Amnesty accused of breaching 'rights of its own staff'

Amnesty International is breaching the 'rights' of its own employees and is no longer a 'credible human rights organisation', one of the union members at the firm has said.

Union members at Amnesty International UK called on their leaders to stand down, specifically calling for the resignation of director Kate Allen.

A Unite union official, Alan Scott said that Amnesty was 'one of the most mendacious employers' he has ever know.

"Amnesty International cannot be an effective or credible human rights organisation if it does not respect the rights of its workers," the Independent quoted the official, as saying.

Employees of Amnesty International UK first launched a protest in September over plans to implement cost cuts of 2.5 million pounds to balance next year's budget, the Telegraph reports.

Union members at the agency argue that this will cause job losses and is not necessary.

"There is no financial crisis – the UK section has posted two per cent year-on-year growth against the background of a global recession," the paper quoted Scott, as saying.

"Amnesty UK's income has continued to grow, which is unusual in this sector especially in the midst of one of the worst recessions ever," he added.

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