Amnesty International of the USA Inc. Country Dossiers, 1977-2009

Creator:

Amnesty International USA. Country Dossiers

Abstract:

This collection contains AIUSA country dossiers -- packets of documents mailed weekly by the International Secretariat to every Amnesty International Section office.

Extent:

31 linear feet 31 record storage cartons

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

The collection contains country dossiers arranged by region and then alphabetically by country. There is also a small series of AI publications.

Biographical / historical:

AIUSA country dossiers were packets of documents mailed weekly by the International Secretariat to every Amnesty International Section office. This country-specific material was a resource for staff, members, and the public. The country dossier arrangement began in 1977 and continued for about 30 years, when the physical mailings were phased out as AI began posting external documents online. This collection contains the external documents and annual reports. Documents have an Index number showing the continent (AFR, AMR, ASA, EUR, MDE), the number given to each country, the year issued, and the middle number indicating whether it was the first, or thirtieth, document on that country issued in that year. All documents were written by the researchers at AI's London headquarters.

Filing was done by volunteers, and files were heavily used by asylum seekers, scholars, interns, press, and staff prior to the use of digital files. File names were not always immediately changed when country names changed or borders were altered.

Acquisition information:: Source of acquisition--Betsy Ross. Method of acquisition--Deposit; Date of acquisition--06-07/2014.
Custodial history:: Papers were donated by Betsy Ross in June and July, 2014.
Processing information:: This collection was processed by Carolyn Smith in July-August 2014. Finding aid written by Carolyn Smith in June 2018.
Arrangement:: This collection has been arranged into two series.
Accruals:: Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Related material:: See Center for Human Rights Documentation and Research (CHRDR) page for more information about all AIUSA collections: https://library.columbia.edu/libraries/chrdr/archive_collections/aiusa.html

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from Amnesty International of the USA, Inc.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); AIUSA Country Dossier, 1977-2009; Box and Folder; Center for Human Rights Documentation and Research, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection