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Press Release

Biden Administration’s Approval of Weapons Sale to Israel Will Put Civilians at Greater Risk

Responding to reports that the Biden Administration has approved a $735 million sale in weapons to Israel, Philippe Nassif, the advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International USA, said: “President Biden’s approval of a $735 million offensive arms sale to Israel in the midst of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law perpetrated by Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups directly undermines his commitment to upholding human rights around the world. By supplying weapons that could be used to commit war crimes, the U.S. government is taking the risk of further fueling attacks against…

May 17, 2021

Update

Amnesty International urges Vice President Harris to raise human rights concerns on upcoming trip to Guatemala and Mexico

On May 17, 2021, Amnesty International USA wrote to Vice President Kamala Harris urging her to raise human rights concerns during her upcoming visit to Guatemala and Mexico and inviting her to meet with Amnesty International leaders in Mexico City. Click here to read the letter May 17, 2021   Vice President Kamala Harris White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington DC 20500   Re: Amnesty International urges Vice President Harris to raise human rights concerns on upcoming trip to Guatemala and Mexico Dear Vice President Harris: On behalf of Amnesty International and our more than ten million members, supporters,…

May 17, 2021

Press Release

Pattern of Israeli Attacks on Residential Homes in Gaza Must Be Investigated As War Crimes

Israeli forces have displayed a shocking disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians by carrying out a number of airstrikes targeting residential buildings in some cases killing entire families - including children - and causing wanton destruction to civilian property, in attacks that may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, said Amnesty International today.

May 17, 2021

Press Release

Israel/ OPT: Cycle of impunity leaves civilians once again paying the price amid escalation of hostilities

Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza must not repeat violations of international humanitarian law that led to killing and maiming of civilians and destruction of homes and infrastructure in previous rounds of fighting, said Amnesty International today.  

May 12, 2021

Update

Amnesty International USA Statement for Senate Hearing on DHS Actions to Address Unaccompanied Minors at the Southern Border

On May 13, 2021 Amnesty International USA submitted a statement for the record ahead of a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs hearing on Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") Actions to Address Unaccompanied Minors at the Southern Border. Amnesty urges the Biden administration to take critically needed steps to uphold its human rights obligations to meet the best interests of children through immediate and systemic change, as it works to welcome children with humanity, compassion, and care. The Biden administration should immediately stop the misuse of Title 42 and ensure all people seeking safety are welcomed as part…

May 12, 2021

Photo by Jaber Abdulkhaleg/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Press Release

End Brutal Repression of Palestinians Protesting Forced Displacement in Occupied East Jerusalem

Israeli security forces have used repeated, unwarranted and excessive force against Palestinian protesters in occupied East Jerusalem following four days of violence in which 840 Palestinians were injured, Amnesty International said today. At least 21 Israeli police officers and seven Israeli civilians were also injured, according to Israeli police.

May 11, 2021

Activists from Amnesty International demonstrate outside the Russian embassy in Berlin
Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images

Press Release

Statement on Alexei Navalny’s status as Prisoner of Conscience

Following careful evaluation Amnesty International has decided to re-designate Alexei Navalny as a “Prisoner of Conscience”. In February, Amnesty took an internal decision to stop using the “Prisoner of Conscience” term for Navalny, due to concerns relating to discriminatory statements he made in 2007 and 2008 which may have constituted advocacy of hatred. The Russian government and its supporters used that internal decision, which we had not intended to make public, to further violate Navalny’s rights. That was the height of hypocrisy, coming from a government that not only attempted to kill Navalny by poisoning, but has carried out unconscionable…

May 7, 2021

Press Release

Steven Donziger Hearing Showcases the Targeting and Restrictions He has Faced

Ahead of a hearing on May 10 in the case of Steven Donziger, one of the main lawyers representing Ecuadorian victims of oil dumping in a landmark case against Chevron Corporation, Justin Mazzola, the Deputy Director of Research for Amnesty International USA, said: "Those working to advance accountability and redress for the grave environmental impacts of corporations’ actions should be supported, not placed under house arrest. Amnesty International is calling on Congress to review the case against Steven Donziger immediately and an end to the targeting and restrictions he has faced." Amnesty International published a joint public statement on May…

May 6, 2021

Press Release

Biden Administration Support of TRIPS Waiver is a Critical First Step, More Must Be Done Now

Responding to President Biden’s announcement that the U.S. will support a TRIPS waiver, Paul O’Brien, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, stated: “Amnesty International USA commends the Biden administration for supporting the emergency COVID-19 intellectual property waiver under consideration at the World Trade Organization. Adoption of this waiver is critical to disseminate vaccine technology to middle-income and low-income nations, so that all people around the world can get access to vaccines and treatment, as quickly as possible. By reversing the prior administration’s position, President Biden has made clear that the U.S. prioritizes people’s lives over pharmaceutical company profits. “This is…

May 5, 2021

Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images

Press Release

Facebook Decision to Ban Trump Doesn’t Solve Disastrous Handling of Hateful and Violent Speech

Responding to the Facebook Oversight Board voting today to uphold Donald Trump’s ban from the platform after his account was suspended four months ago for inciting violence and stating that Facebook must reassess the penalty because it imposed it "indefinitely", Michael Kleinman, the Director of the Silicon Valley Initiative at Amnesty International USA said: “Donald Trump repeatedly encouraged hatred, discrimination, and violence by his supporters affecting journalists, activists, faith communities and others using his social media platform. While the Oversight Board upheld Facebook’s January 7 decision to restrict Trump’s access to Facebook and Instagram, it criticized the ‘standardless’ and open-ended nature…

May 5, 2021

Update

Amnesty Calls for Co-sponsors of Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act and Freedom for Families Act

On May 4, 2021, Amnesty International USA wrote to members of Congress urging them to co-sponsor the recently introduced Freedom for Families Act (S. 1517, H.R. 2925). As a bill focused on families and children, the bill is an important legislative companion to the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act (S. 1186, H.R. 2222) which would transform the immigration detention system and prohibit the mass detention of immigrants and asylum seekers. Click here to read the letter (Senate) Click here to read the letter (House) May 4, 2021 Dear Senator/Representative: Re: Co-sponsor Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act (S.1186, H.R. 2925) and…

May 4, 2021