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 Statement on Resignation of Acting CBP Chief
The following can be attributed to Charanya Krishnaswami, advocacy director for the Americas at Amnesty International USA: “Children should never be held in detention at all, let alone in the appalling conditions that were detailed in reports this weekend from a Texas border patrol station. Today’s announcement that the chief of Customs and Border Protection is resigning is an opportunity for steps to be taken, including Congressional hearings and investigations, to provide accountability for these shocking abuses, and compassionate care to children seeking safety in the United States. Any effort to normalize the warehousing of children is unacceptable.”
June 25, 2019
Report
“Fleeing my whole life”: Older people’s experience of conflict and displacement in Myanmar
Tens of thousands of older women and men from ethnic minorities across Myanmar who faced military atrocities and were forced to flee their homes are being let down by a humanitarian system that often fails to adequately address their rights and needs, Amnesty International said in a report published today. “Fleeing my whole life”: Older people’s experience of conflict and displacement in Myanmar is the organization’s first comprehensive investigation into the specific ways older people’s rights and dignity are not respected amid armed conflict and crisis, as well in the provision of humanitarian assistance. “For decades, Myanmar’s ethnic minorities have suffered recurrent abuse at…
June 17, 2019
Press Release
Report: Over Two Years Later, Families Still Left in Limbo After Trump’s Muslim Ban Face Impossible Circumstances
When President Trump signed what has become known as the Muslim ban during his first week in office, he set into motion a series of events that continue to leave families in uncertainty and danger to this day, according to a new report by Amnesty International USA. In some cases, these families were cleared to come to the United States in late 2016 and early 2017, only to be stranded in countries where they face restrictive policies, increasingly hostile environments, and often lack the same rights as permanent residents or citizens. The new report, “The Mountain is in Front of…
June 17, 2019
Report
The Mountain is in Front of Us and the Sea is Behind Us: The Impact of US Policies on Refugees in Lebanon and Jordan
When President Trump signed what has become known as the Muslim ban during his first week in office, he set into motion a series of events that continue to leave families in uncertainty and danger to this day, according to a new report by Amnesty International USA. In some cases, these families were cleared to come to the United States in late 2016 and early 2017, only to be stranded in countries where they face restrictive policies, increasingly hostile environments, and often lack the same rights as permanent residents or citizens. The new report, “The Mountain is in Front of…
June 17, 2019
Press Release
Mistrial in Case of Dr. Scott Warren, Prosecution Must Drop Charges
On June 11, 2019, after the two-week criminal trial of humanitarian volunteer Dr. Scott Warren ended in a mistrial, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International, said: “The mistrial in the case of Dr. Scott Warren sends a clear message that there are people in the USA who refuse to acquiesce to the government’s attempts to criminalize compassion and humanitarian aid. As long as the USA and Mexico fail to protect the lives of migrants and asylum seekers between the two countries, human rights defenders like Scott Warren must be allowed to continue their necessary and life-saving work, unhampered by politically motivated harassment and prosecution.”Â
June 12, 2019
Press Release
Climate activists Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future movement honored with top Amnesty International award
Climate change activist Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future movement of school-children have been honored with Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2019, the human rights organization announced today. “The Ambassador of Conscience Award is Amnesty International’s highest honor, celebrating people who have shown unique leadership and courage in standing up for human rights. I can think of no better recipients this year than Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future climate strike movement,” said Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of Amnesty International. “We are humbled and inspired by the determination with which youth activists across the world are…
June 7, 2019
Press Release
Reported Cuts to Essential Services for Unaccompanied Children in Federal Shelters are “Unconscionable”
The Trump Administration reportedly will suspend English classes, legal aid, and recreational programs to migrant and asylum-seeking children detained in federally-run detention centers.
June 5, 2019
Press Release
Trump Administration May Block Asylum to Central Americans
The Trump administration is reportedly considering barring anyone who transits through a third country from seeking asylum at the US southern border. Such a policy would effectively block anyone other than Mexicans and Canadians from seeking asylum in the United States. In response, Charanya Krishnaswami, Advocacy Director for the Americas at Amnesty International USA, made the following statement:
May 30, 2019
Update
May 22, 2019 Human Rights on Capitol Hill (Late May Edition)
To view PDF version please click here Human Rights on Capitol Hill - late May Edition Human Rights on Capitol Hill published by Amnesty International USA May 22, 2019 In this edition of Human Rights on Capitol Hill: Pride Around the World- June marks Pride month, an international celebration of the LGBTQ community Taiwan- First in Asia: Parliament legalizes same-sex marriage China- Amnesty International documents plight of transgender individuals S.- Amnesty International USA continues fight for transgender woman seeking asylum S. Gun Violence Awareness Month- As the U.S. marks Gun Violence Awareness month this June, will the Senate finally pass legislation…
May 22, 2019
Press Release
USA: Authorities must stop criminalizing humanitarian aid
The U.S. Department of Justice should immediately drop all criminal charges against humanitarian volunteer Dr. Scott Warren, and stop criminalizing humanitarian aid, Amnesty International said today.
May 21, 2019
Press Release
Statement Responding to Death of 16-Year-Old After Detention at Border
Responding to news reports of the death of a Guatemalan 16-year-old after being taken into custody of a Customs and Border Protection facility in El Paso, Ashley Houghton, tactical campaigns manager at Amnesty International USA, issued the following statement:
May 20, 2019
Press Release
Proposed Immigration Plan Shuts Doors to People in Search of Safety
Reacting to media reports on President Trump’s proposed immigration plan, Joanne Lin, national director of advocacy and government affairs at Amnesty International USA, issued this statement:
May 16, 2019