Press Release

Increased Gun Sales and Gun Stores Recognized as “Essential Businesses” Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Will Lead to More Violence

In response to reports of increased gun sales and gun stores being considered “essential businesses” amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Ernest Coverson, campaign manager for the End Gun Violence Campaign at…

March 31, 2020
BURBANK, CA - MARCH 17: Shoppers wait in line to purchase ammunition and guns at Gun World in Burbank on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 as US sales of guns and ammunition soar amid the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Press Release

Prisoners in Syria Should be Released to Prevent Spread of COVID-19

The Syrian authorities must cooperate fully with UN agencies and humanitarian organizations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country’s prisons, detention centers and military hospitals, Amnesty International has…

March 31, 2020
A worker disinfects streets in Damascus
DAMASCUS, March 30, 2020 . A worker disinfects streets in Damascus, Syria, on March 30, 2020. Four new COVID-19 cases were registered in Syria, bringing the total number of the infections to nine, Syria's Health Ministry said on Sunday. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani via Getty Images)

Press Release

Workshop for media will examine technology and surveillance in the age of COVID-19

As part of a series of workshops exploring human rights concerns related to the COVID-19 response, Amnesty International USA will be holding a workshop titled “Technology and Surveillance in the…

March 30, 2020
Woman wearing a facemark during COVID-19 pandemic looks at the cell phone in her hand
A woman checks her cellphone while wearing a facemask in Los Angeles on March 20, 2020, a day after Los Angeles County announced a near-lockdown, urging all residents to stay home except for essential needs. - California Governor Gavin Newsom took the most drastic step yet by any US official in the battle against the coronavirus, ordering the entire state of 40 million people to stay at home. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Release

Granting Government in Hungary Unlimited Powers Under New COVID-19 Law is Disturbing Development

Following the decision by the Hungarian parliament to pass a new law that will allow the government to rule by decree without meaningful oversight, and with no clear end date…

March 30, 2020
A lorry disinfects a street on March 30, 2020 in Budapest
A lorry disinfects a street on March 30, 2020 in Budapest amid the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Release

Imprisoned Journalists, Human Rights Defenders and Others in Turkey at Risk of COVID-19 Must be Urgently Released

Amid growing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, the Turkish government is accelerating the preparation of a draft law that will reportedly release up to 100,000 prisoners. This…

March 30, 2020
Surroundings of Ataturk Statue is seen nearly empty
ANKARA, TURKEY - MARCH 30: Surroundings of Ataturk Statue is seen nearly empty after authorities urging people to stay home as a part of coronavirus (COVID-19) precautions in Ankara, Turkey on March 30, 2020. (Photo by Mehmet Ali Ozcan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Press Release

Battle Against COVID-19 in India Must Not Leave Behind the Poor and Marginalized

The three-week nation-wide lockdown to battle the COVID-19 pandemic in India have left millions of migrant workers stranded and the poor struggling to access essential services across the country. The…

March 28, 2020
Indians travel on a horse drawn vehicle on a deserted road as a nationwide lockdown continues
NEW DELHI, INDIA - MARCH 28: Indians travel on a horse drawn vehicle on a deserted road as a nationwide lockdown continues in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 28, 2020 in New Delhi, India. India is under a 21-day lockdown to fight the spread of the virus while security personnel on the roads are enforcing the restrictions in many cases by using force, the workers of country's unorganized sector are bearing the brunt of the curfew-like situation. The lockdown has already disproportionately hurt marginalized communities due to loss of livelihood and lack of food, shelter, health, and other basic needs. The lockdown has left tens of thousands of out-of-work migrant workers stranded, with rail and bus services shut down. According to international labour organisations 90 percent of India's workforce is employed in the informal sector and most do not have access to pensions, sick leave, paid leave or any kind of insurance. The closing of state borders has caused disruption in the supply of essential goods, leading to inflation and fear of shortages. Reports on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is preparing a massive bailout for the underprivileged sections of the country and will hand over the aid through direct cash transfers. (Photo by Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)