Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
February 25, 2015
Report
Annual Report: Somalia 2013
Somali Republic Head of state Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (replaced Sharif Sheikh Ahmed) Head of government Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid (replaced Abdiweli Mohamed Ali) Head of Somaliland Republic Ahmed Mohamed Mahamoud Armed conflict continued between pro-government forces, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Islamist armed group al-Shabab, in southern and central Somalia. Pro-government forces took control of a number of key towns from al-Shabab, including the port of Kismayo. Political transition ended the mandate of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). A new parliament was selected in August, a new president was appointed in September and a new prime…
May 23, 2013
Press Release
Countries Must Adopt Strong Arms Trade Treaty to Stop Contributing to the Use of Child Soldiers
On Monday, Feb. 12, International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, Amnesty International highlights the need to adopt a global Arms Trade Treaty to prevent government forces or armed groups – like those currently in Mali – from using weapons to recruit child soldiers.
February 11, 2013
Press Release
Human Rights must be at the Forefront of Third and Final Presidential Debate
Grave abuses of human rights fuel or underpin many of the foreign policy challenges that will be the focus of Monday night’s final presidential debate.
October 19, 2012
Press Release
Somalia Must End Impunity for Killing of Media Workers
After the recent deaths of two journalists in Mogadishu this past weekend, Amnesty calls on Somali authorities to end impunity for the killing of media workers in the country.
August 13, 2012
Report
Concerns Over Allegations of Illegal CIA Activities in Somalia
In this letter to President Barack Obama, Amnesty International and other human rights NGOs express serious concerns about alleged illegal CIA conduct in Somalia.
September 20, 2011
Report
Libya: Totally inadequate response by EU states to refugees stuck in limbo
In the wake of the conflict in Libya, thousands of refugees who were in the country at the time have been forced to flee again. Now, they have nowhere to go. The international community holds the solution: some states can offer to resettle them elsewhere. Yet so far, European countries have done little to help. Amnesty International supports UNHCR's Global Resettlement Solidarity Initiative for Libya and is calling on EU member states, to share responsibility for resettling refugees stranded in Egypt and Tunisia.
September 19, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Report Describes “Unimaginable Daily Horrors” for Children in Somalia
Executions, Indiscriminate Attacks and Denial of Food, Water and Medical Care are Outlined in New Report Contact: Suzanne Trimel, 212-633-4150, [email protected] (New York) -- The scale of war crimes affecting Somali children, including the systematic recruitment of child soldiers under 15 by armed Islamist groups, is exposed in a new report released today by Amnesty International, which said children are experiencing "unimagineable horrors on a daily basis." "In the Line of Fire: Somalia's Children Under Attack" reveals the full impact on children of the on-going armed conflict. Children in Somalia are being recruited as child soldiers and…
July 20, 2011
Report
Children in Somalia facing war crimes
Children in southern and central Somalia are under relentless attack. Their lives are in constant danger and their hopes for the future have been shattered by armed conflict and grave human rights abuses.
July 19, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Responds to News Reports that the CIA is Involved in Secret Detention Site in Somalia
Amnesty International USA issued the following statement in response to news reports that the CIA has been involved in operating a secret prison in Somalia for terrorism suspects.
July 13, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Welcomes Obama’s Decision to Hold Civilian Trial for Somali Terrorism Suspect but Very Concerned about Detention Aboard Ship
Contact: AIUSA media relations, 202-509-8194 (Washington, DC) Tom Parker, policy director for terrorism, (counter) and human rights for Amnesty International USA, issued the following statement in response to news reports that Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame, a Somali terrorism suspect, was captured in the Gulf of Aden by the U.S. military and interrogated for two months aboard a U.S. Navy ship: "Amnesty International welcomes the Obama administration's decision to charge and prosecute Warsame's case in U.S. federal court. The United States' criminal justice system is the most appropriate and best equipped venue to adjudicate such cases. "However, the organization is greatly concerned…
July 6, 2011
Report
Annual Report: Somalia 2011
Head of state of Transitional Federal Government: Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Head of government of Transitional Federal Government: Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo (replaced Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke in November) Death penalty: retentionist Population: 9.4 million Life expectancy: 50.4 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 186/174 per 1,000 Armed conflict between armed Islamist groups and pro-government forces continued in southern and central Somalia. Thousands of civilians were killed or injured as a result of indiscriminate attacks and generalized violence, and at least 300,000 were displaced during the year. Access by aid agencies to civilians and the displaced was further restricted by armed groups…
June 27, 2011