The International Executive Committee (IEC) consists of nine people, each of whom is a member of Amnesty International. They are elected to office by the biennial International Council Meeting (ICM).
The IEC members’ four-year terms are staggered, with half the members up for re-election at each ICM. Each member is eligible for re-election for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The IEC may not include more than one member from any Amnesty International national body or more than one member of Amnesty International from any country, state or territory in which no Amnesty International body exists.
The IEC meets at least two times during any one year and in practice meets at least four times a year.
The IEC's role is to provide guidance and leadership for the Amnesty International movement worldwide. Its chief functions are set down by the statute and include to:
ensure the movement’s compliance with Amnesty International's statute
ensure implementation of Amnesty International's Integrated Strategic Plan
ensure the sound financial management of Amnesty International at the international level
provide consent for the establishment of sections, structures and other bodies of Amnesty International
hold sections, structures and other bodies of Amnesty International accountable for their functioning by presenting reports to the International Council Meeting
take international decisions on behalf of Amnesty International
ensure human resources development
The IEC also appoints and directs Amnesty International's Secretary General who, in turn, is responsible for the day-to-day conduct of the international movement, acting as the movement’s chief spokesperson, its chief political advisor and as the chief executive officer of the International Secretariat.
The IEC issues the wider Amnesty International movement with regular reports on its priorities, deliberations and decisions and includes financial reports and budget statements.
The IEC is accountable to the International Council. At each International Council Meeting, the IEC provides detailed accounts of the work it has undertaken and makes recommendations to the Council on matters affecting our future direction.