Amnesty International

Amnesty is an act of forgiveness for a past transgression. It is also the namesake of global human rights organization Amnesty International (AI), which has fought to end abuses of human rights and demanded justice for its victims for nearly 50 years.

"It's a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that helps individuals at risk around the world," said DeAnnah Kleitz-Singleton, a junior theater performance major who grew up in Naples, Italy. Kleitz-Singleton is co-president of the USM student chapter of Amnesty International. "It's a grassroots organization that focuses on people. We're people helping people."

Every semester the students of AI pick two issues to focus on - one international and one local.  Once the students vote on which issues they would like to focus on, the planning and organization begins, culminating into a big event at the end of the semester.

This year, AI has hit the ground running; on Friday several local bands collaborated to perform a concert to raise awareness about the lasting impact of Hurricane Katrina. AI is also considering making housing rights their local project this semester to commemorate the five-year anniversary of Katrina.

"There was a population surge of 20,000 people [in Hattiesburg] after Katrina that have not been documented," said Kleitz-Singleton. "The city doesn't have the means to accommodate those people. But hopefully with the Census we'll be able to get better roads and things like that."

Internationally, AI of Southern Miss is considering projects concerning the privatization of water, women's rights, the death penalty and genocide in Burma. One particular focus area is a program called Demand Dignity, which promotes equality for everyone regardless of income level. AI also plans to increase education and outreach efforts and encourage other students to get involved in human rights.

"We want to let people know these issues are out there," said Kleitz-Singleton.  "We as students definitely have a voice and the power to create change."

However, the recent announcement of the termination of professor Daniel Capper, religion professor and student advisor for AI, presents a new set of challenges for the group. Although members want to keep AI on campus, many feel it would not be the same without Capper.

"He's at every meeting," said Dylan Harris, a junior religion major from Hickory, Miss. "He started the group himself. It would be hard to fill his shoes."

"Capper has been the backbone of USM's Amnesty group for the past ten years," said Kimberly Chesteen, a junior biology major from Byram, Miss., and public relations coordinator and treasurer for AI of Southern Miss. "He is personally involved and knowledgeable about human rights issues worldwide, in addition to his continual positive attitude."

Despite his termination, members have intentions to keep AI alive.

"It is too strong to stop," said Harris.

According to their website, Amnesty International was born in 1961 after British lawyer Peter Benenson read a newspaper article about two Portuguese students who were imprisoned after they toasted to freedom with glasses of wine in hand.  Benenson launched a global campaign called Appeal for Amnesty 1961, and in July of that year a committee of delegates from Europe and the United States decided to establish "a permanent international movement in defence of freedom of opinion and religion," or Amnesty International.  On human rights day, December 10, of that year, the first Amnesty candle was lit in a church in London.

Since that time, Amnesty International has gained approximately 2.2 million supporters in over 150 countries, freed hundreds of wrongly accused prisoners and started several movements, including The Campaign to Save Darfur in 2007 and the Stop Violence Against Women campaign in 2004.

Amnesty International has weekly meetings on Thursday at 12:15 in LAB 106.  Students can also check out www.amnesty.org for more info.