Latest News
South Africa: South Africa pledges to make HIV and AIDS a priority
To mark World AIDS Day on Monday, 1 December 2008, Amnesty International has welcomed signs of the South African government's change of direction in response to the country?s HIV epidemic.
2008-12-01
Haiti: Shocking Levels of Rape and Sexual Violence Against Girls in Haiti by Armed Gangs, Amnesty International Reports
Facing a humanitarian emergency, severe hardships and political turmoil, Haiti is also gripped by shocking levels of sexual violence against girls, according to a new report by Amnesty International, which shows more than half of all rape victims in Haiti are girls under age 18 and the culprits are frequently armed criminal gangs.
2008-12-01
Neither violence against women nor poverty are inevitable
Irene Khan, Amnesty International writes about the links between violence against women and poverty to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
2008-12-01
Draft resolution A/C.3/63/L.19/Rev.1 on moratorium on executions
On 20 November 2008 the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted by a large majority a second draft resolution (A/C.3/63/L.19/Rev.1) on moratorium on executions. The increased support for this resolution is yet further evidence of the worldwide trend towards the abolition of the death penalty.
2008-12-01
Suggested recommendations to States coming up during the third round of reviews under the Universal Periodic Review: December 2008: Addendum
This document contains suggested recommendations to be made during the interactive dialogue in the UPR Working Group with Liechtenstein.
2008-12-01
Spain: Catalan autonomous government must take action against police officers convicted of torture
London - Amnesty International expresses its deep concern at reports that two police officers from the Catalan autonomous police force (Mossos d'esquadra) were promoted while under criminal investigation for torture and assault
2008-12-01
Croatian journalists under attack
Journalists in Croatia are being violently targeted for trying to expose the truth about war crimes and corruption, while the country's leaders fail to protect them.
2008-12-01
Nearly 180 killed in Mumbai attacks
The death toll following 60 hours of siege in Mumbai has officially been put at 195 in various attacks.
2008-12-01
Human Rights Council: Words are not enough -- Civilians in eastern DRC need more than half measures
The population of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo need actions that will bring an end to repetitive cycles of gross human rights violations, rather than mere words, Amnesty International said today.
2008-12-01
Women activists: unyielding in their defence of rights
On the International Day of Women Human Rights Defenders, Amnesty International reiterates its call for the protection and promotion of their rights and work.
2008-11-29
China, Iran, Jamaica: China, Iran and Jamaica go against trend on executions
The execution of a Chinese scientist on Friday is the latest in a series of executions that are going against the global trend towards a moratorium on the death penalty.
2008-11-28
India: Multiple attacks in Mumbai kill 143 people
Unprecedented in their level of coordination, the attacks in Mumbai, India, targeted public places and tourist destinations, leaving a further 300 people injured.
2008-11-28
Iraq: Security agreement puts 16,000 Iraqi detainees at risk of torture
Under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which will take effect on 31 December, around 16,000 prisoners held by the US will be transferred to Iraqi custody.
2008-11-28
Croatia: Government must investigate attacks against journalists
The Croatian authorities’ failure to address threats against journalists has led to a climate of intimidation, where the journalists work at a great risk to their lives, Amnesty International said today.
2008-11-28
Haiti: Facts and Figures and Case Study
The Haitian Women's Solidarity Movement (Solidarity Fanm Ayisyen - SOFA) currently collects information about women, girls and sexual violence
2008-11-27
India: New threshold of violence in India, attacks an outrage
The multiple attacks in Mumbai, targeting people in public places and tourist destinations such as a hospital, railway station, restaurant and hotels, blatantly violates the most fundamental principles of international law, said Amnesty International today
2008-11-27
Somalia: International community must seize opportunity for accountability and justice
Amnesty International today welcomed the call by parties to the Djibouti negotiations on Somalia for an International Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and other human rights abuses committed in Somalia, and the eventual establishment of a special court to investigate and prosecute those responsible
2008-11-27
DRC: Action around the world for Democratic Republic of Congo
Activists are demonstrating around the world to call for urgent and effective protection of civilians in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
2008-11-27
Haiti: Don't turn your back on girls - Sexual violence in Haiti
Sexual violence against girls in Haiti is widespread and pervasive, and although already at shocking levels, is said to be on the increase.
2008-11-27
India: Multiple attacks in Mumbai kill 104 people
Unprecedented in their level of coordination, the attacks in Mumbai, India, targeted public places and tourist destinations, leaving a further 300 people injured.
2008-11-27
Iraq: Security agreement puts detainees at risk of torture
Thousands of Iraqis detained by US forces will be at risk of torture or even execution if they are handed over to the Iraqi authorities, Amnesty International today warned.
2008-11-27
Lebanon: End harassment of human rights defender Muhamad Mugraby
On the eve of the expected decision in the case against lawyer and human rights defender Muhamad Mugraby in which he is accused of slandering a public official, Amnesty International is calling on the Lebanese authorities to drop the charge
2008-11-26
Algeria: Algerian human rights lawyer convicted for denouncing violations
The Court of Appeals in Algiers upheld the conviction of a prominent human rights lawyer, Amine Sidhoum, on Tuesday.
2008-11-26
Jamaica: More executions will not reduce crime
Jamaica’s crime epidemic must be solved with reforms to the police and the justice system, not with more death, said Amnesty International after the Jamaican House of Representatives voted a motion to retain the death penalty.
2008-11-26
England: Europe unites against Roma discrimination
An innovative two-day meeting in London ? organised by Amnesty International ? has brought together Roma and human rights activists from across Europe.
2008-11-26
Colombia: Colombia's 'Victims Law' is discriminatory
A draft law in Colombia aiming to grant reparation to victims of the country's 40-year conflict has been called "discriminatory" by Amnesty International.
2008-11-25
China: Amnesty International Urges China to Stop the Execution of Wo Weihan
Amnesty International today called on the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to pardon 59 year-old medical scientist Wo Weihan, echoing his daughter's concerns about the fairness of his trial and conviction.
2008-11-25
Albania: The role of the People's Advocate and other human rights defenders in combating torture and ill-treatment is crucial
In the light of recent allegations of police ill-treatment, Amnesty International calls on the Albanian Minister of the Interior and the Director of the Albanian State Police to issue immediate instructions to the Judicial Police and other police officers reminding them that the torture or ill-treatment of a person, whether during or after arrest, or when the person is simply being questioned as a possible witness to a crime, is a serious criminal offence, both under Albanian and under international human rights law, and will be punished accordingly
2008-11-25
People's Republic of China: Stop the execution of Wo Weihan
Amnesty International today called on the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to pardon 59 year old medical scientist Wo Weihan, echoing his daughter’s concerns about the fairness of his trial and conviction.
2008-11-25
Haiti: No protection for girls against sexual violence
(Haiti) The government of Haiti is failing to protect the country’s girls against rape and sexual violence, Amnesty International said today, as it launched a report calling for authorities to recognise the severity of the problem and to fulfil its duty to protect young women.
2008-11-25
Latest Reports
Bangladesh - Tortured Human Rights Defender Facing Imprisonment
2008-12-01
Myanmar: Act Now for Htay Kywe
Prisoner of conscience Htay Kywe is on trial facing politically motivated charges for his role in the peaceful protest marches against military rule in Myanmar in August/September 2007. In this document Amnesty International calls for his immediate and unconditional release and for assurances that he is not being subjected to torture or ill-treatment.
2008-12-01
USA: ACT NOW FOR 17 UIGHUR MEN: GUANTÁNAMO DETAINEES
2008-12-01
USA: ACT NOW FOR MOHAMED AL-QAHTANI: GUANTÁNAMO DETAINEE
2008-12-01
USA: ACT NOW FOR MAJID KHAN: GUANTÁNAMO DETAINEE
2008-12-01
USA: ACT NOW FOR FOUAD AL RABIAH: GUANTÁNAMO DETAINEE
2008-12-01
USA: ACT NOW FOR DR AYMAN BATARFI
2008-12-01
Nepal: Act Now for Rita Mahato
Rita Mahato is a 30-year-old health counsellor with the Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) in Nepal. In June 2007 she was threatened with rape and death when her office in Siraha district was attacked by men from her community who objected to WOREC’s work to defend the rights of women and dalits. In this document Amnesty International calls on the Nepali authorities to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of women human rights defenders, particularly in rural areas.
2008-11-29
Haiti: Don't turn your back on girls. Sexual violence against girls in Haiti.
2008-11-27
Georgia/Russia: Civilians in the line of fire: The Georgia-Russia conflict.
From the onset of the five-day war between Georgia and Russia in the self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia in August 2008 the conflicting parties failed to take necessary measures to protect civilians from the hostilities. In this report Amnesty International raises concerns that serious violations of both international human rights law and international humanitarian law were committed by all parties, both during the course of the conflict and in its aftermath.
2008-11-18
Thailand: Life at a Dead End: Lao Hmong refugees detained in Thailand
A group of 158 Lao Hmong refugees, at least 92 of whom are children, have been held for two years at the Immigration Detention Center in the north of Thailand. The conditions at the centre are harsh and the health of many of the refugees has been badly affected. Amnesty International believes that many of the Lao Hmong in Thailand are at risk of serious human rights violations if they are forcibly returned to Laos.
2008-11-17
Uganda: Left to their own devices: The continued suffering of victims of the conflict in Northern Uganda and the need for reparations
The conflict in northern Uganda between Government of Uganda's (GoU) armed forces and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) lasted nearly two decades from 1986
2008-11-17
USA: We're counting on you. Counter terror with justice - 100 days action postcard.
2008-11-15
Armenia: No pride in silence: Countering violence in the family in Armenia
2008-11-13
Armenia: Violence in the family in Armenia: Case of Greta Baghdasaryan
2008-11-13
Armenia: No pride in silence: Domestic and sexual violence against women in Armenia: Summary
Thousands of women in Armenia are regularly subjected to violence within their families. Women who try to defend themselves from violence and seek justice face multiple barriers. It is difficult to report violence in the family as a crime because it is neither defined in law nor clearly condemned as a crime. The state must take urgent steps to change wider attitudes towards domestic and sexual violence prevalent in Armenian society. This summary is based on the report: EUR 54/004/2008.
2008-11-13
USA: Indefinite detention by litigation: 'Monstrous absurdity' continues as Uighurs remain in Guantánamo
USA: Indefinite detention by litigation
2008-11-12
Gambia: Fear rules
2008-11-11
Moratoriums on Executions: Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the United Nations General Assembly resolution 62/149
Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the United Nations General Assembly resolution 62/149
2008-11-11
Dominican Republic: Challenging discrimination in the Dominican Republic: Protecting the rights of Haitian migrant workers and their descendants
Discrimination on grounds of race, language, skin colour and nationality is an everyday reality for many Haitian migrant workers and Dominicans of Haitian descent. In this document Amnesty International highlights the contribution made by organizations such as the Movement for Dominico-Haitian Women (MUDHA); expresses concern at the apparent campaign to discredit the work of MUDHA; expresses concern at the discrimination faced by Haitian migrant workers; and reminds the Dominican authorities of their obligation to recognize the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders.
2008-11-09
Colombia: Campaigning for truth and justice: The National Movement of Victims of State Crimes
The National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (Movimiento Nacional de Víctimas de Crímenes de Estado, MOVICE) is a coalition of non-governmental organizations which campaigns for truth, justice and reparation for the thousands of victims of human rights violations committed by the security forces and their paramilitary allies. In this document Amnesty International expresses concern for the safety of members of MOVICE and calls for effective investigations into the killings and harassment of MOVICE members.
2008-11-09
Venezuela: Defending the right to education in Venezuela: José Luis Urbano and The Foundation for the Defence of the Right to Education
The Foundation for the Defence of the Right to Education is an NGO working to promote and defend the right to free education for all as it is enshrined in Venezuela’s Constitution. José Luis Urbano and other members of this Foundation have repeatedly been targeted because they have publicly condemned corruption and violations of the right to free education. In this document Amnesty International expresses concern for the safety of José Luis Urbano, his family, and other members of the Foundation.
2008-11-09
Ecuador: Standing up for the environment in Ecuador: The Assembly for the Defence of Our Rivers Gala, Chico, Tenguel and River Siete
Esther Landetta Chica is a leading member of the community-based Assembly for the Defence of Our Rivers Gala, Chico, Tenguel and River Siete. She has been targeted for a series of threats and intimidation because of her crucial role in voicing communities’ concerns about possible negative consequences of irregular mining activities and has now gone into hiding. In this document Amnesty International calls on the Ecuadorian authorities for a thorough investigation into threats made and to continue to provide protection measures to Esther Landetta.
2008-11-09
Somalia: Fatal Insecurity: Attacks on aid workers and rights defenders in Somalia
An escalating wave of attacks on humanitarian workers, peace activists and human rights defenders has been sweeping Somalia. In this report Amnesty International calls for the arms embargo to be strengthened, for neighbouring countries to open their borders to Somalis seeking asylum, and for the international community to provide support to those forced to flee their country. The international community must exert pressure to demand genuine change – to protect civilians and ensure human rights.
2008-11-06
USA: Counter Terror with Justice: A checklist for the next US President
Government responses to the attacks in the USA on 11 September 2001 and in other countries since then have undermined the framework of human rights. Much of this assault on human rights has been the result of policies and practices authorized and justified by the US executive, led by the US president. Using this checklist, Amnesty International calls on the next US president to close Guantánamo and end illegal detention; to eradicate torture and other ill-treatment; and to end impunity.
2008-11-05
Japan: Still Waiting for Justice!
2008-11-03
Zimbabwe: Time for Accountability
2008-10-31
Zimbabwe: While Negotiations Drag On in Zimbabwe, Population Facing Extreme Hunger, According to New Amnesty International Report
Amnesty International released a report today and new video that graphically demonstrates the ongoing suffering of the Zimbabwean people, as the three main political parties in Zimbabwe struggle to form an inclusive government.
2008-10-31
Jordan: Isolated, Exploited, Abused: Jordan's women migrant domestic workers
Tens of thousands of women migrant domestic workers in Jordan face isolation, exploitation and abuse, with little or no protection from the state. In this document Amnesty International calls on the Jordanian authorities: to amend the Labour Law to cover domestic work and guarantee labour rights to migrant domestic workers; to establish a shelter for runaway domestic workers; to improve monitoring of recruitment agencies, and other actions to protect the rights of migrant workers.
2008-10-30
Iran: Campaign for Equality [Global letter-writing marathon 2008]
The Campaign for Equality, an Iranian women’s rights initiative launched in 2006, is committed to ending discrimination against women in Iranian law. Several activists have been arrested or tried for activities which are entirely legal, such as organizing peaceful gatherings, educational workshops, or petitioning for legislative change.
2008-10-29
