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Update
Amnesty International Statement for Hearing on “Crushing Dissent: The Ongoing Crisis in Nicaragua”
For PDF version, click here: 06.10.2019 Amnesty International Statement for WHEM Subcommittee Hearing on Nicaragua June 10, 2019 Rep. Albio Sires Chair  Rep. Francis Rooney Ranking Member  House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade Re: Amnesty International Statement for Hearing on “Crushing Dissent: The Ongoing Crisis in Nicaragua” On behalf of Amnesty International USA and our over two million members and supporters in the United States, we hereby submit this statement for the record. Amnesty International is an international human rights organization with national and regional offices in more than…
June 10, 2019
Press Release
Despicable killings of civilians in Mali must be investigated
Following the reported unlawful killings of nearly 100 people in an attack on a village in central Mali, Marie-Evelyne Petrus Barry, Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa director said: “This despicable killing of civilians in Mali is the latest episode of a spiral of violence which hit the country. It shows a total and utter contempt for human life. The growing unrest and subsequent violence reported in the center of the country are characterized by killings, enforced disappearances and burning of villages, on an appalling scale.  “The authorities should immediately investigate these unlawful killings and bring those responsible to justice.…
June 10, 2019
Press Release
Russia: Titiev’s parole a welcome step but not justice
Responding to news that Shali City Court in Chechnya has granted parole to the imprisoned human rights defender Oyub Titiev after almost one-and-a-half years behind bars, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia said: “We have been calling for Oyub Titiev’s immediate and unconditional release since his detention. The real agenda behind his criminal prosecution on trumped up charges was to stop a human rights defender from doing his lawful human rights work. “In spite of overwhelming evidence that the case against him had been fabricated, the authorities in Chechnya crudely abused the justice system to convict an innocent man.…
June 10, 2019
Press Release
Climate activists Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future movement honored with top Amnesty International award
Climate change activist Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future movement of school-children have been honored with Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2019, the human rights organization announced today. “The Ambassador of Conscience Award is Amnesty International’s highest honor, celebrating people who have shown unique leadership and courage in standing up for human rights. I can think of no better recipients this year than Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future climate strike movement,” said Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of Amnesty International. “We are humbled and inspired by the determination with which youth activists across the world are…
June 7, 2019
Press Release
Court ruling a huge step forward for same-sex equality
In response to the Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal ruling on Thursday that the government’s refusal to grant same-sex couples access to spousal employment benefits is unlawful, Man-kei Tam, Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong, said the following.
June 6, 2019
Press Release
Sudan: Remove Rapid Support Forces from Khartoum streets immediately
Following the suspension of Sudan from the African Union after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led the horrific slaughter of more than 100 peaceful protestors over the past three days, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Kumi Naidoo said: “The Transitional Military Council of Sudan must immediately withdraw all members of the Rapid Support Forces from policing and law enforcement anywhere in Sudan and especially in Khartoum. They must be ordered off the streets and confined to their barracks in the interests of public safety. “What we have witnessed in the past three days is horrific and barbaric. The senseless killing of protestors must…
June 6, 2019
Press Release
Reported Cuts to Essential Services for Unaccompanied Children in Federal Shelters are “Unconscionable”
The Trump Administration reportedly will suspend English classes, legal aid, and recreational programs to migrant and asylum-seeking children detained in federally-run detention centers.
June 5, 2019
Press Release
International community should impose sanctions in Sudan on transitional authorities
Amnesty International today called on the international community to consider all forms of peaceful pressure, including targeted sanctions, on those members of the Sudanese transitional authorities responsible for this morning’s violent attack on sleeping protesters.
June 3, 2019
Press Release
AIUSA statement on proposed State Department human rights panel
The following quote was issued in response to inquiries on the reported "Commission on Unalienable Rights" to be convened at the State Department: "Since President Trump took office, his administration has actively worked to take away long-standing human rights protections for women, LGBTI people, and others," said Tarah Demant, director of the Gender, Sexuality, and Identity program at Amnesty International USA. "If the Administration truly wants to engage in a meaningful dialogue about respecting human rights, then we are happy to have that discussion. But the fact that this panel was announced without details or consultation with human rights experts suggests that this may be just another instrument to…
May 31, 2019
Press Release
U.S.-led Coalition admission of 1,300 civilian deaths in Iraq and Syria
Responding to today’s announcement by the U.S.-led Coalition that at least 1,302 civilians have been unintentionally killed by Coalition strikes in Syria and Iraq between August 2014 and the end of April 2019, Amnesty International’s Senior Crisis Response Adviser Donatella Rovera said: “While all admissions of responsibility by the U.S.-led Coalition for civilian casualties are welcome, the Coalition remains deeply in denial about the devastating scale of the civilian casualties caused by their operations in both Iraq and Syria. “A comprehensive investigation by Amnesty International in partnership with Airwars, launched last month, revealed that more than 1,600 civilians were killed…
May 31, 2019
Press Release
Trump Administration May Block Asylum to Central Americans
The Trump administration is reportedly considering barring anyone who transits through a third country from seeking asylum at the US southern border. Such a policy would effectively block anyone other than Mexicans and Canadians from seeking asylum in the United States. In response, Charanya Krishnaswami, Advocacy Director for the Americas at Amnesty International USA, made the following statement:
May 30, 2019
Press Release
New Hampshire Repeals the Death Penalty
Reacting to news that the New Hampshire legislature has voted to repeal the death penalty, Kristina Roth, Senior Program Officer at Amnesty International USA stated:
May 30, 2019