KUALA LUMPUR (July 4): AirAsia Bhd's founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes is joining Amnesty International's Global Council, which aims to raise public support and financial resources for the organisation's expansion in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

"I joined Amnesty International when I was 13. Being a member taught me the importance of human rights to human dignity.

"I am therefore honoured to be able to give back to Amnesty International as part of its Global Council, and I look forward to creating awareness and driving engagement in Asia, particularly among Asean youth," said Fernandes in a statement today.

Besides founding AirAsia, Fernandes is also the co-founder of Tune Group, and was placed among TIME Magazine's TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world.

Amnesty International secretary general Salil Shetty said it was an honour to welcome Fernandes and his entrepreneurial spirit and creativity to the Global Council.

"Having such a notable business figure from Asia on the council will boost the visibility of Amnesty International and the human rights issues we focus on in Asia and around the world.

"As a new member of the Global Council, Fernandes will join world-renowned Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, Japanese artist Yoko Ono, financer and philanthropist Krishna Rao, social activist Hadeel Ibrahim and businessman Bassim Haidar," she said.