Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Update
Ex-Liberian President Who Brought "Blood Diamonds" Into the Public Consciousness, Found Guilty of War Crimes
Charles Taylor verdict sends message no one is above the law.
April 26, 2012
Update
Shell's Weak Response to Activists' Demands
Shell responded to a week of comments from Amnesty activists on their Facebook and Twitter. Unfortunately, their claims don't stand up to scrutiny.
April 26, 2012
Press Release
Amnesty International Condemns Mass Forced Evictions in Belgrade, Leaving Hundreds of Families in Peril
Amnesty International today condemns the decision by Belgrade authorities to proceed with a mass forced eviction in the capital Belvil on Thursday, saying authorities have failed to consult with Roma communities affected, denying them adequate information, notice and legal remedies, and leaving hundreds of families uncertain.
April 26, 2012
Press Release
Amnesty International Tells Shell Oil: If You’re Concerned About the Consequences of the Niger Delta Spill, Then Clean It Up and Compensate the Victims
Amnesty International said today if Shell oil is as concerned about the devastating consequences of a 2008 oil spill in the Niger Delta as it claims, it should do the right thing and to clean up the pollution and compensate the victims.
April 26, 2012
Update
Connecticut Death Penalty Abolished! (California Next?)
Governor Malloy has signed the bill making Connecticut the 5th state in five years to repeal the death penalty. Will California be next?
April 25, 2012
Press Release
Amnesty International Praises Connecticut Gov. Malloy For Signing Law to End Death Penalty; Calls Action “Historic Step Forward for Human Rights”
Amnesty International USA today applauded Governor Dannel P. Malloy for signing into law SB280, which repeals the death penalty in Connecticut for all future cases.
April 25, 2012
Report
Our Right to Know: Transparent Reporting under an Arms Trade Treaty
Public reporting is a key means by which the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) will become more than a set of obligations and actually affect States’ behaviour. Fully transparent reporting will build confidence amongst States and provide a basis for States and civil society to assess how the ATT is being applied in practice. This document focuses on why States should transparently report on their international arms trade and transfers. It also provides a brief overview of transparency initiatives to date, and outlines how a reporting mechanism could be incorporated into the Treaty.
April 24, 2012
Report
How an Arms Trade Treaty can help prevent armed violence
Current United Nations discussions on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) provide an opportunity to examine armed violence in the context of decisions concerning international transfers of conventional arms used in armed violence. This report is divided into two parts. Part I examines how an ATT with a clearly elaborated risk assessment process can make a contribution to the prevention and reduction of armed violence. Part II focuses on firearms-related homicide and emphasises the importance of adopting an approach to addressing armed violence that will encompass violence outside of armed conflict settings.
April 24, 2012
Report
Arms for Internal Security: Will they be covered by an Arms Trade Treaty?
There is now a chance in the UN to establish a global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) setting out commonly-agreed rules for strict national regulation and international monitoring of the trade and transfer of conventional arms. This briefing paper includes Amnesty International's proposal for the inclusion of the scope of equipment into an ATT including an indicative list of the conventional arms and a summary definition. It also includes examples of conventional arms that may, inadvertently, be excluded from the scope of the ATT.
April 24, 2012
Report
Key elements for implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
This document lists suggested key elements for “creating high common international standards” for national systems of licensing or authorisation for the export, import and other international transfers of conventional arms. It also sets out Amnesty International's position on key transparency measures and victim assistance.
April 24, 2012
Update
From the Field: Sudanese Air Strikes Threaten Humanitarian Efforts in South Sudan
Sudanese air strikes have raised tensions and threatened humanitarian efforts in South Sudan.
April 24, 2012