Amnesty International, UCSD

Amnesty International at UCSD is a chapter of the international organization recognized and respected around the world for its impartial efforts to ensure and defend the natural rights of all people, no matter what their political or religious affiliation. The chapter of Amnesty International at UCSD, formed in 1988, seeks to raise awareness of current world issues, particularly those concerning violations of human rights, to the UCSD campus and its surrounding neighborhood, as well as raise funds to benefit non-profit organizations that work to achieve our goals.

Our members typically meet once a week to plan events that include but are not limited to film screenings and guest lectures. We frequently collaborate with other UCSD student organizations, like Green Campus, International Affairs Group, One Earth One Justice, Roots & Shoots, and STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur), as well as local San Diego based non-profit organizations, like International Rescue Committee and Survivors of Torture, International.

In the past, we have supported campaigns such as UC Divestment from Sudan in 2006, Darfur in 2006-7 (raising well over $4000 for Genocide Intervention Network), and Burma in 2007-8 (raising well over $2000 for a clinic to aid victims of Cyclone Nargis). We also participate in UNICEF's Trick-o-Treat for children's health, and program events like the Amnesty International Film Festival in 2004, and Human Rights Awareness Week (HuRAW) each year since 2007.

We encourage anyone with an interest or passion for human rights to attend our meetings.

Below is our constitution as registered with UCSD's Center for Student Involvement Office.

Constitution of Amnesty International at UCSD

Purpose: Amnesty International is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that seeks to educate the UCSD and San Diego community about international human rights issues worldwide.

ARTICLE I

Section 1: Official Title
The title of this student organization shall be Amnesty International at UCSD. Any reference herein of “Amnesty” or “AI” are acceptable forms of address in this constitution, as well as in any dialogue.

Section 2: Purpose
The purpose of this association is to educate the UCSD community of human rights violations taking place around the world. These “human rights” are described in full detail in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as agreed upon by the United Nations.

Section 3: Action
Through the process of applying domestic and international pressure via letter writing, publicity campaigns, and other methods that encourage the implementation of the Universal Declaration provisions, Amnesty works towards the establishment of the mandate of Amnesty International.  Through communication and cooperation with the society at UCSD, Amnesty works to abolish violations of human rights for all, regardless of ethnicity, sex, religion, color, or sexual preference.

ARTICLE II

Section I: Collective Operation of Amnesty International at UCSD
A. Amnesty shall function non-hierarchically and make decisions by consensus.
B. General members shall be an active part of the collective.
C. Only the members of the principle members group shall make administrative decisions, which affect the collective group.

Section II: Core Membership
A. Core members must be registered undergraduate students for purposes of funding.
B. Core members must be continuously familiar with all general information about Amnesty International, such as the mandate and purposes of the organization.
C. Core members must make a valiant effort to attend as many general meetings as possible.

Section III: Permanent Positions
A. All positions will be year long appointments beginning Fall Quarter.
B. Contact Coordinator name is used as the contact person for all outside Amnesty International groups and for UCSD administration.
C. Contact Coordinator must act as a liaison to local non-governmental organizations and other Amnesty International chapters in San Diego.