The writer can look back fondly on the many occasions sitting down with fellow students and sending postcards addressed to foreign dictators asking for the release of various political prisoners.

Until recently, Amnesty International Ireland actively and indeed often effectively campaigned for the release of prisoners of conscience, the right to freedom of expression, the abolition of the death penalty and torture and to put a stop to various political crimes. This was the original goal of Amnesty International, as set out by its founders British lawyer Mr. Peter Benenson and Irishman Mr. Sean McBride.

Amnesty International Ireland calls itself an INGO (an International Non-Governmental Organisation) that protects human rights in accordance with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. This is in fact included in its Memorandum of Association that is filed with the Companies Office. 

However, this is no longer the case; the defence of political prisoners is no longer fashionable it seems and the death penalty is really no longer a great concern for them.

However Amnesty International, and in particular Amnesty International Ireland, is now the plaything of wealthy, international donors who dictate its agenda and future plans.

While Amnesty International Ireland may re-tweet or re-hash many of the International organisation’s campaigns, it has very little input to these campaigns and only pay lip service when they re-tweet them. This is despite the fact that they rely on such atrocious situations such as the horrendous human rights situation in Syria to obtain more donations. 

Amnesty International is no longer a true human rights group.  

In 2015 65.79% of Amnesty Ireland Income was spent on salaries and pensions alone. If you include directors fees this ration rises to 69.8%. At the same time its social policy mirrors, one must assume not coincidentally, that of their wealthy American benefactors. 

The question is who defends these prisoners of conscience? Who will defend these people on death row? And, who will be there to protest the genocides of various dictators.

It certainly will not be Amnesty International Ireland!