Amnesty International is a worldwide organization devoted to ensuring human rights around the world and has started a new chapter right here on the campus of ETSU.
Amnesty International sprung from 30 key points former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt presented to the United Nations. All 30 points were meant to provide human rights to all people of every nation.
“While the 30 points are what Amnesty International is based on, a person doesn’t have to agree with all 30 points,” said co-coordinator Tatyana Burkhour.
“They may choose one key point as long as they focus on it passionately.”
While it is still in the beginning stages of development, the new chapter of Amnesty International on campus is expected to be in full swing by the spring of 2004.
“We want to make sure everyone knows that we are a non-profit, non-partisan, non-religious organization that invites everyone to join,” Burkhour said.
Amnesty International boasts 1.7 million members worldwide, and the United States has the most involved.
The organization chooses two specific focus topics for each year. The topics range from education campaigns to adopting a “person of conscience.”
“A person of conscience is someone who has been non-violent and opinionated about human rights and is being punished for it,” Burkhour said.
Currently, the Amnesty International chapter at ETSU has adopted an Ethiopian man who had been jailed for criticizing the government.
The organization writes letter and sends foot items and everyday living necessities such as toothpaste.
“Not everyone realizes the impact that letter-writing has,” said Rachel Brandon, the head of publicity for the organization. “It really makes a difference.”
The ETSU chapter is planning a 24-hour letter-writing campaign from 5 p.m. on Dec. 5 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 6. Anyone interested in writing a letter should stop by the Acoustic Coffeehouse during that time this weekend.
The group also plans to hold another letter-writing campaign in the spring. Membership fees are $10 a year and also include full access to the international organization. Under extreme circumstances, the $10 fee can be waived.
The group plans to meet weekly. The web site address for more information is http://www.groups.yahoo.com/ amnesty.ETSU.
“The most important point we can make is that human rights violations are still going on in the world today and we want to bring those to the forefront and have them stopped,” Burkhour said. “That’s the whole concept behind Amnesty International.”
“We would also like anyone who is interested to join, because one person and a few letters can make a big difference.

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