Changing lives and policies
We free people from prison who are being held unjustly because of who they are or what they believe. We change laws to protect millions of people’s human rights. We transform societies to be more fair, free, and just.
Featured Victory
Marilin* (31) and Yunior* (11), have been released! Before the family’s release this week, Marilin faced an anniversary no parent would want: one year of lockup with her child simply for seeking safety here in the United States.
Marilin and Yunior were featured in our family detention campaign surge – several weeks of sustained actions, from grassroots activism to billboards, to drive attention to the dozens of families who are invisible behind detention walls in Pennsylvania and Texas. We want them and the government to know they’re not forgotten, and that we are working to free them all.
Thank you all for your continuing support and activism on these case campaigns. Our collective action shines a bright light on these families and the unlawful detention of them and so many more people detained in immigration facilities, and helps push the needle for their release.
Browse Victories
Victory
Good News! – Myanmar: Ko Wai Lu Released (UA 5/15)
Political activist Ko Wai Lu has been released from prison in Myanmar upon completion of his sentence.
Victory
Good News! – Myanmar: Thein Aung Myint Released (UA 75/15)
Peaceful protester and Movement for Democratic Current Forces (MDCF) activist Thein Aung Myint has been released from prison in Myanmar after receiving reductions to his sentence.
Victory
Good News! – Mexico: Adrián Vasquez Lagunes Released (UA 93/15)
Bus driver and father of four Adrián Vásquez Lagunes was released from prison on 2 December near Tijuana, Mexico, more than three years after he was arrested and tortured by…
Victory
Good News! – India: Kovan Released (UA 249/15)
Dalit folk singer and activist S Sivadas, popularly known by his stage name Kovan, was released on bail on 16 November. He was arrested over two satirical songs which criticized…
Victory
Good News! – Sudan: Ferdous Al Toum’s Sentence Quashed (UA 151/15)
The Court of Appeal in Sudan has overturned the sentence of Fardous Al Toum, one of the 10 female Christian students charged with “indecent dress”. She had been sentenced to…
Victory
Good News! – Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Mohammed Allan Released (UA 181/15)
Palestinian lawyer Mohammed Allan was released on 4 November after a year of being detained without charge. The Israeli High Court had ruled in August that his detention should be…
Victory
Good News! – USA: Ernest Johnson Issued Stay of Execution (UA 242/15)
The United States Supreme Court issued a stay of execution in the case of Ernest Johnson shortly before he was due to be put to death in Missouri on 3…
Victory
Good News! – Mexico: Indigenous leaders Mario Luna and Fernando Jiménez Released (UA 230/14)
Indigenous Yaqui leaders Mario Luna and Fernando Jiménez have been released after a judge decided that evidence against them was lacking. They spent a year in preventive detention. Amnesty International…
Victory
Good News! – Egypt: Azza Soliman and 16 Others Acquitted (UA 80/15)
An appeal court has upheld the acquittal of women’s human rights defender Azza Soliman and 16 others who witnessed the killing of Egyptian activist Shaimaa Al-Sabbagh.
Victory
Good News! – Cuba: Danilo Maldonado Machado (‘El Sexto’) Released (214/15)
Cuban graffiti artist Danilo Maldonado Machado (‘El Sexto’) was released on 20 October after spending almost 10 months in prison without trial following accusations of “aggravated contempt”. Amnesty International considered…
Victory
Good News! – USA: Richard Glossip Granted Stay of Execution (UA 192/15)
On 30 September the Governor of Oklahoma issued a 37-day stay of execution for Richard Glossip minutes before he was due to be killed, after the prison department revealed it…
Victory
Good News! – Ecuador: Plans to Shut Down Fundamedios Abandoned (UA 196/15)
Ecuadorian authorities have abandoned their plans to shut down freedom of expression organization Fundamedios. This is a welcome move which will allow Fundamedios to continue carrying out their legitimate human…