Security with Human Rights

Amnesty International will insist that states must respect human rights in any actions they take in the name of national security or countering terrorism. Where states fail to respect human rights, governments and individuals responsible must be held to account. We will also work for the rights of victims of terrorism and other violence by armed groups, supporting them in their struggle for truth, justice and reparation.

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News and Updates

USA: U-turn on trial forum for 9/11 suspects betrays human rights

5 April 2011

Guantanamo detainee Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will be tried by a military commission rather than in an ordinary federal court. 

President Bush cancels visit to Switzerland

6 February 2011

Former US president George W. Bush reportedly cancels a planned visit to Geneva, ahead of expected protests and possible legal action against the former president.

Lithuania must reopen CIA secret prison investigation

18 January 2011

The investigation surrounding the existence of secret prisons run by the US Central Agency (CIA) in Lithuania must not be closed until all avenues of evidence have been thoroughly pursued, Amnesty International has said.  

Italy prevents trial of intelligence agents over Abu Omar rendition

16 December 2010

An Italian court has increased rendition sentences for American CIA agents but is still shielding high-ranking Italian officials from trial under a 'state secrets' doctrine.

Wikileaks cable corroborates evidence of US airstrikes in Yemen

1 December 2010

A leaked cable confirms images released by Amnesty International showing that the US military carried out a missile strike in south Yemen that killed dozens of local residents.

Video and Audio

Turkey: All Children Have Rights

22 November 2010

Since 2006, thousands of children in Turkey, some as young as 12, have been prosecuted under anti-terrorism legislation for their alleged participation in demonstrations. The demonstrations were focused on issues of concern to members of the Kurdish community and often involved violent clashes with the police.

Living without rights in northwest Pakistan

Civilians tell how they are abused by the Taleban and how they feel abandoned by the government.

Video: Obama's first 100 days

20 January 2009

We are not expecting the impossible from President Obama's first 100 days in office. Watch this video and take action.

Video: Protest launches tour against enforced disappearance in Pakistan

3 September 2008

Amnesty International called on the Pakistan government to reveal the fate and whereabouts of hundreds of disappeared people, amid international protests to mark the

Video: Observing Guantánamo's hearings

6 August 2008

Matthew Pollard, Amnesty International's legal advisor, observed the first trial to take place before a military commission at Guantánamo Bay. 

Video: Torture can never be justified

26 June 2008

Don’t let arguments for torture go unchallenged. Watch this video where former US President Carter, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and others raise their v

Video: Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture

24 June 2008

In May 2008, Manfred Nowak spoke to Amnesty International about the role of European states in the US-led programmes of rendition and secret detention.

Video: Abu Omar, victim of rendition and secret detention

24 June 2008

Abu Omar was rendered by US agents, via Germany, to Egypt, where he was held for nearly four years, including 14 months in secret detention.

Video: Murat Kurnaz, former detainee at Guantánamo and Afghanistan

16 June 2008

Murat Kurnaz was detained in Afghanistan and Guantánamo without charge or trial for nearly five years.

Video: Andrew Motion reads Poems from Guantánamo

12 December 2007

Andrew Motion, poet laureate, discusses the work of Abdur Rahim Muslim Dost.