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.
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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.Â
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
(UA 108/11) Great News! Iraqi Political Activist ‘Ala Nabil Released
Ala Nabil, a political activist in his late twenties was released on 16 April. He was one of at least five young men detained just after they left a demonstration…
Victory
(UA 112/11) Great News! 6 Iraqi Refugees Released
The six Camp Ashraf residents arrested on 8 April were released on 14 April, and are now back in the camp. They have told Amnesty International that they were beaten…
Victory
Iran human rights activist speaks after release
Emadeddin Baghi, one of Iran’s most outspoken human rights activists, was released on Monday.
Victory
Russian human rights defender not guilty of slander charges
Oleg Orlov had said the Chechen President was responsible for the murder of rights defender Natalia Estemirova.
Victory
Angola rehouses victims of forced evictions
Hundreds of people in Luanda whose homes were demolished between 2004 and 2006 are to be rehoused from September.
Victory
Jailed Azerbaijani journalist pardoned
A prominent dissident journalist has been pardoned in Azerbaijan after a global campaign called for his release.
Victory
Brazil Supreme Court recognizes same-sex civil unions
Ruling gives same-sex couples same rights as married heterosexuals.
Victory
Gambia frees opposition leader
A former Gambian opposition leader who was the subject of an Amnesty International letter writing campaign has been released early.
Victory
Zimbabwe court acquits LGBT activist
Charges have been dropped against Ellen Chademana, an employee at the NGO Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe.
Victory
Iraqi police officer held without charge is freed
Qusay ‘Abdel-Razaq Zabib was detained for over two years because he was suspected of having links to armed groups.
Victory
Morocco frees arbitrarily detained former military officer
Former colonel Kaddour Terhzaz was sentenced to 12 years in jail after he wrote to the country’s monarch complaining about the treatment of former air force pilots.
Victory
Illinois abolishes the death penalty
Illinois will become the 16th state in the USA to ban capital punishment when the law signed by Governor Quinn comes into effect on 1 July.