Latest News
Human rights violations in cities around the world
As World Habitat Day focuses on the state of the housing rights situation across the globe, here are case studies from cities in Cambodia, Brazil, Italy, Israel and Angola.
2008-10-06
Angola bad choice to host World Habitat Day
The choice of the Angolan capital Luanda to lead the global observance of this year's World Habitat Day provoked controversy among housing and human rights organizations.
2008-10-06
Pakistan/Afghanistan: Thousands of displaced civilians in border area have right to international assistance
Tens of thousands of civilians require immediate international humanitarian assistance as a result of escalating fighting on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border since the beginning of August, Amnesty International said today.
2008-10-03
Russian Federation: End impunity for violence against human rights defenders and journalists
Recent attacks on independent journalists and human rights activists illustrate the risks under which they work in Russia, Amnesty International said on the eve of the second anniversary of Anna Politkovskaya’s murder.
2008-10-03
South Korea: Improve policing practices during protests
South Korean police used excessive force in some instances against demonstrators protesting earlier this year against the government’s decision to resume beef imports from the US, Amnesty International concluded in a report released today.
2008-10-03
Mexico: No truth, no justice 40 years after Mexico City massacre
Forty years ago, the Mexican army opened fire on students peacefully demonstrating in Tlatelolco, Mexico City, on 2 October 1968.
2008-10-02
Mexico: Unanswered Questions Surround Massacre of Peaceful Student Protesters in Mexico City, Forty Years Later, Says Amnesty International
Forty years after the massacre of peaceful student protesters in Mexico City, Amnesty International is calling on Mexican President Felipe Calderón to determine the truth behind the mass killings, including how many individuals died, and to provide justice and reparations for the victims' families.
2008-10-02
Georgia: Amnesty International Urges Accountability in Georgia-Russia Conflict
As European Union monitors take up their posts in Georgia, there are ongoing security concerns, unexploded ordnance from the August Georgia-Russia conflict and the large-scale destruction of property. These factors are undermining the right of tens of thousands of people to return to their homes.
2008-10-01
Georgia: The human cost of war in Georgia
Tens of thousands of displaced people are still unable to return home after the Georgia-Russia conflict. Amnesty International collected eye-witness accounts from survivors of the hostilities and took photographs of the war's aftermath.
2008-10-01
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevo Queer Festival organizers still under threat
The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights activists and the participants of the Sarajevo Queer Festival continue to receive death threats.
2008-10-01
Democratic Republic of Congo: Amnesty International Reports Resurgence in Rape and Recruitment of Child Soldiers in North Kivu Province
In a new report on the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Amnesty International reports that for every two children who are released, five are taken and forced to be child soldiers.
2008-09-30
Georgia-Russia conflict: Security for civilians and accountability for governments
As European Union monitors take up their posts in Georgia, ongoing security concerns, unexploded ordnance from the 7-13 August Georgia-Russia conflict and the large scale destruction of property in some parts of the conflict area continue to undermine the right of tens of thousands of people to return to their homes.
2008-09-30
Mexico: Massacre in Mexico City; questions remain
Forty years after one of the worst incidents of mass killing in Mexico?s history, the Mexican government still hasn?t given answers to questions surrounding the massacre that took place in Mexico City, said Amnesty International.
2008-09-30
Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed groups and government forces continue to abuse women and children in North Kivu
Child soldiers are still being recruited to fight in the ongoing war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is also continuing physical and sexual abuse of women and children in the conflict.
2008-09-29
Egypt: Two month sentence for prominent Egyptian editor
A prominent Egyptian newspaper editor faces two months in prison for writing an article about the health of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
2008-09-29
Cambodia: Cambodia's Human Rights Defenders Silenced Through Legal System in Land Disputes, Charges Amnesty International
Rich and powerful individuals and groups involved in land disputes in Cambodia are increasingly using their power to silence opponents through the criminal justice system, said Amnesty International today, as it called for greater protection for human rights defenders.
2008-09-26
Cambodia: Law used against housing activists in Cambodia
Some 150,000 Cambodians live at risk of being forcibly evicted in the wake of land disputes, land grabbing and agro-industrial and urban redevelopment projects in 2008.
2008-09-26
Myanmar: Released prisoner rearrested in Myanmar
Amnesty International confirmed on Friday that one of the seven prisoners of conscience freed this week, U Win Htein, was re-arrested a few hours after his release.
2008-09-26
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Eight injured as Sarajevo Queer Festival attacked
Several people were attacked at the end of the first day of the Sarajevo Queer Festival on Wednesday.
2008-09-26
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Failure to protect
The authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina must provide adequate security for the participants in the first ?Sarajevo Queer Festival?, said Amnesty International after several people were attacked at the end of the first day of the festival.
2008-09-25
DRC: Resurgence in rape and recruitment of child soldiers
For every two children released, five are taken and forced to be child soldiers, said Amnesty International, in a new report released today on the ongoing conflict in the province of North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
2008-09-25
USA: Stay of execution for Troy Davis
Troy Davis received a stay of execution on Tuesday less than two hours before he was due to be put to death by lethal injection in Georgia.
2008-09-24
Cambodia: Human rights defenders silenced through the legal system
Rich and powerful individuals and groups involved in land disputes in Cambodia are increasingly using their power to silence opponents through the criminal justice system, said Amnesty International today, as it called for greater protection for human rights defenders.
2008-09-24
Sudan: At September 25 Rally Outside United Nations, Amnesty International To Send Message to UN Security Council on Darfur:
(New York)- Human rights activists with Amnesty International USA will demonstrate outside the United Nations on Thursday evening, September 25, to press the UN Security Council to reject the efforts of some countries to block the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes committed in the Darfur region of Sudan.
2008-09-23
USA: Amnesty International Praises Stay of Execution for Troy Davis
Amnesty International USA today welcomed the order from the Supreme Court of the United States to stay the execution of Troy Anthony Davis hours before his scheduled execution.
2008-09-23
Myanmar: One of Myanmar's longest serving political prisoners released
U Win Tin, a 78-year-old journalist, prominent dissident and senior official in the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was released from prison after 19 years.
2008-09-23
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe's new government has to tackle culture of impunity
The political crisis in Zimbabwe has been characterised by a series of politically-motivated violations of civil, political, social and economic rights against real and perceived opponents of President Mugabe.
2008-09-23
Myanmar: Freedom for U Win Tin but 2,100 political prisoners remain behind bars
Amnesty International welcomes the release of at least seven prisoners of conscience in Myanmar, including U Win Tin who had been imprisoned for 19 years and was one of the longest-serving prisoners of conscience in the country.
2008-09-23
United Kingdom: Inquest into death of Jean Charles de Menezes opens in London
The family of Jean Charles de Menezes will at last have the chance to get answers to their questions about the events leading to his death, in the course of the coroner?s inquest which opened in London on Monday.
2008-09-22
USA: Government should re-issue visa for Pakistani human rights defender
Amnesty International today called on the US government to re-issue a visa to Pakistani human rights defender Amina Masood, after an earlier visa was revoked on "security and related grounds".
2008-09-22
Latest Reports
South Korea: Policing the Candlelight Protests in South Korea
2008-10-06
Europe and Central Asia: In danger for speaking out: Silencing human rights defenders in Europe and Central Asia
Human rights defenders across the region of Europe and Central Asia are targets of intimidation, systematic harassment and serious human rights violations. As they struggle to campaign for the rights of others, their own freedoms and safety come under attack. In some cases, the authorities try to silence them through torture, unfair trials and long prison terms. In the most extreme cases, they pay with their lives. This fact sheet includes illustrative examples.
2008-09-29
Sudan: Blood at the Crossroads - Making the case for a global Arms Trade Treaty
This report shows through illustrative cases how the arms trade contributes to serious violations of human rights in different parts of the world.
2008-09-17
Italy: Reduced to rubble: Stop the violence against Roma
2008-09-17
Blood at the crossroads: Making the case for a global arms treaty - Campaign briefing
The world is reaching a crossroads in deciding how to control the arms trade. Governments must act now to create effective and robust regulation if they are to protect the lives of their people. In December 2006 the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to begin working towards a global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). This document is a summary of the report at AI Index: ACT 30/011/2008 which includes further information and recommendations.
2008-09-17
Guatemala: Uncovering the Truth: The Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation
The Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation was formed in 1992 with the aim of helping to uncover the truth about the numerous massacres and killings carried out during the internal armed conflict (1960-1996). In 2002 and 2006 the Guatemalan government was asked to provide protection for members of FAFG and their relatives. However, the protection provided appears to have been inadequate. Investigations into the threats against FAFG members have not progressed and no-one has yet been brought to justice for sending them.
2008-09-09
Chad: The missing are not forgotten [post card]
2008-08-30
Philippines: Act now for Nelson Asucena
Reports show that cases of political killings are routinely delayed at all stages of investigation and prosecution. Nelson Asucena was Chair of The Youth Council in his local village government. On 13 December 2006, six armed men in camouflage uniforms shot him dead outside his home. This case card calls on the Ombudsman to expedite the Nelson Asucena case and all other pending cases of political killings and enforced disappearances.
2008-08-29
Philippines: Witnessing justice - breaking the chain of impunity
At least 200 political killings and over 200 enforced disappearances have reportedly occurred in the Philippines since 2001. Few effective investigations have been conducted and the arrest, prosecution and conviction of those responsible are rare. Many cases are never brought to court due to a lack of evidence, mostly because witnesses fear reprisals. Amnesty International believes that comprehensive investigations and other measures, including the effective protection of witnesses, are essential to break the chain of impunity.
2008-08-29
Uganda: Amnesty International Concerns on the Regulation of Interception of Communications Bill, 2007
Amnesty International has a number of serious concerns about the Regulation of Interception of Communications (RIC) Bill, published on 25 May 2007 and due to be submitted for debate in Parliament. Amnesty International’s concerns in this memorandum focus primarily on the proposed legislation’s incompatibility with international human rights standards, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Uganda being a party to both treaties.
2008-08-28
Europe and Central Asia: Summary of Amnesty International's Concerns in the Balkans, July - December 2007
This bulletin contains information about Amnesty International’s main concerns in the Balkans between July and December 2007. A number of individual country reports have been issued on the concerns featured in this bulletin. References to these are made under the relevant country entry. In addition, more detailed information about particular incidents or concerns may be found in Urgent Actions and News Service Items issued by AI.
2008-08-28
Defending human rights in a changing world
Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels
2008-08-22
Egypt: Deadly journeys through the desert
Sub-Saharan Africa refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants in Egypt are being killed, imprisoned and forcibly returned to countries where they are at risk of serious human rights violations. This document calls on the government of Egypt to ensure that security forces use force only in accordance with relevant human rights standards; to cease all forcible returns to Eritrea in line with UNHCR guidelines; to ensure that Egypt respects its obligation to allow asylum-seekers meaningful access to asylum procedures and for other measures to prevent such human rights violations.
2008-08-20
USA: From ill-treatment to unfair trial. The case of Mohammed Jawad, child 'enemy combatant'
This report traces the development, authorization and use of “counter-resistance” techniques in Guantánamo and how the conditions the USA attached to its ratification of human rights treaties prohibiting torture and other ill-treatment left loopholes that were exploited by the US administration in its resort to such techniques. In examining the question of Mohammed Jawad’s ill-treatment and the context in which it occurred, the report also notes how the US authorities deliberately blurred the detention and interrogation functions thereby undermining a fundamental safeguard against torture and other ill-treatment.
2008-08-13
USA: From ill-treatment to unfair trial. The case of Mohammed Jawad, child 'enemy combatant' (Summary document)
This document summarizes a report which traces the development, authorization and use of “counter-resistance” techniques in Guantánamo. The report examines the question of Mohammed Jawad’s ill-treatment and the context in which it occurred and notes how the US authorities deliberately blurred the detention and interrogation functions.
2008-08-13
USA: Many words, no justice: Federal court divided on Ali al-Marri, mainland 'enemy combatant'
Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, a Qatari national, has been held without charge or trial in military custody in the USA since 2003. He is the only "enemy combatant" currently detained on the US mainland, shut away in a military facility in South Carolina. Amnesty International considers Ali al-Marri to be arbitrarily detained in violation of international human rights law and calls for him to be charged and brought to trial in federal court in accordance with international standards, or released.
2008-08-04
Mexico: Violence against women in the family in Mexico
Amnesty International believes that Mexico has made some important advances in recent years in defending women’s right to freedom from violence. In June 2008, wholesale reform of the criminal justice system began. Amnesty Internationals hopes this will also lead to strengthened investigation and prosecution of those responsible for violence against women. The challenge that faces all levels of government is to ensure that new legislation to protect women’s rights are implemented and that the barriers women currently face in accessing safety, justice and reparations are removed.
2008-08-01
Mexico: Women's struggle for justice and safety: Violence in the family in Mexico
This report tells the story of many women suffering violence and describes the obstacles they face in accessing safety and justice in Mexico. It shows how women who try to report violence are often met with discrimination. New legislation to guarantee women's right to a life free from violence was introduced in 2007. Amnesty International calls for effective implementation of the new law and on authorities to adopt the organization's 14-point program to ensure access to justice and effective protection for women suffering family violence.
2008-08-01
Iran: Human rights abuses against the Kurdish minority
Iran: Human rights abuses against the Kurdish minority
2008-07-30
Liberia: Towards the final phase of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
This report discusses the lessons learned during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s first two years and analyzes the challenges that it will face during the final phase of its work. Amnesty International offers observations and recommendations to the members of the Commission, to the Liberian government, to donors and to other international organizations, aimed at ensuring that the Commission fully accomplishes its mandate as a “forum that will address issues of impunity”.
2008-07-29
People's Republic of China: The Olympics countdown -- broken promises
With the Olympics less than two weeks away, it is time to assess progress made by the Chinese authorities to improve human rights in line with their own commitments made in 2001. This report provides a final summary and updates developments in these four key areas which are: the continuing use of the death penalty; abusive forms of administrative detention; the arbitrary detention, imprisonment, ill-treatment and harassment of human rights defenders, including journalists and lawyers; and the censorship of the internet.
2008-07-29
Slovakia: A tale of two schools: Segregating Roma into special education in Slovakia
Almost all the pupils at the primary "special school" in Pavlovce nad Uhom, eastern Slovakia, are Roma. The school is intended for children who have mental disabilities. This case study details how the Romani children are placed in the special school erroneously. Amnesty International calls on the Government of Slovakia to ensure that Romani culture is included in the formal school curriculums and for the development of a comprehensive plan of action to ensure the full integration of Romani children in mainstream education.
2008-07-24
Pakistan: Denying the undeniable: Enforced disappearances in Pakistan
In 2006 the Supreme Court took up regular hearings of petitions filed on behalf of Pakistan's 'disappeared'. However, in November 2007, Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of emergency and deposed the majority of judges. Since the elections in February 2008, not much has improved for the “disappeared” or their families. The coalition members have failed to agree on when and how to bring back the deposed justices. Amnesty International calls on the new government to act now to end this grave human rights violation.
2008-07-23
Italy: The witch-hunt against Roma people must end
Amnesty International is deeply concerned about actions taken by the Italian authorities targeting the Roma community. These actions include forced evictions of Romani communities, anti-Roma statements by officials and proposals to take fingerprints of all Roma. In this briefing Amnesty International outlines its concerns regarding actions taken targeting the Romani community, analyses their compliance with international human rights law and makes recommendations to the Italian authorities and the European Union on how to ensure that Italy respects and protects the rights of Roma.
2008-07-23
Colombia: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review: Third session of the UPR Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council, December 2008
In this submission, Amnesty International provides information under sections B, C and D, as stipulated in the General Guidelines. Amnesty International raises issues related to the legal framework for the demobilization of paramilitary groups; reparation for victims of human rights abuses; implementation of the Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court; and children and armed conflict. The submission also includes concerns about human rights violations by paramilitary groups; extrajudicial executions; enforced disappearances; forced displacement of civilians; attacks on human rights defenders and trade unionists; and human rights abuses by guerrilla groups.
2008-07-21
Venezuela:
The introduction in 2007 of the Organic law on the right of women to a life free of violence has helped strengthen women’s access to their human rights in Venezuela. However, there has been a gap between what the law has promised and its implementation in practice. This report focuses on the 2007 law. Although the law covers many different aspects and manifestations of violence against women, this report concentrates on the specific issue of violence against women in the family.
2008-07-16
Venezuela: Ending domestic violence in Venezuela (summary report)
This document is a summary of the report at AMR 53/001/2008. The introduction in 2007 of the Organic law on the right of women to a life free of violence has helped strengthen women’s access to their human rights in Venezuela. However, there are still large obstacles to ensuring that women can fully exercise their right to live free of violence. Amnesty International calls on the Venezuelan authorities to provide the resources needed to fully implement the 2007 law without delay.
2008-07-16
Croatia: Set of recommendations to combat impunity of war crimes
This briefing paper focuses on Amnesty International’s concern in relation to an ongoing problem of impunity for war crimes. It identifies the main obstacles in prosecution of war crimes and suggests practical solutions. It recommends that Croatia should deal with its war time past in line with the Updated Set of Principles for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights Through Action to Combat Impunity (Set of Principles or Principles) which was developed by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
2008-07-14
USA: 9/11 defendants warned on lack of access to classified information and other disadvantages of self-representation
USA: 9/11 defendants warned on lack of access to classified information and other disadvantages of self-representation
2008-07-10
