news blogNovember 2012
Palestine UN status upgrade should "open door to justice"
Palestine's historic recognition as a non-member observer state of the United Nations brings with it obligations under international law, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 30 Nov 2012
Bahrain: call for release of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and 12 other jailed activists
Amnesty International is calling on the Bahraini authorities to release 13 opposition activists and prisoners of conscience ahead of a court decision on their case early next week. Posted: 30 Nov 2012
Egypt's new constitution limits fundamental freedoms and ignores women's rights
A draft constitution approved by Egypts Constituent Assembly falls well short of protecting human rights and, in particular, ignores the rights of women, restricts freedom of expression in the name of protecting religion, and allows for the military trial of civilians, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 30 Nov 2012
China: 'Appalling sentence' for blind lawyer's nephew
Amnesty International has condemned news that Chen Kegui, the nephew of exiled blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng, has received a sentence of three years and three months imprisonment from a Shangdong court in eastern China. Posted: 30 Nov 2012
Syria's internet and mobile networks shutdown is alarming development
Response to news that communications are being targeted by the Syrian authorities. Posted: 29 Nov 2012
Diary Notice: Free festive comedy with Amnesty - Live from Shoreditch
Posted: 29 Nov 2012
Life sentence for Qatar's 'jasmine poet' condemned
A life sentence handed today to a Qatari poet has all the hallmarks of an outrageous betrayal of free speech, Amnesty International has said. Posted: 29 Nov 2012
UK's decision to maintain ban on prisoner transfers in Afghanistan welcomed
Amnesty International has welcomed a UK Ministry of Defence announcement today that it will maintain its moratorium on UK forces in Afghanistan transferring detainees to the Afghan authorities for the foreseeable future. Posted: 29 Nov 2012
Kosovo: If they are not guilty, who committed the war crimes?
Amnesty International is calling for justice for all victims of the 1998-99 Kosovo war after three high-ranking members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) were acquitted of war crimes at a retrial today. Posted: 29 Nov 2012
UK sends 15,000 messages to Ugandan president protesting new anti-homosexuality bill
In the last 24 hours Amnesty International supporters in the UK have sent 15,000 messages to the Ugandan president, prime minister and opposition leader demanding the countrys parliament drops a draconian anti-homosexuality bill that would see life sentences, and even the death penalty, handed out. Posted: 29 Nov 2012
Scottish Environment Minister pledges Governments commitment to tackling climate change and delivering climate justice
On Wednesday 28 November, Scotland's Minister for Environment and Climate Change Paul Wheelhouse announced the first round of recipients of the Governments Climate Justice Fund. Posted: 29 Nov 2012
William Hague should stop using ICC as 'political football' in Palestinian UN status vote
Amnesty International has criticised the Foreign Secretary William Hague for his stance on the vote today over whether Palestinians are to become a non-member observer state at the United Nations. Posted: 29 Nov 2012
South Korea: Dramatic increase in targeting of people for 'pro-North Korean views'
South Korea has seen a dramatic increase in the abuse of national security laws in a politically motivated attempt to silence debate, Amnesty International said today, as it published a new report on the country. Posted: 29 Nov 2012
France: New report reveals forced evictions continue at an alarming rate in Hollande's France
Franois Hollande is failing to adequately deliver on his pre-election promises to protect the rights of migrant Roma, a new report by Amnesty International reveals today. The report goes on to demand an immediate stop all forced evictions in the country. Posted: 29 Nov 2012
Saudi Arabia must charge or release protesters detained yesterday
Approximately 15 Saudi Arabian men detained yesterday must be released unless they are charged with a recognisable criminal offence, Amnesty International said following their arrest during a peaceful protest at the continued detention and ill-treatment of relatives Posted: 28 Nov 2012
David Cameron should advise Emir of Kuwait to 'avoid a crackdown' at home during meeting today
Recommendations from Amnesty International's Kuwait researcher to the Prime Minister David Cameron ahead of his meeting with the Emir of Kuwaits today. Posted: 28 Nov 2012
Environment Minister pledges government commitment to tackling climate change and delivering climate justice
Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse, will tomorrow (Wednesday 28th November) outline the Scottish Governments role in delivering climate justice at an event hosted by Amnesty International Scotland, Christian Aid Scotland and WWF Scotland. Posted: 27 Nov 2012
Student human rights reporter award: Unique prize up for grabs
With the Christmas break nearing, now is the perfect time to enter the Student Human Rights Reporter of the Year award. The competition is a collaboration between Amnesty International UK, the National Union of Students and The Observer newspaper. Posted: 27 Nov 2012
UN resolution on female genital mutilation (FGM) welcomed
The adoption yesterday of a resolution against female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UN General Assemblys human rights committee is a major boost to civil society organisations fighting for an end to the abusive practice, Amnesty International has said. Posted: 27 Nov 2012
Human rights groups back parliamentary call for reform of UK export lending
Human rights and arms trade campaigners have welcomed a hard hitting report from an All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry published today which recommends widespread changes to UK Export Finance, the government department which provides financial support to British exporters. Posted: 27 Nov 2012
