Last year, the Benenson Society was launched in Melbourne by Father Tony Kerin, Episcopal Vicar for Justice in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, the archdiocese said in a statement.

Named after Peter Benenson, the Catholic lawyer who founded Amnesty International, the society's aim is to provide its members, especially students, with the opportunity to be involved in the promotion of human rights by lobbying governments on behalf of prisoners of conscience, for the end of torture and the death penalty; and asserting the rights of all to basic freedoms.

It was founded by Fr Chris Middleton late in 2007 after Amnesty International widened its focus and adopted a pro abortion policy.

Those attending the launch were addressed by the Hon Clovis Alidor Mwamba, a member of parliament of the Democratic Republic of Congo (in exile).

Mr Mwamba gave an inspirational speech, describing his fight for human rights and the Rule of Law in the DRC, his imprisonment, death threats, his torture at the hands of government soldiers, offers of inducements and bribes to stop his fight for democratic rule, his escape and recent resettlement in Australia.

Fr Tony Kerin said, "The opportunity for students to advocate for human rights is a vital learning experience. They will quickly become aware of the influence and value of letter writing campaigns both for the encouragement it gives to political prisoners knowing that someone cares about them; and for the positive influence a number of letters can have on even the most ruthless of governments."