Latest News


Gaza: Hamas' threat to publicly execute prisoners after Eid is 'deeply disturbing'

The Hamas authorities in Gaza must halt several executions they say they plan to carry out after this weeks Muslim religious festival of Eid al-Fitr, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 8 Aug 2013

Bahrain: new decrees from King Hamad banning dissent are 'outrageous'

Two new emergency decrees issued by the King of Bahrain last night - which include the banning of all protests - are a further shameful attempt to completely ban any form of dissent and freedom of expression in the country, said Amnesty International. Posted: 7 Aug 2013

Syria: new satellite images show devastation in Aleppo

New satellite images of Aleppo provide the most recent evidence of how the protracted conflict in Syria is resulting in massive human rights violations against the civilian population, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 7 Aug 2013

Cameron should tell Bahraini King UK is not prepared to hold its tongue over crack down on critics

As the UK Prime Minister David Cameron prepares to meet Bahrains King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Downing Street today, Allan Hogarth, Head of Policy and Government Affairs at Amnesty International UK, said reform in Bahrain was a 'faade'. Posted: 6 Aug 2013

Bradley Manning: severity of possible sentence stands in 'stunning contrast' to Abu Ghraib impunity

The US authorities have failed to deliver justice for serious human rights violations committed during counter-terror operations dating back more than a decade, Amnesty International said as the sentencing phase opened today in the military trial of the US Army Private Bradley Manning. Posted: 31 Jul 2013

Israel must not use excessive force against 'Day of Rage' Negev protesters tomorrow

The Israeli authorities must avoid using excessive force on demonstrators planning to protest against a plan to forcibly evict tens of thousands of Arab Bedouins from their homes in southern Israel, said Amnesty International. Posted: 31 Jul 2013

Syria: All civilians at risk of summary killings after massacres in al-Baydah and Banias - new briefing

Eyewitnesses described seeing bodies piled up in the streets and civilians rounded up by pro-government forces. Posted: 26 Jul 2013

Yemen should investigate journalist's treatment and US missile attack he reported

Amnesty is urging the Yemeni authorities to investigate allegations of serious irregularities in the case of the investigative journalist Abdul Ilah Haydar Shayi. Posted: 24 Jul 2013

Egypt's decision to deny entry to Syrians fleeing the conflict condemned

The Egyptian authorities should not be recklessly denying entry to Syrians and must provide anyone fleeing the conflict in Syria the opportunity to seek asylum, Amnesty International has said after reports that some 259 people were turned back at Cairo Airport on Monday. Posted: 11 Jul 2013

Arms to Syria debate: strong warning issued over risk of 'fuelling' human rights abuse

Amnesty International has issued a strong warning about the dangers of arming opposition groups in Syria ahead of a debate in parliament on the issue tomorrow. Posted: 10 Jul 2013

UAE: conviction of 68 government critics after 'grossly unfair' trial condemned

The conviction earlier today of 68 government critics in the United Arab Emirates shows the authorities determination to crush any form dissent, said Amnesty International. Posted: 2 Jul 2013

EU should press for prisoners releases as it meets in Bahrain

Amnesty International has urged the EU to speak out about prisoners of conscience being held in Bahrain as it hold its annual EU-Gulf states meeting in Bahrain. Posted: 1 Jul 2013

Syria: As 'patently unfair' trial of 5 men put on hold - Amnesty calls for charges to be dropped

The Syrian authorities must drop charges against five human rights activists whose "patently unfair" terror trial was today put on hold for another two months, Amnesty International said. Posted: 26 Jun 2013

Syria: latest UN report should trigger referral to International Criminal Court

Todays International Commission of Inquiry report on Syria is yet further evidence to prompt the UN Security Council to refer the situation to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Amnesty International said this afternoon. Posted: 4 Jun 2013

Screening of 'Syria Through A Lens' documentary on film-maker Bassel Shehadeh

Amnesty International will host a special film event on Tuesday 18 June on the Syrian film-maker Bassel Shehadeh, who was killed during a Syrian government assault on the city of Homs last year. Posted: 31 May 2013

Annual report 2013: Failure to address conflict situations creating a global underclass of refugees

Global inaction on human rights is making the world an increasingly dangerous place for refugees and migrants, Amnesty International said today (Thursday 23 May) as it launched its annual assessment of the worlds human rights. Posted: 23 May 2013

Syria: fears for prominent human rights lawyer abducted at weekend

A prominent Syrian human rights lawyer who went missing at the weekend after an apparent abduction is at grave risk of abuse, Amnesty International has said. Posted: 22 May 2013

Saudi Arabia: six executed, including five Yemenis crucified outside a university

Saudi Arabia must halt a disturbing rise in its use of the death penalty, Amnesty International said this evening after six people were executed in the country today. Posted: 21 May 2013

Bahrain must release five Twitter users jailed for allegedly insulting the King

The Bahraini authorities must immediately release five men sentenced to a years imprisonment for allegedly insulting the King of Bahrain in messages posted on Twitter, Amnesty International has said. Posted: 16 May 2013

Syria: trial of five media activists for 'terrorist acts' condemned

Amnesty international has condemned the forthcoming trial of five media activists in Syria who face charges of propagating terrorist acts before an unfair court on 19 May. Posted: 16 May 2013