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Press Release
Russia’s Unlawful Transfer of Civilians a War Crime and Likely a Crime Against Humanity – New Report
Russian authorities forcibly transferred and deported civilians from occupied areas of Ukraine in what amounted to war crimes and likely crimes against humanity, Amnesty International said in a new report published today. The report, “Like a Prison Convoy”: Russia’s Unlawful Transfer of Civilians in Ukraine and Abuses During ‘Filtration’, details how Russian and Russian-controlled forces forcibly transferred civilians from occupied Ukraine further into Russian-controlled areas or into Russia. Children have been separated from their families during the process, in violation of international humanitarian law. Civilians told Amnesty International how they were forced through abusive screening processes – known as ‘filtration’ –…
November 10, 2022
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Statement on Twitter’s Human Rights, Ethics Layoffs
The Director of Amnesty International USA’s Silicon Valley Initiative, Michael Kleinman, issued the following statement in response to reports of layoffs at Twitter:
November 9, 2022
Press Release
The US Government & Twitter Must do More to Counter Antisemitism
In light of the recent surge in antisemitic rhetoric, messages and memes, Amnesty International USA reiterates its condemnation of antisemitism in the strongest possible terms and demands action to counter antisemitism by the US government, Twitter and other social media companies. Antisemitism is hatred. It attacks the rights and well-being of Jews around the world and the very notion of universal human rights. The right to be free from discrimination is a fundamental principle of human rights law, and all governments are obliged to combat discrimination in all its forms. Antisemitism is the most commonly reported anti-religious hate crime in…
November 1, 2022
Press Release
Russian Attacks on Critical Energy Infrastructure in Ukraine Amount to War Crimes
Reacting to the news that Russian attacks on energy facilities in Ukraine over recent days have led to a nationwide blackout in the country, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:
October 20, 2022
Press Release
Amnesty International Responds to Plan to Block Asylum Access for Venezuelans at Border
In response to the Biden Administration’s announcement about a new process for Venezeulans seeking safety, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International said:
October 13, 2022
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Calls on Governors and Secretaries of State Across the Country to Ban Guns Near Polling Places
Amnesty International USA sent a letter to governors and secretaries of state nationwide urging them to ban guns at and near polling places to ensure the safety of voters, poll workers and people in the vicinity.
October 3, 2022
Report
Facebook’s Systems Promoted Violence Against Rohingya in Myanmar; Meta Owes Reparations – New Report
Facebook owner Meta’s dangerous algorithms and reckless pursuit of profit substantially contributed to the atrocities perpetrated by the Myanmar military against the Rohingya people in 2017, Amnesty International said in a new report published today.
September 28, 2022
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Statement on House Passage of Break the Cycle of Violence Act
Amnesty International USA’s Campaign Manager for Ending Gun Violence, Ernest Coverson issued the following statement in response to the passage yesterday of H.R. 4118, the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives:
September 23, 2022
Report
Torture and Other Ill-Treatment of Haitian Asylum Seekers in the US Is Rooted in Anti-Black Racism
U.S. authorities have subjected Haitian asylum seekers to arbitrary detention and discriminatory and humiliating ill-treatment that amounts to race-based torture, said Amnesty International today in the new report, ‘They Did Not Treat Us Like People’: Race and Migration-Related Torture and Other Ill-Treatment of Haitians Seeking Safety in the USA.
September 22, 2022
Update
Amnesty Statement for the Record: HFAC Russia War Crimes Hearing
On September 21, 2022, the Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on "Accountability for Atrocity Crimes Committed by Russia in Ukraine". Amnesty International submitted this statement for the record. The statement tracks some of the patterns Amnesty's researchers uncovered in their work on the ground in Ukraine. Throughout the conflict, the Russian military has shown a wanton disregard for international law, used banned weapons such as cluster bombs, intentionally targeted civilians, perpetrated sexual violence and rape against the Ukrainian population, and precipitated a devastating humanitarian crisis. Many of these…
September 21, 2022
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Statement in Response to the Introduction of Federal Abortion Ban Legislation
Responding to the news that Senator Lindsay Graham had introduced a bill in the US Senate that would ban most abortions nationwide after 15 weeks, Tarah Demant, Interim National Director of Programs, Government Relations and Advocacy at Amnesty International USA, said:
September 14, 2022
Update
Amnesty USA and Amnesty South Africa Make Human Rights Asks Ahead of White House Visit
Amnesty International has urged South African President Ramaphosa and United States President Biden to discuss human rights issues facing both countries ahead of their meeting in Washington D.C. this week. In its letters, the organization highlighted ongoing concerns with human rights issues in South Africa such as gender-based violence, right to education and migration and xenophobia, and in the United States which includes access to abortion, gun violence and Covid-19 tests and treatment, which we hope the two presidents will raise with each other during their meeting. You can find the letter to President Ramaphosa here and the letter to…
September 14, 2022