Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Sudan: Release of political activists is their right, not a gift!
Following news that Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has released at least 56 opposition activists after they spent up to 84 days in arbitrary detention for protesting against the escalating cost of food and healthcare, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, Joan Nyanyuki said: “We welcome the news of their release, but there is no place to treat the release of arbitrarily detained activists as a gift from the government. These detentions should never have happened at all in the first place and the government does not deserve congratulations. “For close to three months, the…
April 11, 2018
Press Release
Serbia: Conviction of war criminal delivers long overdue justice to victims
Following a decision by the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunal to overturn in part its original acquittal of Serbian Radical Party leader, Vojislav Seselj, and sentence him to 10 years on three counts of crimes against humanity, including persecution, deportation, and other inhumane acts in Serbia, Amnesty International’s Europe Director Gauri van Gulik, said: “Today’s decision is a welcome development which delivers long-delayed justice to thousands of victims of the armed conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. Despite the fact that the Appeals Chamber cleared Vojislav Seselj of other war crime crimes, it is significant that it found there was indeed…
April 11, 2018
Update
Re: April 11 Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs: “A Regional Strategy for Democratic Governance Against Corruption in the Hemisphere”
Amnesty International USA statement for hearing record for the April 11, 2018 Senate Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs: “A Regional Strategy for Democratic Governance Against Corruption in the Hemisphere”
April 10, 2018
Press Release
Hungary: “We will continue to resist the rollback of human rights”
In the wake of the apparent victory of President Orban's party, Fidesz, in Hungary’s general election, Amnesty International’s Europe Director, Gauri van Gulik said: “Whilst the climate may be hostile, we are steadfast in our resolve. We will resist the rollback of human rights in Hungary for, and with, all the people and groups who fight for everybody’s rights and freedoms. “We will continue to push back against attempts to stoke hostility towards refugees and migrants and will continue to speak up for groups that support and defend them. We will not be cowed by those who attempt to muzzle…
April 8, 2018
Press Release
Bangladesh: Rohingya refugees returns must be safe, voluntary and dignified
Amnesty International called on the government of Bangladesh to uphold its commitment that Rohingya refugees are only returned in conditions that are safe, voluntary and dignified. In a meeting with Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Salil Shetty, acknowledged the generosity that the country had shown nearly a million Rohingya refugees who were forced out of their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine State by crimes against humanity committed by the Myanmar military. “At a time when many states have callously turned their backs on people fleeing persecution, Bangladesh has shown enormous generosity by opening its doors to nearly…
April 5, 2018
Press Release
Turkey: Global stunts and vigils mark 300 days behind bars for Amnesty chair
Ahead of today’s international day of action, marking his 300th day behind bars, the imprisoned honorary chair of Amnesty International Turkey, Taner Kılıç, has expressed his heartfelt thanks to all those who have stood in solidarity with him.
April 4, 2018
Press Release
Sending National Guard to Border Could Endanger Vulnerable Families
President Trump is expected to sign a proclamation today to send the National Guard to the US-Mexico border until a wall is built. Yesterday, he also called for a renewed push for immigration restrictions that would make it more difficult to apply for protection in the United States.
April 4, 2018
Press Release
Hundreds of Human Rights Activists Gathering in NYC for Amnesty International’s 23rd Annual ‘Get on the Bus’ event
This Friday, April 6, human rights activists of all ages will travel to New York City to participate in peaceful actions in front of a select group of consulate and permanent missions to the United Nations to highlight country-specific human rights violations for Amnesty International’s 23rd annual ‘Get on the Bus’ event, a day of human rights education and activism. The day will start with a Speaker’s Panel inside The Cooper Union. Following the panel, activists will take part in peaceful actions outside UN Missions and Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. This year’s actions will focus on six countries: Myanmar, Sudan, Iran,…
April 4, 2018
Press Release
Vietnam: New research reveals almost 100 prisoners of conscience as crackdown on dissent intensifies
There are at least 97 prisoners of conscience languishing in jails in Vietnam, many of whom are kept incommunicado in squalid conditions and routinely subjected to torture or other ill-treatment, new research by Amnesty International reveals today. The organization is publishing the list on the day before six activists – including five people from the Brotherhood for Democracy group – are facing an unfair trial on trumped-up charges of “attempting to overthrow the people's government.” They all risk lengthy jail sentences. “Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s most prolific jailers of peaceful activists – a shameful title no one should…
April 3, 2018
Press Release
President Trump’s plans to militarize border could cost lives
President Trump stated today that he plans to further militarize the US-Mexico border until a wall is built. He also called for a renewed push for immigration restrictions that would make it more difficult to apply for protection in the United States. Marselha Gonçalves Margerin, advocacy director for the Americas at Amnesty International USA, issued the following statement: “Over the last few days, President Trump has openly dismissed the desperate situation of people fleeing violence and persecution who only want to find a safe place for themselves and their families. These proposed measures could put the lives of some of…
April 3, 2018
Press Release
Israel/OPT: Stop the use of lethal and other excessive force and investigate deaths of Palestinian protesters
Following the deaths of 17 Palestinians during protests that started yesterday in the Gaza Strip and the injuring of hundreds of others, Amnesty International is calling on the Israeli authorities to put an immediate end to its heavy handed, and often lethal, suppression of Palestinian demonstrations. The organization is also calling for independent and effective investigations to be launched immediately into reports that Israeli soldiers have unlawfully used firearms against unarmed protesters. Israel must respect the human rights to life and to peaceful protest amid concerns that the crackdown against protesters demanding the right of return for Palestinian refugees will…
March 31, 2018
Press Release
Israel/OPT: Authorities must refrain from using excessive force in response to Palestine Land Day protests
Ahead of tomorrow’s planned protests marking Palestine Land Day, and amid reports that Israeli forces have warned that they will open fire on anyone from Gaza seen breaching the border fence with Israel, Amnesty International is calling on the Israeli authorities to rein in the security forces, which have regularly used excessive force during recent demonstrations and clashes. On 30 March 1976, Palestinian citizens of Israel protested the Israeli government’s expropriation of 2,000 hectares of land surrounding Palestinian villages in the Galilee. Six Palestinians were killed and more than 100 were injured when Israeli forces crushed the protests. On the…
March 29, 2018