Amnesty, Archives, Activism: Photojournalism and the Development of Human Rights Media Campaigns in Britain Since 1960s

Until recently, the inquiry into the history of human rights advocacy is still relatively new (Moyn 2014, p:1). However, historians had begun investigating beyond the 1940s and 1970s when international human rights ideals gained prominence (ibid). Amnesty was credited for introducing a new kind of activism based on political information and crafting effective pressure techniques. In a short period of time, Amnesty amassed a large number of members assembling in local districts. 'The political morality Amnesty displayed attracted huge numbers of followers. While rooted in social movements experiences, this political morality appealed so strongly to many activists because it resonated with their desire to forge a new, postrevolutionary form of civil activism' (Eckel 2013, p:192).

Who is the brain behind of Amnesty International?
Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International on Sunday, 28 May 1961, published a full-page article on Observer's weekend review titled: 'The Forgotten Prisoners'. This was the marking and formal launch of the 'Appeal for Amnesty, 1961'. The article circulated so much worldwide that it awakened the power of the public. Local groups with the same interests for fighting for "prisoners of conscience" began gathering. In September 1962, an international conference was held in Belgium, and Amnesty International was adopted. This was dubbed the of the largest and most successful "voluntary campaigning organisations of the post-war" (Buchanan 2002, p:577).

This proposal seeks to examine Amnesty International Campaigns' role during the British anti-colonialization era in the 1960s. Probing the use of photojournalism in amplifying its campaign when images were mostly black and white. Further exploring how the framing of these campaigns has influenced today's contemporary humanitarian communicationand marketing.