Press releases
Afghanistan: More US troops must not harm Afghan civilians - 2 December 2009
Amnesty International has called on the US to establish a consistent, clear and credible mechanism to investigate civilian casualties resulting from military operations after President Barack Obama said he would send 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan.Peru: Justice without discrimination for the victims of Amazon violence - 2 December 2009
The Peruvian authorities must conduct fair and impartial investigations into the deaths of all those killed during violence at a road blockade led by Amazon Indigenous peoples in June, Amnesty International said in a new report.Sri Lankan government must permanently release all civiliansasia - 1 December 2009
The Sri Lankan government must permanently release civilians who have been illegally detained in camps following the end of the civil war six months agoClimate change deal must ensure the poor are not left out and further disadvantaged - 30 November 2009
(Copenhagen) Political leaders meeting in Copenhagen next week must reach a fair, ambitious and binding deal on climate change that does not leave out and further disadvantage the world’s poor, said Mary Robinson and Irene Khan.Switzerland votes against religious freedom - 29 November 2009
Amnesty International deeply regrets the choice of Swiss voters today to introduce a ban on the construction of minarets into the constitutionHonduras: Authorities must reveal identities and whereabouts of people detained today - 29 November 2009
(Tegucigalpa) Amnesty International today urged the Honduran authorities to reveal the identities, whereabouts and charges against all people detained on the eve and day of the presidential elections.Honduras: Military shooting must be urgently investigated and witnesses protected - 28 November 2009
Amnesty International today said it was deeply worried about the safety of victims of and witnesses to a shooting at a military blockade that took place in Tegucigalpa last night. The organization called on the Human Rights Prosecutor to urgently investigate the incident.Honduras: Stock pile of tear gas grenades triggers fears of human rights abuses - 27 November 2009
Amnesty International has learned that the de facto authorities in Honduras have stock piled 10,000 tear gas cans and other crowd control equipment, triggering fears of an increased risk of excessive and disproportionate use of force by security forces around the presidential elections.Philippines: Witness protection needed to ensure justice for victims of massacre - 26 November 2009
The Philippine government must urgently ensure that witnesses are protected following the massacre of at least 57 people in Maguindanao province and safeguard vital forensic evidence to ensure those responsible are brought to justice, said Amnesty International.
Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., a member of the powerful Ampatuan family that has dominated local politics in Maguindanao province in the country’s restive Mindanao region, is now under arrest and could face multiple murder charges. He has denied involvement.
“One of the major stumbling blocks to justice for human rights violations in the Philippines has been the intimidation of witnesses, at times accompanied by bribes or other inducements,” said Donna Guest, Amnesty International’s deputy Asia-Pacific director.
