Susan Waltz papers, 1979-2013 [Bulk 1993-1999]

The phrase used to identify 4-year strategic plans once they had been approved by the Council meeting. These action plans encompassed work to be carried out by Amnesty sections and structures as well as the Secretariat. They were typically named after the location of the Council meeting where they were approved

Group named in 1998 to make recommendations for restructuring AI's international decision-making processes.

The process of shrinking the role of the London-based International Secretariat, by devolving certain functions to Amnesty sections or structures. The creation of quasi-independent translation units is an example of decentralization See Deconcentration

Term used within Amnesty International to refer to the expansion of membership structures. (Not to be confused with fundraising)

Amnesty's internal audit mechanism, with members elected by the ICM

An effort in the 1990s to enhance section-to-section communications by convening a meeting of representatives from A1 sections/structures in a given region (ie, a grouping) to discuss AI policy questions.

A 1990s initiative to select a relatively small number of countries for concerted effort to cultivate Amnesty membership and develop Amnesty structures

A permanent international court established in 2002 to prosecute perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity

AI's highest organizational decision­making body. Held every two years, during the 1990s the ICM brought together approximately 500 members and staff for the purposes of planning and reviewing the direction of Amnesty International's human rights work. The ICM also elected the International Executive Committee (IEC).

A nine-person elected body that served as the organization's international governing board (since renamed International Board)

Organizations whose members are nation states—such as the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organization of American States

Based in London, UK, it is responsible for the majority of the organization's research and campaigning work. Around 2013 some of its work was redistributed to hubs around the world in an initiative known as "Closer to the Ground," so that the footprint in London is smaller today than it was in the 1990s

An initiative in the 1990s intended to bring together an A1 section's leadership, relevant IS staff, and the IEC to review performance indicators and set common expectations about a wide range of activities and international support for the Amnesty section

Meetings attended by representatives of A1 sections and a select number of international staff, often convened on an ad hoc basis (and hosted by a large section) to discuss an emerging issue. Although they had no decision-making authority, such meetings often clarified concerns and offered advice

1995 Ljubljana Action Plan. See Action Plans

For many years, an internal "mandate" limited Amnesty International's work to a relatively small number of issues, including the release of prisoners of conscience, fair trials for political prisoners, opposition to torture, disappearances and the death penalty. The mandate was amended several times and was ultimately replaced in 2002 with a broader mission statement linking AI's work to the full spectrum of rights enshrined in the UDHR

A statutory body allowing AI sections to appeal decisions of the IEC. Activated for the first time in 1998

See also "strategic coverage"

1999 Morocco action plan, replaced by TAP

A decision of the 1993 ICM to cover the basic annual operational costs of small sections from the central budget, effectively redistributing income (assessment fees) from the larger AI sections

The term used by AI in the 1990s to refer to ethnic and other identity diversity. It was applied to both employment (cultural diversity among staff) and to AI sections (acknowledging cultural differences within AI's diverse membership, including linguistic diversity)

Refers to AI's policy discussions regarding in-house interpretation and translation of AI materials

By contrast to strategic plans, operational plans contained more precise performance targets, were for a shorter duration and in general applied only to work carried out by the International Secretariat

AI's executive director of worldwide operations and head of the International Secretariat

See Standing Committees

See Standing Committees

A term collectively referring to AI's membership. Sections, according to the Statute, were registered with the Secretariat as national or territorial entities that had demonstrated their ability to organize and carry out basic Amnesty activities. AI groups active in countries without a full-fledged AI section were referred to as "structures."

A committee charged to allocate funds from the central budget to small sections. The committee reported to the IEC (through SCOD) and its members were drawn from AI sections worldwide

From 1991, four standing committees with members drawn from AI sections worldwide, worked to assist and advise the IEC. See SCHIFM, SCM, SCOD, and SCRA

General term for policy (and discussion) regarding the extent of AI's research and reporting on given countries and issues

AI's senior leadership at the IS, including the Secretary General and deputies

See Action Plans

Refers to the operational plan put in place in 1994, immediately following adoption of the first integrated strategic plan in 1993

Effectively the "No work on own country rule," an internal rule that for many years generally prohibited AI members from working for the release of prisoners of conscience in their own countries. The rule was modified in 1995