1X 0DW, UK. Yours sincerely, Monica McIntosh International Law and Organizations Program Coordinator Tel.: 44(20) Fax 44(20)

3 APPLICATION FORM FOR VOLUNTEER INTERNSHIP INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAM AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Please complete all 3 PAGES of this form. Please type or write clearly in black ink. You may continue on the last page if there is not enough space to answer any of the questions. Please return 1) this form 2) your curriculum vitae and 3) an example of your written work to: LIOP Coordinator, International Secretariat, Amnesty International,1 Easton Street, London WC1X ODW, United Kingdom Telephone: 44 (20) Fax: 44 (20) All information will be treated confidentially 1. DATE 2. NAME (Family name/surname) (Other names) 3. ADDRESS...Postcode... Telephone day...evening DATE OF BIRTH 5. NATIONALITY AT BIRTH: PRESENT NATIONALITY: 6. Please indicate if you have a registered disability*... *AI actively promotes equal opportunities and disabled candidates are particularly welcome 7. LANGUAGES First language: Other languages: (Please indicate degree of fluency: A-fluent B-very good C-good D- fair E-poor) Language: Speak Write Read Understand i) ii) iii) 8. PLEASE INDICATE your order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for an internship position: London, Geneva and New York. If you have only one or two preferences, please so indicate PLEASE DESCRIBE BRIEFLY why you want to be a volunteer intern with Amnesty International:

4 10. PLEASE STATE YOUR PARTICULAR AREAS OF INTEREST within the field of human rights and briefly explain why you are interested in them: 11. PLEASE LIST ANY OTHER SKILLS you consider you have which would be useful for working with LIOP: 12. PLEASE GIVE ANY INFORMATION which you feel might support your application, including details of travel, periods of residence abroad, any organizations to which you belong (including Amnesty International), any voluntary activities you have undertaken, your hobbies and interests:

5 13 PLEASE ATTACH A CURRICULUM VITAE/RESUME - listing education and degrees obtained; other qualifications and experience; employment history (either paid or unpaid); publications, if any 14. PLEASE ENCLOSE A PIECE OF WRITTEN WORK representative of your best efforts, preferably in English, such as a paper prepared for an academic course or a publication. This is essential. You may also submit a writing sample in French or Spanish if you wish, for information. (Please note that these papers will not be returned to you.) 15 REFERENCES: Please give the names, complete and current addresses and telephone numbers of three people who are familiar with you and your academic work or work experience; try to include at least two tutors/employers. Please state how long you have known them. [We take up references for the successful candidates only. Any offer of an internship will not be confirmed until all reference letters are received.] i) Name: Address: Position/occupation: ii) Name: Address: Position/occupation: iii) Name: Address: Position/occupation: 16. I certify that all the information given on this application form is correct Signed Date Please note: There are three sides to this application and all sides must be completed Don t forget your writing sample!

6 Information for potential candidates INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAM INTERNSHIP PROGRAM July - December 2003 LONDON, GENEVA, NEW YORK The Aim of our internship program is: To provide work opportunities in an international campaigning, human rights organization for individuals who want to gain experience in the field of international human rights work; and in providing these opportunities, to generate projects that further the work of Amnesty International. General information We publicize our internship program internationally and receive applications from all over the world. Selection is made on the basis of the application form, curriculum vitae and submitted written work. The application form attached explains these criteria in detail. Candidates are not formally interviewed. Internships run for a period of six months, full-time, and are voluntary (unpaid). Return travel costs and insurance for the duration of the internship will be paid by LIOP. In addition to this a stipend to cover local travel expenses and lunch is also provided. All other costs associated with the internship (e.g. accommodation and living expenses) are to be covered by interns. A background in law, international politics, international relations, political science or similar is essential. Some knowledge of international human rights law or practice and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) is useful. In addition, some administrative experience is essential for Geneva and New York. The working language of AI is English. The other official AI languages are French, Spanish and Arabic. A very good level of written and spoken English is required for interns in all locations. A fluent level of written and spoken French is also required for Geneva. Keyboarding or typing skills are essential and familiarity with word processors is desirable. Much of our work is computerized and interns must be willing to be trained to work with the available technology. Interns are required to comply with AI's policy and rules relating to Health and Safety, Cultural Diversity and Equal Opportunities and with its security regulations. Please note: A LIOP internship does not lead to employment with Amnesty International. WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAM? The Legal and International Organizations Program (LIOP) campaigns against human rights violations at the United Nations (UN) and other intergovernmental organizations, and provides information and advice on international law and standards, especially human rights law. LIOP leads AI's work on the UN and regional intergovernmental organizations, such as the Council of Europe (CoE), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

7 LIOP is responsible for the day-to-day relations with international organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, making submissions of AI information to intergovernmental organizations, and arranging participation in appropriate meetings. Via the permanent AI representatives in New York and Geneva, LIOP monitors international developments relevant to the work of the IS and the movement. It also mobilizes the worldwide AI membership to campaign on issues dealt with by international organizations. LIOP is structured in the following way:- Senior Director s office: including the Senior Director, Program Director and LIOP Coordinator Legal Advice branch: with five Legal advisers and three Assistant Advisers on International and Regional Organizations. Legal advisers give legal and political advice to the research and action teams in the Regional Programs, particularly on matters of international and national law. They are also involved in AI s thematic work at the UN, particularly the development of international law and standards; and lead AI s work on regional intergovernmental organizations. Assistant Advisers on International and Regional Organizations work principally on regional intergovernmental organizations, UN treaty bodies and thematic mechanisms and mobilizing AI membership action. International Organizations (IO) branch: with two Advisers on International Organizations and one Assistant Adviser in London; one UN Representative and a Deputyrepresentative in of AI s UN office in Geneva and one Head of office and Representative; a Representative and a Deputy Representative in AI s UN office in New York. The IO branch leads AI s work on the UN and other global organizations, looking at our country work through the perspective of such global institutions. The New York and Geneva teams monitor and lobby at the meetings of the UN and other international bodies relevant to AI s work. New York s responsibilities include the UN Security Council and General Assembly. Geneva s responsibilities include the UN Commission on Human Rights, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. International Justice Project (IJP): staffed by a legal adviser and an assistant legal adviser, the International Justice Project was established primarily to campaign against impunity. In this connection, it is campaigning for the prompt establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a permanent independent judicial body created by the international community of states to prosecute the gravest possible crimes under international law and for the enactment and implementation of effective universal jurisdiction legislation over war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and torture, strengthening the existing system of extradition and mutual legal assistance and other steps. Desirable skills for interns in the IJP are a good knowledge of human rights and humanitarian law, familiarity with criminal law and procedure and a good reading knowledge of French and Spanish. In addition to core staff, LIOP has three interns in London and one each in New York and Geneva, as well as other volunteer helpers. LONDON INTERNSHIPS We offer three six-month internships twice a year at the International Secretariat in London - recruiting a total of six interns per year. During each six-month program two of the interns spend three months with LIOP s Legal

8 Advice branch and three months with the International Organizations branch. For the third intern the entire six month period is spent working with the International Justice Project. Interns are an integral part of the branch in which they are working and LIOP as a whole. They contribute actively to their teams and to wider program issues and activities. The work is a mixture of short and long-term projects and day-to-day issues and tasks. There is a variety of research and writing opportunities on substantive human rights issues; for example, AI's campaigning work on the development of international standards. Interns do their own administrative work and assist their teams with general office tasks. Interns are often engaged in synthesizing AI country information into thematic papers for submission to the UN or other international organizations. Preparation of these papers brings the interns into contact with country research and action teams in the Regional Programs. Project work is supervised but interns are expected to be able to work independently, use their initiative and manage their own workload. Interns are responsible for arranging their own UK visa/work permit before arriving in the UK. AI can provide a supporting letter on request. GENEVA AND NEW YORK INTERNSHIPS We offer two internships per year at each of AI s two UN offices, in Geneva and New York - recruiting a total of four interns a year for these locations. Interns work alongside Amnesty International s UN Representative and Deputyrepresentative as an integral part of the team, participating in lobbying efforts, monitoring UN meetings, as well as liaising with London and AI Sections worldwide. Please note extra requirements and circumstances for these locations: Additional skills: Some administrative experience is essential. Costs: The living costs in both cities are high. Language: Fluent oral and written French is necessary for Geneva, in addition to the English requirement. Visas/work permits: For Geneva, a work permit can be obtained on condition that the intern lives in the canton of Geneva; we can help obtain this, as long as interns can provide written proof to Swiss authorities that they have sufficient means to live in Geneva. For New York, applicants must already be allowed to work in the United States or obtain the correct visa themselves; we cannot help obtain this except to provide a formal letter confirming and providing details of the internship. Working hours in New York are normally h or h, with some flexibility during the General Assembly (September-December each year). In Geneva, hours are normally h, with some flexibility during the Commission on Human Rights (in March/April each year). Further information If you require any further information, please contact the Coordinator of the Legal and

9 International Organizations Program, Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, London WC1X ODW, UK Tel: (20) Fax: (20) You may also contact our Deputy Representatives to the UN: New York: Geneva: Amnesty International Amnesty International United Nations Office United Nations Office 777 United Nations Plaza 15 route des Morillons New York NY Grand-Saconnex USA Geneva, Switzerland Tel: Tel: Fax: Fax The International Secretariat of Amnesty International is committed to a comprehensive policy of Cultural Diversity and Equal Opportunities in which individuals are selected and treated solely on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the Secretariat. All staff, whether paid or voluntary, will work collectively and individually within the terms and intentions of the Cultural Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected, WHAT IS AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL? Amnesty International is a worldwide voluntary movement that works to prevent some of the gravest violations by governments of people s fundamental human rights. The main focus of its campaigning is to: - free all prisoners of conscience. These are people detained anywhere for their beliefs or because of their ethnic origin, sex, colour or language - who have not used or advocated violence; - ensure fair and prompt trials for political prisoners; - abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel treatment of prisoners; - end extrajudicial executions and "disappearances". Amnesty International also opposes abuses by opposition groups: hostage-taking, torture and killings of prisoners and other deliberate and arbitrary killings. Amnesty International, recognizing that all human rights are indivisible and interdependent, works to promote all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international standards, through human rights education programs and campaigning for ratification of human rights treaties. Amnesty International is impartial. It is independent of any government, political persuasion or religious creed. It does not support or oppose any government or political system, nor does it support the views of the victims whose rights it seeks to protect. It is concerned solely with the protection of the human rights involved in each case, regardless of the ideology of the government or the opposition forces, or the beliefs of the individual. Amnesty International does not grade governments according to their record on human rights; instead of attempting comparisons it concentrates on trying to end the specific violations of human rights in each case.

10 Amnesty International has more than 1,100,000 members, subscribers and regular donors in over 170 countries and territories. There are 4,329 local Amnesty International groups registered with the International Secretariat and several thousand schools, university, professional and other groups in 89 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. To ensure impartiality, each group works on cases and campaigns in countries other than its own, selected for geographical and political diversity. Research into human rights violations and individual victims is conducted be the International Secretariat of Amnesty International. No section, group or member is expected to provide information on their own country, and no section, group or member has any responsibility for action taken or statements issued by the international organization concerning their own country. Amnesty International has formal relations with the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); the Council of Europe; the Organization of American States; the Organization of African Unity; and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Amnesty International is financed by subscriptions and donations from its worldwide membership. No funds are sought or accepted from governments. To safeguard the independence of the organization, all contributions are strictly controlled by guidelines laid down by the International Council.

11 From a small group of volunteers in a tiny office in London. Amnesty International has now became one of the world=s largest international voluntary organisations dealing with human rights In 1961, London lawyer Peter Benenson read about a group of students in Portugal who were arrested and jailed for raising a toast to "freedom" in a public restaurant. This incident prompted him to launch a one-year campaign called "Appeal for Amnesty 1961" in the London Observer, a local newspaper. The "Appeal for Amnesty" called for the release of all people imprisoned because of peaceful expression of their beliefs, politics, race, religion, colour, or national origin. Benenson called these people, "prisoners of conscience." His plan was to encourage people to write letters to government officials in countries which had prisoners of conscience, calling for their release. The campaign grew enormously, spread to other countries, and by the end of 1961 the organization, Amnesty International, had been formed. Amnesty was founded on the principle that people have fundamental rights that transcend national, cultural, religious, and ideological boundaries. It worked to obtain prompt and fair trials for all prisoners, to end torture and executions, and to secure the release of prisoners of conscience. (Prisoners of conscience, as Amnesty International defines them, are people imprisoned solely because of their political or religious beliefs, gender, or their racial or ethnic origin, who have neither used nor advocated violence.) Amnesty International's Mandate was based on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Within 12 months the new organization had sent delegations to four countries to make representations on behalf of prisoners, and had taken up 210 cases. Amnesty International members had organized national bodies in seven countries. Amnesty's earliest activity was individual letter-writing on behalf of prisoners of conscience. After the organization had investigated a prisoner's case and determined that he/she was indeed a prisoner of conscience, it would "adopt" this pris People in the group would write many letters to officials in that prisoner's country asking for his/her release. They would also, if it was safe to do so, contact the prisoner's family and offer help. This worked extremely well, probably because people involved with Amnesty International felt a bond with individual prisoners, whose names, cases, It It is is better to to light light a a candle candle than than to to curse curse the darkness the darkness. the ancient Chinese proverb and families they grew to know, far more than they could have with a set of statistics on a country's human rights record. It also established Amnesty International's early focus on individuals, not countries or political systems. Amnesty International members work on behalf of individuals, not to change political systems.

12 During the late 1960s, members who want to be more active at the local level began to form what were then called Adoption Groups, and in the 1980s were renamed Local Groups, to focus additional efforts on an adopted prisoner and specific country\ or issue campaigns. They also helped increasingly with publicity, education, and fundraising at the grassroots level, and reached out to churches, schools, businesses, professional organizations, and labour unions. This activity brought in new members and resources, spurring the organization's growth. After some mistakes and consequent bad publicity, in the late 1960s Amnesty International adopted the rule that people in the organization were to work on cases only outside of their countries. This was for a couple of TODAY Amnesty International has more than 1,000,000 members, subscribers and regular donors in more than 100 countries and territories and over 4,300 local Amnesty International groups registered with the International Secretariat, in addition to the many thousands of school, university, professional and other groups which do not normally register internationally. There are nationally organized sections in 55 countries, 33 of them in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East and Central Europe. The organization's nerve centre is the International Secretariat in London, with more than 300 permanent HELPING THE VICTIMS reasons. First and most important, experience had indicated that some people were not sufficiently impartial about cases in their own countries. They would either believe a story about a human rights abuse without checking it out, or refuse to believe it without verifying that it was actually false. Since the impartiality and accuracy of Amnesty International (or any human rights organization) is the source of its reputation and ability to influence events, this was a serious problem. Second, relatively few countries tolerated human rights activism sufficiently to allow an internal activist to work without interference or threats to his freedom and safety. staff and 95 volunteers from more than 50 countries. The Secretary General is Pierre Sané. Amnesty International is governed by a nine member International Executive Committee (IEC). It comprises eight volunteer members, elected every two years by an International Council comprising representatives of the worldwide movement, and an elect ed member of the International Secretariat. Amnesty International has a precise mandate, detailed in an international statute. The main focus of its campaigning is to: free all prisoners of conscience. These are people detained anywhere for their beliefs or because of their ethnic origin, sex, colour, language, national or social origin, economic status, birth or other status -- who have not used or advocated violence; ensure fair and prompt trials for political prisoners; abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of prisoners; end extrajudicial executions and "disappearances". Amnesty International also opposes abuses by opposition groups, including hostage taking, torture and killings of prisoners and other deliberate and arbitrary killings.

13 Each year, Amnesty International members around the world work on behalf of people threatened with imprisonment, unfair trials, torture or execution. This year's activities are an indication of the level of work done every year on behalf of these people. WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN Each year, Amnesty International members from around the world join forces to campaign for the better part of a year on human rights issues in one country or Wei Jingsheng, a long-term prisoner of "A conscience guard who in never China, usually was unexpectedly spoke to me struck let out up of a conversation. prison in November We chatted 1997, casually the latest for chapter a bit and in them I asked one of him Amnesty very nonchalantly, International's 'I guess oldest fewer Action letters have Files. been He coming is 47 years for me old lately, and has right?' spent The more guard than then half looked his adult at me life and behind exclaimed bars. Wei incredulously, Jinsheng has 'Fewer? told how Old he Wei, first you learnt get about so many the support letters!' When was he finished receiving saying and this the effect he realized it had: what he had told me and suddenly stopped speaking and hurried out of the room... The mental inspiration this gave me greatly surpassed any small improvement in my living conditions." on a particular human rights issue. These major campaigns involve reporting on major human rights issues, lobbying governments and ambassadors globally for change, publicizing human rights abuses, and working closely with local human rights activists and other community organizations to achieve change. At the start of 1997, Amnesty International launched a worldwide campaign on protection for refugees. The WORKING FOR INDIVIDUALS organization highlighted the human rights violations that lead refugees to flee their countries, and the perils or obstacles they faced in trying to seek asylum in another country. In April 1997, 90 percent of the estimated 15 million refugees in the world lived in the south, many in the world's poorest countries. Africa shelters more than twice as many refugees as Europe, North America and Oceania combined. In addition, an estimated 25 to 30 million people are internally displaced. At the end of the year, the organization's members launched a year long campaign to mark the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- the bedrock of contemporary human rights protection. Throughout the campaign, Amnesty International members are highlighting the violations faced by human rights defenders and are asking both ordinary citizens and public figures to make a personal pledge to uphold human rights. In the first few months of the campaign Amnesty International has collected over four million signatures worldwide. Amnesty International members work for individuals or groups of people suffering the range of human rights violations in the organization's mandate -- from imprisonment as prisoners of conscience to "disappearance" or extrajudicial execution. At the end of 1997, Amnesty International local groups throughout the world were working for change in 1,750 Action Files, the term that the organization uses to describe cases of one or more victims of human rights abuses taken up as long-term work by local amnesty International groups. 1,800 local groups also participated in one of the 23 Regional Action Networks (RANS), committing themselves to long-term work on a particular region. At the end of 1997 Amnesty International groups with an Action File or an action on one of the RANs, were working on behalf of 3,985 individual victims where Amnesty International knows the names of those who suffered violations of their human rights. In many other instances Amnesty International does not have full information about all the victims' names, but the organization is doing all it can to take up these cases as well. RAPID ACTION

14 Rapid action for prisoners and others who are in immediate danger, such as torture or execution, is mobilized by the Urgent Action network of around 80,000 volunteers in some 85 countries. They are organized through electronic mail, fax, courier, express and airmail to send fast appeals on behalf of those at risk. In 1997, 583 new actions on 99 countries were issued to the Urgent Action Network. Further appeals on existing actions were requested 351 times, making a total of 934 occasions on which the network was activated. Each Urgent Action or a follow-up can generate hundreds of appeals to the authorities within days of being issued and several thousand within a few weeks. The new actions covered a variety of concerns: prisoners whom it was feared might be tortured; those at risk of, or who had been the victim of, extrajudicial execution or "disappearance"; prisoners sentenced to death; and people who had been harassed or had received death threats from agents of the state or armed opposition groups. Actions included many other concerns, for example: arbitrary arrest, prolonged incommunicado detention, detention without charge or trial, death in custody and risk of refoulement. SPECIALISTS NETWORK Amnesty International has specialist networks -- groups of medical professionals, lawyers, and others -- who use their specialist expertise to campaign for victims of human rights violations. Medical Network: The Amnesty International network of health professionals includes some 10,000 members, Throughout the year, Amnesty International received letters from people who have been helped through the Urgent Action Network. One such letter arrived from the mother of Sergey Vysochansky, who had faced imminent execution in Ukraine. She had been sure her son would die as the authorities were rushing through his case. After three rounds of Urgent Action appeals on Sergey Vysochansky's behalf, his sentence was commuted to 20 years in prison. His mother wrote: "Thank you for saving my son's life." organized in medical groups and networks in around 35 countries. The network took action on 44 medical and urgent actions focussing on 24 countries. A paper on International Network on Company Approaches: At least 30Sections now have a contact person working on approaches to companies. Amnesty International business groups continued to develop their contacts with companies based in their countries through seminars, round-table discussions and smaller bilateral meetings, at which Amnesty International promoted the nurses and human rights was issued in mid-1997 and was used to reach out to nurses and nursing organizations. The organization made a submission in June 1997 to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings on the health sector. International Legal Network: Lawyers, judges, magistrates, academics, law students and others in the international legal network who are familiar with the theory and practice of law have a vital role to play in Amnesty International's work. Lawyers groups contribute to Amnesty International's work in many ways: lawyers' groups act as technical advisers to the movement; as links between the movement and the wider legal profession; and as defenders of victims of human rights abuses, including other human rights defenders and promoters of legal reform. responsibility of companies to adhere to human rights principles throughout their practices. Inter-sectional Women's Network: The Inter-sectional Women's Network (IWN) consists of members and staff from Amnesty International Sections, structures or groupings who are involved

15 in work on women's human rights. The network has representatives in at least 30 Sections. Youth and Student Groups: Amnesty International now has approximately 4,000 youth or student groups worldwide, with contact people in at least 45 Sections. These young members are often active campaigners, taking up the full range of Amnesty International concerns. At the International Council Meeting in December 1997 the movement agreed to develop and expand the number of youth and student groups. International Working Groups for Children: There are coordinators of work on children's human rights in at least 30sections. In the past year, the network was involved in the AI Weekend Children's Day Action in October and November 1997 which focussed on refugee children. Amnesty International members for Lesbian and Gay concerns: At least 20 Sections have contact people for this network, and in some countries these contacts represent a large number of active members campaigning against human rights violations perpetrated against individuals or groups because of their sexuality. Military, Security and Police (MSP) contacts: At least 20Sections have contact people working on MSP transfers where such transfers relate to human rights within Amnesty International's mandate. The purpose of the work on MSP transfers is to: 1. prevent transfers that can reasonably be assumed to contribute to human rights violations; 2. identify international involvement which contributes to human rights abuses, and strengthen pressure for international action to prevent such abuses; 3. apply pressure directly on those military, security and police forces responsible for committing human rights abuses. Other specialist networks: Amnesty International members have formed a number of other sectoral groups, including those working on human rights violations against trade unionists, religious people, writers, journalists and conscientious objectors.

16 EXPOSING THE VIOLATION In 1997, Amnesty International issued 105 major external documents on human rights violations on 62 countries including in Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Burundi, China, Colombia, DRC/Zaire, Egypt, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel and the Occupied Territories, Lebanon, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Turkey, Ukraine, UK and the USA; Throughout the year, the organization sent 141 delegations to 62countries. Delegates carried out a range of work which could include discussing Amnesty International's concerns with government authorities, observing political trials and carrying out on-the-spot investigations into human rights abuses. Some of the countries visited were Cambodia, Colombia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Israel and the Occupied Territories, Kenya, Mexico, Palestinian Authority, Philippines, Russian Federation, Rwanda, South Africa, Syria, Thailand and the USA. THE CONTINUING CHALLENGE Every year, Amnesty International produces a global report which details human rights violations against men, women and children in all regions of the world. The 1998 annual report, which detailed abuses during 1997, is indicative of the kinds and levels of abuses against people every year. THE MONEY Amnesty International's funding reflects the movement's independence and its reliance on broad public support. No money is sought or received from governments. The hundreds of thousands of donations that sustain the organization's work come from the pockets of its members and the public and organizations such as trusts, foundations and companies. The international budget is spent on professional research by Amnesty International staff into human rights violations worldwide, on delegations that observe trials and make representations to governments, and on the movement's international public information, campaigning and development activities.

17 During the 12 months to 31 March 1998 the International Secretariat had expenditure of,16,312,000 in the following areas: Research and action -, 6,275,000 Campaigning -, 1,306,000 Publications & Translation costs -, 2,348,000 Human Rights Education & Promotion -, 1,217,000 International Meetings -, 288,000 Administration Costs of: Finance, Planning and Audit -, 1,094,000 Human Resources -, 947,000 Information Technology -, 563,000 Facilities costs & general Administration -, 2,274,000 In addition relief payments to victims of human rights violations and their families totalled during this period. -, 224,000 Amnesty International International Secretariat 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW United Kingdom "One of the strongest reasons why [we] have not been harassed... is that the authorities are well aware that we are being watched by Amnesty and the international press", says Keith Goddard, member of a gay rights group in Zimbabwe. "Your letters gave me hope and strength and courage", Shim Sang-Duk, imprisoned for belonging to an "anti-state" group, wrote from South Korea. "Your work is extremely important and significant ", Wei Jingsheng, a former prisoner of conscience in China, told AI after his release. 17

18 ILOP INTERNSHIP June December 2002 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAM What is the ILOP internship? The International Law and Organizations Program (ILOP)* runs an internship program which aims to provide work experience in an international campaigning, human rights organization for individuals who want to gain experience in the field of international human rights work; and in providing these opportunities, to generate projects that further the work of Amnesty International. Internships run for a period of six months, full-time, and are voluntary (unpaid). A background in law, international politics, international relations, political science or similar is essential. Some knowledge of international human rights law or practice and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) is useful. In addition, some administrative experience is essential for Geneva and New York. The working language of AI is English. The other official AI languages are French, Spanish and Arabic. A very good level of written and spoken English is required for interns in all locations. A fluent level of written and spoken French is also required for Geneva. Amnesty International s work with UN Treaty Bodies The world would remain ignorant of many human rights violations if States had sole responsibility for informing the United Nations (UN) treaty bodies of human rights violations in their countries. I recently observed Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Human Rights Committee (HRC) sessions on Israel and Egypt respectively. I saw how frustrating it is when States do not respond, or refuse to give detailed information on matters under their jurisdiction. Fortunately however, States are not the only ones involved in this process and during these same Committee sessions, I also witnessed the importance of Amnesty International s submissions. When the CRC considered Israel s report, Israel was persistently questioned about why it had not included any information on the Occupied Territories (OT). Its response was that the OT did not fall within Israel s jurisdiction. Continued on back page *see AI Index: ORG 63/001/2003 For more information on ILOP 18

19 Annemarieke Kunzli Intern UN Geneva Office June December 2002 Having studied at Leyden University in the Netherlands for six years, I yearned for a change of scene and started looking for an internship abroad. I had studied Latin and Greek, majoring in Greek philosophy. I had also obtained a certificate in International Law. Not only did I want to go abroad, but I also wanted to gain some practical experience of how an international human rights organization functioned. I was keen to see how everything I had been studying was put into practice. In addition to this I wanted to refresh my French. An internship in Geneva would satisfy all of these desires; so I did not hesitate to apply. When Monica McIntosh (organizer of the internship program) called to tell me that my application had been successful, I was not only surprised but also overjoyed! My initial contact with Melinda (AI Representative at the United Nations) confirmed that I should indeed be happy and that I would enjoy my time in Geneva. During the first two months of the internship I worked closely with Melinda and learnt a lot from her. I saw how international organizations work, both UN bodies and NGOs. In addition to this, the presence of Pia Oberoi, the Refugee Officer, allowed me to learn something about the activities of the Refugee Team. My first encounter with the UN human rights mechanisms was the Human Rights Committee. That was followed by many others: the Sub-Commission on the promotion and protection of human rights, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Commission on Human Rights. Fortunately for me quite a few meetings took place on the issue of the rights of the child, which I found particularly interesting. I enjoyed monitoring various UN sessions because I gained both experience and insight about how UN bodies function. On completing the internship I will return to the Netherlands to try to find a job. I would really like to continue working in the field of human rights and would love to work for AI Netherlands. At the very least, I will continue to work for AI as a volunteer. In a few years I hope to contribute significantly to Human Rights work in the Netherlands. I will miss Geneva, especially the team and the astonishingly beautiful Lake. I am also looking forward to the start of my professional career and the next phase of my life. Photo: Annmarieke Kunzli Just as I had hoped, I saw how international organizations work, including not only UN bodies, but also NGOs. 19

20 Sheila Perosa - Intern UN New York Office June December 2002 New York is an amazing city, where activity never stops, and where it is impossible to be bored most probably you won t have the energy to do everything you would like to! Photo caption: Renzo, Sheila, Sarah & Yvonne I was terribly excited.i was about to join Amnesty International s UN Office in New York. It was to be an opportunity for me to experience at first hand what I had previously only studied in books: the UN, its mechanisms, its issues, strengths and weaknesses. On my arrival at the New York office I was met by a welcoming committee of: Yvonne, the UN Representative; Renzo, who soon became a close friend, Sarah, Sue and Jo (the previous intern.) I immediately noticed how busy people were and realized that I had to find my own place both in and outside the office. Luckily the Church Centre where the office is based is full of NGOs so it s quite easy to meet people. Moreover, the guys from the lobby helped me with directions, useful advice and suggestions. Life became much easier. Furthermore, New York is an amazing city, where activity never stops, and where it is impossible to be bored most probably you won t have the energy to do everything you would like to!!! It took me a while to get into my role and to understand how to divide my time between routine daily tasks and my personal project. However, people here have been very understanding and patient I have learned a lot! Including how to operate the fax machine! The first time I tried to send a fax to the members of the Security Council, I spent a long time, trying to figure out how decode it! I have had the opportunity to see how the UN works, how human this organization is, and how bureaucratic and complicated too. I am very glad to have had the opportunity to explore Amnesty International s work, and I am very proud to have been a part of it! 20

21 Kerry Grier Intern Legal Advice and International Organizations teams June Dec My advice to mothers applying for this internship is to attend a tight-roping walking course first to get you into the swing of things Photo caption: Kerry Grier I am a 34 year old Zimbabwean lawyer with a general practice and commercial background. I have been involved in grassroots human rights work on a voluntary basis since I was at the University of Zimbabwe and was involved in setting up Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. I wish I could say that I came to learn of Amnesty s work through an innate desire to put the world to rights in fact, my first experience of Amnesty was at the Human Rights Now concert in 1988 in Zimbabwe. As a practicing lawyer I became increasingly aware of the importance of standing up and being counted. This is my impression of the ethos of Amnesty. I find myself as an ILOP intern having clocked up diverse experience of the hands on variety in the human rights field and in need of a more structured approach to learning about this subject. I also have the honour of being the first of ILOP s interns to have children (3). My advice to mothers applying for this internship is to attend a tight-roping walking course first to get you into the swing of things although in the end it is possible to balance everything and it has proved to be an enriching experience for my whole family. My first three months were spent in the International Organizations (IO) team primarily working on country profiles with Monica. We brainstormed our way, with much-needed assistance, to a format which will hopefully be of use to ILOP and researchers. I have concentrated on collating country profiles. Which provide and overview of general background information, economic statistics, human rights commission track record, ratification and reporting status, etc. I found this an extremely useful task. Another part of my work with the IO team was to assist Marianne Lilliebjerg (Adviser on International Organizations) with the Report back on this years Commission on Human rights in March/April. This provided a good opportunity to see what it was we had hoped to achieve and what we regarded as our successes and challenges which need to be overcome. My work with the Legal Advisers has started off with legal research for death penalty cases on appeal in Nigeria. This is very compelling and interesting work. I will also worked with Kolawole Olaniyan, the legal adviser on Africa on a project on African regional IGO bodies. I came to the internship hoping to learn about the formal channels which can be used to improve the lot of people on the ground in strife-ridden areas. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and not only learned a lot but met a fantastic group of people in the process. 21

22 Severine Delaurie Legal Advice & International Organizations Teams. June December 2002 Photo caption: Severine (left), Carla (right) Above all, I wanted to be part of an NGO that is involved in the grassroots operations of information gathering and activism. I know that these two activities are very important in promoting and protecting human rights I am 23, French, and gained a Masters in Human Rights Law in November Before arriving in London, I completed a ten-month internship with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva. On completing that internship, I assisted the European Office of Peace Brigades International in Brussels with the organization of a seminar on Internally Displaced Persons. I applied for the Amnesty internship whilst still in my post at the OHCHR. During my time there I had come to realize the value of the work done by human rights NGOs. One example of this was the input of NGOs into the creation of the mandate of the UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders and subsequent support in establishing the mechanism. I also thought that the internship would offer me the opportunity to work on thematic issues of concern to Amnesty and contribute to the various reports Amnesty issues publicly and submits on a regular basis to the human rights mechanisms. Above all, I wanted to be part of an NGO that is involved in the grassroots operations of information gathering and activism. I know that these two activities are very important in promoting and protecting human rights. While with the Legal Advice Team, I worked on Fact Sheets on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. I also had the opportunity to work with the Legal Adviser on Europe on Turkey and on the Russian Federation. At the time of writing this article, I recently joined the International Organizations Team where I will be following up on the Fact Sheets I started on the Right to Development and Poverty and Human Rights but will tailor them more with the work of the International Financial Institutions, especially of the World Bank. I will also prepare background information on AI s country and thematic priorities for the forthcoming UN Commission on Human Rights. I would like to thank everyone in ILOP. My stay with you has been truly unforgettable! I wish you all the best for the year ahead and beyond. 22

23 Mirella Abdel Sater Intern International Justice Project June December 2002 Photo caption: Mirella Abdel Sater Having endured twenty years of war in the Lebanon I am a passionate advocate for the establishment of an international justice system Having endured twenty years of war in the Lebanon I am a passionate advocate for the establishment of an international justice system. I had practiced law for ten years in Beirut and wanted to gain international experience. In particular I was keen to follow, the evolution of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the context of an international Non-Governmental Organization. I guessed that the best place to be at such an historical moment was at Amnesty International in London in the International Justice Project team (IJP)! So you can imagine my delight when I was offered an internship with the team. The International Justice Project team deservedly has an excellent reputation. It has been very exciting to watch events leading to the entry into force of the Rome Statute. And have a behind the scenes vantage point of the efforts made by the team to assist in this process. The next momentous event will be for the Court to hear its first criminal case. I cannot wait! My internship has been a very rich experience on many levels. Apart from working with the wonderful IJP team, it has been amazing to see how Amnesty International functions on a day-to-day level, and how highly qualified and professional staff are. I have been struck by the exchange of ideas at meetings and the broad range of human rights issues discussed. Being at Amnesty International has been like discovering a new world a place where diverse cultures meet and interact on a very positive level. Initially life in London was a real challenge. On a practical level, I found sharing a flat with lots of people a real challenge until I met my current flat mate Maartje who works in Amnesty s Middle East Program. She is nice, warm and has become a wonderful friend. Despite this, the cold and insecurity of London have sometimes reminded me how far I was from home. Now that my internship is coming to an end I will have to return to my home in the Lebanon. I will continue my work as a lawyer in Beirut. It will be sad to leave London now that I have really started enjoying being here! I will particularly miss all the people I have worked with. 23