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.

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A general view shows the Israeli settlement of Tal Rumeida (R) surrounded by Palestinian houses in the West Bank city of Hebron on February 1, 2017. / AFP / HAZEM BADER (Photo credit should read HAZEM BADER/AFP/Getty Images)

Press Release

Israel denies entry to Amnesty International USA staff member

Israel’s decision to deny an Amnesty International USA staff member entry to the occupied West Bank, apparently as retaliation against the organization’s human rights work, is a dangerous indication of the Israeli authorities’ growing intolerance of critical voices, the organization said today.

October 31, 2017

Press Release

Amnesty International USA Delivers Petitions to Ivanka Trump, Urging the End of Family Detention

CONTACT: Nidya Sarria, [email protected] WASHINGTON – Amnesty International USA delivered petitions today to Ivanka Trump, Advisor to the President, urging her to intervene on behalf of the families held at Berks County Residential Center in Pennsylvania after seeking asylum. Over 33,000 people around the world signed personalized postcards and petitions. Currently, there are dozens of children and parents held at Berks, one of three such family detention centers, which are akin to jails, in the United States. “Over and over again, the Trump administration has sought to close our borders to people fleeing horrific violence. The world is watching as…

October 30, 2017

Taken at his home in Kisumu, Kenya. Tomorrow, 19-year old David is sitting a crucial exam after finally completing his primary education. He needs his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in order to continue to secondary education. However, thanks to Kenya’s heavy handed police, his right arm is broken - which will make the completing exam even more difficult as it’s his writing arm. David’s arm was shattered when armed police stormed his neighbourhood and attacked him with batons when major protests erupted during Kenya’s contentious presidential election re-run on 26 October. He lives in Ubungo, one of the poorest communities in Kisumu, west Kenya - a stronghold of opposition politician Raila Odinga and a flashpoint for violence during the election period.

Press Release

Violence, killings and intimidation amid election chaos in Kenya

Heavily armed police are using unlawful force against protesters and bystanders in the western city of Kisumu in what appears to be a deliberate campaign to punish people for continuing to protest amid chaotic elections over the past week, Amnesty International said today.

October 30, 2017

Opposition activists shout slogans while members of the National Orchestra System hold a demonstration in rejection of the recent deaths of young people by security forces -within opposition protests- in Caracas on May 7, 2017. The last death in Venezuela's unrest, of a 22-year-old man, occurred during looting in Valencia, one of Venezuelan cities hardest hit by a worsening economic crisis. Demonstrators blame Maduro for the country's plight and the shortages of food and medicine, and demand elections to remove the leftist president. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images)

Sheet of paper Report

Nights of terror: Attacks and illegal raids on homes in Venezuela

The Venezuelan authorities have expanded their arsenal of repressive tactics by launching a vicious campaign of illegal home raids on citizens suspected of dissent, Amnesty International said in a new investigation published today.

October 30, 2017

Chair of Amnesty International Turkey Taner Kılıç

Press Release

Amnesty Turkey Chair kept in jail one day after 10 other human rights defenders conditionally released

Following a decision by an Izmir court not to release human rights defender, Taner Kılıç, Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary General said the following:

October 26, 2017

AI France staff membres protesting the arrest and detention of AI Turkey director Idil Eser and AI Turkey chairman Taner Kiliç at the Turkish embassy in Paris on 10 July 2017.

Press Release

Turkish court releases human rights defenders including Amnesty International’s Turkey Director

Following a decision by a court in Istanbul to conditionally release eight human rights defenders while their trial continues, Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary General said the following:

October 25, 2017

AI France staff membres protesting the arrest and detention of AI Turkey director Idil Eser and AI Turkey chairman Taner Kiliç at the Turkish embassy in Paris on 10 July 2017.

Press Release

Eyes of the world on Turkey as show trial of human rights activists begins 

Trumped up terror charges against 11 human rights defenders, including Amnesty International’s Turkey director and chair, do not stand up to the slightest scrutiny, said Amnesty International as court proceedings begin in Istanbul and Izmir.

October 24, 2017

Press Release

Iraq: Fresh evidence that tens of thousands forced to flee Tuz Khurmatu amid indiscriminate attacks, lootings and arson

Satellite images, videos, photos and dozens of testimonies collected by Amnesty International show that civilians were forced to flee their homes after fierce clashes erupted between Iraqi government forces, supported by the Popular Mobilization Units, and Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Iraq’s multi-ethnic city of Tuz Khurmatu on October 16, 2017.

October 24, 2017

Update

Re: Hearing on Assessing U.S. Policy Toward Burma: Geopolitical, Economic, and Humanitarian Considerations

Amnesty International USA calls on Congress to press the U.S. and international community to take immediate action to protect the Rohingya, including imposing targeted financial sanctions against senior military officials responsible for crimes against humanity.

October 24, 2017

Press Release

President Trump to Impose Yet More Restrictions on Refugees, Leaving Thousands in Peril

As his original 120-day ban on refugees expires tomorrow, President Trump Administration is expected to announce additional restrictions on refugees and a cap of 45,000 as the number of refugees admitted – policies that will leave thousands of people in danger.

October 23, 2017

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - MAY 2, 2006: The US military in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, a Taliban stronghold, are using high-tech Predator drones against their enemy. They have approximately 8 there. The Predator has no pilot, and is controlled for his highly secret mission from Las Vegas. The team in Kandahar is in charge of their take off and landings. The drones have a highly powerful camera with infrared, as well as a still camera and two missiles. (Photo by Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images)

Press Release

UN: Amnesty urges international action on armed drones

On October 20 Amnesty International will launch a new briefing at the UN General Assembly, setting out measures to bring the use and transfer of armed drones in line with international human rights and humanitarian law.

October 20, 2017