A NEW North-East branch of Amnesty International has been set up.

The inaugural meeting of Amnesty Teesside took place at Stockton’s Unitarian Church last night (Wednesday, February 13).

It is believed to be the first branch of the international human rights organisation to have been set up in the Teesside area.

The group aims to attract the support of the local community in working to fight human rights violations across the globe.

They will operate in line with Amnesty International’s statement of purpose, which describes the organisation as ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights and says: “Our purpose is to protect individuals wherever justice, fairness, freedom and truth are denied.”

Amnesty Teesside will meet on a monthly basis. Members will work to support the organisation’s campaigns and a variety of speakers will be invited to give an insight into human rights issues.

The next meeting will take place at the Unitarian Church on Wellington Street in Stockton on Wednesday March 13 from 7.15pm. All are welcome.  For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/amnestyteesside.