The main focus of this article is the evolving role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the United Nations (UN). It is striking that, although 70 years have passed since the UN was created, intergovernmentalism continues to represent an obstacle, if not an opposition, to the more active role of NGOs in the UN system. This is especially the case when human rights issues are discussed. Amnesty International (AI) serves as a case study for this article because it is arguably the most influential NGO committed to protecting human rights. Since 1964, it has enjoyed consultation status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) in which it actively promotes human rights as an important topic in the work of the UN. In this respect, the article discusses the work of AI within the UN to illustrate the potential of NGOs in (co)operating with and within the UN. It assesses the impact of AI in terms of both contributing to setting the standards of human rights law and monitoring their implementation, but also in terms of its ability to call for action when human rights are being violated. Finally, the article evaluates the role of AI as an actor in the process of the UN's institutional development.
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