News stories - 2009

Reacting to news that British man Akmal Shaikh was executed in China earlier this morning, Amnesty International Asia Programme Director Sam Zarifi said: "Akmal Shaikh's execution highlights the injustice and inhumanity of the death penalty, particularly as it is implemented in China." Posted: 29 Dec 2009

Amnesty International today condemned the kidnapping and killing of Luis Francisco Cuéllar Carvajal, Governor of the Colombian department of Caquetá in the south of the country. Luis Francisco Cuéllar's body was found yesterday in rural Caquetá, a day after he was kidnapped. Posted: 23 Dec 2009

The international community has betrayed the people of Gaza by failing to back their words with effective action to secure the ending of the Israeli blockade which is preventing reconstruction and recovery, say a group of 16 leading humanitarian and human rights groups in a new report, released ahead of the anniversary of the start of Israel's military offensive in Gaza. Posted: 22 Dec 2009

Akmal Shaikh, a 53-year-old father of five from north London facing execution in China, has had his execution date confirmed for 29 December, according to reports. Akmal, who is believed to be mentally ill, was sentenced to death for drug-smuggling on 29 October. Posted: 22 Dec 2009

Amnesty International today is calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to urgently appeal to Chinese Premier Hu Jintao to stop a British man being executed in less than seven days. Akmal Shaikh, a father of five from London, has reportedly had his execution date confirmed for 29 December. Posted: 22 Dec 2009

For the first time a European government has admitted that a secret 'black site' existed on its territory, after a Lithuanian parliamentary committee concluded that CIA secret prisons operated in Lithuania during the US-led 'war on terror'. We are calling for further investigations to follow. Posted: 22 Dec 2009

Amnesty International has appointed Salil Shetty as its next Secretary General. Shetty, an Indian national, has been the Director of the United Nations' Millennium Campaign for the past six years and the Chief Executive of international anti-poverty NGO ActionAid before then. Posted: 21 Dec 2009

An attempt to defraud victims of the Trafigura toxic waste dump disaster out of £31 million must be stopped, Amnesty International said today in an open letter. Posted: 18 Dec 2009

Amnesty International has thrown its weight behind a new online campaign for a strong Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. Posted: 17 Dec 2009

Amnesty International is calling on the Saudi Arabian authorities to halt the flogging and imprisonment of a 75-year-old woman and two younger men for moral 'crimes'. Posted: 15 Dec 2009

Amnesty International has condemned the failure of the Guatemalan authorities to thoroughly investigate extra-judicial killings in which police officers have been implicated. Posted: 15 Dec 2009

Amnesty International is warning that two men in Saudi Arabia are facing execution after being convicted in relation to 'sorcery' accusations. Posted: 11 Dec 2009

Human rights violations in Iran are now as bad as at any time in the past 20 years, Amnesty International said today (10 December) in a new report six months on from June's presidential election. Posted: 10 Dec 2009

Amnesty International exposed the shocking level of unlawful police killings in Nigeria, in a new report released today (9 Dec). Posted: 9 Dec 2009

Amnesty International today demanded the immediate arrest of an army major accused of torturing a 15-year-old Nepalese girl to death. Posted: 8 Dec 2009

Amnesty International has condemned the Iranian security forces' excessive use of force against scores of protesters during today's student-led demonstrations. Posted: 8 Dec 2009

New evidence of serious human rights violations carried out during military operations to combat organised crime and drug cartels in Mexico has been unveiled in a report published by Amnesty International today. Posted: 8 Dec 2009

Amnesty International today called on the Philippine authorities to establish an immediate clear and short timetable for an end to martial law in Maguindanao province and dismantle armed paramilitary groups throughout the country. Posted: 8 Dec 2009

Iraq is preparing to execute hundreds of prisoners, including 17 women, warned Amnesty International today, as it issued an 'urgent action' appeal to try to prevent the deaths. Posted: 4 Dec 2009

Amnesty International has called on the authorities in the eastern Indian state of Orissa to ensure there is an independent investigation into the killings of two indigenous community leaders, Andrew Nachika and Singanna, by police and paramilitary personnel in Narayanpatna on 20 November. Posted: 4 Dec 2009