Amnesty International and its Self-Imposed Limited Mandate

Abstract

This article deals with the development of the self-imposed limited mandate of Amnesty International and the considerations which are taken into account. The organization has gradually expanded its field of attention. It is suggested in this article that, although expanded, the mandate still remains ‘limited’ and in line with the principles as envisaged when the organization was founded in 1961. An important expansion or re-interpretation of the mandate took place at the International Council meeting in 1991. The article deals with the meaning of the mandate, the criteria which have to be met, the users of the mandate, and deals with three pertinent illustrations of mandate debates: the violence clause, political non-governmental entities and homosexuality.