About Prisoners of Conscience
Originally established in 1962 as the relief arm of Amnesty International, Prisoners of Conscience Appeal Fund is a separate charity and the only organisation in the UK offering grants specifically to prisoners of conscience; individuals who have been persecuted for their conscientiously-held beliefs, provided they have not used or advocated violence. Our aim is to raise and distribute money to help prisoners of conscience and their families rehabilitate themselves during and after their ordeal. Relief grants are awarded for a variety of purposes including general hardship relief, medical costs, family reunion, travel and resettlement costs and education and training costs. Bursary grants are available to help eligible individuals with larger educational grants specifically for post-graduate and professional conversion courses in the UK. In addition to helping people living in the UK who have fled persecution in their home countries we also provide assistance to prisoners of conscience in countries such as Burma, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Tibet and Iran. Our relief grants are modest, up to £350 for an individual and £500 for a family, but they can provide a lifeline in a time of crisis.