Learn more about what we do and the issues and the countries we’re currently focused on.


ISSUES


COUNTRIES

Members of Amnesty International in Canada campaign on human rights in the Americas and in a number of other countries where the actions of the Canadian government and of Canadians can have the greatest impact.


For full details on Amnesty International’s human rights advocacy and research work in countries and regions around the world, please visit our global website.

LEGAL WORK

EXPLORE LEGAL RESOURCE LIBRARY

Amnesty International’s mission is to ensure that every person enjoys all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments such as (but not exclusively):

International human rights treaties are formal agreements between governments that create binding law. When a country signs a human rights treaty, it agrees to protect and promote the human rights standards set out in that treaty for every person on its territory or under its authority.

Governments do this by passing laws – like the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Canada – to protect human rights. National courts have the responsibility of making sure that their laws are consistent with constitutional and international norms, and ordering remedies when human rights are violated. Governments also have to show to other countries that they are complying with international human rights law by reporting to them at the United Nations and other international fora.

In addition to its monitoring work and public campaigns, Amnesty International is very involved in legal work to ensure that the Canadian and provincial governments are acting consistently with their international human rights obligations. Amnesty’s legal work frequently involves the themes of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, security and human rights, the rights of refugees and migrants, and corporate accountability, among others. There are three main areas of Amnesty International’s legal work:

HOW WE MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

Research
Human rights change starts with the facts. Our experts do accurate, cross-checked research into human rights violations by governments and others worldwide.
Advocacy and Lobbying
We use our analysis to influence and press governments, companies and decision-makers to do the right thing.
Campaigns and Action
Through petitions, letters and protests, campaigners worldwide press for action from the people and institutions who can make change happen.