Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book shows representatives of European humanitarian organisations discussing possible ways in which to assist political prisoners of the Brazilian dictatorial regime. The Brazilian dictatorial regime relied mainly on the United States (US) for military aid and financial assistance. The US government, through specific aid programmes, assisted the Brazilian security forces on a continuing basis throughout the dictatorship. The book presents the history of Amnesty International's foundation in 1961 and aims to understand Amnesty’s modus operandi, its strategies, and its methods. It provides a background on the Brazilian dictatorship, outlines its social and political context, and identifies who constituted the opposition forces to the dictatorial regime. The book discusses the organisation’s assistance to Brazilian political prisoners, many of whom had previously belonged to armed groups.