News stories - 2001

Amnesty International today expressed concern that Tunisian judge Mokhtar Yahiaoui faces disciplinary proceedings apparently for exercising his right to freedom of expression. Posted: 26 Dec 2001

Amnesty International welcomes the timely Security Council debate on West Africa but is concerned that the increasingly critical plight of internally displaced people in Liberia was not adequately discussed. Posted: 21 Dec 2001

Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of journalist Francisco Castellanos following reports of threats against him by the ministerial police in the state of Michoacán in Mexico. Posted: 21 Dec 2001

With Prime Minister Tony Blair set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in London tomorrow, Amnesty International UK called on Mr Blair to speak out against gross violations of human rights perpetrated with impunity by Russian soldiers in Chechnya. Posted: 20 Dec 2001

Amnesty International today condemned the deportation of two Egyptian men by the Swedish authorities. Posted: 20 Dec 2001

The overturning of Mumia Abu-Jamal's death sentence is a welcome step, but it leaves unanswered all the questions about the fairness of his original trial, which did not comply with international justice standards, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 20 Dec 2001

With the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) teleconference set for 20 December, Amnesty International reiterates its call for all possible international influence to focus on persuading the Zimbabwean government to reverse its policy of political violence and intimidation. Posted: 19 Dec 2001

As Sri Lanka's new parliament prepares for its first sitting, Amnesty International today wrote to recently-elected Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe about human rights concerns in the country. Posted: 19 Dec 2001

Amnesty International today deplored the decision of the Cairo Juvenile Appeal Court for Misdemeanours, confirming the conviction of 17-year-old Mahmud for "habitual debauchery". The Court reduced an earlier sentence of three years' imprisonment to a six-month term. Posted: 19 Dec 2001

Amnesty International today expressed concern about the armed attack on the National Palace in Port-au-Prince in the early hours of yesterday morning which left at least five people, including two civilian bystanders, dead. The organisation also condemned a series of reprisal attacks by government supporters on opposition parties and journalists. Posted: 19 Dec 2001

On the eve of the discussion on the Prevention of Terrorism Bill 2001 (POTB) in the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House), Amnesty International is urging all parliamentarians to keep in mind that a vote in favour of the POTB is not a vote against "terrorism". Posted: 19 Dec 2001

Amnesty International stated its concern for Afghan nationals in Pakistan who are at risk of being returned to Afghanistan where they may face human rights abuses. Posted: 17 Dec 2001

Amnesty International welcomes the announcement that President Musharraf will commute the death sentences of around 100 young offenders. The death sentences will be commuted to imprisonment. Posted: 14 Dec 2001

The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act, passed today, opens the door to human rights violations in the UK, Amnesty International said. Posted: 14 Dec 2001

Amnesty International was seriously disturbed by the news that William Stobie was murdered in North Belfast by armed gunmen. The Red Hand Defenders have claimed responsibility for the shooting. Posted: 13 Dec 2001

The Ministerial Meeting on the Refugee Convention which starts today in Geneva is an unprecedented opportunity for the international community to make new strides to strengthen international refugee protection, Amnesty International said. Posted: 12 Dec 2001

Amnesty International condemned the apparent unlawful killing by security forces of 10 civilians and the injuring of up to 40 others following an attack on an army convoy by armed militants at Baramulla on 8 December. Posted: 12 Dec 2001

Amnesty International is concerned about the wave of arrests of former military personnel in the aftermath of an alleged coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau last week. Posted: 12 Dec 2001

Amnesty International UK has expressed alarm at the impending execution of a British national (born in Bermuda) on death row in Georgia, USA, as parliamentary concern that he did not receive a fair trial mounts in the UK. Posted: 11 Dec 2001

In an Open Letter, Amnesty International is urging members of the Russian State Duma (parliament) to take steps towards fully abolishing the death penalty. Posted: 11 Dec 2001