What is Amnesty International?

Amnesty International is a human rights organization that encompasses many concepts that range from less controversial objects, such as student debt, to some of the most controversial topics of today, such as human trafficking, female genital mutilation and the death penalty. Basically, Amnesty fights for the world's rights, for every single human being's fundamental rights. Some of these fundamental rights are denied in some areas of the world because the culture of those parts is different from the expanding Westernized society. I am not saying the Eastern way of thinking is wrong, but perhaps, it is detrimental to the basic needs of every human being.

However, through Amnesty International and other world rights organizations, we can help those who do not have a voice by using our own. Many of the ways Amnesty uses its voice is to fight human rights abuses, bring tortures to justice, change oppressive laws and free people so they can speak their voice. There are many aspects of Amnesty International that are admirable and self-fulling, while being a missionary for the rest of the world.

Some of the popular topics on the Amnesty radar include women's sexual reproductive rights and the Syrian refugee crisis. Both of these are huge events and battles in our world society at this point. Many people are ignorant or uneducated about both of these matters, which is why Amnesty International is trying to educate the people of America, and the rest of the world, through their efforts of support, awareness and fundraisers.

The main reason to support Amnesty International is just to have your voice heard in matters that are supposed to be guaranteed for every human being. If you have a problem with certain aspects of our world society that are wrong and need to be changed, then join Amnesty International and try to make a difference in your community that will have an impact on the world, little by little.

I joined the University of Maine chapter of Amnesty International because I simply thought that all the aspects that pertain to Amnesty were interesting, and I want to be able to make an impact on the world, even if it is in a small way. If you are a University of Maine student and want to join Amnesty International, we meet in the FFA room on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.