Eight Ways Amnesty International Helped Change The World

Rewind to 1961. Hemlines were front-page news, The Beatles and The Beach Boys were topping the charts, civil rights activists were preparing for the biggest march in US history, while here in Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples hadn't even been given the right to vote. In another corner of the world, two Portuguese students were being imprisoned for raising their glasses to liberty – an injustice that infuriated British lawyer Peter Benenson so much that he founded Amnesty International on 28 May 1961. Every day since then Amnesty International has worked with individuals and communities to bring their stories to the world and shine a light on human rights abuses, wherever they occur. Today, as Amnesty International celebrates its 53rd birthday, we highlight some of our achievements.

1. Rita Mahato is no longer living in fear

Rita Mahato (right) at a Women Human Rights Defenders action in Kathmandu in 2008 © Private

After continuous threats of harassment, physical violence, rape and kidnapping, Rita Mahato and other staff at the Women's Rehabilitation Centre in Nepal feared for their lives. Amnesty International supporters around the world sent emails, cards and letters to the Nepalese authorities demanding they ensure the safety of women like Rita. As a result, their conditions have improved dramatically.

2. "Bring David Home"

A rally for David Hicks © Amnesty International

Amnesty International was one of the loudest voices calling for the return of Australian David Hicks from Guantanamo Bay. After being illegally detained for five years in horrendous conditions and without a fair trial, Hicks was finally returned home in 2007. Together we brought him home.

3. Adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty

© UN Photo/Albert Gonzalez Farran

After 20 years of campaigning by Amnesty International and other organisations, the Arms Trade Treaty was adopted last year. This historic treaty prevents weapons being shipped to those who would use them to violate human rights. With more than 1,500 people killed each day from armed violence, this was an incredible moment.

4. Iranian human rights lawyer released

Nasrin Sotoudeh with her family © Private

In September 2010, Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights lawyer, was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of ‘spreading propaganda against the system’ and ‘acting against national security’. Amnesty supporters responded to the six-year prison sentence by signing petitions and writing letters demanding Nasrin’s immediate and unconditional release. In September 2013 Nasrin was finally released and thanks Amnesty International members who took action for her release: "I have been aware of all your efforts on my behalf and I want to thank you and all your colleagues for your work."

5. Funding boost for Utopia homelands

Children in Utopia © Amnesty International

Amnesty International's Homelands Campaign called for the traditional owners of the Utopia homelands to remain living on their land. This pressure helped to secure a great win for Australia's Aboriginal Peoples, with a government pledge of $221 million dollars in funding for better services like water, garbage collection and sanitation. By 2013 a further $8 million dollars was being committed to reduce disadvantage faced by Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.

6. Standing by world press freedom

Cambodian journalist Mam Sonando © Amnesty International

Amnesty International has long been a supporter of world press freedom. Just last month we campaigned for the release of Cambodian journalist Mam Sonando who was facing a twenty-year prison sentence designed to silence him. The court overturned the judgement. Here's what Mam had to say: "To hear supporters outside the courtroom and to see supporters inside...gave me such encouragement. They were supporting democracy and human rights, not just me."

7. Aung San Suu Kyi named Ambassador of Conscience

Aung San Suu Kyi collecting the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience award in June 2009 © Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

Amnesty International stood by the Burmese politician and human rights defender Aung San Suu Kyi, who spent more than 15 years under house arrest as a political prisoner. She was named Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience in 2009 when Bono took the stage in Dublin, acknowledging her undying spirit. In her acceptance speech, Aung San Suu Kyi said "Amnesty International...has helped us keep our small wick of self-respect alive, you have helped us to keep the light."

8. The world moves towards ending the death penalty

A candle light vigil held for Van Tuong Nguyen vigil outside the parliament building in Canberra © Bob Givens (display art by Jorge Pujol)

The death penalty is cruel and inhuman and we are opposed to its use in any circumstances. In 1977, only 16 countries had abolished the death penalty. Thirty years later, that number has grown to 98.

When 25-ear-old Melbourne man Van Tuong Nguyen was executed by hanging in Singapore's Changi prison, the hope of reducing death penalty sentences in Singapore was small. But last year, following a global outcry and years of anti-death penalty campaigning by Amnesty International and many others, Singapore's High Court reduced 23-year-old Malaysian national Fabian Adiu Edwin's death sentence to life in prison. It was the first time this had happened since Singapore's parliament abolished mandatory death sentences in certain drug trafficking and murder cases.

These are just a few of the thousands of Amnesty International success stories. Since we began, we have demanded action for tens of thousands of cases of individuals who have experienced human rights abuses around the world. We have worked alongside human rights activists and organisations wherever human rights violations occur and have more than 4.6 million supporters in 150 countries.

If you would like to play your part in trying to bring about another success story, please join our call to release Dilorom Abdukadirova, a mother of four, from prison in Uzbekistan, where her family believes she has been tortured.