Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Trump Continues to Sideline Human Rights in Remarks to UN
Responding to President Donald Trump’s remarks at the United Nations General Assembly, Margaret Huang, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, stated: “President Trump continues to attack human rights not only within his own country, but also within the UN system built specifically to protect and promote human rights. “The US should be building up, not tearing down, international mechanisms that hold governments accountable for their abuses. Though he mentioned transgressions by Iran, his actions chip away at institutions designed to guard against the most egregious human rights violations no matter what nation commits them. “This Administration continues to reject international…
September 25, 2018
Press Release
France: Criminal conviction for a tweet will have chilling effect on migrant rights defenders
Following the conviction of Loan Torondel, a human rights defender charged with defamation for a tweeted photograph of policemen standing over one of the many people systematically evicted from informal camps in Calais, Nicolas Krameyer, Programme Manager at Amnesty International France, said: “This is outrageous decision sets a dangerous precedent for anybody attempting to document the disproportionate use of force employed by the police in Calais and throughout the country. It will also have a chilling effect on the work of migrant rights defenders and leave migrants and refugees in an even more precarious situation. “This case highlights the harassment and intimidation of…
September 25, 2018
Press Release
UN: ‘Wanted for mass murder’ posters target Myanmar’s top general
“Wanted” pictures of Min Aung Hlaing, the Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar military who oversaw atrocities against the country's Rohingya population, were posted around New York overnight, as part of Amnesty International’s campaign for accountability in Myanmar. World leaders, including representatives from Myanmar’s government, are meeting in New York this week for the 73rdsession of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Accountability for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya and Myanmar’s other ethnic minorities is expected to be high on the agenda. The UN Human Rights Council is currently discussing the establishment of an evidence preservation mechanism which could see Min Aung…
September 25, 2018
Press Release
U.S. Government Must Pursue Accountability for Atrocities, Crimes Against Humanity in Myanmar
The U.S. Department of State announced today the conclusion of its investigation on the crimes committed against the Rohingya in Rakhine State. In response, Francisco Bencosme, advocacy manager for Asia-Pacific at Amnesty International USA issued this statement: “While it is important that the State Department undertook this initiative, the report failed to make a legal determination of crimes against humanity. This represents a significant missed opportunity on a crucial human rights issue and sends a worrying message about how the United States plans to address crimes under international law moving forward. “Ultimately, the United States’ words mean nothing…
September 24, 2018
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Issues Rare Call for a Halt on Kavanaugh Nomination
Amnesty International USA today called on a halt to a vote on President Trump’s nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States unless and until any information relevant to Kavanaugh’s possible involvement in human rights violations—including in relation to the U.S. government’s use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, such as during the CIA detention program—is declassified and made public. Margaret Huang, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA said: "Amnesty International takes no position on the appointment of particular individuals to government positions, unless they are reasonably suspected of crimes under international law and could use their appointment…
September 24, 2018
Press Release
Italy: A new underhand tactic for ending work of NGO rescue ship will cost lives
Responding to news that the Panama Maritime Authority revoked the registration of the search and rescue ship, Aquarius, operated by SOS Mediterranée and Médecins Sans Frontières, reportedly after pressure from the Italian government, Elisa di Pieri Amnesty International’s Europe Researcher said: “After closing its ports and seizing NGO ships, it now appears that Italian authorities have resorted to even more underhand tactics to curtail the life-saving work of NGO search and rescue ships in the central Mediterranean. “If it is confirmed that Panama’s decision to revoke the registration of the Aquarius was made as a result of pressure brought to bear…
September 24, 2018
Report
China: “Where Are They”: Time for answers about mass detention in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region
Families of up to one million predominately Muslim people from Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region detained in mass “re-education” drive demand answers.
September 23, 2018
Press Release
Amnesty Urges Accountability for Hurricane Maria With Projections Onto Trump Hotel, FEMA
On the one year anniversary of Hurricane Maria, Amnesty International is urging accountability from the Trump Administration for its negligence in preparing and responding to Hurricane Maria, with visuals projected onto the Trump Hotel in Washington DC, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Amnesty International’s new Secretary General, Kumi Naidoo, who is in Puerto Rico to draw attention to pressing human rights concerns that persist since the hurricane and to show solidarity with human rights activists and survivors, stated: “A year after Hurricane Maria devastated the island, President Trump has shown his contempt for the people of…
September 19, 2018
Report
South Sudan: Government troops and militias given free rein to commit new atrocities
The staggering brutality of a recent military offensive in South Sudan – including murder of civilians, systematic rape of women and girls and massive looting and destruction – was fuelled by the authorities’ failure to prosecute or remove suspected war criminals, Amnesty International said in a new report today. ‘Anything that was breathing was killed’: War crimes in Leer and Mayendit, South Sudan, is based on the testimonies of around 100 civilians who fled an offensive by government forces and allied youth militias in southern Unity State between late April and early July this year. “A key factor in this brutal offensive was the failure…
September 18, 2018
Press Release
New Refugee Cap is an Abandonment of Refugees, Congress Must Oppose
Reacting to news that U.S. President Donald Trump plans to set the refugee admissions number to 30,000 for Fiscal year 2019, Ryan Mace, Grassroots Advocacy and Refugee Specialist at Amnesty International USA said: “The Trump administration is abandoning this country’s promise to refugees. “Today’s announcement demonstrates another undeniable political attack against people who have been forced to flee their homes. “This is the lowest goal in the history of the program, and compounded by this administration’s history of creating road block after road block for refugees to arrive, this must be perceived as an all-out attack against our country’s ability to resettle…
September 17, 2018
Press Release
Honduras: Amnesty International to observe trial over killing of human rights defender Berta Cáceres
Amnesty International will observe the trial of eight people accused of the 2016 murder of Honduran human rights defender Berta Cáceres, beginning next Monday, 17 September at the Supreme Court of Justice in Tegucigalpa.
September 17, 2018
Update
Briefing: Human Rights Updates in the Americas, Africa and Europe
Amnesty International USA cordially invites you to a briefing on: Human Rights Updates in the Americas, Africa and Europe Monday, September 24 2:00 - 3:00 pm Cannon House Office Building Room 122 Join us for a discussion with Amnesty International leaders from Argentina, Kenya and Ukraine on the state of human rights affecting refugees, women and prisoners of conscience. Amnesty leaders will make recommendations on what the U.S. Congress can and should do to protect human rights around the world. Panelists: Mariela Belski, Executive Director, Amnesty International Argentina Irungu Houghton, Executive Director, Amnesty International Kenya…
September 17, 2018