Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Federal Court Orders U.S. to Abandon ‘Remain in Mexico’ Plan
A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” plan, temporarily blocking the policy. Also known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, this plan forces asylum-seekers who have reached the US from Mexico to stay in Mexico while their claims are reviewed and decided, which could take months or years.
April 8, 2019
Update
Amnesty International USA urges President Trump to raise human rights concerns in Egypt
April 8, 2019 President Donald J. Trump 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington DC 20500 Re: Amnesty International urges President Trump to raise human rights concerns in meeting with Egyptian President Abdelfatah al-Sisi on April 9th, 2019 Dear President Trump, On behalf of Amnesty International USA (“AIUSA”), and Amnesty International’s more than seven million members and supporters worldwide, I am writing to urge you and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to raise the following human rights issues during Tuesday’s visit of Egyptian President Abdelfatah al-Sisi. At a time when the Department of State’s Human Rights report has documented increasing…
April 8, 2019
Press Release
Libya: Civilian lives must be protected as clashes escalate in Tripoli offensive
Fears of further civilian bloodshed are growing as clashes on the outskirts of Tripoli, between forces from the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army, under General Khalifa Haftar’s command, and militias aligned with Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Accord escalate.
April 8, 2019
Press Release
Egypt: Crackdown against peaceful critics set to worsen if constitutional amendments are passed
Egypt’s authorities must end their crackdown against critics who oppose amendments to the Egyptian constitution, proposed by members of parliament, that will strengthen impunity for human rights violations. Many of those who have criticized the changes have been arrested or publicly vilified in the media.
April 8, 2019
Press Release
AFRICOM Civilian Casualties Reporting Must Be Amended
Responding to a press release by the U.S. Africa Command acknowledging an April 1, 2018 airstrike killed two civilians, Daphne Eviatar, the director of Security With Human Rights at Amnesty International USA stated: “AFRICOM’s acknowledgement of civilian casualties is an important step forward from their previous denials of any civilian deaths or injuries from US air strikes in Somalia. “But this is only a first step. We still need new investigation procedures and all cases of civilian casualties we have documented re-investigated. “The family and community members of victims of these and other strikes who have had neither communication nor support from AFRICOM…
April 5, 2019
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Media Award Winners Announced
The winners for the Amnesty International USA Media Awards were announced last night at an awards ceremony in New York City. Peabody Award-winning actor, comedian, producer and author Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show, Years of Living Dangerously, Halal in the Family) hosted the event that recognized excellence in human rights reporting in U.S.-based media. “The vilification of a free press is one of the first symptoms of overreach from governments who have reason to fear the truth,” said Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA. “With rising numbers of journalists’ arrests and assassinations, it is crucial, now more than…
April 4, 2019
Press Release
The 24th Annual ‘Get on the Bus’ Event Draws Hundreds of Human Rights Activists to NYC
On Friday, April 5th, human rights activists of all ages will travel to New York City to participate in Amnesty International USA’s 24th annual "Get on the Bus for Human Rights" event, a day of human rights education and activism.
April 3, 2019
Press Release
Brunei Darussalam must immediately halt plans to introduce stoning and other vicious punishments
Responding to the news that Brunei Darussalam has today finalised the implementation of a new Shariah Penal Code that introduces cruel punishments such as death by stoning for same-sex sexual acts and amputation for robbery, Stephen Cockburn, Deputy Director of Global Issues at Amnesty International, said:
April 3, 2019
Press Release
Saudi Arabia: Six months after the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi, there remains ‘no real signs of justice’
Marking six months since the shocking murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Samah Hadid, Amnesty International’s Middle East Director of Campaigns, said:
April 2, 2019
Update
Amnesty International USA Statement on Gun Violence, Extreme Risk Protection Order and Guidelines for State Action
March 28, 2019 The Honorable Lindsey Graham Chairman Committee on the Judiciary 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Dianne Feinstein Ranking Member Committee on the Judiciary 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Re: Amnesty International USA Statement on Red Flag Laws: Examining Guidelines for State Action Dear Chairman Graham, Ranking Member Feinstein and Members of the Committee: Amnesty International USA (“AIUSA”) respectfully submits this statement for the record in connection with the March 26th hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary. On behalf of AIUSA’s more than one million members…
April 1, 2019
Press Release
Russia: Two years after Chechnya’s ‘gay purge’, victims still seek justice as LGBTI defender receives death threats
Two years after the violent ‘gay purge’ in Chechnya, Russian authorities have failed to provide justice for the victims, Amnesty International said today.
April 1, 2019
Press Release
Congress Must Reject Inhumane DHS Policy Proposals
Responding to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s letter to Congress, Charanya Krishnaswami, Americas Advocacy Director at Amnesty International USA stated: “Secretary Nielsen is ready to exploit the vulnerable situations of families in order to send a loud message to the world that refugees are not welcome in America. “The US must live up to its promise and implement humane policies that do not unnecessarily detain people seeking safety and protection. “The DHS’s argument that treating asylum seekers humanely fuels migration is a blatant lie meant to curb the basic rights of those fleeing violence and persecution in their…
March 29, 2019