Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
DRC: Release of pro-democracy activists cause for celebration
The release of four Congolese pro-democracy activists, including Amnesty International Prisoners of Conscience Fred Bauma and Yves Makwambala, is cause for celebration but they remain at risk of re-arrest unless the charges are dropped, warned Amnesty International today. “The release of Fred, Yves and others is a rare positive step in what has been a very difficult year for freedom of expression in the DRC. The charges against them were politically motivated and must be dropped to ensure that their ordeal is over once and for all,” said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn…
August 30, 2016
Press Release
Pakistan: Where is Zeenat Shahzadi?
As the International Day of the Disappeared is marked around the world, Pakistan’s authorities must promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate the abduction and suspected enforced disappearance of Zeenat Shahzadi, Amnesty International said today. Just over a year ago, on 19 August 2015, Zeenat Shahzadi, a 24-year-old journalist, was on her way to work in Lahore on an auto-rickshaw when she was abducted by armed gunmen. She has not been seen or heard from since. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan believes she was subject to an enforced disappearance by security forces. “Zeenat Shahzadi is the first female journalist suspected to…
August 29, 2016
Press Release
Attacks on the rise in Honduras and Guatemala, the world’s deadliest countries for environmental activists
An insidious wave of threats, bogus charges, smear campaigns, attacks and killings of environmental and land activists in recent months has made Honduras and Guatemala the most dangerous countries on earth for those protecting natural resources, Amnesty International said in a new report six months after the brutal murder of Indigenous leader Berta Cáceres.
August 29, 2016
Report
We are defending the land with our blood: Defenders of the land, territory and environment in Honduras and Guatemala
An insidious wave of threats, bogus charges, smear campaigns, attacks and killings of environmental and land activists in recent months has made Honduras and Guatemala the most dangerous countries on earth for those protecting natural resources, Amnesty International said in a new report six months after the brutal murder of Indigenous leader Berta Cáceres.
August 29, 2016
Press Release
Thailand: Referendum marred by human rights violations
Thailand’s referendum on a draft constitution takes place this Sunday against a backdrop of pervasive human rights violations that have created a chilling climate, Amnesty International said today.
August 5, 2016
Press Release
DRC: Release of six youth activists must lead to freedom for all prisoners of conscience
The release yesterday of six youth activists in the Democratic Republic of Congo by way of presidential pardons will be seen as little more than an exercise in window dressing unless all prisoners of conscience and others detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights are freed, said Amnesty International.
July 27, 2016
Press Release
Amnesty International Thailand’s Chair and other activists face jail for exposing torture
The Thai authorities must immediately drop the criminal investigation against three of the country’s most prominent human rights activists, including the chair of Amnesty International Thailand, who could be charged tomorrow for documenting and publishing a report about torture by Thai security forces, the organization warned.
July 25, 2016
Press Release
Supreme Court in Kyrgyzstan leaves 65-year-old Prisoner of Conscience languishing in jail
The failure of the Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan to release 65-year old human rights defender and prisoner of conscience Azimjan Askarov is an egregious example of how Kyrgyzstan is failing to implement its international obligations, said Amnesty International. At an extraordinary review of his case that ended today the Supreme Court did not comply with the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Committee to release Askarov. Instead, the Court cancelled his sentence and referred the case to Chui Regional Court for a new court review. The human rights defender will remain in detention pending his new trial. “It’s a missed…
July 12, 2016
Press Release
China: End relentless repression against human rights lawyers on first anniversary of crackdown
Chinese authorities must end their ruthless assault against human rights lawyers and activists, Amnesty International said ahead of the first anniversary of the start of an unprecedented crackdown.
July 7, 2016
Press Release
Thailand: Withdraw charges against human rights defenders
The Thai authorities must reverse their decision to charge three prominent human rights defenders with criminal defamation and computer crimes for documenting and publishing details of human rights violations in the country, Amnesty International said today.
June 26, 2016
Press Release
Hundreds of Human Rights Activists Gather in NYC for Amnesty International’s 21st “Get On the Bus” Tour
Human rights activists of all ages traveled to New York City on Friday, April 8, for Amnesty International’s 21st annual Get on the Bus tour.
April 8, 2016
Press Release
Release of Student Leader in Myanmar Must Lead to More Reform
Following the release of dozens of student protestors in Myanmar earlier today, the Tharawaddy Court in Myanmar released several more protestors including Phyoe Phyoe Aung, a student leader, and her husband, Lin Htet Naing.
April 8, 2016