WASHINGTON, November 29, 2023 – In response to the mounting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Amnesty International USA, Avaaz, Demand Progress, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), MoveOn and Oxfam America delivered nearly 1 million signatures gathered by civil society organizations at the White House today, calling on President Biden to use his influence to bring about a sustained ceasefire between Palestinian armed […]
Amnesty International
Russia: Authorities poised to wield new legislation to ban films featuring LGBTI characters
January 20, 2023 – Reacting to the news that the Russian media regulator is poised to censor online content containing references to LGBTI people or rights, including banning movies and TV series featuring LGBTI characters, Natalia Zviagina, Amnesty International’s Russia Director, said: “The Russian authorities are preparing to further scapegoat and stigmatize LGBTI people in […]
Philippines: Nobel laureate Maria Ressa acquitted on politically motivated tax evasion charges
Responding to the decision by the Court of Tax Appeals to acquit Maria Ressa of four counts of tax evasion, Butch Olano, Amnesty International Philippines Section Director, said: “Amnesty International welcomes the decision to drop charges of tax evasion against prominent journalist and Nobel laureate Maria Ressa. We call on authorities to now drop cyber […]
Poland: After acquitting rainbow halo women, authorities must end their witch-hunt against activists
January 12, 2022 – Responding to the dismissal of the appeal against the acquittal of three women human rights activists in Poland on absurd charges of “offending religious beliefs” for distributing posters of the Virgin Mary with a halo in the rainbow colours of the LGBTI pride flag, Catrinel Motoc, Senior Campaigner in Amnesty International’s […]
Myanmar: Unbridled destruction of freedoms as Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced
In response to the sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in prison, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Campaigns Ming Yu Hah said: “The harsh sentences handed down to Aung San Suu Kyi on these bogus charges are the latest example of the military’s determination to eliminate all opposition and suffocate freedoms in Myanmar. […]
Amnesty International USA Joins Welcome.US Initiative to Mobilize Support for Afghan Refugees in the U.S.
Following the ongoing humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Amnesty International USA is joining Welcome.US – a newly launched national initiative built across sectors, political parties, and all walks of life – to empower Americans to welcome and support our new Afghan neighbors. In partnership with resettlement agencies, community leaders, refugees, nonprofits, businesses, faith-based organizations, veterans, universities, […]
Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention rallies the fight for women’s rights across the world
Turkey’s shameful withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention today will put millions of women and girls at greater risk of violence, Amnesty International said. President Erdoğan’s announcement of the decision to quit the landmark treaty on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence will go down in history as the first time a Council […]
Daphne Eviatar, Amnesty International: Closing of Guantánamo Must be a Priority for President Biden
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2021 – Responding to the Biden administration approving three more detainees at Guantánamo Bay for release, Daphne Eviatar, the director of the Security With Human Rights program said: It is not enough for the Biden administration to announce that more detainees are cleared for release when the government has not made any […]
Americas: Pandemic deepens decades of inequality, neglect and abuse in region worst hit by COVID-19
COVID-19 has laid bare and exacerbated the systemic inequality, widespread repression and destructive policies that contributed to the Americas becoming the region worst affected by the pandemic, Amnesty International said today upon publishing its annual report. In the Americas, Amnesty International Report 2020/21: The State of the World’s Human Rights documents how women, refugees, migrants, under-protected health […]
Amnesty International Report 2020/21: The State of the World’s Human Rights
April 6, 2021 – The global pandemic has exposed the terrible legacy of deliberately divisive and destructive policies that have perpetuated inequality, discrimination and oppression and paved the way for the devastation wrought by COVID-19, Amnesty International said in its annual report published today. Amnesty International Report 2020/21: The State of the World’s Human Rights covers […]
COVID-19: Pharmaceutical companies and rich states put lives at risk as vaccine inequality soars
March 12, 2021 – The actions of pharmaceutical companies and rich countries mean that billions of people at risk of COVID-19 are unlikely to receive a single dose of the life-saving vaccines this year, Amnesty International said as it launched a new global campaign calling for universal access to vaccines. The campaign – A Fair […]
G7 Leaders Are Shooting Themselves in the Foot by Failing to Tackle Global Vaccine Access, Says Amnesty
February 19, 2021 – Ahead of the virtual meeting of G7 leaders hosted by the UK government on Friday February 19, Amnesty International has warned that failure to ensure global access to vaccines represents an abject moral failure that will ultimately harm rich countries. “The leaders of G7 nations are shooting themselves in the foot […]
Government Tactics to Silence Criticism and Social Demands Deepen Human Rights Crisis in Nicaragua
February 16, 2021 – Since the current human rights erupted in Nicaragua in 2018, the government has clamped down on all forms of dissent or criticism. The authorities have pursued a policy of eradicating, at any cost, activism and the defense of human rights, said Amnesty International in a new report published yesterday. In Silence at […]
As Biden Ends Support to Conflict in Yemen, Arms Flows Must Also be Stopped, Says Amnesty
February 4, 2021 – Responding an announcement today from the Biden administration that the United States will cease support to the Saudi/UAE-led coalition engaged in Yemen, Philippe Nassif, the advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa said: “As the conflict in Yemen enters its seventh year, it is vital for the United States […]
Aung San Suu Kyi Reportedly Charged for Having Walkie-Talkies in Myanmar
February 3, 2021 – Responding to news that Aung San Suu Kyi has been charged with breaching import-export laws for having walkie-talkies in her home, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Research, Emerlynne Gil, said: “If these charges are confirmed, they suggest the military is desperate for a pretext to embark on a witch-hunt and intimidate anyone who challenges them. “Any such trumped-up charges against Aung San Suu Kyi – and the dozens of others […]
Denmark: First reading of “Sex without consent is rape” bill brings historic moment for women’s rights closer
November 20, 2020 – Responding to the reading of a Bill in Denmark’s parliament today that, once law, will finally recognize that sex without consent is rape, Amnesty International’s Women’s Rights Researcher, Anna Błuś, said: “We are now just one legislative stage away from Denmark finally recognising the simple fact that sex without consent is […]
Afghanistan: Mounting casualties as parties to peace talks fail to protect civilians
October 23, 2020 – Despite ongoing peace talks, civilians continue to pay the price for the conflict in Afghanistan, said Amnesty International, following a spate of bloody attacks that have killed at least 50 people in the past week alone. On Thursday 22 October, four people were killed and around 10 injured in the Shareen […]
Protect Peaceful Assemblies; Limit Use of Force says Amnesty International
October 21, 2020 – City and state officials in the United States should review their laws, policies, and practices ahead of the November 3, 2020 general elections to ensure that they protect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, five international human rights organizations said on October 20, in letters to over 3,500 mayors and […]
Hope for justice in Turkey as police officers face trial for assassinated human rights lawyer
October 20, 2020 – The trial of three police officers accused of killing prominent human rights lawyer Tahir Elçi presents a long overdue chance for justice, Amnesty International said today. On November 28,2015, Tahir Elçi was shot in the head shortly after giving a statement at a press conference in the city of Diyarbakır, where […]
One Million Signatures Calling for Justice for George Floyd Delivered to AG Barr
October 6, 2020 – Amnesty International has delivered more than one million signatures from around the world to U.S. Attorney General William Barr demanding justice for George Floyd, a Black man killed by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020. The letter, which can be found here, conveys Amnesty International’s grave concerns about racist policing […]