The Permanent Peoples' Tribunal is an international human rights organization founded in Bologna, Italy, on June 24, 1979, at the initiative of Senator Lelio Basso. It was formed at the final session of the Russell Tribunal as a vehicle to condemn the brutality of Latin American dictatorships. The court is composed of a president, four vice-presidents, a secretary general and 66 international members. Since its establishment, the Tribunal has held 46 sessions dealing with numerous cases of human rights violations in many countries.