Newsroom

Report

In recent months, relatively small demonstrations in Syria have developed into widespread mass protests. On 14 May, a devastating security operation began in Tell Kalakh, a town in the western governorate of Homs near the border with Lebanon. Scores of men were arbitrarily arrested, tortured and at least nine died in custody. Amnesty International considers that the Syrian army and security forces committed crimes and other violations during this security operation that, when taken in the context of other crimes and human rights violations elsewhere in Syria, amount to crimes against humanity.

July 4, 2011

Update

What the US government did to Maher Arar is atrocious. But is our government’s treatment of Arar so different from what it routinely does to its own citizens, minus the air travel and outsourcing?

July 2, 2011

Update

With recent Supreme Court ruling and closure of the US investigation of 101 cases of detainee abuse, chapter closes on accountability of private military contractors for abuses at Abu Ghraib.

July 1, 2011

Update

35 years ago, the death penalty was reinstated in the U.S. A new Amnesty International report looks at the consequences of this regrettable decision.

July 1, 2011

Press Release

Thai political parties must publicly commit to respect human rights, Amnesty International said today, on the eve of the country’s first national elections in more than three years.

July 1, 2011

Update

Humberto Leal is to be put to death on July 7 in Texas in violation of U.S. treaty obligations. Can the Supreme Court or Congress stop this illegal execution?

June 30, 2011

Report

Head of state and government: Sebastián Piñera (replaced Michelle Bachelet in March) Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes Population: 17.1 million Life expectancy: 78.8 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 10/8 per 1,000 Adult literacy: 98.6 per cent Indigenous Peoples continued to campaign for their rights to be respected. Some progress was made in bringing to justice those responsible for past human rights violations. Legal obstacles to the enjoyment of sexual and reproductive rights persisted. Background A devastating earthquake and tsunami in February in southern Chile left up to 500 dead and caused widespread damage. In August, the collapse of a copper-gold…

June 30, 2011

Report

Head of state and government: Daniel Ortega Saavedra Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes Population: 5.8 million Life expectancy: 73.8 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 29/22 per 1,000 Adult literacy: 78 per cent Rape and sexual abuse remained widespread and more than two thirds of reported cases between January and September involved girls under the age of 17. The total ban on all forms of abortion remained in force. The independence of the judiciary was called into question. Background A health emergency was announced following flooding in August and September and the subsequent outbreak of Leptospirosis which left scores dead. A…

June 30, 2011

Report

Head of state and government: Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes Population: 13.8 million Life expectancy: 75.4 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 29/22 per 1,000 Adult literacy: 84.2 per cent Spurious criminal charges were brought against human rights defenders, including Indigenous leaders. Human rights violations committed by security forces remained unresolved. Women living in poverty continued to lack access to good quality and culturally appropriate health services. Background There were mass demonstrations, many led by Indigenous Peoples' organizations, against government policies and legislation on issues such as natural resources; land; education; public services; and the lack of…

June 30, 2011

Report

Head of state and government: Evo Morales Ayma Death penalty: abolitionist for ordinary crimes Population: 10 million Life expectancy: 66.3 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 65/56 per 1,000 Adult literacy: 90.7 per cent Institutional developments in the justice system gave rise to serious concerns. Key trials for past human rights violations and investigations into allegations of violence by the security forces and by private individuals progressed slowly. Background Lack of consultation and agreement on political reforms increased political tensions. Some Indigenous groups and trades unions initiated protests. In May, the Bolivian Trades Union Confederation (Central Obrera Boliviana) called a strike over…

June 30, 2011

Report

Head of state and government: Cristina Fernández Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes Population: 40.7 million Life expectancy: 75.7 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 17/14 per 1,000 Adult literacy: 97.7 per cent Women and girls who were pregnant as a result of rape continued to face major obstacles in getting access to legal abortions. Excessive use of force by the police and inhumane prison conditions remained serious concerns. Legal proceedings against those responsible for past human rights violations during the military regimes continued. Background In June, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage. In July, President…

June 30, 2011

Report

Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor General David Johnston (replaced Michaëlle Jean in October) Head of government: Stephen Harper Death penalty: abolitionist for all crimes Population: 33.9 million Life expectancy: 81 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): 6/6 per 1,000 Indigenous Peoples faced ongoing, systematic violations of their rights. There were fears that proposed new legislation could result in the prolonged detention of asylum-seekers. Concerns about human rights violations associated with counter-terror and security operations persisted. Background A proposed bill to create a national housing strategy consistent with international human rights standards was pending at the end of the…

June 30, 2011