April 2013


Amnesty names its young protest song champions

Amnesty International UK today unveiled the winners of its protest song competition, Power of Our Voices, at a prestigious ceremony at its London Human Rights Action Centre. Posted: 30 Apr 2013

Amnesty International reveals its Young Human Rights Reporters of the Year

Posted: 30 Apr 2013

Afghanistan: young woman shot dead by her father in front of 300 people for 'dishonouring' family

The killing of a young Afghan woman by her father in front of a large crowd last week - on the grounds that she had dishonoured the family - is further proof that the authorities are failing to tackle shocking levels of gender-based violence in the country, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 30 Apr 2013

Sri Lanka: New report exposes 'climate of fear' for critics

The Sri Lankan government is intensifying its crackdown on critics through threats, harassment, imprisonment and violent attacks, Amnesty International said in a new report released today. Posted: 30 Apr 2013

Syria: fears for 16-year-old boy held in Damascus detention centre since November

The Syrian authorities must immediately reveal the whereabouts of a 16-year-old boy who has been missing since November, said Amnesty International today. Posted: 29 Apr 2013

Amnesty: failure to legislate for equal marriage may result in legal challenge

Amnesty International has warned of a likely legal challenge if Northern Ireland is left as the only part of the UK without marriage rights for same-sex couples. Posted: 28 Apr 2013

Tunisia: upholding of blogger's seven-year jail sentence for 'insulting Islam' condemned

The upholding of a seven-and-half-year sentence against a Tunisian blogger jailed for insulting Islam is yet another blow to freedom of expression in the country, Amnesty International said this afternoon. Posted: 26 Apr 2013

Japan: Latest double hanging condemned

The execution of two death row inmates in Japan today, is part of a chilling escalation of death penalty use under the new Liberal Democratic government, Amnesty International has said. Posted: 26 Apr 2013

Cameron should press UAE President on human rights during state visit to UK next week

David Cameron should challenge the deteriorating human rights record of the United Arab Emirates during a state visit by the countrys president to Britain next week, a coalition of seven international human rights organisations said today. Posted: 26 Apr 2013

Republic of Congo: Teachers arrested in peaceful strike must be released

Authorities in the Republic of Congo must immediately release two teachers arrested in connection with a peaceful strike and held for a week without charge, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 25 Apr 2013

Russia: fine for NGO under 'foreign agents' law condemned

The Moscow courts decision earlier today to fine a Russian independent non-governmental organisation is an alarming indicator for the future of civil society in the country, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said this afternoon. Posted: 25 Apr 2013

El Salvador must offer pregnant woman life-saving termination

The authorities in El Salvador must act immediately to allow doctors to carry out a life-saving pregnancy termination that will save the life of a seriously ill young woman, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 25 Apr 2013

Warning that 1.3 million refugees from Syria in dire need

Neighbouring countries Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq feeling strain. Posted: 25 Apr 2013

Bahrain: cancellation of UN torture expert's visit shows country is 'not serious' about human rights

Bahrain is clearly not serious about implementing human rights reforms, Amnesty International said today after the Gulf kingdom cancelled a planned visit by the United Nations torture expert for a second time. Posted: 24 Apr 2013

Amnesty and victims repeat calls for Northern Ireland clerical abuse probe

Today we got yet another glimpse into the horror of abuse suffered by children in parishes in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and the way in which figures in the Church hierarchy permitted the abuse to continue. Posted: 24 Apr 2013

Russia: Putin's first year back as President has seen 'witch hunt' against NGOs and critics - report

Vladimir Putins first year back as Russian president has seen a witch hunt against NGOs and critics, and a systematic undermining of freedom of expression in the country, Amnesty International said in a new report today. Posted: 24 Apr 2013

New call for Government to act over Shaker Aamer as Guantanamo hunger strike accelerates

Ahead of a parliamentary debate on the plight of the Guantnamo detainee Shaker Aamer tomorrow, and with hunger strikes at the US detention centre spreading, Amnesty International has issued a new call for the UK government to act on Mr Aamers behalf. Posted: 23 Apr 2013

Brazil: Prison massacre verdict a "vital" step towards justice

The conviction of 23 Brazilian police officers for killing inmates in a prison massacre two decades ago is a "vital" step towards justice, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 23 Apr 2013

Shortlist for Amnesty's Media Awards 2013 announced

Amnesty International UK has announced the shortlist for its prestigious annual Media Awards for 2013 Posted: 22 Apr 2013

Guatemala: scrapping of Rios Montt genocide trial would strengthen impunity

The decision to annul the Guatemalan genocide trial of Generals Ros Montt and Rodrguez Snchez must be overturned urgently or risk strengthening impunity and weakening the rule of law, Amnesty International has said today. Posted: 19 Apr 2013