A global human rights organisation has drawn the ire of North Londoners by bidding to host live music events and serve alcohol at its national headquarters.
By Josef Steen, Local Democracy Reporter
A global human rights organisation has drawn the ire of North Londoners by bidding to host live music events and serve alcohol at its national headquarters.
Amnesty International’s London office is based at Peter Benenson House in Islington and mainly functions as a research base for the non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The organisation has put in to serve alcohol between 5pm and 10pm every day at its Easton Street HQ as it hosts film screenings, public talks, fundraisers and other events “linked to [its] human rights work.”
However, the NGO says it does not plan to serve alcohol at the majority of events, which will typically be talks, workshops and campaign discussions.
In a letter to local residents, Amnesty said: “Our mission is to ensure that everyone can live with freedom, dignity, and justice. […] Our aim is for our presence to be a positive and respectful addition to the local community, and we are always open to feedback or questions from residents about our activities,” the group said.
But some neighbours are have not been assured, and argue that the licence application, if granted, will “hurt the very people [Amnesty] looks to represent”.
One resident, who kept their name anonymous, said Amnesty International’s office had long “loomed over” their garden but they never much cared about it until this threat of another “venue space” attracting noisy drunk people.
“The balance of office space and residential housing […] will be completely eradicated,” they said.
Other residents were less charitable: “Amnesty International are a nuisance. Since June, two floors have had their lights on permanently 24/7. So if they cannot sort the lights […] having a licence for alcohol, music etc will be a nightmare”.
Another neighbour called on the council to organise a public meeting between the NGO and local residents to discuss the bid.
Amnesty International UK describes itself as “part of a global movement of over 10 million people working to protect and promote human rights wherever they are denied”.
