Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Legislature Must Pass Common Sense Gun Laws
Following the February 13 mass shooting on the campus of Michigan State University, Amnesty International USA’s Program Director for Ending Gun Violence, Ernest Coverson, issued the following statement.
February 14, 2023
Press Release
Hateful and Abusive Speech Towards LGBTQ+ Community Surging on Twitter Under Elon Musk
Twitter is failing to protect LGBTQ+ organizations and individuals that advocate for members of the LGBTQ+ community from online violence and abuse, according to a new survey from Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Further, harassment of LGBTQ+ activists has intensified since Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022.Â
February 9, 2023
Press Release
After 46 Years of Imprisonment, It’s Time to Free Leonard Peltier
Marking the 6 February Global Day of Solidarity with Native American activist Leonard Peltier, Amnesty International reiterates its call on President Biden to immediately grant Mr. Peltier clemency.
February 5, 2023
Press Release
Israel/Opt: Palestinian Lives In Peril As Israel Reinforces Apartheid      
Israeli authorities must dismantle the system of apartheid which is causing so much suffering and bloodshed, Amnesty International said today. Since the organization launched a major campaign against apartheid one year ago, Israeli forces have killed almost 220 Palestinians, including 35 in January 2023 alone. Unlawful killings help maintain Israel’s apartheid system and constitute crimes against humanity, as do other serious and ongoing violations by Israeli authorities such as administrative detention and forcible transfer.
February 2, 2023
Press Release
Amnesty International deploys crisis response team to investigate serious human rights violations
After closely monitoring the situation in Peru, Amnesty International has deployed a specialized crisis response team to investigate serious human rights violations and possible crimes under international law committed in the context of the wave of protests that began last December.
January 30, 2023
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Calls on Memphis Police Department, Congress to Take Accountability for Systemic Failures that Led to Death of Tyre Nichols
It is imperative that the Memphis Police Department not see this as simply the actions of five individual police officers. Rather, the MPD must acknowledge this as a systemic issue and conduct a top-down review of their policies on issues such as the use of unmarked police cars to conduct traffic stops, training on foot pursuits, and the use of force – including the use of chemical irritants, tasers and restraints.
January 27, 2023
Press Release
Meta Must Guard Against Human Rights Risks After Lifting Bans On Trump’s Facebook And Instagram Accounts
Under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, all companies have a responsibility to respect human rights. This means that social media companies, including Meta, cannot allow advocacy of hatred and incitement of discriminatory violence to flourish on their platforms.
January 26, 2023
Press Release
Amnesty International Urges Biden Administration to Press For Independent Investigations into Human Rights Abuses in sub-Saharan Africa
The deaths of these journalists and activists are heartbreaking for the human rights community in sub-Saharan Africa and independent investigations must be launched.
January 23, 2023
Press Release
Amnesty International Mourns Victims of Monterey Park Shooting
Amnesty International USA’s Campaign Manager for Ending Gun Violence, Ernest Coverson, issued the following statement in response to a shooting in Monterey Park, Calif., that killed 10 people. "Last night in Monterey Park, gun violence devastated a Lunar New Year celebration, and stole the lives of people celebrating with loved ones, and their community. We all have the right to celebrate a holiday with friends and family without worry of being shot, yet once again gun violence erodes the rights and safety of people living life in the United States. Amnesty USA stands shoulder to shoulder with the community, family…
January 22, 2023
Press Release
Amnesty International Applauds Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban, Urges Other States to Follow Suit
“This ban brings the people of Illinois one step closer to having their human rights protected from gun violence."
January 12, 2023
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Condemns Biden Administration’s Attack on Asylum
Amnesty International USA condemns the Biden Administration’s attack on the human right to seek asylum.
January 5, 2023
Press Release
Depths of Degradation, Heights of Hypocrisy: USA’s First Execution of 2023
Paul O’Brien, Amnesty International USA A macabre ritual, incompatible with human dignity but enacted over one and a half thousand times in the USA in the past four and a half decades, is set to continue into 2023. On 3 January, the State of Missouri carried out the USA’s first execution of the year, and the 1,559th since the US Supreme Court upheld new capital statutes in 1976. Almost 90% of these executions have been conducted since June 1992 when the USA ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), article 6 of which protects the right to…
January 4, 2023