July 2012

The Chilean authorities must initiate a thorough, independent investigation into the police use of force during and after an eviction that resulted in a dozen Indigenous community members including children being detained, with many suffering injuries, Amnesty International said. Posted: 31 Jul 2012

Mali must halt its slide into human rights chaos and open investigations into dozens of cases of enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and torture documented by Amnesty International. Posted: 31 Jul 2012

Responding to reports that an unwed couple has been stoned to death in a town in northern Mali, Amnesty Internationals Deputy Africa Director Paule Rigaud said: Posted: 31 Jul 2012

Amnesty International today announced a record number of entries for its Freedom of Expression Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with more than 110 productions nominated. Posted: 30 Jul 2012

Reaction to the start of the trial of Russian punk group Pussy Riot concerning their protest song 'Virgin Mary, redeem us of Putin' in Christ the Saviour Cathedral on 21 February. Posted: 30 Jul 2012

Amnesty International has condemned the trial in Iraq of a 70-year-old British man who has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after a hearing that lasted only 15 minutes. Posted: 30 Jul 2012

A ruling by South Africas highest court has confirmed that the deportation of two individuals to Botswana cannot go ahead because if deported they face a real risk of the death penalty in what Amnesty International has hailed as a principled stance. Posted: 30 Jul 2012

Russia and the USA have acted to delay establishing landmark international Arms Trade Treaty, said Amnesty International. Posted: 28 Jul 2012

Final talks for historic new treaty are set to begin on Monday 2 July Londoners were today (Weds 27 June) in for a surprise as arms control campaigners drove an armoured battle tank through the streets of the capital to call for an effective new international Arms Trade Treaty. Posted: 27 Jul 2012

The prospect of reaching a historic global deal to end the devastation caused by the irresponsible and poorly regulated arms trade moved a step closer on Thursday, Amnesty International said. Posted: 27 Jul 2012

The Cuban authorities arrest and short-term detention of more than 40 activists as they paid their respects at the funeral of human rights activist Oswaldo Pay Sardias is another sign of how entrenched repression against dissidents on the island remains. Posted: 26 Jul 2012

Northern Ireland continues to have a poor reputation on gay rights among the LGBT community in other parts of the UK. Posted: 26 Jul 2012

The musician Sting has joined Amnesty International in condemning the Russian authorities treatment of Pussy Riot, a Russian punk rock protest band. Posted: 25 Jul 2012

Reports that government forces and armed opposition groups have been deliberately and unlawfully killing captured opponents in Syria bolster the need for all sides to abide by international humanitarian law, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 25 Jul 2012

Amnesty International Scotland strongly welcomes today's announcement from the Scottish Government that it intends to legislate to allow same sex marriage. Posted: 25 Jul 2012

The USA administration is the pivotal player in closing major loopholes and setting strong rules for international transfers of arms in the final days of negotiations to agree an Arms Trade Treaty, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 25 Jul 2012

Amnesty International has condemned the alarming news that nearly 200 executions have been given the go-ahead in Iraq. Amnesty is urging the Iraqi authorities to commute these and all pending death sentences and impose a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty. Posted: 24 Jul 2012

A photographer and journalism student faces up to seven years in prison after posting pictures of a stunt involving dropping hundreds of teddy bears from a plane, to draw attention to violations of freedom of expression in Belarus. Posted: 24 Jul 2012

An activist serving life imprisonment with hard labour for printing and distributing T-shirts calling for an end to the dictatorship in The Gambia must be freed, Amnesty International said marking its annual Day of Action calling for improved human rights in the country. Posted: 23 Jul 2012

Bahrain must release all prisoners of conscience immediately and without conditions, Amnesty International said today, ahead of appeals in the cases of a prominent human rights activist and a group of medical workers. Posted: 23 Jul 2012