April 2012

In response to a Bahraini court today announcing that prominent activist Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and 13 other opposition activists jailed for their role in anti-government protests last year will be granted an appeal, Amnesty International has renewed its call for their immediate release. Posted: 30 Apr 2012

Fears for blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng, who made a bold escape from illegal house arrest, have prompted Amnesty International to urge China to ensure his safety and that of his family and friends. Posted: 27 Apr 2012

Belgrade city authorities are proceeding with a mass forced eviction on Thursday in the capitals Belvil settlement despite failing to consult the Roma communities affected Posted: 26 Apr 2012

The conviction of Charles Taylor by the Special Court for Sierra Leone sends out a clear message to leaders the world over that no-one is immune from justice, but while the verdict brings some satisfaction for his victims more must now be done, said Amnesty International. Posted: 26 Apr 2012

Amnesty International has welcomed the conviction of Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, who was found guilty today of war crimes, at The Hague, but has said that reparations are integral to achieving justice for the victims and assisting them to rebuild their lives. Posted: 26 Apr 2012

A ruling against leading Egyptian actor Adel Imam, who was sentenced yesterday to three months in prison for insulting Islam in his films, sends out the message that Egypt has not moved on from its Mubarak-era heritage of suppressing free speech, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 25 Apr 2012

Amnesty International UK has announced the shortlist for its prestigious annual Media Awards. Posted: 25 Apr 2012

Police in Indonesia shoot, beat and kill people without fear of prosecution, leaving their victims with little hope of justice, Amnesty International has revealed in a new report, out today. Posted: 25 Apr 2012

There are some amazingly strong entries in this years awards including four from Scotland. These awards both reflect and to some extent nurture high-quality human rights journalism. This years impressive shortlist continues that tradition. Posted: 25 Apr 2012

Later today Shell will announce their first quarter results. It is expected that they will reveal profits in the billions of pounds range. Yet the people of the Niger Delta continue to suffer as a direct result of the oil giants actions. Posted: 24 Apr 2012

Sophie Okonedo, the Academy Award nominated actor, has taken a leading role in a new short film created by Amnesty International which calls on Shell to take responsibility for its actions in the Niger Delta an area of Nigeria which is roughly the size of Scotland. Posted: 24 Apr 2012

The Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) must take steps to ensure that residents in the south-eastern city of Kufra are protected from reckless fire and receive immediate access to medical care. Posted: 24 Apr 2012

The postponement of the appeals trial for 14 jailed opposition activists is toying with the life of prominent activist Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, who has been on hunger strike for 75 days in prison, Amnesty International said this evening. Posted: 23 Apr 2012

Amnesty International has welcomed a call by Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Eamon Gilmore, for Northern Ireland party leaders to get round a negotiating table to deliver the long-awaited Bill of Rights. Posted: 23 Apr 2012

Amnesty International has called on the Scottish Government to raise concerns about human rights abuses in China when the Shandong province delegation meets with Scottish Government officials tomorrow. Posted: 23 Apr 2012

European governments must do more to challenge the negative stereotypes and prejudices against Muslims that are fuelling discrimination across the continent, a new report by Amnesty International reveals today. Posted: 23 Apr 2012

Presidential elections in Dominican Republic offer an "extraordinary opportunity" in the battle for human rights, Amnesty International said as it urged candidates to take a public stand on a range of issues including alarming levels of police killings, violence against women and abuses against migrants. Posted: 23 Apr 2012

A major oil spill in the Niger Delta was far worse than Shell previously admitted, according to an independent assessment obtained by Amnesty International and the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD). Posted: 23 Apr 2012

A political declaration by the 47 Council of Europe member states fails to address key challenges faced by the European Court of Human Rights even if it contains some positive measures, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 20 Apr 2012

The decision to order a retrial in the case of a Chinese businesswoman facing execution highlights the urgent need for the authorities to halt death sentences for non-violent crimes as a first step towards abolition, Amnesty International said as it welcomed the news. Posted: 20 Apr 2012