In message "Phil Zimmermann/Amnesty International?", rrothenb@ic.sunysb.edu writes:

...

I was wondering if the Zimmermann case would be a proper concern of Amnesty International. [snip]

I've heard that A.I. does not discuss political persecution as much in the countries that are doing it, since they do not want to offend the powers-that-be in that country, though they will note a case in another country. (In other words, if A.I. did note the PRZ case they'd only discuss it outside the United States.)

This is just speculation though...

You're right on the speculation; A.I. has no such policy. As a matter of fact, they will meet face to face with government officials to seek the release of 'prisoners of conscious' - which is a possible category for Phil Z. Though Phil, despite what we may think, is not a prisoner, yet..