The Latest

Monday 4 June, Amnesty International placed a giant heart balloon outside the Parliament in Budapest. The 10x10x5 meter red heart was there to tell Hungarian MPs that people working for a fair and safe Hungary need to be protected, not attacked or threatened. Therefore, the draconian legislative proposal submitted by the government to the Parliament – dubbed ‘Stop Soros’ and aiming to criminalise those helping refugees and migrants and to instil fear and silence civil society - must be voted down. . The face of the heart balloon installation was the “Civil” symbol - - logo of over 250 organizations working in coalition in Hungary for rights and freedoms. The giant heart is a symbol of the strong and heartfelt worldwide support for civil society, organisations and activists, working for a Hungary that is fair and safe for all. More than 22,000 people from 50+ countries around the world have sent messages of support to NGOs in Hungary both offline and online, which have also been collected in a booklet of solidarity that was handed over to MPs.

Report

Mass protests in Europe provide hope as rights and judicial independence eroded

People’s rights are being violated by governments in Europe and Central Asia, who are cracking down on protests and seeking…

April 16, 2020

French anti-riot policemen with dogs face protesters dressed in yellow vests ("gilets jaunes" in french) on the Champs Elysee, in Paris on December 8, 2018 during a national gathering to protest against rising oil prices and living costs. - Demonstrators who have blocked French roads over the past week dressed in high-visibility jackets, are set to cause another day of disruption on November 24 amid calls to bring Paris to a standstill. (Photo by Emmanuel PEUCHOT / AFP) (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL PEUCHOT/AFP/Getty Images)

Press Release

Police must end use of excessive force against protesters and high school children in France

French authorities must exercise restraint when policing demonstrations expected on Saturday and avoid any repetition of the injuries caused by their…

December 14, 2018

A general view shows damaged buildings in the Qastal al-Harami neighborhood of Aleppo's Old City on December 9, 2016. Syria's government has retaken at least 85 percent of east Aleppo, which fell to rebels in 2012, since beginning its operation on November 15. / AFP / George OURFALIAN (Photo credit should read GEORGE OURFALIAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Press Release

Arrest warrants for Syrian officials in France an important step towards justice

Responding to the news that French prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for three senior Syrian government and intelligence officials on…

November 5, 2018

Press Release

A year after Raqqa, US-led Coalition’s ongoing denials an insult to survivors

The US-led Coalition’s ongoing failure to admit to, let alone adequately investigate, the shocking scale of civilian deaths and destruction…

October 14, 2018

A demonstrator holds a placard reading 'Refugees welcome' during the Citizen and Solidarity March from Place de la Bastille to Place de la Republique in Paris on June 17, 2018, in support of migrants and refugees. - Some 60 people, gathered on April 30, 2018 in Ventimiglia at the French and Italian border, to start a solidarity march called by French association from Calais

Press Release

France: Criminal conviction for a tweet will have chilling effect on migrant rights defenders

Following the conviction of Loan Torondel, a human rights defender charged with defamation for a tweeted photograph of policemen standing…

September 25, 2018

Press Release

Amnesty International USA Calls Upon Department of Defense to Investigate Civilian Casualties

The Department of Defense should investigate thoroughly all claims of civilian casualties caused by its Raqqa offensive as well as…

August 21, 2018

LAMPEDUSA, ITALY - MAY 24: Refugees and migrants are seen swimming and yelling for assistance from crew members from the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) 'Phoenix' vessel after a wooden boat bound for Italy carrying more than 500 people capsized on May 24, 2017 off Lampedusa, Italy. Numbers of refugees and migrants attempting the dangerous central Mediterranean crossing from Libya to Italy has risen since the same time last year with more than 43,000 people recorded so far in 2017. In an attempt to slow the flow of migrants Italy recently signed a deal with Libya, Chad and Niger outlining a plan to increase border controls and add new reception centers in the African nations, which are key transit points for migrants heading to Italy. MOAS is a Malta based NGO dedicated to providing professional search-and-rescue assistance to refugees and migrants in distress at sea. Since the start of the year MOAS have rescued and assisted 3572 people and are currently patrolling and running rescue operations in international waters off the coast of Libya. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Press Release

Italy/Malta: Stop playing with refugee and migrants’ lives by closing ports

Responding to news that the authorities in Italy and Malta have closed their ports to Aquarius MV, a rescue ship…

August 14, 2018

Press Release

US Coalition Efforts to Ensure Accountability for Civilian Deaths are a Welcome First Step, But More Clarity Necessary

The US-led coalition has today issued a press release accepting responsibility for all civilian deaths documented in Amnesty International’s June…

July 26, 2018

Report

Syria: Raqqa in ruins and civilians devastated after US-led ‘war of annihilation’

From amid the rubble of Raqqa, civilians are asking why US-led Coalition forces destroyed the city, killing hundreds of civilians…

June 4, 2018

Press Release

Global Wikipedia edit-a-thon shines spotlight on the unsung women defending human rights around the world

Wikipedia enthusiasts from around the world are joining forces on 19 and 20 May 2018 to take part in a…

May 18, 2018

Press Release

France: New bill fails to address challenges faced by migrants and asylum seekers

Responding to the passing of an asylum and immigration bill that will tighten asylum rules, Cécile Coudriou, President of Amnesty…

April 23, 2018

MSF supported hospital bombed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Haydan in Sa'da. The small hospital, in the Haydan district in Saada Province, was hit by several airstrikes beginning at 22:30 last night. Hospital staff and two patients managed to escape before subsequent airstrikes occurred over a two hour period. One staff member was slightly injured while escaping. With the hospital destroyed, at least 200,000 people now have no access to lifesaving medical care.

Press Release

USA, UK and France risk complicity in collective punishment of civilians in Yemen

The USA, UK and France must immediately cease supplying arms to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting in Yemen, which is…

November 17, 2017