Mr. Speaker, this year, Amnesty International is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
This organization is dedicated to defending human rights around the world and today has 3 million members in more than 150 countries and territories on five continents.
During the first international meeting, delegates from Europe and the United States decided to found a permanent international movement in defence of freedom of opinion and religion. The organization's activities have expanded since then.
In 1977, Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for having contributed to securing the ground for freedom, for justice, and thereby also for peace in the world. Amnesty International also pushed for the creation of a permanent international criminal court, the principle of which was adopted by the United Nations in 1998.
I also want to commend the work done by the Amnesty International group at the Thérèse-Martin secondary school in Joliette to campaign for the repatriation of young Khadr. This agency's list of human rights initiatives is impressive and, by all accounts, the coming years will be just as busy.
The Bloc Québécois wishes Amnesty International a happy 50th anniversary.