Amnesty International, a worldwide organization designed to promote human rights, is coming to the University of Denver.

The new club is still in the first stages of formation and is looking for both student and faculty support, but the current members are excited about the possibilities that the activist group can bring to campus.

“I think it is very important to raise awareness. There are human rights violations around the world and we can do something about it. It is we who can help suffering people around the world,” said junior Claudia Minoiu.

Minoiu recently worked for Amnesty International in Budapest on an anti-torture campaign.

“It was really neat to see the solidarity of the people,” said Minoiu.

According to its website, Amnesty International has four main focuses. These are to “free all prisoners of conscience, ensure fair and prompt trials for political prisoners, abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment of prisoners,” and to “end extrajudicial, executions and disappearances.”

Junior Noelle Brigden, one of the organizers of the club, said she is interested in campaigning against the death penalty. Other members expressed desire to raise awareness about the rights of women, children, environmental activists and Tibetans.

Brigden said that “when leaders are faced with a massive number of letters it applies pressure and opens an avenue of communication to the people with power.”

DU’s branch of Amnesty plans to use letter writing and special speakers to help promote the universal declaration of human rights set forth by the United Nations.

Dabin Dearth said she joined “to increase student awareness about issues other than frat parties.”

“I’d like to see a less apathetic student body,” said Dearth.

The current faculty sponsor is Glenn Fee, director of the Community Action Program.