News & Updates

Russian activists Oleg Orlov, Sergei Kovalev and Ludmila Alekseeva collect the Sakharov Prize in Strasbourg, 16 December 2009

Russian NGO awarded Sakharov human rights prize

16 December 2009

Russian human rights organization Memorial received the 2009 Sakharov Prize of Freedom of Thought at a ceremony in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
Dina Meza

Activists in Honduras tell Amnesty International of hidden human rights crisis

4 December 2009

An Amnesty International delegation in Honduras talked to human rights activists about the hidden crisis affecting the Central American nation.

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.

Yemeni women face violence and discrimination

25 November 2009

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

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.

Philippines election massacre must be investigated as death toll rises

24 November 2009

Amnesty International has urged the Philippine authorities to carry out a full investigation into a brutal attack in Maguindanao province that has left at least 46 people dead.

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.

Women face abuse in Tajikistan

24 November 2009

A new Amnesty International report urges the authorities to properly prosecute violence against women and not to dismiss it as a 'private family matter'.