As we welcome 2026, we want to take a moment to reflect on our collective impact over the past year.
Through Amnesty International USA’s Urgent Action Network, we responded to 215 Urgent Action appeals, totaling 33,904 reported actions, resulting in 97 positive outcomes for individuals and communities across the globe.
We’re excited to share some positive outcomes from 2025 with you!
Egypt
On September 22, activist, blogger, and writer Alaa Abdel Fattah received a presidential pardon after six years of injustice. Seventeen Urgent Actions were issued on behalf of Alaa, with the first UA released in 2019.
Jamaica
On September 29, Orville Etoria was released from detention in Eswatini after being deported by the U.S. He is now home with his family in Jamaica.
Uganda
On August 12, Robert Lugya Kayingo, a lawyer and opposition leader, was released after 27 days of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention. He expressed gratitude for Amnesty’s support: “I never imagined an organization like Amnesty International could stand up and fight for me.”
I never imagined an organization like Amnesty International could stand up and fight for me.
Zimbabwe
On August 21, activists Vusimuzi Moyo, Robson Chere, Samuel Gwenzi, and Namatai Kwekweza were acquitted of fraudulent charges related to a protest.
Hungary
On June 28, Budapest Pride successfully took place, with an estimated 200,000 participants, including Amnesty International activists from Hungary. Despite police efforts to prevent the event, the march became the largest march in Budapest Pride’s 30-year history!
United States
On June 20, a federal judge ordered Mahmoud Khalil’s release from immigration detention, following his unlawful arrest in March for his activism.
Türkiye
On May 2, Afghan asylum seeker Tabriz Saifi regained access to healthcare following the reversal of the February decision by the Bursa Directorate of Migration Management to reject his family’s application for international protection.
Saudi Arabia
On April 26, Palestinian national Dr. Hani al-Khudari was released after four years of arbitrary detention following an unfair trial by the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC). Although his three-year sentence ended on February 28, 2022, he was held for an additional year and two months. Dr. Hani and his father, Dr. Mohammed al-Khudari, were arrested on April 4, 2019, and detained without charges until March 8, 2020. Both faced severe human rights violations, including enforced disappearance and solitary confinement.
Uganda
On April 4, human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza was granted bail after 88 days of arbitrary detention. He was arrested for protesting military actions that prevented him from entering a court.
Libya
On March 28, 79-year-old Sufi Sheikh Muftah Al-Amin Al-Biju was released after 13 months in prison, following a crackdown against Sufis by armed groups in eastern Libya.
Mali
On March 27, author and activist Etienne Sissoko was released after a year of arbitrary detention for exercising his right to freedom of expression. Upon his release, the Malian Minister of Justice was quoted as saying, “I received more than 8,000 emails from Amnesty International calling for the release of a single individual. It’s harassment.”
I received more than 8,000 emails from Amnesty International calling for the release of a single individual. It’s harassment.
Türkiye
On March 4, human rights defender Nimet Tanrıkulu was released after being held since November 2024 on terrorism charges. She is a founding member of the Human Rights Association in Türkiye.
Saudi Arabia
On February 25, Badr Mohamed was reunited with his family after his sentence was reduced from five years to one year for his involvement in the 2013 Ramsis Square protests. Badr Mohamed was a 17-year-old child when he was swept up in mass arrests of protesters and bystanders over a decade ago.
Morocco
On February 12, Uyghur activist Idris Hasan (Yidiresi Aishan) was released after 43 months in detention. He was arrested in July 2021 at Casablanca’s airport based on an Interpol red notice from China, accusing him of terrorism for his work with Uyghur organizations. Although Interpol canceled the notice in August 2021, a Moroccan court approved his extradition to China in December 2021.
Saudi Arabia
On February 10, Leeds University PhD student and mother of two, Salma al-Shehab, was released from prison in Saudi Arabia after serving four years of arbitrary detention following an unfair trial by the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC). Her original sentence of 27 years in prison, along with a 27-year travel ban, was reduced to four years, with an additional four years suspended, due to her conviction for terrorism-related offenses stemming from tweets supporting women’s rights.
Egypt
On January 23, Yemeni asylum seeker Abdul-Baqi Saeed Abdo was released after three years of unjust imprisonment, safely relocating to Canada.
Mexico
In January 2025, the Attorney General’s Office dismissed proceedings against women human rights defenders Ana Lorena Delgadillo, Marcela Turati, and Mercedes Doretti.
United States
On January 20, President Biden commuted the sentence of Native American activist Leonard Peltier, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under home confinement.
United States
On January 6, 11 Yemeni men were transferred from Guantanamo Bay to Oman, including Toffiq al-Bihani, who was detained in 2003 and had been cleared for transfer out of the facility since 2010.
Angola
On January 1, TikToker Ana da Silva Miguel (Neth Nahara) was released following a presidential pardon after being convicted and sentenced to prison for recording a live video on TikTok criticizing Uganda’s president.
Thank you for joining us in our mission to protect human rights globally!
As we start this New Year, let’s commit to standing up for those whose rights are under threat. Your support is vital, and together, we can make 2026 a year of significant progress in the fight for human rights.
Wishing you a year filled with resilience, courage, and action!