Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Beleaguered Town of Izium at Breaking Point After Constant Attack from Russian Forces – New Testimony
Civilians in Izium in Kharkiv Region in eastern Ukraine are on the brink of a humanitarian disaster as Russian forces relentlessly bombard the town, new testimony gathered by Amnesty International has revealed.
March 16, 2022
Press Release
Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Crucial to Protecting Native Women and Ensuring Justice for Survivors
Amnesty International welcomes the final passage of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), particularly historic provisions that restore tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Native perpetrators of sexual violence against Native women. More than half of Native American and Alaska Native women have experienced sexual violence, over twice the national average. Of Native women who have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, 96 percent have experienced sexual violence by at least one non-Native perpetrator. The restored jurisdiction in VAWA 2022 means that tribes can arrest, prosecute and sentence offenders for sexual violence and other serious crimes outlined in VAWA…
March 16, 2022
Press Release
Advocacy Groups Release Recommendations for Upcoming Private Sponsorship Program for Refugees
Today, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), the Community Sponsorship Hub (CSH), and the Niskanen Center published a joint paper offering recommendations to the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) at the U.S. Department of State (DOS) for the launch of a private sponsorship pilot program for refugees.
March 15, 2022
Press Release
Protesting Live on TV Is an Act of Great Courage, Not a Crime
Responding to the news that Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor on Russia’s state-controlled Channel One TV who interrupted a live news broadcast on Monday to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was arrested and held incommunicado for at least 15 hours after her show of dissent, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said: “The Russian authorities must immediately release Marina Ovsyannikova, who has been held by them after her courageous protest staged on live TV. No one should be detained solely for expressing their opinions, let alone be kept without contact with the outside world. She…
March 15, 2022
Press Release
Over 100 environmental and human rights organizations join Amnesty International’s call for Biden to pardon Steven Donziger
For more than two years, human rights lawyer Steven Donziger - currently serving the remainder of a six month sentence on house arrest - has been arbitrarily detained in apparent retaliation for his work to hold Chevron accountable for its deliberate dumping of more than 16 billion gallons of toxic oil waste into the Amazon rainforest. Despite repeated calls from human rights advocates and governmental authorities for Donziger’s release, the Department of Justice has refused to respond or take any action to remedy this human rights violation. Today, over 100 human rights and environmental organizations from around the world joined…
March 15, 2022
Press Release
Russian Authorities Block Amnesty International’s Russian-Language Website
Responding to the Russian authorities’ decision to block access to Amnesty International’s Russian-language website as part of the Kremlin’s assault on freedom of expression following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, said: “People in Russia have the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds and from all available sources. By blocking Amnesty’s Russian-language site, along with those of many other human rights organizations, independent media outlets and social media platforms, the Kremlin is showing that it can’t stomach the truth about the horror Russia has unleashed in…
March 11, 2022
Press Release
US Support for International Investigation Into War Crimes Important First Step Toward Justice for Victims
This morning, Vice President Harris spoke at a press conference in Warsaw, Poland, where she discussed U.S. support for NATO and backed calls for an international investigation into war crimes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Responding to her remarks, Daniel Balson, Europe and Central Asia Advocacy Director at Amnesty International USA, said: “Vice President Harris’ support for an international investigation into Russia’s violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine is a clarion call for political leaders in the U.S. and abroad to stand on the side of human rights.
March 10, 2022
Press Release
Humanitarian corridors for Ukrainian civilians fleeing Russian attacks must provide safety – new testimonies
Civilians whose homes have been destroyed and others fearing for their lives forced to flee Russian bombardment must be granted access to safe humanitarian corridors, Amnesty International said today.
March 10, 2022
Press Release
Kremlin’s Ruthless Crackdown Stifles Independent Journalism and Anti-War Movement
The Russian authorities have unleashed an unprecedented, nationwide crackdown on independent journalism, anti-war protests and dissenting voices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Amnesty International said today.
March 10, 2022
Press Release
Russian ‘dumb bomb’ air strike killed civilians in Chernihiv – new investigation and testimony
A Russian air strike that reportedly killed 47 civilians in the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv may constitute a war crime, Amnesty International said today following an investigation into the attack.
March 9, 2022
Update
Human Rights on Capitol Hill – March 2022 Newsletter
This month’s edition of Human Rights on Capitol Hill focuses on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—a manifest violation of the United Nations Charter which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
March 8, 2022
Press Release
UN High Commissioner Must Release Report on China’s Crimes Against Humanity in Xinjiang
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet should release her office’s long-awaited report on the Chinese government’s crimes against humanity in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region without further delay, Amnesty International said today in an open letter joined by almost 200 other organizations.
March 8, 2022