Anger over big payoffs for bosses at ‘toxic’ Amnesty

Kumi Naidoo, the organisation’s new head, led a review after two employees killed themselves
Kumi Naidoo, the organisation’s new head, led a review after two employees killed themselves
OZAN KOSE/GETTY IMAGES

Amnesty International, the human rights champion, is culling its senior management team after staff suicides and internal discontent led to it being labelled a toxic workplace.

Five of the seven members of the senior leadership team at Amnesty’s international secretariat are leaving the organisation after a review by Kumi Naidoo, its new secretary-general.

There is anger that the five are due to receive “generous” redundancy payments while up to 100 other Amnesty workers are losing their jobs amid a financial crisis in the organisation.

One insider said: “People who work for Amnesty are very committed, very dedicated, we’re really worried about what’s happening and what the organisation will become.” Mr Naidoo, who needs to plug a £17 million hole in the organisation’s budget, is believed