Latest News
African Union: Non-co-operation with Bashir Arrest Warrant an insult for victims
In response to reports on the decision by the African Union (AU) not to cooperate with a war crimes warrant of arrest, issued by the International Criminal Court against Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, Erwin van der Borght, Amnesty International Africa Director said:
2009-07-04
India's ruling against 'sodomy' laws is first step to equality
A Delhi high court has decided to decriminalize homosexuality. The ruling overturns a 19th century British colonial law.
2009-07-03
Nepal Prime Minister urged to commit to combating enforced disappearances
A delegation from Amnesty International delivered thousands of letters to the prime minister, calling on him to ratify a treaty aimed at combating enforced disappearances.
2009-07-03
Honduras: Intimidation of media workers and protestors rising
Amnesty International denounced an escalation in human rights abuses in Honduras and urged the security forces to respect the rule of law and human rights when the President returns to Honduras at the weekend.
2009-07-03
Israel/Occupied PalestinianTerritories:Impunity for war crimes in Gaza and southern Israel recipe for further civilian suffering
Israeli forces killed hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians and destroyed thousands of homes in Gaza in attacks which breached the laws of war, Amnesty International concluded in a new 117-page report published today - the first comprehensive report to be published on the 22-day conflict earlier this year.
2009-07-02
Impunity for war crimes in Gaza and southern Israel a recipe for further civilian suffering
Israeli forces killed hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians and destroyed thousands of homes in Gaza in attacks which breached the laws of war, according to a new Amnesty International report.
2009-07-02
Israel/Gaza: Operation 'Cast Lead' - 22 Days of Death and Destruction. Facts and Figures
Israel/Gaza: Operation 'Cast Lead' - 22 Days of Death and Destruction. Facts and Figures
2009-07-02
Pakistan:More than two million people living outside displacement camps face appalling conditions in Pakistan,says Amnesty International
Pakistan's central and regional governments must urgently do more to assist the more than two million people who have fled escalating fighting in northwestern Pakistan but do not have access to aid distributed in official displacement camps, Amnesty International said today. In particular, the Pakistani government must ensure that ethnic Pashtuns fleeing the fighting do not face discrimination in receiving assistance.
2009-07-02
Malaysia: End caning as a punishment against immigrants
Malaysia must immediately stop caning people, a punishment widely used against immigration offenses, Amnesty International said today
2009-07-02
Recommendations for the elaboration of Rules of Procedure of the Arab Human Rights Committee
The revised Arab Charter on Human Rights (the revised Charter),1 adopted as an international human rights treaty in May 2004 at the Summit of the League of Arab States (the League), 2 provides for the establishment of a committee of seven independent experts, called the Arab Human Rights Committee (the Committee)
2009-07-02
India: Historic ruling against "sodomy" laws, the first step to equality
India: Historic ruling against “sodomy” laws, the first step to equality
2009-07-02
Accountability for human rights violations key to normalization in North Caucasus
There can be no stability and security for the people of the North Caucasus without an end to human rights violations and full accountability, says a new Amnesty International report.
2009-07-01
Russia:Amnesty International Says Accountability is Key to Normalization in Russia's Chechnya and North Caucasus
Only full accountability for the human rights violations that have been taking place over the past decade and more can bring real normalization to Chechnya and the North Caucasus, Amnesty International said in a new report, Rule without Law: Human Rights Violations in the North Caucasus, published today.
2009-07-01
Tanzania: Burundian refugees must not be intimidated to return home
The Tanzanian authorities must ensure that thousands of Burundian refugees who have been living in the Mtabila camp are not sent back to their country under coercion, as suggested by recent reports received from a number of refugees and organizations, Amnesty International said today.
2009-07-01
Corporate Policy v Corporate Practice -- a reality check
"Shell companies recognise that regular dialogue and engagement with our stakeholders is essential
2009-06-30
Honduras:Amnesty International Says Forced Exile of Honduran President Zelaya Cannot be Allowed to Stand
Amnesty International said today that Honduran President Manuel Zelaya must be able to return to Honduras immediately, safely and without conditions.
2009-06-30
Honduras:Amnesty International Calls on Government Security Forces to Protect Safety of Protesters in Honduras
With further demonstrations by supporters of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya expected on Tuesday, Amnesty International urged government security forces to refrain from using excessive force against protesters and ensure their safety.
2009-06-30
Nigeria:Nigerian Government, Oil Companies Undermining Human Rights Due to Oil Pollution in Niger Delta Region, Says Amnesty International
The Nigerian government and companies extracting oil in the Niger Delta have shown a "shocking disregard" for the human impact of oil-related pollution, which includes damage to fishing and farming that had sustained the desperately-poor population, Amnesty International said today in a new report, Petroleum, Pollution and Poverty in the Niger Delta.
2009-06-30
Oil industry has brought poverty and pollution to Niger Delta
The oil industry in the Niger Delta of Nigeria has brought impoverishment, conflict, human rights abuses and despair to the majority of people in the oil-producing areas, says a new Amnesty International report.
2009-06-30
Police in Honduras urged to respect human rights as protests continue
Further demonstrations are expected in support of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted on Sunday.
2009-06-30
Honduras: Security Forces must respect human rights
As further demonstrations by supporters of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya are expected to take place later today, Amnesty International is urging the security forces to “refrain from using excessive force against protesters and ensure the safety of those participating in the demonstrations.
2009-06-30
Belarus defies Council of Europe call for a moratorium
The authorities in Belarus continue to ignore international pressure on them to declare a moratorium on the death penalty, Amnesty International and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, said today.
2009-06-30
Burundian refugees in Tanzania intimidated into returning home
Some refugees have had their homes set on fire and others have been threatened with arson, to coerce them into returning home.
2009-06-29
Azerbaijan:In Support of Freedom of Expression in Azerbaijan, Amnesty International to Hold Campaigns Across Europe
Today, Amnesty International members across Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Turkey, take to the streets in support of independent media in Azerbaijan which is coming under increasing pressure from the authorities.
2009-06-29
Iran:Amnesty International Believes Detained Political Leaders are at Risk of Torture and Possible Forced
Amnesty International is gravely concerned that several opposition leaders detained in the wake of the June 12 elections may be facing torture, possibly to force them to make televised 'confessions' as a prelude to unfair trials in which they could face the death penalty.
2009-06-29
President of Lithuania vetoes homophobic law
The law would prohibit the discussion of homosexuality in schools and ban any reference to it in public information that can be viewed by children.
2009-06-29
Europe shows support for Azerbaijan's threatened independent media
Amnesty International members across Europe join in a day of action as part of the organization’s solidarity campaign with independent journalists and human rights activists in Azerbaijan.
2009-06-29
Italian Senate must stop controversial bill
The Italian Senate is to decide whether or not to pass a controversial draft law that would violate the human rights of migrants and asylum-seekers and could lead to discrimination against Roma and Sinti.
2009-06-29
Iran: Detained political leaders at risk of torture, possibly to force "confessions"
Amnesty International is gravely concerned that several opposition leaders detained in the wake of the 12 June elections may be facing torture, possibly to force them to make televised “confessions” as a prelude to unfair trials in which they could face the death penalty.
2009-06-29
Italy: Senate must stop controversial bill
The Italian Senate must reject a controversial draft law when it comes to the vote on Tuesday, 30 June 2009, as it will affect negatively the vulnerable people in the country, Amnesty International said today.
2009-06-29
Latest Reports
Israel/Gaza: Operation "Cast Lead": 22 days of death and destruction
2009-07-02
Nigeria: Come clean about the impact of oil pollution in the Niger Delta [postcard 2]
2009-06-30
Nigeria: Come clean about the impact of oil pollution in the Niger Delta [postcard 1]
2009-06-30
Nigeria: Clean up the oil industry in Nigeria: A healthy environment is a human right [postcard]
2009-06-30
Nigeria: Petroleum, Pollution and Poverty in the Niger Delta - Summary
2009-06-30
Nigeria: Petroleum, Pollution and Poverty in the Niger Delta - Report
2009-06-30
Nigeria: Petroleum, Pollution and Poverty in the Niger Delta - Campaign Digest
2009-06-30
Russian Federation: Rule without Law: Human Rights Violations in the North Caucasus
2009-06-30
Azerbaijan: Independent journalists under siege
Following the murder of a prominent newspaper editor in March 2005, President Ilham Aliyev stated that “the rights of every journalist and print worker, irrespective of their beliefs, are protected and should be guarded by the state”. In reality, however, journalists continue to face assault, harassment, intimidation and even imprisonment for exercising their right to freedom of expression. The cases described in this document illustrate the range of human rights abuses that journalists in Azerbaijan have suffered in recent years.
2009-06-29
Indonesia: Unfinished business: Police accountability in Indonesia
Impunity is deeply engrained throughout Indonesia’s criminal justice system, whereby perpetrators of human rights violations are rarely brought to justice for their crimes. In this report, Amnesty International examines the extent to which the Indonesian government has failed to develop strong internal and external police accountability mechanisms. Strong mechanisms would help to prevent human rights violations by punishing perpetrators and providing reparations and assistance to victims through a free, fair and transparent process.
2009-06-24
Indonesia: Unfinished Business: Police Accountability in Indonesia - Executive Summary
2009-06-24
Canada: 'A place to regain who we are': Grassy Narrows First Nation, Canada
The history of displacement, cultural upheaval and social strife at Grassy Narrows in north-western Ontario illustrates the tragic consequences of government failure to protect the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. The human rights of Indigenous peoples must be protected by the authorities. In this document Amnesty International calls on the provincial government not to permit clear-cut logging or other industrial development in Grassy Narrows except with the free, prior and informed consent of the community.
2009-06-21
Colombia: Everything Left Behind: Internal displacement in Colombia
2009-06-20
Turkey: End fees for refugees [postcard]
2009-06-20
Tunisia: Behind Tunisia's 'Economic Miracle': Inequality and criminalization of protest
Tunisia’s ‘Economic Miracle’ has not benefited all, nor has it been matched by greater enjoyment of human rights. This was vividly illustrated during unrest in the south-west region of Gafsa in 2008, when peaceful protests by workers and unemployed youths were met with excessive use of force by security forces, arbitrary arrest, torture or other ill-treatment, and imprisonment after unfair trials. The protests were sparked by what was seen as an unfair recruitment process by the Gafsa Phosphate Company.
2009-06-17
Kenya: The unseen majority: Nairobi's two million slum-dwellers
The Kenyan government has for decades failed to take the minimum steps required to fulfil the right to adequate housing for residents of Nairobi’s slums and informal settlements. There millions of urban poor live without the minimum degree of legal security of tenure that Kenya is obliged to provide for everyone. As a result, they live under the constant threat of forced eviction from their homes and businesses. This report provides an overview of the human rights issues raised by the Kenyan government’s approach to slums and informal settlements.
2009-06-12
Kenya: How the other half lives: Nairobi's slum-dwellers, Kenya
In Nairobi the burgeoning slums and the unacceptable living conditions for their residents are testament to the government's failure to uphold the right of adequate housing for all. The key obstacle is the lack of legal security of tenure so residents of these settlements are particularly vulnerable to forced evictions. In this document Amnesty Internal calls on Kenya's president to immediately stop all forced evictions, to ensure genuine consultation with affected communities and to ensure that the slum upgrading programme complies with rights to adequate housing.
2009-06-12
Sri Lanka: Twenty years of make-believe. Sri Lanka's Commissions of Inquiry
In Sri Lanka, Commissions of Inquiry have not performed successfully, and the formal justice system is in tatters. With this report, Amnesty International seeks to re-focus the debate within Sri Lanka and in the international community from one that is centred on the most recent atrocity or the latest Commission of Inquiry, to one that is based on the need to prevent the continuation of violations and ensure real accountability for past abuses.
2009-06-11
Kosovo: Burying the Past: Impunity for enforced disappearances and abductions in Kosovo
"I went out into the main street, and there were around four or five hundred soldiers in the road
2009-06-08
Nepal: Protect women human rights defenders [postcard]
2009-06-06
Sri Lanka: End impunity ensure justice for victims [postcard]
2009-06-02
Demand Dignity: A healthy environment is a human right - Poster 1
2009-05-28
India: Dodging responsibility: Corporations, governments and the Bhopal disaster
In December 1984 thousands of tonnes of deadly chemicals leaked from Union Carbide's pesticide plant in Bhopal, central India. Around half a million people were exposed. The survivors of Bhopal have fought for 25 years for justice. The Bhopal disaster highlights how the law can be used by companies to protect their interests, and significantly disadvantages victims of those companies. Laws and systems that protect human rights need to evolve to deal more effectively with the realities of a globalized economy.
2009-05-28
Demand Dignity: Campaign digest
In this digest Amnesty International presents an overview of the aims of the campaign. To protect the rights of those who live in slums, to end the needless deaths of women from complications in pregnancy, to ensure corporate actors pay due attention to the rights of those in poverty, world leaders must move from acknowledgement to action. Three underlying areas that have traditionally blocked progress must be addressed: accountability, access to rights and active participation.
2009-05-28
Peru: Deadly inequalities: Maternal mortality in Peru
Peru remains one of the countries with the highest maternal mortality ratios in Latin America. Maternal mortality could be greatly reduced if the barriers that prevent or delay women accessing emergency obstetric services were removed. These barriers are highest for women from excluded or remote communities. Amnesty International is calling on the government of Peru to adopt, fund and implement a national strategy to prevent and reduce maternal mortality.
2009-05-28
Demand Dignity: Case studies on slums: campaign digest
More than 1 billion people across all continents live in slum communities. As the cases in this digest demonstrate, disregard for life in the slum communities too often leads to making a bad situation worse, leaving people with less than they had and with little recourse to justice. Governments must act now to end forced evictions; to ensure equal access to public services for people living in slums; and, to allow for and ensure the active participation of people living in slums in all plans and projects directed at slum upgrading.
2009-05-28
Canada: Defending land and way of life - The Lubicon Cree: Indigenous peoples in Alberta, Canada
2009-05-28
Sierra Leone: Lives cut short: Make pregnancy and childbirth safer in Sierra Leone
Women are at a higher risk of dying in childbirth in Sierra Leone than almost anywhere in the world. Women's right to health is being undermined by discrimination against those living in poverty. The government must ensure the minimum levels of health care for all, including reproductive and maternal health care, and seek international co-operation and assistance where necessary.
2009-05-28
