Amnesty International
Julian Assange extradition hearing: Punishing the publisher
The last time I saw Julian Assange he looked tired and wan. Dressed neatly in casual business attire, the Wikileaks founder was sitting in a glass-enclosed dock, at the back of a courtroom adjoining Belmarsh high security prison in London, flanked by two prison officers. I had travelled from the… »
Egypt: Survivors of sexual violence and online abuse among prosecuted women TikTok influencers
The Egyptian authorities must immediately put an end to their crackdown on women TikTok influencers prosecuted on absurd charges of “indecency” and “violating family principles and values”, Amnesty International said today. Women who reported sexual assault, violations of their right to privacy and online abuse are among social media influencers… »
In Turkey you speak the truth at your peril
By Nils Muiznieks, Amnesty International’s newly-appointed Europe Director “From the start, this has been a politically motivated trial aiming to silence those in the dock and send a message to the rest of society: fight for human rights or speak the truth at your peril.” The words of Idil Eser, former… »
Hungary: Decision to strip trans people of the right to legal gender recognition is “step back into the dark ages”
Following today’s vote in parliament on a new legislation that bans the legal recognition of transgender and intersex people in Hungary, Amnesty International’s Researcher, Krisztina Tamás-Sáróy said: “This decision pushes Hungary back towards the dark ages and tramples the rights of transgender and intersex people. It will not only expose… »
Americas: States cracked down on asylum and the right to protest in 2019
As millions took to the streets to protest rampant violence, inequality, corruption and impunity, or were forced to flee their countries in search of safety, states across the Americas clamped down on the rights to protest and seek asylum last year with flagrant disregard for their obligations under domestic and… »
UK: School children hand in 75,000-strong petition to reunite refugee families
A Families Together demonstration urging the Government to reunite child refugees with their parents took place at Westminster yesterday. Campaigners, school children from Oaklands Secondary School in London’s Bethnal Green, young refugees from the VOICES Network and Angus MacNeil MP held up large multi-coloured letters spelling out ‘FAMILIES BELONG TOGETHER’ before making their way to… »
Australia approves marriage equality law
Legislation has passed the House of Representatives, and marriage equality is now a reality in Australia. LGBTQI Australians will see their relationships treated equally under the law, and with dignity and respect. This historic change will help shape a safer, more inclusive country for the next generation of LGBTQI kids. »
Afghanistan: Talks with the Taliban must focus on justice and human rights
Human rights, including women’s rights, must be integral to any peace deal with the Taliban said Amnesty International today as the USA announced that it was to start direct peace talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban armed group. The call comes as Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai announced that his country would boycott… »
Zambia urged to release two men charged with same-sex sexual conduct
The Zambian authorities must immediately release two young men who have been denied bail after being arrested on charges of having sex “against the order of nature”, Amnesty International said. According to state media, police in Kapiri Mposhi in central Zambia on Monday arrested Phil Mubiana and James Mwansa, both… »
Tunisia: Sentence against blogger upheld in new blow to free speech
The upholding of a sentence against a blogger jailed for “insulting Islam” is yet another blow to freedom of expression in Tunisia, Amnesty International said. Jabeur Mejri’s conviction was today upheld by the Court of Cassation. The blogger was sentenced in March 2012 to seven and a half years in… »