June 2009

A new report from Amnesty International today (29 June) details assaults, harassment, intimidation and imprisonment of independent journalists in Azerbaijan. Posted: 29 Jun 2009

The Iranian authorities must immediately release dozens of journalists arrested since 12 June and who are at risk of torture in detention, Amnesty International said today as it adopted all of them as prisoners of conscience. Posted: 29 Jun 2009

The Tanzanian authorities must ensure that thousands of Burundian refugees who have been living in the Mbatila camp are not sent back to their country under coercion, as suggested by recent reports received from a number of refugees and organisations, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 29 Jun 2009

Earlier this month more than 120 students from schools, colleges and universities across the UK met government ministers at the Foreign Office to demand tough new laws to control the arms trade as quickly as possible. Posted: 29 Jun 2009

Amnesty International is gravely concerned that several opposition leaders detained in the wake of the 12 June elections may be facing torture, possibly to force them to make televised 'confessions' as a prelude to unfair trials in which they could face the death penalty. Posted: 29 Jun 2009

The Irish government must admit that Shannon Airport was used as a launching pad for rendition operations by the CIA and act to ensure this can never happen again. Posted: 29 Jun 2009

The Thai authorities should immediately allow a public trial for Darunee Charnchoengsilpakul, who is charged with violating Thailand's 'lese majeste' law for allegedly insulting the monarchy, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 26 Jun 2009

Workers from across London will be giving up their lunch hour today (Friday) to attend a protest outside the Iranian Embassy against its Government's harsh treatment of trade unionists, something which is feared will get even worse in the wake of the current street demonstrations. Posted: 26 Jun 2009

Workers from across London will be giving up their lunch hour tomorrow (Friday 26 June) to protest outside the Iranian Embassy in Kensington at the Iranian government's harsh treatment of trade unionists during the current crackdown. Posted: 25 Jun 2009

Amnesty International condemns the cross amputations carried out on four teenagers earlier today by al-Shabab armed militia in northern Mogadishu. Posted: 25 Jun 2009

On the eve of Presidential elections in Guinea-Bissau on Sunday 28 June, Amnesty International calls on candidates, the government and the security forces to publicly commit to respect human rights during the election process and beyond Posted: 25 Jun 2009

Amnesty International is calling on the Al-Shabab armed group not to carry out amputations on four men who have been accused of robbery. Posted: 24 Jun 2009

Newly released interviews with former Bagram detainees by the BBC are a timely reminder of the continuing need for accountability, transparency and for the human rights of those held by the USA in Afghanistan to be fully protected, said Amnesty International today. Posted: 24 Jun 2009

Amnesty International today condemned the formal arrest of prominent scholar and activist Liu Xiaobo on suspicion of 'inciting subversion of state power' on 23 June. Posted: 24 Jun 2009

Noting the return of members of the Roma community to their home country Romania, after being forced from their homes by racially-motivated attacks in Belfast, Amnesty International has warned of a catalogue of potential human rights violations facing the returnees. Posted: 23 Jun 2009

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told Amnesty International's Secretary-General Irene Khan that the direction for reform had been set and committed to ensuring the implementation of the human rights provisions included in the Global Political Agreement, during his visit to London on Monday. Posted: 23 Jun 2009

Amnesty International brings another packed programme to the Edinburgh Festival this year, underlining its long-term work with festival-goers to protect the right to freedom of expression around the world. Posted: 23 Jun 2009

Following reports from Iran that members of the Basij militia have used excessive force against demonstrators, and in light of the history of abuses committed by this unaccountable branch of the security forces, Amnesty International is calling on the government of Iran to stop using the militia to police demonstrations, with immediate effect. Posted: 22 Jun 2009

Amnesty International has condemned the Phnom Penh authorities for evicting 20 families living with HIV/AIDS from their homes in Borei Keila this morning Posted: 19 Jun 2009

This morning's speech by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, indicates the authorities' readiness to launch violent crackdowns if people continue to protest which may cause a widespread loss of life, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 19 Jun 2009