September 2000

Arms campaigners from Oxfam, Amnesty International UK, Saferworld, International Alert, Basic and Christian Aid welcome this morning's commitment from Secretary of State Stephen Byers that UK arms dealers who broker weapons from one overseas country to another should come under new British Government licensing controls. Posted: 28 Sep 2000

There should be no repeat of last October's violent crack-down against Freedom March demonstrators during this Sunday's Freedom March 2000 pro-democracy protest in Minsk, Amnesty International said today in an appeal to the Belarusian government and law enforcement agencies. Posted: 28 Sep 2000

Amnesty International today called on the Macedonian government to make amendments to its Law of Defence in a joint appeal with the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights. Posted: 27 Sep 2000

The recent growth of militia groups in Papua (Irian Jaya) and a failure to address human rights violations committed by the Indonesian security forces could lead to a serious escalation of violence in the province, Amnesty International said today in a new report. Posted: 27 Sep 2000

"Saudi woman is a first class citizen....has rights...duties ...and responsibility... when we talk about the comprehensive development which our country is experiencing in all aspects we can not ignore the role of Saudi woman ....and her participation in the responsibility of this development." Crown Prince 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul-'Aziz Al-Sa'ud of Saudi Arabia quoted by Al-jazeera newspaper on 6 December 1999. Posted: 27 Sep 2000

Amnesty International today appealed to all members of the Romanian Senate to adopt the Law Concerning the Revision of the Penal Code and the Code of Penal Procedure which is currently under their consideration. Posted: 27 Sep 2000

Afghan refugees in Iran should not be returned to Afghanistan against their will or where they are at risk of human rights abuses, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 27 Sep 2000

Afghan refugees in Iran should not be returned to Afghanistan against their will or where they are at risk of human rights abuses, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 26 Sep 2000

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch today warned that the Indonesian government's failure to address a rapidly deteriorating security situation in Aceh is leading to a huge increase in human rights violations. Posted: 26 Sep 2000

Condemning the arraignment before a military court of Kamal al-Batal, Director of the Lebanese human rights organisation Mirsad, Amnesty International said that "the charging of Kamal al-Batal seems to be an attempt to harass and intimidate a human rights defender to prevent him from carrying out his work". Posted: 25 Sep 2000

Amnesty International welcomes the imminent release of human rights activist Akin Birdal from the Ankara Central Prison at noon on Saturday 23 September. Posted: 22 Sep 2000

Amnesty International is calling for the unconditional release of Alpha Condé and other prisoners of conscience who were given prison sentences after an unfair trial before the Cour de Sûreté de l'Etat (CSE), a court specially set up to deal with such cases. Posted: 22 Sep 2000

Three days before the elections in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Amnesty International has called for the government to stop using intimidation and violence against opposing groups. Posted: 21 Sep 2000

Amnesty International UK today publishes its assessment of the Government's human rights record since it took office in May 1997. Human Rights Audit 2000: UK Foreign and Asylum Policy reviews the Government's human rights achievements but challenges it to complete unfinished business on arms controls and the International Criminal Court. Posted: 20 Sep 2000

"Human rights activists, political opponents and journalists are targeted among others by the Egyptian authorities because they peacefully exercise their rights of freedom of expression." Amnesty International said in a report released today. Posted: 19 Sep 2000

Amid reports that at least 600 civilians have been killed or injured since the Philippine armed forces launched its Saturday attack on rebel bases on the southern Philippine island of Jolo, Amnesty International appeals to the Philippine authorities to take urgent steps to ensure the safety of all civilians on the island. Posted: 18 Sep 2000

Amnesty International today called for the release of 14 Kosovo Albanians, held in a Serbian prison without judicial review. The 14 including a 75-year-old man, have reportedly spent 15 months in prison and as yet no criminal investigation has been initiated. Posted: 15 Sep 2000

The US Government should offer the leadership required to guide the United States away from judicial killing, Amnesty International said today, following the release of the US Justice Department's review of the federal death penalty system. Posted: 13 Sep 2000

Today's decision by the Russian Supreme Court to uphold the acquittal of Aleksandr Nikitin, is an encouraging sign of judicial independence, Amnesty International said. "This is particularly welcome as it comes amid continuing efforts by the Russian security services to restrict freedom of expression using arguments about state security," the organisation added. Posted: 13 Sep 2000

Amnesty International welcomes the commitment made by many states to increase human rights protection for their citizens by signing and ratifying or acceding to human rights treaties at the United Nations Millennium Summit. Posted: 11 Sep 2000