May 2002

With China set to open its World Cup football campaign against Costa Rica on Tuesday 4 June, Amnesty International and other human rights campaigners around the world will be marking the 13th anniversary of the crackdown on dissidents that culminated in the killings at Beijing's Tiananmen Square on 4 June 1989. Posted: 31 May 2002

On the 28 May 2002, the European Court of Human Rights (the Court) unanimously concluded, in the case of McShane v the United Kingdom (UK), that the UK had violated Dermot McShane's right to life as a result of its failure to ensure an effective investigation into his death. Posted: 30 May 2002

As Amina Lawal faces the Upper Sharia Court of Funtua, Katsina State, on 3 June 2002, to present her appeal against her sentence to death by stoning, Amnesty International is urging the Nigerian government to ensure that she is not executed under any circumstance. Posted: 30 May 2002

On the seventh anniversary of Osmo Vallo's disputed death in police custody, Amnesty International reiterates its concern that no one has been held accountable for his treatment. Posted: 30 May 2002

The execution of Napoleon Beazley in Texas for a crime he committed when he was 17 starkly demonstrates the cruel and arbitrary nature of the death penalty, and the arrant hypocrisy of the USA's claims to be the world's most progressive force for human rights, Amnesty International said. Posted: 30 May 2002

The horrific attacks of 11 September changed the global human rights environment with governments increasingly sidelining human rights in name of security, and democracies, rather than dictatorships, taking the lead in curbing civil liberties, said Amnesty International as it launched its Annual Report 2002 on human rights in the world during 2001. Posted: 28 May 2002

As Amina Lawal faces the Upper Sharia Court of Funtua, Katsina State, on 27 May 2002 to present her appeal against her sentence to death by stoning, Amnesty International is urging the Nigerian government to ensure that she is not executed under any circumstance. Posted: 24 May 2002

With only days left before juvenile offender Napoleon Beazley's execution in Texas, USA, on Tuesday 28 May 2002, Amnesty International is appealing to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend commutation of his death sentence in light of his age at the time of the offence and concerns over the fairness of his trial. Posted: 23 May 2002

More than 8,500 Palestinians have been arrested between 27 February and 20 May, many of them arbitrarily detained. These arrests and detentions were accompanied by a consistent pattern of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and sometimes torture, Amnesty International said in a report released today. Posted: 23 May 2002

Days after former US president Jimmy Carter spoke in Havana raising the question of human rights reforms in Cuba, Amnesty International today released a report on human rights abuses in Cuba. The report reveals a shift from long-term prison sentences to other forms of punishment and harassment on the Caribbean island. Posted: 20 May 2002

Amnesty International UK is extremely alarmed to discover that a US-based company has been marketing a lethal electrified fence at a security equipment fair held in Birmingham earlier this week. Posted: 17 May 2002

The treatment of foreign nationals in detention facilities at Japanese ports of entry reveals a disturbing pattern of human rights violations, including ill-treatment and incommunicado detention, Amnesty International said today, as it published a new report "Welcome to Japan?" Posted: 17 May 2002

Amnesty International condemned the 18-months prison term imposed on Toujan al-Faisal, former member of the Jordanian Parliament. Posted: 17 May 2002

Amnesty International UK and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) welcomed the 14th of May release from jail of Ethiopian teacher and prisoner of conscience Dr Taye Wolde-Semayat (50). Posted: 17 May 2002

It has been 10 years since the military violently suppressed mass pro-democracy demonstrations in Bangkok during May 1992. At least 52 people were killed, hundreds were injured, and 34 'disappeared' without a trace. Yet those responsible have still not been brought to justice. Posted: 16 May 2002

Amnesty International is deeply disturbed by the dropping of charges against five remaining prison guards awaiting trial for the 1999 killing of Florida death row inmate Frank Valdes. Posted: 15 May 2002

On the International day of the Conscientious Objector on 15 May Amnesty International draws attention to the rising number of Israeli soldiers and reservists imprisoned for refusing to perform their military service in the Occupied Territories. This rise is the result of a growing concern of conscripts, soldiers and reservists about some of the actions taken by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the Occupied Territories. Posted: 15 May 2002

Amnesty International condemned Tuesday's attacks on a passenger bus and a military family housing complex by unidentified gunmen near Jammu, winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. "The killings were probably intended to call attention to the volatile situation during the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State, Christine Rocca," Amnesty International said stressing concern for the loss of civilian lives. Mass killings occurred when former US President Bill Clinton visited the country in 2000. Posted: 15 May 2002

Amnesty International has submitted a briefing on torture and ill-treatment of Palestinians by members of the Israeli Defense Forces and the General Security Services to the Committee against Torture (CAT) which is due to discuss the situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories on 14 May 2002. Posted: 14 May 2002

Amnesty International is pleased to announce the shortlisted entries for its 11th annual UK Media Awards. The winners will be announced at an evening awards ceremony at BAFTA, London, on Thursday 27 June 2002, hosted by Radio 4's Nick Clarke. Posted: 14 May 2002