Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Proposed Laws Reduce Iranian Women to ‘Baby Making Machines’ in Misguided Attempts to Boost Population
Women in Iran could face significant restrictions on their use of contraceptives and be further excluded from the labour market unless they have had a child if two proposed laws are approved, says a new report by Amnesty International published today.
March 11, 2015
Report
You Shall Procreate: Attacks on Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Iran
Women in Iran could face significant restrictions on their use of contraceptives and be further excluded from the labour market unless they have had a child if two proposed laws are approved, says a new report by Amnesty International.
March 10, 2015
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Calls for Quick Passage of the International Violence Against Women Act
A bipartisan group of representatives reintroduced the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) in the House of Representatives today, with a similar bipartisan reintroduction scheduled for early next week in the Senate. Amnesty International USA urged lawmakers to support the bill and push for its quick passage, reaffirming the United States’ role as an important ally for millions of women worldwide whose right to live free from violence is under daily threat.
March 6, 2015
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Response to the State of the Union Address
During tonight’s State of the Union address, President Obama touched on issues of national security, criminal justice reform, immigration policy and women’s health, all of which involve human rights. Steven W. Hawkins, executive director of Amnesty International USA, had the following response:
January 21, 2015
Report
“Circles of hell:” Domestic, Public and State Violence Against Women in Egypt
Despite some recent piecemeal reforms, shortfalls in Egyptian laws and entrenched impunity continue to foster a culture of routine sexual and gender-based violence in the country.
January 20, 2015
Report
Escape from Hell- Torture, Sexual Slavery in Islamic State Captivity in Iraq
Torture, including rape and other forms of sexual violence, suffered by women and girls from Iraq’s Yezidi minority who were abducted by the armed group calling itself the Islamic State (IS), highlights the savagery of IS rule.
December 22, 2014
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Honors Sudanese Journalist Amal Habani with Annual Award for Women’s Human Rights Defenders
Amnesty International USA honored Sudanese journalist Amal Khalifa Habani at this year’s Ginetta Sagan Award Reception and Dinner. The award is given annually to honor courageous women around the world who put their lives at risk to stand up for the rights of women and children who face grave human rights violations.
December 5, 2014
Press Release
Amnesty International Calls for Justice for Three-Year-Old Rape Survivor in Afghanistan
According to news reports, a suspect is in custody in connection with the rape and attempted murder of a three-year-old girl in Takhar province in Afghanistan.
November 21, 2014
Press Release
Amnesty International and John Legend Launch Write for Rights Campaign
Amnesty International today released a new video from award winning artist John Legend as part of its Write for Rights campaign. The campaign is the world’s largest letter-writing event in which Amnesty International asks the public to write – or email, text, tweet or fax – in support of specific cases that are emblematic of its broader work on human rights both within the U.S. and around the world.
November 18, 2014
Press Release
Countries Urge El Salvador to Change Repressive Abortion Laws
El Salvador came under pressure from nine countries at the United Nations last night to amend its repressive and out-dated abortion laws. The effects of these laws amount to institutionalized violence, torture and other forms of ill-treatment against women and girls, said Amnesty International.
October 28, 2014
Report
On The Brink Of Death: Violence Against Women And The Abortion Ban In El Salvador
Every year, thousands of women and girls are denied their rights and choices by El Salvador’s total ban on abortion and its criminalization. Women and girls who are carrying an unwanted pregnancy are confronted with two options: commit a crime by terminating the pregnancy, or continue with the unwanted pregnancy. This report details the pervading cultural and institutional barriers that women and girls in El Salvador face in exercising their human rights, particularly those barriers that obstruct the realization of their sexual and reproductive rights.
October 17, 2014
Report
Rule By Law: Discriminatory Legislation and Legitimized Abuses in Uganda
Repressive and discriminatory legislation enacted over the last 18 months in Uganda has led to increasing state repression, violence and homophobic and gender-based discrimination. This report details how three pieces of legislation have violated fundamental human rights, fuelled discriminatory abuses and left individuals unable to seek justice.
October 15, 2014