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
SYRIA: Security Council must ensure civilians in Eastern Ghouta get immediate humanitarian assistance
Responding to the news that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) finally voted today on a much-delayed resolution calling for humanitarian aid into Eastern Ghouta and a partial ceasefire, Sherine Tadros, Head of Amnesty International’s UN Office said: “It shouldn’t require a Security Council resolution or a ceasefire for starving civilians to be allowed life-saving assistance and protection from being deliberately bombarded. These are the requirements of international humanitarian law. But now that the resolution has finally passed, the Security Council must follow through and ensure that attacks on civilians are ended and unfettered access to humanitarian assistance is provided without delay.…
February 24, 2018
Press Release
Hundreds of Activists Urge Congress to Act on Human Rights
Next Monday, hundreds of Amnesty members and supporters will meet with members of Congress to speak out for refugees, humanitarian aid, and the importance of fighting for human rights around the world. Over 300 people from 40 states across the country are set to participate in delegations for Amnesty’s first national lobby day in over a decade.
February 23, 2018
Press Release
State Department Must Not Neglect Women’s Rights
According to reports, the human rights bureau at the Department of State has received a directive to remove passages on women’s reproductive rights and discrimination from its annual report on global human rights. Tarah Demant, director of gender, sexuality, and identity at Amnesty International USA, issued the following statement:
February 22, 2018
Report
Amnesty International State of the World’s Human Rights Annual Report 2017-18
The world is reaping the terrifying consequences of hate-filled rhetoric that threatens to normalize massive discrimination against marginalized groups, Amnesty International warned today as it launched its annual global assessment of human rights.
February 22, 2018
Press Release
Syria: Relentless bombing of civilians in Eastern Ghouta amounts to war crimes
Responding to the news of the escalating bombing campaign by the Syrian government and its ally Russia in Eastern Ghouta in Damascus Countryside which has left scores dead and hundreds injured in the past month, Amnesty International’s Diana Semaan, Syria researcher, said:
February 20, 2018
Press Release
As USS Cole Trial Shuts Down, Amnesty Calls to End All Military Commissions
The Guantánamo military judge handling the case of the alleged USS Cole bomber halted the trial following months of failed attempts to get three civilian defense attorneys who resigned from the case last year to return. Amnesty International USA’s Security with Human Rights Director, Daphne Eviatar, issued the following statement: “The military commissions at Guantánamo have been a farce since the beginning, and do nothing except delay justice. Today’s actions show that these sideshows will never result in a fair trial and will only consume more time and resources. We already have a tried-and-tested mechanism to handle these cases in…
February 16, 2018
Press Release
Turkey: A dark day for press freedom and for justice as journalists sentenced to life
Following the aggravated life sentences handed down to six defendants, including Nazlı Ilıcak, Ahmet Altan and Mehmet Altan, for “attempting to overthrow the constitutional order”, Gauri van Gulik, Europe Director for Amnesty International, said.
February 16, 2018
Press Release
El Salvador: Release of woman jailed for stillbirth must signal end of total abortion ban
The release of a woman forced to spend a decade behind bars in El Salvador after having pregnancy-related complications resulting in stillbirth must open the door for an end to the country’s extreme anti-abortion law, said Amnesty International. Teodora del Carmen Vásquez was freed on Thursday after a court reduced her sentence, but at least 27 women remain imprisoned under the total abortion ban, according to women’s human rights organizations in the country.  “It’s encouraging to see Teodora stepping out of jail, where she should have never been in the first place, but El Salvador is still far from fully…
February 15, 2018
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Statement on School Shooting in Parkland, Florida
The following statement can be attributed to Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA: “While our thoughts are with the victims, survivors and families of this senseless attack, we know that is not enough. Our leaders must take action to protect people from gun violence. When people can’t go to school, or to work, or to attend a concert without fearing that they’ll be shot, that is a human rights crisis. The current patchwork of inconsistent gun laws is not sufficient to stop gun violence. We need reforms at the federal, state and local levels to protect everyone’s safety.”
February 14, 2018
Press Release
Indonesia: Police must protect – not attack – transgender women living under threat in Aceh
Indonesian authorities are completely failing to protect the transgender women who were appallingly ill-treated and humiliated by police in North Aceh on January 27, some of whom have since had to go into hiding due to fears for their safety, Amnesty International Indonesia said today.
February 14, 2018
Press Release
Egypt: Cluster bomb video highlights human rights concerns in North Sinai
The Egyptian military’s use of cluster bombs must cease immediately, Amnesty international said today, following the military’s release of an official video showing cluster bombs as part of their recent operations in North Sinai.
February 14, 2018