July 2013

Bradley Manning: severity of possible sentence stands in 'stunning contrast' to Abu Ghraib impunity

The US authorities have failed to deliver justice for serious human rights violations committed during counter-terror operations dating back more than a decade, Amnesty International said as the sentencing phase opened today in the military trial of the US Army Private Bradley Manning. Posted: 31 Jul 2013

Israel must not use excessive force against 'Day of Rage' Negev protesters tomorrow

The Israeli authorities must avoid using excessive force on demonstrators planning to protest against a plan to forcibly evict tens of thousands of Arab Bedouins from their homes in southern Israel, said Amnesty International. Posted: 31 Jul 2013

Bradley Manning case shows that US government's priorities are 'upside down'

Despite an acquittal on the most serious aiding the enemy charge against him, todays verdict against the US Private Bradley Manning reveals the US governments misplaced priorities on national security, said Amnesty International this evening. Posted: 30 Jul 2013

Egypt: call for police to be reined in to prevent further bloodshed

Evidence that the security forces have once again used unwarranted live fire and other excessive force underlines the crucial need for police reform, said Amnesty International today after a weekend of violence left 90 people dead. Posted: 29 Jul 2013

Tunisia: FEMEN activist Amina is victim of 'politically-motivated' attack by authorities

Todays decision by a Tunisian court to dismiss a defamation case against the 18-year-old FEMEN activist Amina Sboui is only a partial victory and the overall case against her is politically-motivated, said Amnesty International today as it called for her immediate release. Posted: 29 Jul 2013

India: Vedanta holds AGM as indigenous community rejects mine plans

As FTSE 100 mining company Vedanta gears up for its AGM this week (Thursday 1 August), indigenous communities in India have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal by one of the company's subsidiaries to mine their sacred lands. Posted: 29 Jul 2013

Ivory Coast: Wells thought to be mass graves must be excavated - New report

The government of Ivory Coast must excavate wells thought to be mass graves containing victims of an attack on a displaced persons camp last year, Amnesty International said in a report published today. Posted: 29 Jul 2013

Pussy Riot: today's refusal of parole for Nadezhda Tolokonnikova condemned

A Russian appeal courts decision earlier today to keep a second Pussy Riot punk band member behind bars for performing a protest song is further confirmation of the countrys dangerous slide towards greater suppression of free speech, Amnesty International said. Posted: 26 Jul 2013

Syria: All civilians at risk of summary killings after massacres in al-Baydah and Banias - new briefing

Eyewitnesses described seeing bodies piled up in the streets and civilians rounded up by pro-government forces. Posted: 26 Jul 2013

Egypt: warning that security forces must not use excessive force tomorrow

The security forces in Egypt must do more to protect protesters from violent attack and avoid the use of excessive force against peaceful gatherings, Amnesty International said as Egypt braces for major rival political rallies tomorrow. Posted: 25 Jul 2013

Tunisia: Mohamed Brahmi's murder must be fully investigated and killers brought to justice

The Tunisian authorities must conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the killing of the opposition leader party Mohamed Brahmi today. Posted: 25 Jul 2013

Amnesty announces phenomenal extended line-up for Edinburgh comedy shows

Amnesty International, producers of the renowned Secret Policeman's Ball, today announced an extended comedy line-up for its Secret Comedy Podcasts Posted: 25 Jul 2013

Yemen should investigate journalist's treatment and US missile attack he reported

Amnesty is urging the Yemeni authorities to investigate allegations of serious irregularities in the case of the investigative journalist Abdul Ilah Haydar Shayi. Posted: 24 Jul 2013

Pussy Riot: today's refusal of parole for Maria Alekhina is a further travesty of justice

A Russian appeal court decision today to refuse parole to Maria Alekhina - one of the all-female Pussy Riot punk group jailed for performing a protest song in an Orthodox cathedral - is a further travesty of justice, Amnesty International said. Posted: 24 Jul 2013

Egypt: Security forces abandoned Coptic Christians in Luxor to murderous mob - briefing

More than 100 Christian homes attacked by mob armed with metal bars, knives and hammers. Posted: 23 Jul 2013

California has breached human rights of prisoners on hunger strike

The Californian prison authorities have breached international human rights obligations by taking punitive measures against prisoners on hunger strike, Amnesty International said today. Posted: 22 Jul 2013

Pussy Riot: Adele, Ke$ha, Sir Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Radiohead, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Sting and U2 among 100 musicians in new call for release

More than 100 internationally-renowned musicians have joined a worldwide call for the release of the two jailed members of the Russian feminist punk group Pussy Riot ahead of their parole appeal hearings this week. Posted: 22 Jul 2013