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Responding to the decision of a Turkish first instance appeals court to uphold the conviction of journalists and executives from the Cumhuriyet newspaper, Amnesty International’s Turkey Strategy and Research Manager, Andrew Gardner said: “Today’s ruling to send the former Cumhuriyet staff back to prison exposes yet again the way in which politically motivated trials and unsound court decisions are simply rubber stamped by an equally biased appeals process. “The prosecution of scores of journalists and other media workers is an ongoing affront to press freedom and to justice. By using the courts to increase their stranglehold on the media, the authorities have once again displayed the ugly side of…

February 19, 2019

Report

Individuals born with sex characteristics that vary from female or male “norms” face barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare, risking lifelong physical and psychological damage, Amnesty International said today. In a new report, “No Shame in Diversity”, the organization uses case studies in Iceland to show how the lack of rights-based healthcare protocols mean that people born with variations of sex characteristics – who sometimes describe themselves as ‘intersex’ - face stigma and discrimination and are often subjected to harmful surgery.  

February 18, 2019

Press Release

The first Amnesty International USA Press Freedom Award recognizing extraordinary courage and dedication to speaking truth to power through journalism will honor late Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. The award will be presented at the Amnesty International USA Media Awards on April 3. “Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared while making preparations for his wedding, had everything to live for. He knew the risks of speaking out against the Saudi government but he continued his work because he believed fervently in speaking out on behalf of those who could not under the kingdom’s draconian laws,” said Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty…

February 18, 2019

Press Release

Responding to Instagram’s statement that it did not remove an account featuring web comics about being gay in Indonesia, after Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication claimed that the company had done so at the government’s request, Amnesty International Indonesia’s Executive Director, Usman Hamid, said: “By falsely boasting of Instagram’s removal of a harmless account at their demand, the government has misled the public to sow fear among LGBTI people. This is just the latest example of state-sponsored homophobia in Indonesia.  “At a time when LGBTI people in the country face routine repression, harassment and public humiliation from government spokespeople, from security…

February 14, 2019

Press Release

Responding to the arrest warrant served to Maria Ressa at the Rappler offices today on charges of ‘cyber libel’, Amnesty International Philippines Section Director, Butch Olano, said: “Just days after the National Bureau of Investigation announced that it will indict Maria Ressa for cyber libel, a warrant for her arrest was served today. Amnesty International Philippines condemns the arrest based on a trumped-up libel charge. This is brazenly politically motivated, and consistent with the authorities’ threats and repeated targeting of Ressa and her team. Authorities should end this harassment, drop the charges, and repeal this repressive law. “In a country…

February 13, 2019

Press Release

Responding to the decision by Instagram to take down an account featuring comic strips about the life of a Muslim man, at the Indonesian government’s request, Amnesty International Indonesia’s Executive Director Usman Hamid said: “By complying with the government’s request to remove this account, Instagram has caved to the growing repression of LGBTI people in Indonesia. This account did not publish pornography, as the government claims. It did nothing other than publish harmless illustrations featuring a character’s daily life, including references to his sexual orientation. “At a time when Indonesian people face hateful homophobic rhetoric and discrimination, Instagram has failed…

February 13, 2019

Press Release

Myanmar security forces have shelled villages and blocked civilians from accessing food and humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State, Amnesty International said today, amid a crackdown since armed attacks by the Arakan Army in early January. Security forces have also used vague and repressive laws to detain civilians in the area.

February 10, 2019

Update

To view PDF version, click here:  AIUSA_AIHU_SecPompeo_Hungary_2019_02_08 February 8, 2019 Re: Amnesty International USA urges Secretary Pompeo to publically raise human rights in Hungary   Dear Secretary Pompeo: We write to you as the leaders of Amnesty International USA and Amnesty International Hungary regarding your upcoming trip to Budapest. Under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the government of Hungary has undertaken a raft of efforts, both formal and informal, to stifle civil society and monopolize control over the media. We urge you to publicly draw attention to the Hungarian government’s erosion of fundamental rights and freedoms. Over the past two years,…

February 8, 2019

Update

To view PDF version, click here: Amnesty Statement - House Judiciary Family Separation Hearing (12 Feb 2019) February 7, 2019   Rep. Jerrold Nadler Rep. Doug Collins Chair Ranking Member House Judiciary Committee House Judiciary Committee   Re: Oversight Hearing on Family Separation Policy   Dear Chairman Nadler, Ranking Member Collins, and Members of the Committee:   On behalf of Amnesty International[1] and our more than 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 70 countries,…

February 8, 2019

Update

Letter to Congress in Support of the UIGHUR Act To view PDF click here: AIUSA Letter to Congress in Support of the UIGHUR Act February 7, 2019 Amnesty International urges the House and Senate to swiftly pass H.R.1025 the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response (UIGHUR) Act   Dear Members of Congress: On behalf of Amnesty International and our more than seven million members and supporters worldwide, we urge you to pass H.R.1025, the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response (UIGHUR) Act. Up to one million Uighurs and other ethnic minorities are being arbitrarily detained in these so-called “re-education…

February 7, 2019

Update

PDF version: Human Rights on Capitol Hill February Human Rights on Capitol Hill published by Amnesty International USA  February 7, 2019  In this edition of Human Rights on Capitol Hill: 1) Congress Must Not Fund the President’s Border Wall, Increase Border Militarization or Expand Immigration Detention Beds 2) Amnesty International Delegation Documents Effects of Remain in Mexico on Asylum Seekers 3) Saudi Arabia and Yemen - Congress Must Halt Weapons Sales to the Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. Coalition 4) Nigeria – Congress Must Halt Funding for Security Forces That Fired on Unarmed Demonstrators 5) Guantanamo Bay – Amnesty International Calls on…

February 7, 2019

Press Release

In response to reports that the US government has decided to cut security and military aid to Cameroon amid concerns over its human rights record, Adotei Akwei, deputy director for advocacy and government relations for Amnesty International USA issued the following: "Cameroonian security forces have indiscriminately killed, arrested, and tortured people, firing on crowds, displacing thousands of civilians, and destroying entire villages with impunity. These abuses continue, following the presidential elections that took place in October that returned 36-year-incumbent Paul Biya to power. "The United States must continue to show that it takes human rights violations committed with its aid…

February 6, 2019