News stories - 1998

Today's decision by the UK House of Lords to reverse the High Court ruling which granted immunity to Augusto Pinochet is a landmark breakthrough against impunity , Amnesty International said. Posted: 5 Dec 1998

All parties in the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are waging a war against unarmed civilians. Thousands have been massacred and many others have "disappeared " or been abducted, tortured, raped or unlawfully detained since the outbreak of recent fighting on 2 August, Amnesty International says in a new report published today. Posted: 3 Dec 1998

In its effort to curb widespread political and criminal violence, the Government of Pakistan appears ready to contravene fundamental rights, Amnesty International said yesterday. Posted: 30 Nov 1998

Amnesty International yesterday expressed its shock at the Nepalese government's inaction in the face of the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, now reaching alarming levels. Posted: 30 Nov 1998

Large scale killings of unarmed civilians by the Burundian army and armed opposition groups have continued in 1998, Amnesty International writes in a report launched today, adding that few of those responsible have been arrested and brought to justice. Posted: 29 Nov 1998

Human rights violations have continued in Jordan despite a series of reforms undertaken by the government since 1989, Amnesty International says in a report launched today which also underlines "a lack of legal safeguards to prevent such violations". Posted: 28 Nov 1998

Whatever the outcome of the House of Lords' ruling, the United Kingdom (UK) must not take any steps that could prevent other courts from rendering a decision on Augusto Pinochet's case, Amnesty International said in a letter sent today to the UK Home Secretary, Jack Straw. Posted: 28 Nov 1998

"Each Sunday I visit my son, but it is not only his pain and helplessness I see. I overhear horrible stories of the past week's violence as the children try to explain fresh cuts and bruises to their parents." (Mother of a boy at a juvenile correctional facility in Maine, USA. 1998) Posted: 28 Nov 1998

The verdict by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (Tribunal) in the so-called "Celebici" trial confirms Amnesty International's long held view that those exercising authority are also responsible for ensuring that crimes are not committed by their subordinates, the organisation said. Posted: 26 Nov 1998

President Habibie's calls for a crackdown send an ominous signal about respect for human rights, Amnesty International warned as disturbances in the capital escalated. Posted: 24 Nov 1998

Amnesty international today expressed its fear that military action against Iraq may result in the loss of civilian lives. Life, safety and security of civilians must be the paramount consideration in any action taken to resolve the current crisis. Amnesty International takes no position on the use of force to resolve international disputes. Posted: 23 Nov 1998

The Indonesian armed forces should exercise restraint in the face of ongoing mass demonstrations in Jakarta, Amnesty International urged today as at least three people were shot dead -- and many more were injured -- when troops fired into a crowd near the Indonesian parliament. Posted: 23 Nov 1998

Amnesty International was appalled by the recent statement of the Russian Minister of Internal Affairs who reportedly has promised tougher law and order enforcement in the Russian Federation, declaring that serious criminals should be sentenced to death. Posted: 23 Nov 1998

With the region engulfed in a financial and social crisis of unprecedented proportions APEC must recognise that economic recovery and reform depends on human rights, Amnesty International said in a report released today, as APEC Leaders gather in Kuala Lumpur for their sixth annual Meeting. Posted: 19 Nov 1998

Mexico: General Gallardo -- five years of unjust detention must come to an end Posted: 19 Nov 1998

The Japanese government has once again made inadequate responses to concerns raised by the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC), Amnesty International said today, while welcoming the HRC's concluding observations based on its review of Japan's human rights record. Posted: 19 Nov 1998

Amnesty International has condemned today's car bombing in Mahane Yehuda market in West Jerusalem which killed two suicide bombers and injured 21 other people. Posted: 16 Nov 1998

Amnesty International is today calling on the Armenian Government to implement promptly the recommendations of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee, which has issued its concluding observations on the initial report submitted by Armenia. Posted: 16 Nov 1998

Amnesty International has published today a new document stating the organisation's position in relation to General Augusto Pinochet's detention and the issues of universal jurisdiction and immunity for crimes against humanity. Posted: 14 Nov 1998