Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Former Czech President and Brave Human Rights Defender Vaclav Havel Dies
Amnesty International today expressed sadness about the news that former Czech President and brave human rights defender Vaclav Havel has died. Amnesty International adopted Havel as a prisoner of conscience during his imprisonment, campaigned for his release and awarded him its inaugural Ambassador of Conscience Award in 2003.
December 19, 2011
Press Release
Russia Must Act to Protect Journalists in Dagestan, Says Amnesty International
(Washington, D.C.) --The shocking murder of a journalist shot dead in Dagestan last night is a terrible sign of the risks journalists in Dagestan face, Amnesty International said today.
December 19, 2011
Press Release
Sri Lanka Report Falls Short, Says Amnesty International
The final report of Sri Lanka's Lesson Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), released publicly today, acknowledges serious human rights problems in Sri Lanka but falls short of fully addressing the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the final phases of the conflict between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Amnesty International said today.
December 19, 2011
Press Release
Kim Jong-il’s Death Could be Opportunity for Human Rights in North Korea, Says Amnesty International
The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and assumption of power by his son, Kim Jong-un, present an important opportunity for improving the country’s catastrophic human rights record.
December 19, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty International Commends U.S. Action Plan to Protect Women and Children in Conflict
Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) commends President Obama for creating the first-ever U.S. national action plan to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
December 19, 2011
Press Release
Amnesty Internatonal Condems Politically Motivated Arrests of Congolese Journalists, Lawyers, and Opposition Supporters Following Disputed Elections
Amnesty International said today the Congolese security forces are taking advantage of the tense climate and uncertainty following the disputed elections to arrest dozens of journalists, lawyers, opposition politicians and their supporters.
December 19, 2011
Press Release
Former Czech President and Brave Human Rights Defender Vaclav Havel Dies
Amnesty International today expressed sadness about the news that former Czech President and brave human rights defender Vaclav Havel has died.
December 18, 2011
Update
Death Penalty Downward Spiral Continues
Year-end reports show that both nationally and in Texas, use of the death penalty is declining in the US. Death sentences reached historic lows in 2011.
December 16, 2011
Update
Iran Resorts to Mass Executions to Deal with Its Drug Crisis
At least 488 people have been executed for alleged drug offenses so far in 2011, a nearly threefold increase on 2009, a new Amnesty International report says.
December 16, 2011
Update
40 Years After Horror, Bangladesh Is Free
Given Bangladesh's birth, the country has made great strides towards ending human rights violations. It has a long way to go but we should celebrate today.
December 16, 2011
Update
Beyond the Wall in Yemen
Women have been front and center in the protests that began in Yemen over ten months ago, breaking down barriers, despite efforts to silence them.
December 16, 2011
Report
Guantánamo: A Decade of Damage to Human Rights
While Guantánamo may have dropped from the news headlines, the human rights concerns associated with it -- detentions and torture among them -- remain.
December 16, 2011