June 2011


Malaysia: mass repression of pro-reform activists

Malaysian authorities are arbitrarily arresting and detaining scores of peaceful electoral reform protesters in the worse repression of free speech and freedom of assembly in recent years, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 30 Jun 2011

Bahrain: 'Bassiouni' inquiry could be 'sea change' on human rights

An independent commission set up by the King of Bahrain to investigate alleged human rights abuses during recent protests in the country is a significant step forward but must lead to justice for the victims, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 30 Jun 2011

China: New report - dark times for lawyers as repression intensifies

The Chinese government has unleashed an uncompromising series of measures intended to rein in the legal profession and suppress lawyers pursuing human rights cases, Amnesty International said today in a new report. Posted: 30 Jun 2011

Belarus rounds up 'silent' protesters

Belarusian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release anyone being held merely for taking part in peaceful silent protests, Amnesty International said today after hundreds were arrested around the country yesterday. Posted: 30 Jun 2011

Afghanistan: authorities must work with ICC to prosecute Taleban attackers

The Afghan government must work with the International Criminal Court to investigate those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan, Amnesty International said today, after an attack on a Kabul hotel claimed by the Taleban left at least ten people dead. Posted: 29 Jun 2011

Greece: warning after 'massive' amounts of tear gas fired by police

Greek riot police must not use excessive force in their handling of violence during protests in Athens, Amnesty International said today amid reports protesters were hospitalised as police fired massive amounts of tear gas. Posted: 29 Jun 2011

Human rights and the UK supreme court - Amnesty comment ahead of Parliamentary debate

John Watson, Programme Director of Amnesty in Scotland comments ahead of tomorrow's (Thursday 30th June) Scottish Government Debate 'The Role of the Supreme Court in Scots Criminal Law' Posted: 29 Jun 2011

Sudan: Authorities force people to return to danger zones in Southern Kordofan

Amnesty International is alarmed by reports that people displaced by the ongoing conflict in Southern Kordofan are being coerced to return by the Sudanese authorities to places where their lives and safety could be at risk. Posted: 29 Jun 2011

Human Rights and the UK Supreme Court - Scottish Government Debate

Amnesty comment ahead of tomorrow's Scottish Government Debate 'The Role of the Supreme Court in Scots Criminal Law'. Posted: 28 Jun 2011

Egypt: Military's pledge to end 'virginity tests' on protestors welcomed

The head of Egypts military intelligence has promised Amnesty International that the army will no longer carry out forced virginity tests after defending their use during a meeting with the organisation in Cairo yesterday. Posted: 27 Jun 2011

Nigeria: Armed groups targeting civilians in latest bombings

Nigerian armed groups must stop attacking civilians, Amnesty International said today, after as many as 30 people were killed in a bomb attack blamed on the religious sect Boko Haram. Posted: 27 Jun 2011

Libya: ICC arrest warrants for Gaddafi and others welcomed

Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi and other senior Libyan government figures must be arrested and handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face trial for alleged serious human rights crimes, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 27 Jun 2011

China: Weiwei and associates freed, but other activists still in detention

Associates of Ai Weiwei who had been subjected to enforced disappearance along with the Chinese artist since April have been released, according to media reports today. Posted: 25 Jun 2011

Egypt: Amnesty chief calls for end to military trials - Cairo press conference

The Egyptian authorities must earn the trust of the people by abolishing repressive laws and ending abusive practices, the Secretary General of Amnesty International said today at a press conference in Cairo. Posted: 25 Jun 2011

Tunisia joining the International Criminal Court is welcomed

Amnesty has welcomed Tunisias joining of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Posted: 24 Jun 2011

Cameron must make human rights a priority in meeting with Wen Jiabao

David Cameron must keep up the pressure on Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, over China's appalling human rights record when they meet on Monday, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 24 Jun 2011

Congo: New mass rapes are horrific failure of justice

New mass rapes by members of the Congolese army in the Democratic Republic of Congo are the result of the governments failure to bring human rights abusers to justice, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 24 Jun 2011

Kuwait: call for release of man detained for tweeting about Middle East protests

Amnesty International is calling for the release of a man in Kuwait who has been detained for tweeting in support of protestors in Bahrain and elsewhere in the Middle East. Posted: 24 Jun 2011

Romania legal system condemning Roma to poor housing

Romanias poorest and most disadvantaged citizens cannot access adequate housing because of the countrys legal system, Amnesty International said in a briefing published today. Posted: 23 Jun 2011

China: Ai Wei Wei released on bail

In reaction to reports that Ai Weiwei has been released on bail "because of his good attitude in confessing his crimes as well as a chronic disease he suffers from", Catherine Baber, Amnesty Internationals Asia Pacific Deputy Director, said Posted: 22 Jun 2011