Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Amnesty International USA Files FOIA on Burn Pits
Today, Amnesty International USA filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to seek documents related to the use of burn pits by the U.S. military. For decades, the military has used burn pits producing toxic smoke to dispose of hazardous waste on military bases around the world. More than 100,000 veterans have reported serious health effects following exposure to burn pits, including neurological disorders, rare forms of cancer, reduced lung function and pulmonary diseases.
November 10, 2017
Press Release
Vice President Pence Calls on Turkey to Ensure Fair Resolution of Civil Society Cases
According to the White House, in today's meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, Vice President Mike Pence expressed deep concern over the arrests of members of civil society in Turkey, urging transparency and due process in their cases. This is the first time the White House has commented on the issue of unjust imprisonment of civil society members in Turkey, which includes organizations like Amnesty International.
November 9, 2017
Press Release
FIFA under pressure over handling of World Cup construction abuse
FIFA should act immediately on a series of critical recommendations made today in the first report published by its Human Rights Advisory Board, said Amnesty International.
November 9, 2017
Press Release
Zimbabwe must drop absurd charges over Mugabe tweet
In response to a Zimbabwean court’s decision to grant bail to Martha O’Donovan, a US citizen who was detained last week after being accused of insulting President Robert Mugabe, Amnesty International Zimbabwe Executive Director Cousin Zilala said: “Martha O’Donovan should not have spent a single night in jail – expressing an opinion in a tweet is not a crime. Her arrest was the latest example of the Zimbabwean’s authorities’ utter contempt for freedom of expression.
November 9, 2017
Press Release
Egypt: Draft bill to criminalize same-sex relations amid unprecedented homophobic crackdown
More than 60 members of Egypt’s parliament have proposed a deeply discriminatory law that will explicitly criminalize same-sex sexual activity in the country for the first time, said Amnesty International. The move is the latest development since authorities launched an unprecedented LGBTI crackdown after a rainbow flag was displayed at a concert in Cairo on September 22.
November 8, 2017
Press Release
Trump Administration Must Press Turkish Prime Minister to Drop Charges Against Taner Kılıç and Istanbul 10
This week, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildrim will visit Washington for a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence. They are expected to discuss economics, among other issues. Naureen Shah, senior director of campaigns at Amnesty International USA, issued this statement:
November 8, 2017
Press Release
Upcoming Executions Demonstrate Irreparable Failings of the Death Penalty
Three executions set for this week all demonstrate the irreparable failings of the death penalty, experts from Amnesty International USA said today.
November 7, 2017
Press Release
Manus Island: Court ruling jeopardizes lives
Critical services - including food, water and medical treatment - must be restored to the more than 600 refugees and vulnerable men inside the Lombrum detention centre on Manus Island before a major tragedy occurs, Amnesty International said today as researchers returned from Manus Island.
November 7, 2017
Press Release
Amnesty Calls on President Trump to Shut Down Military Commissions
The Guantánamo military judge handling the case of the alleged USS Cole bomber has ordered three civilian defense attorneys who resigned from the case over alleged breaches of attorney-client privilege to testify from Virginia by video feed to the Guantánamo courtroom Friday morning in a contempt hearing. The hearing will follow Monday’s contempt charge of lead defense counsel, Peter Baker, who is confined to his quarters at Guantánamo, as well as a decision by the Defense Department’s top prosecutor to end regular media availability on commission matters.
November 2, 2017
Press Release
New York Suspect Must Not Be Sent to Guantánamo
After President Trump said he would consider sending the man accused of yesterday’s attack in New York City, Sayfullo Saipov, to Guantánamo, Amnesty International USA Security with Human Rights Director, Daphne Eviatar, issued the following statement
November 1, 2017
Press Release
Senate Condemns Persecution of LGBT people in Chechnya
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 211 yesterday, condemning the violence against and persecution of LGBT people in Chechnya. The resolution, led by Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Edward Markey (D-MA), joins a nearly identical resolution passed by the House in June.
October 31, 2017