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

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A close-up shot of Sean Binder - a young male with short dark hair, wearing a red tie, white collared button-down shirt, and black blazer.
(Amnesty International)

Press Release

Greece: Seán Binder Acquitted of All Charges

The EU must take note of today’s decision and introduce stronger safeguards against the criminalization of humanitarian assistance under EU…

January 15, 2026

Three images show people mostly wearing black standing on a street outside a morgue where dozens of bodies in black body bags are lined up.
(VahidOnline)

Press Release

Iran: Massacre of Protesters Demands Global Diplomatic Action to Signal an End to Impunity

Verified videos and eyewitness testimony reveal mass unlawful killings on an unprecedented scale amid an internet shutdown in Iran.

January 15, 2026

A man wearing a face mask looks at a phone outside a
(Getty Images)

Press Release

Uganda: Authorities Must Urgently Lift Internet Restrictions Ahead of Crucial Election Day

Uganda's indefinite internet shutdown ahead of elections is a brazen attack on the right to freedom of expression.

January 14, 2026

Yoon Suk Yeol wearing a black suit, white shirt, and white tie, delivers a speech into microphones in front of a blank blue background.
(Getty Images)

Press Release

South Korea: Death Penalty Call for Ex-President Yoon a Step Backward for Human Rights

Seeking the death penalty for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is a step backward.

January 13, 2026

A plaque marks the office of the UN high commissioner for human rights, with a tall stately building behind it.
(Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Release

Sri Lanka: OHCHR Report Must Spur Government Action on Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

Sri Lanka’s government must finally deliver justice and accountability for the thousands of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

January 13, 2026

(Jesus Vargas/Getty Image)

Press Release

Venezuela: Arbitrary Detentions Must End and All Victims Must Be Immediately Released

Amnesty International demands their immediate release and that of the hundreds of persons who remain detained.

January 9, 2026

A young person rides a shopping cart and poses with a bandana around his face and his arms outstretched amid protesters filling a street, mostly wearing black. Many have their faces covered. There are small fires and smoke in the air.
(Getty)

Press Release

Iran: Internet Shutdown Hides Violations in Escalating Deadly Crackdown on Protesters

The Iranian authorities have deliberately blocked internet access inside Iran to hide the true extent of their grave human rights…

January 9, 2026

A dark brown gavel lies next to a brass Lady Justice balance scale.
(Getty Images)

Press Release

Türkiye: Acquittal of Istanbul Bar Association Board Welcome News in the Face of Misuse of the Criminal Justice System

While today’s ruling brings relief, it does not erase the harm experienced by the individuals subjected to this.

January 9, 2026

logo of the UN in gold
(Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Release

USA: International Withdrawals Are a Vindictive Effort to Tear Apart a Global System for Cooperation

President Trump is shamefully doubling down on his efforts to destroy the multilateral system that the U.S. helped to build after WWII.

January 8, 2026

A collage of individual photos of 28 people killed by Iranian security forces between December 31, 2025 and January 3, 2026 during crackdowns against protesters in Iran. 
(Amnesty International)

Press Release

Iran: Deaths and Injuries Rise Amid Authorities’ Renewed Cycle of Protest Bloodshed

People in Iran demanding fundamental change are being met with a deadly pattern of security forces firing at, chasing, arresting…

January 8, 2026

A man on a motorcycle passes a large statue in an empty plaza.
(Olympia de Masimont/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Release

Benin: Election Candidates Must Commit to Protecting Human Rights Amid Shrinking Civic Space

Civic space continues to shrink in Benin with a wave of attacks on independent media outlets and people still being…

January 8, 2026

A young man speaks into a microphone with his fist raised above his head, a banner behind him.
(Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Press Release

India: Continued Detention of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam Raises Grave Concerns

It is shameful that the Supreme Court continues to deny bail to Indian human rights defenders Umar Khalid and Sharjeel…

January 6, 2026