News stories - 2002

Amnesty International is extremely concerned for the safety of victims of human rights abuses further persecuted by the military in Nepal. Posted: 24 Dec 2002

Amnesty International welcomes this month's recommendation by the Internal Security Act review board that five prisoners of conscience be released. Posted: 23 Dec 2002

Amnesty International is gravely concerned that families of human rights victims named in its recent Nepal report are subjected to threats to their lives and other reprisals. Posted: 23 Dec 2002

Four days before Kenyans go to the polls, an Amnesty International mission in Kenya reports widespread tension, intimidation and violent incidents involving supporters of all the main parties. Posted: 23 Dec 2002

The human rights situation in Guatemala has deteriorated alarmingly over 2002, said Amnesty International. Posted: 21 Dec 2002

Amnesty International expressed profound shock at the 12 year prison sentence given to Nguyen Khac Toan yesterday after a trial lasting less than one day. Posted: 21 Dec 2002

With the trial of three Britons and 23 Egyptians in Egypt set to resume today, Amnesty International has expressed serious concern that they may not receive a fair trial. Posted: 21 Dec 2002

Amnesty International is dismayed at the death sentences handed down to three people accused of the 13 December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament. Posted: 20 Dec 2002

Human rights must be made a priority in all donor strategies, a group of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) said. Posted: 19 Dec 2002

Amnesty International today called on Viet Nam to immediately take steps to halt the repression of the Montagnard minority in the Central Highlands. Posted: 19 Dec 2002

Two months after the start of the anti-crime operation "Clean Heart", the government of Bangladesh has failed to end the rising incidents of violence and deaths in army custody which have marked the operation. Posted: 19 Dec 2002

Amnesty International is renewing its call on the UK authorities to immediately release all persons detained under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, unless they are charged with a recognisably criminal offence and tried by an independent and impartial court in proceedings which meet international standards of fairness. Posted: 19 Dec 2002

Amnesty International has written to the Israeli Minister of Defence about the imprisonment of Israeli conscripts and reservists who refuse to perform military service or serve in the Occupied Territories. Posted: 19 Dec 2002

More than 4,366 people have been killed in the conflict in Nepal since the breakdown of talks between the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoist) and the government in November 2001. Posted: 19 Dec 2002

On 18 December 2002, the UN General Assembly adopted a new anti-torture treaty after 10 years of difficult negotiations. Posted: 19 Dec 2002

In the three years following the return to civilian rule in Nigeria, attempts by security forces to stem the rise in criminality and inter-communal conflicts, have resulted in the deaths of thousands of people. Posted: 19 Dec 2002

On Wednesday 18 December an Amnesty International 'Father Christmas' will be taking presents and greetings cards to the Home Office for detainees held without charge or trial in top-security detention under harsh 'anti-terrorism' legislation. Posted: 18 Dec 2002

The Secretary General of Amnesty International, Irene Khan is appealing to all presidential candidates and political party leaders to immediately call on their supporters not to abuse human rights, so that all Kenyans are able to participate freely and without fear in the forthcoming elections. Posted: 17 Dec 2002

Amnesty International calls on the Russian authorities to conduct a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the death in custody of prominent Chechen fighter Salman Raduyev and make all the findings public. Posted: 17 Dec 2002

As Rwanda starts the full implementation of the gacaca traditional justice system, to try suspects of the 1994 genocide, Amnesty International is calling on Rwandan authorities to ensure that gacaca trials conform with basic international standards of fairness so that the government's efforts to end impunity are effective. Posted: 17 Dec 2002