Responding to reports that human rights defender Idris Khattak, who was forcibly disappeared by Pakistan’s authorities more than two years ago, has been declared guilty of treason under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and faces a 14-year prison sentence, Thyagi Ruwanpathirana Amnesty International’s Deputy South Asia Director, said: “Idris Khattak’s…
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DRC-Uganda: Civilians must be protected during joint military operations
As the governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) launch a joint military operation against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, following recent attacks in Uganda attributed to this group, Amnesty International is calling on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and adherence to…
Croatia: Damning new report slams systematic police abuses at country’s borders
Croatian authorities have consistently assaulted refugees and migrants and denied them access to asylum, in contravention of European and International law, said Amnesty International, in response to a damning report released by the Council of Europe’s Committee on Prevention of Torture (CPT) today. The CPT’s report on the treatment of…
Civil Society Groups Seek Urgent UN Action on Yemen
More Than 60 Groups Urge General Assembly to Establish New Investigative Mechanism The United Nations General Assembly should act swiftly to establish an investigative mechanism to gather and preserve evidence of serious human rights abuses and violations of the laws of war in Yemen, a coalition of more than 60 organizations said…
Saudi Arabia: Grand Prix must not deflect attention from dismal human rights record
Responding to Saudi Arabia’s hosting of a Formula One Grand Prix this weekend, Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “Over the last few years, the Saudi Arabian authorities have invested heavily in PR stunts to rebrand their image and attempt to deflect…
Belarus: Drop myriad charges against human rights defender Marfa Rabkova
Reacting to the news that Marfa Rabkova, a human rights defender and coordinator of the NGO Viasna’s Volunteer Service, is facing fresh charges linked to “endangering national security” that could lead up to 20 years in prison for 11 criminal offenses, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia…
Paraguay: Girls face sexual violence, pregnancies and impunity in a labyrinth with no way out
Girls who are survivors of sexual violence in Paraguay face a confusing path of obstacles to rebuilding their lives and obtaining justice in a country where authorities ignore their voices, force them to carry pregnancies resulting from rape to term, while failing to listen to the expert opinions of their…
Poland: Attempt to equate abortion with killing must be rejected
Ahead of tomorrow’s debate in the Polish parliament on a “stop abortion” bill that seeks to legally equate accessing or providing abortion services with killing, Esther Major, Amnesty International’s Senior Research Adviser for Europe, said “The bill seeking to equate abortion with killing is the latest in a wave of…
Syria: Repatriate at least 27,000 children held in dire conditions in north-east Syria
Tens of thousands of children have been arbitrarily deprived of their liberty and exposed to life-threatening and inhumane conditions in al-Hol, north-east Syria’s sprawling camp, their future surrounded by grim uncertainty as governments continue to show a shameful lack of willingness to repatriate them, Amnesty International said today. Over the…
Algeria: Release human rights lawyer tried on bogus terrorism-related charges
Algerian authorities must immediately release human rights lawyer Abderraouf Arslane and drop bogus “false news” and terrorism-related charges against him which stem from his defense of Hirak activists and the expression of his opinions online, said Amnesty International today ahead of the start of his trial on 30 November. Abderraouf Arslane…
Singapore: Call off execution of man with intellectual disability
Ahead of the set appeal hearing before the planned execution of Malaysian national Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, Amnesty International’s Singapore Researcher Rachel Chhoa-Howard said: “Singapore authorities must listen to the global outcry against executing Nagaenthran, whose case has shocked people around the world. This appeal hearing provides an opportunity to call off this horrific punishment against a man who may not fully understand what is happening to him.” “Nagaenthran’s case has been marred by multiple human rights violations including deep…
Colombia: Excessive actions of ESMAD during the National Strike leave more than 100 people with eye trauma
Violence and repression by the Colombian security forces, especially the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD), have resulted in hundreds of victims sustaining eye trauma, said Amnesty International, Temblores and the Programa de Acción por la Igualdad y la Inclusión Social (PAIIS) of the Universidad de los Andes in a new report…