August 2012

Amnesty International has condemned the brutal killings of two children in separate incidents in Afghanistan as despicable and called for them to be thoroughly investigated. Posted: 31 Aug 2012

Amnesty International has called on the authorities in Iraq to halt all executions in the country following reports that 26 people were executed in Iraq this week, amid growing fears that others might be executed in the coming days. Posted: 31 Aug 2012

A Yemeni student who has allegedly suffered torture and detention in a cockroach-infested cell is at imminent risk of re-arrest and further mistreatment, Amnesty International is warning. Posted: 30 Aug 2012

Amnesty International has condemned an Israeli courts verdict that the government of Israel bears no responsibility in the death of Rachel Corrie, saying the verdict continues a pattern of impunity for Israeli military violations against civilians and human rights defenders in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Posted: 29 Aug 2012

At least 38 people on death row in The Gambia are at imminent risk of execution following official confirmation nine other death row inmates were executed last week and a pledge from the government that executions will continue. Posted: 28 Aug 2012

Amnesty International has condemned the brutal killing of some 17 people who took part in a music party in the Musa Qala district of Helmand province on Sunday night (26 August). Posted: 28 Aug 2012

Some 14,000 people remain unaccounted for in the countries that make up the former Yugoslavia nearly half of the total number who disappeared in the decade since war broke out in 1991. Posted: 28 Aug 2012

Amnesty International today accused the UK-registered mining company Vedanta of attempting to gloss over criticisms of its poor human rights record in the East Indian state of Orissa by publishing a meaningless and hollow report that puts forward the companys own account of its operations there. Posted: 28 Aug 2012

Amnesty International has received credible reports that nine people were executed on Thursday 23 August in The Gambia, and that more persons are under threat of imminent executions in the coming days. Posted: 28 Aug 2012

Writer Arzhang Davoodi, who is facing fresh charges after being imprisoned in Iran for nearly nine years, must be released immediately and unconditionally, Amnesty International said. Sixty-years-old Arzhang Davoodi, who has been imprisoned since October 2003, faces a court hearing before Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran on 28 August on a new charge of enmity against God (moharebeh), which carries a possible death sentence. Posted: 24 Aug 2012

Reaction to Bahrains King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa visist to the UK. Posted: 23 Aug 2012

Amnesty International today announced the winner of its prestigious Freedom of Expression Award at the Edinburgh Fringe: Bravo 22 Companys The Two Worlds of Charlie F, written by Owen Sheers and directed by Stephen Rayne. Posted: 23 Aug 2012

Civilians are enduring horrific levels of violence in the battle between Syrian government forces and opposition fighters for control of Aleppo, Amnesty International said in a new report published today Posted: 23 Aug 2012

The Pakistan government must urgently reform its blasphemy laws and ensure the safety of Ramsha Masih, a Christian girl arrested by police for allegedly committing an act of blasphemy, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 22 Aug 2012

Amnesty International has recruited some of Belfast's best-known statues to stage a virtual demonstration in solidarity with jailed punk group Pussy Riot. Posted: 22 Aug 2012

Amnesty International has called on Gambias president Yahya Jammeh to retract his reported threat that all death row prisoners in Gambia will be executed by next month and to ensure that it is not acted on. Posted: 22 Aug 2012

In reaction to the death of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Amnesty Internationals Ethiopia researcher Claire Beston said: The 21 years of Meles Zenawi's rule were characterised by ever-increasing repression and widespread human rights violations. His government stamped out dissenting voices, dismantled the independent media, obstructed human rights organisations and strangled political opposition. Posted: 21 Aug 2012

Amnesty International today announced the shortlist for its annual Freedom of Expression Award at the Edinburgh Fringe. Posted: 21 Aug 2012

Amnesty International has called on the South African authorities to ensure that any investigation into the deaths of the 34 people who died after South African police opened fire at the Marikana mine complex must be overseen by a judge. Posted: 20 Aug 2012

The actor and comedian Stephen Fry has written a two-page open letter of support to the imprisoned members of the Russian protest band Pussy Riot. Posted: 20 Aug 2012