Amnesty's lobbying work in the UK
We're independent from any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion.
We're funded mainly by our membership and public donations. No funds are sought or accepted from governments for investigating and campaigning against human rights abuses.
How do we effect change?
Amnesty seeks to influence governments to effect positive change for human rights. In the UK, this is done directly via ministers, civil servants and parliamentarians, or indirectly by constituents (you).
Amnesty International UK engages with the UK government to ensure we are held accountable for human rights issues by:
- Issuing public reports and stories on the UK government's human rights record. Read our latest news and publications.
- Lobbying MPs —an essential part our work to impact Parliamentary action to improve human rights in the UK and internationally. Want to lobby your MP?
- Engaging with the government through consultations, sharing our reports, round table discussions and other channels (such as our work in the Human Rights Advisory Group).
- Engaging with UN committees e.g. submitting evidence to the Human Rights Council
- Engaging with UK Parliamentary Committees by providing evidence to inquiries.
As a major international player, Amnesty also engages with the UK government to advance human rights globally. This can be through making representations to other governments or for pushing for more progressive international agreements (such as the Arms Trade Treaty).
Read our submissions to UK Government inquiries
Foreign Affairs Committee
- October 2012 The FCO's Human Rights Work 2011
- September 2011 British Foreign Policy and the 'Arab Spring'
- April 2011 Inquiry into the FCO's Human Rights Work 2010-2011
- April 2009 The FCO's Human Rights Annual Report 2008
Home Affairs Select Committee Inquiry
Department for International Development
- October 2010 Choice for Women: wanted pregnancies, safe births - reproductive, maternal and newborn health
International Development Committee
- October 2010 Inquiry into the MDGs Review Summit
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
- October 2010 The Future of Narrative Reporting
- September 2010 On the subject of Government assistance to industry
Business, Innovation and Skills Committee
- January 2011 BIS Committee Inquiry into Re-balancing the Economy: Trade and Investment (PDF)
- December 2010 Trade White Paper: Call for Evidence (PDF)
- September 2010 Inquiry on the subject of Government Assistance to Industry (PDF)
- May 2009 Memorandum of Evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights: Business and Human Rights Inquiry (PDF)
Responses to Green Papers and reviews
- January 2012 Response to the Justice and Security Green Paper (PDF)
- September 2010 Review of counter terrorism and security powers (PDF)
- 2010 Reforming Asylum Support - response to summary of questions (PDF)
