Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
If you are a member of the press, please reach out to [email protected]
Press Release
U.S. Risks Complicity by Selling Arms to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is visiting the United States this week from March 19 to 22. On Tuesday, he is expected to meet with U.S. President Trump at the White House. Raed Jarrar, advocacy director of Middle East North Africa at Amnesty International USA, issued this statement:
March 19, 2018
Press Release
Yemen: ‘Heart-breaking’ mass drowning a symptom of devastating conflict and humanitarian crisis
Responding to reports that at least 30 Somali and Ethiopian refugees and migrants drowned after leaving the coast of south-western Yemen to flee back to Africa, Lynn Maalouf, Director of Research for the Middle East at Amnesty International, said the following.
January 26, 2018
Press Release
Saudi Arabia: Three years on, flogged blogger Raif Badawi must be released
Amnesty International launches a campaign today to mark the three year anniversary of the public flogging of Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi. He received the first 50 out of 1000 lashes on 9 January 2015 for setting up a website focused on social and political debate.
January 9, 2018
Press Release
USA, UK and France risk complicity in collective punishment of civilians in Yemen
The USA, UK and France must immediately cease supplying arms to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting in Yemen, which is impeding humanitarian assistance of items indispensable to the survival of civilians, said Amnesty International today. According to the UN and humanitarian agencies food and medicine are being blocked and vital supplies will run out in a matter of weeks.
November 17, 2017
Press Release
UN downplays Saudi Arabia-led coalition’s crimes against children in Yemen
The international community has caved in to political pressure again, underplaying the suffering of hundreds of Yemeni children, by watering down criticism of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition’s grave violations of international law in the UN Secretary General’s annual Children and armed conflict report (CAAC), said Amnesty International.
October 6, 2017
Press Release
Saudi Arabia: Right to drive is a long overdue step forward for women
Responding to the Saudi Arabian government’s announcement that women will be allowed to drive, Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Research and Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said:
September 27, 2017
Press Release
U.S. National Faces Execution in Saudi Arabia Despite Unfair Trial
The sentence of a U.S. national facing execution after unfair legal proceedings in Saudi Arabia must be rescinded and a new, fair trial must be held in accordance with international human rights standards and without recourse to the death penalty, Amnesty International has said.
September 13, 2017
Press Release
Saudi Arabia: Execution looms for teen tortured to “confess” to protest-related crimes
A young Saudi Arabian Shi’a man who claims he was tortured to “confess” alleged crimes committed when he was 16 years old faces imminent execution, in the latest shocking example of Saudi Arabia’s ruthless clampdown on dissent, said Amnesty International today.
September 12, 2017
Press Release
Secretary Tillerson Visit to Gulf Must Not Greenlight More Abuses Against Human Rights Defenders
Today, Secretary Tillerson is meeting with senior foreign officials in Saudi Arabia. This is the latest leg of a week-long tour of the Gulf, and the meeting will include officials from Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Tillerson is expected to discuss counterterrorism and security efforts. Amnesty International USA senior director of campaigns, Naureen Shah, issued this statement:
July 12, 2017
Press Release
On Fifth Anniversary of Arrest, Amnesty International Calls for Release of Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi
Five years ago this Saturday, Raif Badawi was arrested for his writings on a website criticizing the Saudi government and calling for religious freedom. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 public lashes. Badawi’s wife and children fled Saudi Arabia just prior to his arrest and now live in Canada.
June 16, 2017
Press Release
Senate Vote for Saudi Arms Deal May Make U.S. Complicit in War Crimes
Following a Senate vote defeating a resolution to block an impending $500 million arms sale to Saudi Arabia, Joanne Lin, senior managing director of advocacy and government relations at Amnesty International USA, issued the following statement:
June 13, 2017
Press Release
Trump’s Saudi Arms Deal is Unconscionable
Responding to the news that President Trump has finalized an arms deal with Saudi Arabia during his trip to the country, Margaret Huang, Amnesty International USA executive director, released the following response:
May 20, 2017