Newsroom

We put a human face on complex issues to hold governments accountable.

Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.

If you are a member of the press, please reach out to [email protected]

Press Release

Iran must halt imminent execution of 26-year-old woman

Iranian authorities have today confirmed that a woman convicted of killing a man whom she said tried to sexually abuse her will be hanged tomorrow morning at a prison west of Tehran, Amnesty International said.

September 29, 2014

Press Release

Amnesty USA Reacts to Missouri, Texas Executions

Amnesty International USA executive director Steven W. Hawkins responded today to the executions of Earl Ringo, Jr in Missouri and Willie Trottie in Texas.

September 10, 2014

Press Release

Amnesty USA Head Appalled by Controversial Arizona Execution

In the aftermath of the drawn-out Arizona execution last night of Joseph R. Wood III, in which he was reported to have potentially suffered, Amnesty International USA executive director Steven W. Hawkins expressed his frustration and ongoing opposition to capital punishment.

July 24, 2014

Sheet of paper Report

Capital Deficit: A Submission on the Death Penalty to the UN Human Rights Committee

Today 140 countries are abolitionist in law or practice. A small number of countries account for the bulk of the global judicial death toll each year. One of them is the USA.

June 24, 2014

Press Release

Georgia Must Stay Marcus Wellons’ Execution

In response to the scheduled execution of Marcus Wellons in Georgia tonight, Amnesty International USA Executive Director Steven W. Hawkins issued the following statement.

June 17, 2014

Press Release

More Than Half a Million Call to Free Pregnant Woman Sentenced to Death in Sudan For Her Religion

Meriam Yehya Ibrahim has remained in prison with her 20-month-old son since she was sentenced to death for 'apostasy' and to 100 lashes for 'adultery' last Thursday.

May 22, 2014

Press Release

Amnesty International Responds to Imminent Missouri Execution

Ahead of the scheduled execution of Missouri death row inmate Russell Bucklew, Amnesty International USA Executive Director Steven W. Hawkins issued the following statement.

May 20, 2014

Press Release

Amnesty USA Executive Director Welcomes Appeals Court Decision to Halt Missouri Execution

In response to the federal appeals court decision to stay the execution of Missouri death row inmate Russell Bucklew, Steven W. Hawkins, executive director of Amnesty International USA, issued the following statement.

May 20, 2014

Press Release

Amnesty International Responds to New Hampshire Death Penalty Decision

In response to the New Hampshire State Senate’s 12-12 vote and decision today to table the death penalty repeal bill, Amnesty International USA Executive Director Steven W. Hawkins issued the following statement:

April 17, 2014

Press Release

Death Penalty 2013: Small Number of Countries Trigger Global Spike in Executions

Alarming levels of executions in an isolated group of countries in 2013 saw close to 100 more people put to death around the world compared to the previous year, a jump of almost 15 percent.

March 27, 2014

Sheet of paper Report

Death Sentences and Executions 2013

Despite the setbacks in 2013, there has been a steady decline in the number of countries using the death penalty over the last 20 years, and there was progress in all regions last year.

March 25, 2014

Press Release

More Than 500 Sentenced To Death in ‘Grotesque’ Ruling in Egypt

Today's mass death sentences handed down by an Egyptian court are a grotesque example of the shortcomings and the selective nature of Egypt's justice system.

March 24, 2014