Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Russia Must Not Backslide on Human Rights
Frank Jannuzi, Amnesty International USA deputy executive director, issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama canceling his summit with President Vladimir Putin.
August 7, 2013
Press Release
U.S. Focus Must Shift from Snowden to Surveillance Programs
Russia's decision to grant Edward Snowden temporary asylum is a positive development and should allow governments and civil society to focus on the sweeping nature and unlawfulness of the U.S. government’s surveillance programs.
August 1, 2013
Press Release
Russian Court Leaves Pussy Riot Singer Behind Bars
A Russian appeal court decision to refuse parole to Maria Alekhina, one of the Pussy Riot punk group singers jailed for singing a protest song in an Orthodox cathedral, is a further travesty of justice, Amnesty International said today.
July 24, 2013
Press Release
Adele, Yoko Ono, U2, Madonna, Radiohead, Ke$ha, Sir Paul McCartney Unite with More Than 100 Musicians to Call for Release of Pussy Riot
More than 100 musicians have joined a call for the release of the two jailed members of the Russian feminist punk group Pussy Riot ahead of their parole appeal hearings.
July 22, 2013
Report
Approaching the 2014 Sochi Olympics: Human Rights in Russia
As the 2014 Sochi Olympics approach, the space for human rights in the Russian Federation is rapidly shrinking.
July 19, 2013
Report
Annual Report: Ukraine 2013
Ukraine Head of state Viktor Yanukovich Head of government Mykola Azarov Torture and other ill-treatment remained widespread, and impunity for such acts continued. Failings in the criminal justice system led to lengthy periods of pre-trial detention, and a lack of safeguards for detainees. Refugees and asylum-seekers risked detention and forcible return to countries where they faced human rights violations. The rights of LGBTI individuals were at risk. Torture and other ill-treatment There were continuing reports of torture and other ill-treatment in police detention. In a report on a visit to Ukraine in 2011, published in November, the Council of Europe…
May 29, 2013
Report
Annual Report: Russian Federation 2013
RUSSIAN FEDERATION Head of state Vladimir Putin (replaced Dmitry Medvedev) Head of government Dmitry Medvedev (replaced Vladimir Putin) Increasing peaceful political protest was met with repression. New laws restricting the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association were introduced. Human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers continued to face harassment, while investigations into violent attacks were ineffective. Torture and other ill-treatment remained widespread, and were seldom effectively prosecuted. Trials did not meet international standards of fairness, and the number of apparently politically motivated decisions grew. Insecurity and volatility in the North Caucasus persisted, and security operations launched in response were…
May 23, 2013
Report
Nothing To Be Proud Of: Discrimination Against LGBTI People In Ukraine
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people in Ukraine continue to face discrimination, and many are targeted for violence and abuse by public officials and members of the public. International and European human rights law prohibits discrimination - when someone is treated differently, in law or in practice, in a way that impairs or nullifies the enjoyment of their rights - because of a characteristic such as ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. These characteristics are described as 'prohibited grounds for discrimination' under international law. Ukraine is failing to protect the basic rights of LGBTI people such…
May 20, 2013
Report
Freedom under threat: The clampdown against freedoms of expression, assembly and association in Russia
One year after Vladimir Putin's third inauguration as Russia's President, the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly have come under increasing attack.
April 24, 2013
Report
Ukraine: Don’t stop halfway. Government must use new Criminal Procedure Code to end torture.
The Ukrainian authorities must seize the current political opportunity to stop the high level of torture and other ill treatment being carried out by its police force by creating a genuinely independent, impartial and effective institution to investigate complaints against the police.
April 15, 2013
Press Release
Russian Authorities Must Ensure that Lawyers in the North Caucasus are Protected and Free to Defend their Clients Without Fear
Lawyers are often the last line of defense for those facing torture and unfair trial in the North Caucasus and elsewhere in Russia, yet they themselves often come under attack in connection with their work, Amnesty International said in a report published Wednesday.
March 20, 2013
Press Release
Russian Embassy Rejects Amnesty International’s Global Solidarity Map on First Anniversary of Pussy Riot’s Arrest
Amnesty International attempted to deliver the Free Pussy Riot World Map to the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. today. Russian officials refused to accept it.
March 4, 2013