Amnesty International UK publishes first annual report
Amnesty International UK publishes its first annual report today (14 October), focusing on the objectives and outcomes of its human rights work, with chapters too on governance, staff and volunteers, environmental impact and an audited summary of its finances.
The 72-page report is part of Amnesty International UK’s commitment to best practice in transparency and accountability and to the International Non-Government Organisations Accountability (INGO) Charter, which Amnesty International signed up to globally in 2006.
Amnesty International UK is one of more than 70 Amnesty sections and structures around the world. With more than 225,000 members and financial supporters in the UK and over 2.8 million supporters worldwide, the organisation campaigns to abolish the death penalty and end torture, for the release of all prisoners of conscience, to control the Arms and to end human rights violations that deepen and drive poverty.
The report is intended for members, partners and supporters, the other individuals and organisations Amnesty works with and on behalf of, potential donors and the wider public. It refers to activities and outcomes which took place between April 1st 2009 and March 31st 2010.
Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:
“By giving stakeholders an insight into the way we work, how decisions are reached and the extent to which we operate effectively and efficiently, we aim to demonstrate that we are open and accountable, as well creating an environment in which we can learn and improve.”
Since Amnesty signed up to the INGO Charter in 2006, Amnesty International UK has reviewed all of its systems, policies and processes, appointed Simone Pereira as its first Transparency & Accountability Manager and introduced a policy and process for receiving and acting upon external comments and complaints.
Simone Pereira commented: “We would like to hear what readers think of the report. Their opinions, along with an understanding of what they want to know about us, will help us to develop future annual reports.”
Amnesty International UK has published regular reports in the past but these have mainly covered its activities and been aimed largely at its activists. This new report is much more wide-ranging in its scope and the audiences it is aimed at. It has been produced to meet the best practice standards provided by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and to show AIUK’s compliance with the INGO Accountability Charter. The GRI has confirmed that the report has achieved a B level of application of its G3 guidelines.
Copies of Amnesty International UK Annual Report 2009/10 and/or the eight-page summary are available by telephoning 020 7033 1777 or by emailing transparency@amnesty.org.uk. The report, together with a range of related documents and background information, is available at www.amnesty.org.uk/accountability.