Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Over 250,000 Call on Belarus to End Executions, Says Amnesty International
Contact: Sharon Singh, [email protected], 202-509-8194 (Washington, D.C.) -- Amnesty International and Belarusian human rights organizations Viasna and Belarus Helsinki Committee were today turned away from delivering a global petition to Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, calling for an end to executions in Belarus. Over 250,000 signatures from all over the world were collected by Amnesty International's global membership and the Belarusian organizations. The petition, which began as a local initiative, became a focus of Amnesty International's 50th anniversary campaign against the death penalty. "This petition sends a strong signal to the Belarusian President that people from all over the world want…
December 9, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Welcomes Decision on Mumia Abu-Jamal Case
In response to the Philadelphia prosecutors’ decision not to seek another death sentence for Mumia Abu-Jamal, Laura Moye, director of Amnesty International’s Campaign to Abolish the Death Penalty, made the following comments: “This is a welcome decision by the Philadelphia prosecutors. However, Amnesty International continues to believe that justice would best be served by granting Mumia Abu-Jamal a new trial.”
December 7, 2011
Press Release
Death Penalty Coalition Including Amnesty International Urge Asia to Stop Executions and Unfair Trials in New Report
A hard-line group of Asian countries are defying the global trend against the death penalty and putting to death thousands of people after unfair trials every year, the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) said today in a new report released at a press conference in Taiwan. Fourteen Asian countries, taken together, execute more people than the rest of the world combined.
December 6, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Hails Martina Davis Correia as “Hero of the Human Rights Movement”
Following the announcement that Martina Davis Correia, the longtime activist against the death penalty and sister of Troy Anthony Davis, had succumbed to cancer, Curt Goering, chief operating officer, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), released the following statement
December 2, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Appalled By Belarus’ Death Penalty Sentences
The two death sentences handed down in Belarus today followed a trial that has failed to meet international fair trial standards, said Amnesty International.
November 30, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Urges Idaho To Prevent First Execution in 17 Years
Amnesty International called on officials in Idaho today to prevent the first execution in that state in 17 years. Paul Rhoades, 54, who has been on death row for nearly 25 years, is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection on Friday. A psychologist described a childhood of abuse that damaged him with little hope of becoming a healthy adult.
November 17, 2011
Press Release
Japan Minister Must Not Cave in to Pressure on Death Penalty, says Amnesty International
Japan’s justice minister should not sign execution warrants, Amnesty International and the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network said today, following the minister’s announcement that he does not intend to end capital punishment, despite saying last month that he would not approve executions.
October 28, 2011
Press Release
Human Rights Activists To Rally in Kansas City Friday, Oct. 28 to Support Clemency For Death Row Prisoner Reggie Clemons – Flawed Prosecution and Doubts About Guilt Likened to Troy Davis Case
On Friday, Oct. 28, at 5:30 p.m. about 100 human rights activists will kick off Amnesty International’s Midwest conference with a rally to support clemency for Missouri death row prisoner Reggie Clemons, who has spent half his life behind bars, despite a flawed case that raises serious doubt about his guilt.
October 27, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Hails Judge’s Decision to Stay Execution of Marcus Ray Johnson; Case Contained Doubt About Conviction
Following the announcement that Marcus Ray Johnson was granted a stay of execution, Laura Moye, Death Penalty Abolition Campaign director at Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), released the following statement
October 4, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Calls for Global “Day of Remembrance” to Mark Troy Davis Funeral Sat., Oct. 1
Amnesty International is urging supporters worldwide who are outraged over the execution of Troy Davis to observe Saturday, October 1 – the day of his funeral -- as a “Day of Remembrance.” The organization said it has seen an unprecedented outpouring of new support for its campaign to end the death penalty in the aftermath of the execution.
September 29, 2011
Press Release
Troy Davis Execution a ‘Catastrophic Failure of the Justice System,’ Charges Amnesty International
The U.S. justice system was shaken to its core as Georgia executed a person who may well be innocent. Killing a man under this enormous cloud of doubt is horrific and amounts to a catastrophic failure of the justice system.
September 22, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Welcomes Release of American Hikers in Iran as “Long Overdue”
Amnesty International said today the release of two Americans held in Iran for more than two years was “long overdue” and urged that they be allowed to leave Iran promptly to be reunited with their families.
September 21, 2011