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    50 years of Amnesty International

    ‘Yet if these feelings of disgust all over the world could be united into common action, something effective could be done.’ Peter Benenson

    Peter Benenson, the British lawyer who founded Amnesty International in 1961, rekindles the original candle on the movement's 20th anniversary, outside St Martin in the Fields Church, London, UK, May 1981. Copyright: Raoul Shade

    28 May 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International. From one man’s realisation in 1961 that people are stronger when they act together we have grown into a global movement of over 3 million supporters.

    We will be marking this amazing journey with a year of action and celebration. We hope you will join us.

    Nicaragua: send a butterfly of hope


    ‘The butterfly (la mariposa) for us is a symbol of the desire to realise our dreams, spread our wings… fighting with the strength of our rights.’ Martha Munguiá, Nicaraguan Alliance of Women’s Centres

    butterfly 205

    On 28 September 2011 women’s organisations and Nicaraguan men, women and children will be marching to demand the repeal of the country’s total abortion ban and an end to widespread violence against women and girls.

    Your beautiful butterflies will be used as a display of support and solidarity.


    50th anniversary events

    Featured event: 50 years of Amnesty International posters

    • Where: Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA

    • When: 10 – 6pm, Monday to Friday. Until 31 May 2011. Find out more

      Posters from the Guardian and Observer poster exhibition

      More events near you

      : View a list of all Amnesty at 50 events around the country