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Breaking news and updates on human rights in the U.S. and around the world

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Press Release

U.S. military pledges to report publicly on civilian casualties in Somalia

Reacting to a statement from US Africa Command (AFRICOM) pledging to begin, by the end of April, public reporting on civilian casualties…

April 1, 2020

BURBANK, CA - MARCH 17: Shoppers wait in line to purchase ammunition and guns at Gun World in Burbank on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 as US sales of guns and ammunition soar amid the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Press Release

Increased Gun Sales and Gun Stores Recognized as Essential Businesses Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Will Lead to More Violence

In response to reports of increased gun sales and gun stores being considered “essential businesses” amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Ernest…

March 31, 2020

Hands touch despite bars in between

Press Release

Hope Can’t Be Quarantined campaign to help immigrants and asylum-seekers held in detention during the COVID-19 crisis

As a response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) have…

March 31, 2020

A worker disinfects streets in Damascus
DAMASCUS, March 30, 2020 . A worker disinfects streets in Damascus, Syria, on March 30, 2020. Four new COVID-19 cases were registered in Syria, bringing the total number of the infections to nine, Syria's Health Ministry said on Sunday. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani via Getty Images)

Press Release

Prisoners in Syria Should be Released to Prevent Spread of COVID-19

The Syrian authorities must cooperate fully with UN agencies and humanitarian organizations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the…

March 31, 2020

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

Press Release

Human rights organization calls on the President to take action on COVID-19

The United States should take immediate action to ensure that every person who requests access to COVID-19 testing can receive…

March 31, 2020

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Press Release

Zero accountability as civilian deaths mount in Somalia from U.S. air strikes

Civilian casualties continue to mount from the U.S. military’s secret air war in Somalia, with no justice or reparation for…

March 30, 2020

Woman wearing a facemark during COVID-19 pandemic looks at the cell phone in her hand
A woman checks her cellphone while wearing a facemask in Los Angeles on March 20, 2020, a day after Los Angeles County announced a near-lockdown, urging all residents to stay home except for essential needs. - California Governor Gavin Newsom took the most drastic step yet by any US official in the battle against the coronavirus, ordering the entire state of 40 million people to stay at home. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Release

Workshop for media will examine technology and surveillance in the age of COVID-19

As part of a series of workshops exploring human rights concerns related to the COVID-19 response, Amnesty International USA will…

March 30, 2020

A lorry disinfects a street on March 30, 2020 in Budapest
A lorry disinfects a street on March 30, 2020 in Budapest amid the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP) (Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Release

Granting Government in Hungary Unlimited Powers Under New COVID-19 Law is Disturbing Development

Following the decision by the Hungarian parliament to pass a new law that will allow the government to rule by…

March 30, 2020

Surroundings of Ataturk Statue is seen nearly empty
ANKARA, TURKEY - MARCH 30: Surroundings of Ataturk Statue is seen nearly empty after authorities urging people to stay home as a part of coronavirus (COVID-19) precautions in Ankara, Turkey on March 30, 2020. (Photo by Mehmet Ali Ozcan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Press Release

Imprisoned Journalists, Human Rights Defenders and Others in Turkey at Risk of COVID-19 Must be Urgently Released

Amid growing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, the Turkish government is accelerating the preparation of a draft…

March 30, 2020

A prisoner shines a torch from the main ICE detention center in downtown Los Angeles

Press Release

As federal judge weighs release of children in immigration detention, COVID-19 risks grow

Responding to a temporary restraining order by Judge Dolly M. Gee of the United States District Court directing the government…

March 29, 2020

Indians travel on a horse drawn vehicle on a deserted road as a nationwide lockdown continues
NEW DELHI, INDIA - MARCH 28: Indians travel on a horse drawn vehicle on a deserted road as a nationwide lockdown continues in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 28, 2020 in New Delhi, India. India is under a 21-day lockdown to fight the spread of the virus while security personnel on the roads are enforcing the restrictions in many cases by using force, the workers of country's unorganized sector are bearing the brunt of the curfew-like situation. The lockdown has already disproportionately hurt marginalized communities due to loss of livelihood and lack of food, shelter, health, and other basic needs. The lockdown has left tens of thousands of out-of-work migrant workers stranded, with rail and bus services shut down. According to international labour organisations 90 percent of India's workforce is employed in the informal sector and most do not have access to pensions, sick leave, paid leave or any kind of insurance. The closing of state borders has caused disruption in the supply of essential goods, leading to inflation and fear of shortages. Reports on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is preparing a massive bailout for the underprivileged sections of the country and will hand over the aid through direct cash transfers. (Photo by Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)

Press Release

Battle Against COVID-19 in India Must Not Leave Behind the Poor and Marginalized

The three-week nation-wide lockdown to battle the COVID-19 pandemic in India have left millions of migrant workers stranded and the…

March 28, 2020

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler Testifies On Agency's Budget Before House Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 04: David Bloom (C), acting chief financial officer of the U.S. Environmental Protection (EPA), confers with aides as he arrives for a House Appropriations Committee hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building on March 4, 2020 in Washington, DC. Wheeler testified about the EPA's fiscal 2021 budget requests. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Press Release

Immediately revoke suspension of environmental protections

Responding to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement it would suspend enforcement of environmental laws indefinitely due to the…

March 27, 2020