Good news

Ukraine releases Belarusian opposition activist - 4 February 2010

Igor Koktysh had been held in a pre-trial detention centre since June 2007,  when Belarus requested his extradition. He was considered to be a prisoner of conscience.

Mongolia announces moratorium on executions - 14 January 2010

Amnesty International has welcomed President Tsakhia Elbegdorj's move as an important development toward full abolition of the death penalty.

Jailed Sri Lankan journalist released on bail - 12 January 2010

JS Tissainayagam was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on terrorism charges last year, after criticizing the government.

Mexican Indigenous man detained after unfair trial is freed - 6 January 2010

Ricardo Ucán Ceca served almost 10 years of a 22-year sentence before he was released last month.

Sahrawi human rights activist returns home after hunger strike - 18 December 2009

Aminatou Haidar, a Sahrawi activist who has spent the past month on hunger strike, has returned home and been reunited with her children.

Disappearances treaty edges closer to entering into force - 15 December 2009

A landmark treaty on enforced disappearances has moved a step closer to entering into force after being ratified by two more countries.

Russia moves one step closer to death penalty abolition - 20 November 2009

Amnesty International has welcomed a decision by Russia's Constitutional Court that brings the country a step closer to abolishing the death penalty.

Tunisia releases prisoners held over Gafsa protests - 6 November 2009

Sixty-eight people held in connection with protests against unemployment and high living costs in the resource-rich Gafsa region have been released.

Iranian refugees released from detention in Turkey - 27 October 2009

Two Iranian refugees who were refused access to the asylum system in Turkey and unlawfully detained for more than a year have been released.

Mongolian death row inmate receives pardon - 15 October 2009

Mongolian prisoner Buuveibaatar has had his death sentence commuted after being granted a pardon by the country's President, Ts. Elbegdorj.