August 2010

Amnesty International has today [31 August] urged Rwandas new government to review its vague laws of genocide ideology and sectarianism which can lead to imprisonment for up to 25 years. Posted: 31 Aug 2010

Amnesty International has called on the Government of Zimbabwe to protect some 250 people who were forcibly evicted before their homes and most of their possessions were set alight during a night raid by armed Zimbabwean police. Posted: 31 Aug 2010

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chair of The Elders, has given his support to Amnesty Internationals campaign to free Aung San Suu Kyi and the 2,200 political prisoners in Burma. He has joined the growing campaign by raising his palm with the detained opposition leaders name on it a symbolic act of fearlessness and defiance in Burma - and is calling on everybody who values human rights and justice to do the same. Posted: 27 Aug 2010

Amnesty International has criticised the Kenyan government for its failure to arrest Sudans President Omar al-Bashir during his visit to the country to join celebrations ushering in Kenyas new constitution today, viewing the refusal to arrest President al-Bashir as an obstruction of justice for victims in Darfur. Posted: 27 Aug 2010

Amnesty International today expressed deep concern about recent statements and measures taken by the French authorities that appear to target Roma and Travellers. The organisation is troubled that some Roma people are being returned from France to their countries of origin following statements by the French government suggesting links between Roma and criminality. Posted: 27 Aug 2010

Amnesty International is gravely concerned at the mass killing of 72 irregular migrants near Mexico's northern border in Tamaulipas state, apparently by members of the drug trafficking gang, the Zetas. Latest reports suggest the victims who had been kidnapped by the criminal gang were from El Salvador, Honduras, Ecuador and Brazil. Posted: 27 Aug 2010

Amnesty has expressed dismay at the police authorities refusal to investigate an attack on a 77-year old man which caused him to lose an eye. Oliver Igwe father of the human rights defender Leo Igwe was attacked in his home by unidentified men. Posted: 27 Aug 2010

Amnesty International is appalled at the latest reports of the mass rape and other sexual violence committed in the Walikale region of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between 30 July and 2 August. Posted: 27 Aug 2010

Amnesty International today (26 August) announced that Cora Bissetts Roadkill, from Ankur Productions/Pachamama Productions for The Traverse Theatre, is the winner of the 2010 Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award at the Edinburgh Fringe. Posted: 26 Aug 2010

Five Amnesty International activists were temporarily detained by police before a U2 concert in the Russian capital Moscow yesterday. Posted: 26 Aug 2010

Amnesty International has expressed deep concern that a USA federal district court decision puts Georgia death-row inmate Troy Anthony Davis back on track for execution, despite doubts about his guilt that were raised during a June evidentiary hearing. Posted: 25 Aug 2010

The Yemeni authorities must stop sacrificing human rights in the name of security as they confront threats from al-Qaida and from Huthi Shi'a rebels, and address growing demands for secession in the south, Amnesty International said in a new report today (25 August). Posted: 25 Aug 2010

Amnesty International has challenged the credibility of data cited by a senior UN official investigating oil-impacted sites in Ogoniland in the Niger Delta. Posted: 24 Aug 2010

Amnesty International has condemned the execution of four men in Equatorial Guinea, all convicted of attempting to assassinate the countrys President. Posted: 24 Aug 2010

Amnesty International today described the Indian governments decision to reject the bauxite mine project in Orissas Niyamgiri Hills as a landmark victory for the human rights of Indigenous communities. Posted: 24 Aug 2010

Amnesty International today has announced the final shortlist for its Freedom of Expression Award at the Edinburgh Fringe. Posted: 23 Aug 2010

Amnesty International warned today that proposed reforms of Chinas application of the death penalty may not result in significantly fewer executions. Currently 68 crimes can result in the death penalty in China. According to the Chinese government news agency Xinhua, proposed amendments to the countrys criminal code could see that number cut to 55. Posted: 23 Aug 2010

Burundian authorities must investigate allegations that state security officials tortured 12 opposition politicians during the countrys recent elections, Amnesty International said today in a new report, 'A Step Backwards'. Posted: 23 Aug 2010

The Malaysian government should scrap plans to expand a state-sponsored security force of civilian volunteers with a long record of human rights abuses against refugees and migrants. Posted: 20 Aug 2010

Amnesty International has added 'Roadkill' and 'Lockerbie: Unfinished Business' to the shortlist for its Freedom of Expression Award at the Edinburgh Fringe. The award, given to an outstanding play carrying a human rights message, will be presented on Thursday 26 August. Posted: 20 Aug 2010