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
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
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
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
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
Press Release
The United States Must Revamp Refugee Admissions as Soon as Possible
Responding to President Biden’s proposed presidential determination to admit up to 62,500 refugees this fiscal year, Joanne Lin, the National Director of Advocacy and Government Relations at Amnesty International USA, said: “It’s absolutely vital for the United States to revamp refugee admissions as soon as possible so that the U.S. can rebuild the capacity and the systems to welcome more people in the years to come. Communities across the United States, from local groups to faith-based institutions, are ready to welcome their new neighbors and thousands of people around the world are waiting to rebuild their new lives in safety…
May 3, 2021
Press Release
Pass PRO Act to Empower Workers, Protect Rights
The United States Senate should pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), five human rights and labor groups said today in releasing a question-and-answer document about the issue. The Senate should seize on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle rampant economic inequality by empowering workers and building a more just and human rights-based economy.
April 29, 2021
Press Release
The United States Must Ban the Use, Production, and Transfer of Landmines
Amnesty International USA today joined a cohort of organizations as part of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines – U.S. Cluster Munition Coalition to write to President Biden urging him to adopt a policy that sets the United States on course not just to “curtail the use of landmines,” but to ban their use, production, acquisition, and transfer and to swiftly accede to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Paul O’Brien, the executive director of Amnesty International USA said: “Antipersonnel landmines are inherently indiscriminate weapons that can’t distinguish between fighters and ordinary people and maim and kill long after conflicts end.…
April 28, 2021