USC Amnesty International

Upcoming Campaign--Saudi Arabia

Next year's Amnesty International campaign will be on Saudi Arabia - to start in February 2000
This country does not have a constitution rather yet they abide by 'Islamic Laws'
They are second in giving aid to the world (after U.S.A.)
The relationship with U.S. buying arms from the U.S., which is beneficial to both countries

· There is no legal assistance available in Saudi Arabia
· All court hearings are held in private
· The number of executions are high--one day 63 people were executed!
· Political and religious opponents can be tortured
· There are no human rights organization besides Amnesty International involved with Saudi Arabia

· To establish dialog with the Saudi government
· Educate Saudi Government on International Human Rights Standards
· Limit transport of electroshock equipment to Saudi Police and Military
· Approach U.S. companies doing business with Saudi Arabia regarding the codes of contact
· Most importantly-- NOT to target Islam

· Student Activities Coordinators (SAC) are VERY RESOURCEFUL!
· About Faculty advisors: Students will come and go, but faculty advisors can act as glue between them every year
· About Recruitment:
- - CRUCIAL!
- - Attract younger classes and give them lots of responsibilities
- - Music and Food - make letter writing more fun!
- - Use "Incite Hope" video, "Raise the Roof" video
- Look at your community and target what interest them.
· About Networking: Important to make connections with other amnesty groups and different groups whose involvement with AI can make both groups work together
· Fundraising: Bake sales - It is the simple things that work!
· Publicity:
- - Do press releases
- - Public Service Announcements are FREE

STRATEGIZING- Structures for planning an event like the Saudi Arabia Campaign. This is an example of how to plan for an event:

GOAL: Release Chen Yabin (Intermediate goal is raising awareness).
RESOURCES: Focus on the skills and contacts people have. THINK "What can we use that we already have?"
TACTICS: events, media - this includes Legislative Works and letter writing.
DELEGATE: give jobs but do not overwhelm anyone. Make it- reasonable, specific, & have a time-limit
EVALUATE