Annual Report 2011
The state of the world's human rights

Campaigns

People taking action together can achieve extraordinary change. In our 50th anniversary year we highlighted six key campaigns and together made a difference.  You signed petitions, shared actions and joined community events. Every action made a difference – you helped to defend human rights around the world.

Abolish the death penalty

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Only nine countries had abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1961, when Amnesty International was created.

Today, it has been abolished in 97 countries - the momentum is unstoppable.

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Corporate accountability

Activists in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, call on Shell to own up, pay up and clean up the Niger Delta.
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Activists in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, call on Shell to own up, pay up and clean up the Niger Delta.

© Amnesty International


The Nigerian government has failed to hold the oil industry to account for widespread pollution in the Niger Delta. Pollution threatens people's health, contaminates food and drinking water, and damages livelihoods, pushing people deeper into poverty.

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Defending women's and girls' rights in Nicaragua

A women's centre lawyer supports a young survivor of sexual violence.
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A women's centre lawyer supports a young survivor of sexual violence.

© Amnesty International (photo: Grace Gonzalez)


In Nicaragua, all abortion, even for survivors of rape, is banned.

On 28 September 2011, women and girls in Nicaragua took to the streets to demand an end to the total abortion ban and to violence against women.

Thousands of butterflies created by activists all over the world carried our message of hope and solidarity to them.

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Freedom of expression

Activists protest outside parliament against media legislation which threatens freedom of expression, Budapest, Hungary, January 2011.
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Activists protest outside parliament against media legislation which threatens freedom of expression, Budapest, Hungary, January 2011.

© Ádám Szigeti


The right to freedom of expression is a cornerstone for any fair society. It is how we contribute to the shaping of our communities and how we hold the state to account when it fails us. It is fundamental to human dignity.

For 50 years, Amnesty International has defended this right against attempts by governments to stifle religious dissent, peaceful political opposition and independent thought.

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International justice

South Kivu, eastern DRC: one of the many Congolese NGOs seeking justice.
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South Kivu, eastern DRC: one of the many Congolese NGOs seeking justice.

© Amnesty International


Wherever the most serious international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes are committed, Amnesty International campaigns for access to justice, truth and redress for victims.

We push for governments to make sure that those responsible are brought to justice either before domestic courts or internationally, including before the International Criminal Court.

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Women demanding an equal voice in the new Egypt

Protesters in Al-abidin, Cairo, during the Egypt uprising, February 2011.
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Protesters in Al-abidin, Cairo, during the Egypt uprising, February 2011.

© Ramy Raoof (CC BY 2.0)


During the Egyptian uprising, women stepped into the political limelight and demanded change. They are still protesting for their rights, for justice, and for the promises of reform to be fulfilled. But as the new Egypt takes shape, women are being silenced and left out.

Amnesty International believes Egypt has a historic opportunity to end discrimination and to secure equal rights for all. Let women’s voices be heard.

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