Because many of the human rights violations which Amnesty International campaigns on are health related. Access to medical care may be denied to ailing prisoners or there may be other abuses of medical ethics. The rights of Health Professionals are often violated because they come under attack, as prominent members of the community expressing their political views. In situations of conflict, neutrality towards sufferers may be sufficient to warrant imprisonment or even torture. Personal experience gives a wider understanding of the health implications of violations of human rights.
Expertise is useful for applying research and other medical knowledge to campaign issues.
Credibility in the identification of the health implications of such violations, allows Amnesty International to carry out its work effectively. Education of the Health Professions in human rights as an important factor in Medical Practice requires concerned professional teachers. The Health Professionals' Group was set up in the mid 1970's with the aim of using the expertise of the Health Professions to help the work of Amnesty International. Today, over 1,500 Health Professionals form a Network in the UK and there are over 500 medical libraries which receive information and the newsletter. A Steering Group meets quarterly to plan policy and special actions, maintaining contact with Amnesty International Medical Networks worldwide.