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
UN Report on Gaza Conflict a Key Step Towards Justice for Victims on Both Sides
Victims of war crimes and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed by both sides in the 2014 armed conflict in Gaza could be a step closer to justice, Amnesty International said upon today’s publication of the findings of the United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry into the war.
June 22, 2015
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Welcomes Senate Adoption of Anti-Torture Amendment
Today, the Senate adopted a crucial anti-torture amendment as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016. Senate Amendment 1889 was introduced last week by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and co-sponsored by Diane Feinstein (D-CA) among several others. The amendment effectively bans U.S. officials from using torture techniques including mock executions, sexual humiliation, hooding prisoners and waterboarding by requiring they follow the U.S. Army Field Manual.
June 16, 2015
Report
Two Years After Snowden: Protecting Human Rights in an Age of Mass Surveillance
Governments must accept they have lost the debate over the legitimacy of mass surveillance and reform their oversight of intelligence gathering, Amnesty International and Privacy International said today in a briefing published two years after Edward Snowden blew the lid on US and UK intelligence agencies’ international spying network.
June 4, 2015
Press Release
Two years after Snowden, governments resist calls to end mass surveillance
Governments must accept they have lost the debate over the legitimacy of mass surveillance and reform their oversight of intelligence gathering, Amnesty International and Privacy International said today in a briefing published two years after Edward Snowden blew the lid on US and UK intelligence agencies’ international spying network.
June 4, 2015
Press Release
New Details of Majid Khan’s Torture Highlight Need for Re-opening of Department of Justice Investigation
Today, Reuters published for the first time de-classified information detailing the CIA’s torture of Guantanamo detainee Majid Khan. According to the Reuters report, some of the newly declassified details of Majid Khan’s case are allegations of sexual abuse including touching, which were not included in the Senate Intelligence Committee report on CIA torture released in December 2014.
June 2, 2015
Report
Stars on their Shoulders. Blood on their Hands: War Crimes Committed by the Nigerian Military
Based on years of research and analysis of evidence - including leaked military reports and correspondence, as well as interviews with more than 400 victims, eyewitnesses and senior members of the Nigerian security forces - Amnesty International outlines a range of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity committed by the Nigerian military in the course of the fight against Boko Haram in the north-east of the country.
June 2, 2015
Press Release
New Amnesty Report: Senior Members of Nigerian Military Must be Investigated for War Crimes
Based on years of research and analysis of evidence - including leaked military reports and correspondence, as well as interviews with more than 400 victims, eyewitnesses and senior members of the Nigerian security forces Amnesty International outlines a range of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity committed by the Nigerian military in the course of the fight against Boko Haram in the north-east of the country.
June 2, 2015
Press Release
Expiration of USA Patriot Act Symbolically Repudiates Government License to Violate Rights
For the first time since the 9/11 attacks, Congress let a significant legal authority for surveillance lapse as Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act expired. The law’s sunset is at least temporary, and the Senate is poised to vote on surveillance reforms in the USA Freedom Act later this week.
June 1, 2015
Press Release
Pardoned Nigeria Torture Victim ‘Overwhelmed’ By Campaign to Spare His Life
A Nigerian torture victim wrongfully sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was 16 years old has been pardoned following intensive campaigning from Amnesty International supporters across the world.
May 29, 2015
Press Release
Scores of Yemen Civilians Killed and Injured by Anti-Aircraft Fire and Airstrikes On Weapons Depots
Scores of casualties in Sana’a have been caused by anti-aircraft munitions shot by the Huthi armed group which detonated after landing in populated areas killing and maiming civilians, said Amnesty International.
May 28, 2015
Report
‘Strangling Necks’: Abduction, Torture and Summary Killings of Palestinians by Hamas Forces During the 2014 Gaza/Israel Conflict
Hamas forces carried out a brutal campaign of abductions, torture and unlawful killings against Palestinians accused of “collaborating” with Israel and others during Israel’s military offensive against Gaza in July and August 2014, according to a new report by Amnesty International.
May 26, 2015
Press Release
USA Freedom Act Fails Senate Vote As Patriot Act Reauthorization Blocked
The US Senate failed to pass a short-term reauthorization of Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. today, meaning that a major legal authority on which the U.S. government has relied for surveillance is poised to expire.
May 23, 2015