Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand (AIANZ) is a part of the
Amnesty International network, and works to end
human rights abuses.
The first
New Zealand Amnesty group was founded in 1965, and the organisation was incorporated in 1966. Since being founded, the organisation has worked to free
prisoners of conscience, fight human rights violations around the world, and promote human rights in New Zealand by lobbying and education. It describes itself as working for full human rights for everyone.
AIANZ acts primarily with a focus on rights within the
Asia-Pacific region, and is secretariat for the Association of Commonwealth Amnesty International Sections. It is a consulting member of the
Council for International Development and part of the
Human Rights Network of Aotearoa New Zealand.
AIANZ's Chief Executive Officer is Patrick Holmes and the chairperson is Diana Pickard.
Campaigns
The organisation is currently active in campaigns to
stop violence against women as part of an international campaign to see full human rights for everyone. The campaign calls on governments to take a stronger stand for women in cases of
domestic and
sexual violence.
Despite a narrow vote in favour, the AIANZ governing council decided not to support a controversial right to
abortion proposed by their parent organisation,
Amnesty International. Ced Simpson, former Executive Director of AIANZ stated that "It is not the practice of AINZ to adopt policy on very internally-contentious issues on...
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