News & Updates

Sheperds stand beside a cistern in the village of Umm al-Kheir, in the southern West Bank (OPT), September 2009.

Israel rations Palestinians to trickle of water

27 October 2009

Amnesty International has accused Israel of denying Palestinians the right to access adequate water by maintaining total control over the shared water resources and pursuing discriminatory policies.
Irene Khan, Amnesty International Secretary General, speaks to doctors in Freetown, Sierra Leone, September 2009

Maternal death rate in Sierra Leone is a "human rights emergency"

21 September 2009

In Sierra Leone, one in eight women risk dying during pregnancy or childbirth - one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

Witness protection needed to ensure justice for Philippines massacre victims

27 November 2009

Amnesty International has urged the government to protect witnesses and safeguard vital forensic evidence, following the massacre of at least 57 people in Maguindanao province.

Stock pile of tear gas grenades in Honduras triggers fears of human rights abuses

27 November 2009

An Amnesty International delegation in Honduras monitoring the human rights situation around the presidential elections, has seen evidence suggesting an increased risk of excessive force by security forces.

Syrian activist held incommunicado at risk of torture

26 November 2009

Yousef Dheeb al-Hmoud was arrested at his home on 15 November. The authorities have not revealed where he is being held, why he was arrested or whether he will be charged.

Tunisian journalist jailed after unfair trial

26 November 2009

Amnesty International has condemned the conviction of a dissenting Tunisian journalist who has been jailed for six months on trumped up charges after an unfair trial.

Women, violence and poverty - breaking out of the gender trap

25 November 2009

Why is it that more than two thirds of the world's poor are women, although women are only half of the world's population?

Lebanon must investigate all civil war mass grave sites

25 November 2009

Following confirmation that remains recovered last week are those of British journalist Alec Collett, missing since 1985, Amnesty International has called for renewed efforts to reveal the fate of thousands abducted during the civil war.

Switzerland minaret ban would breach freedom of religion obligations

25 November 2009

A proposal initiated by members of two Swiss parties will ask Swiss voters if they wish to add the sentence "The construction of minarets is forbidden" to the Constitution.

Yemeni women face violence and discrimination

25 November 2009

Women in Yemen face systemic discrimination and endemic violence with devastating consequences for their lives.

Detainees in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories must be treated humanely

24 November 2009

Amnesty International has made a renewed call for the humane treatment of all detainees, following reports that captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit may be released in a prisoner exchange.

Myanmar must end arrests of activists and continue aid after Cyclone Nargis

24 November 2009

In October, the Myanmar authorities arrested at least 10 political activists and journalists for trying to help survivors of Cyclone Nargis. Their whereabouts is unknown.