Good news

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.

Iran execution postponement move welcomed - 5 October 2009

Amnesty International has welcomed a move by the Iranian authorities to postpone the execution of an Afghan national accused of commiting a murder while still a child.

Governments sign up to defend economic, social and cultural rights - 24 September 2009

Twenty states began signing an international agreement to address violations of economic, social and cultural rights at the United Nations in New York on Thursday.

Freedom for Indigenous Mexican woman wrongly imprisoned for three years - 17 September 2009

Amnesty International welcomes the release of Mexican prisoner of conscience Jacinta Francisco Marcial.

Six Gambian journalists released - 4 September 2009

The six had been sentenced on 6 August to a mandatory sentence of two years’ imprisonment and fined 250,000 Dalasis (US$10,000) for defamation and sedition.

Chile issues arrest warrants against at least 120 Pinochet agents - 3 September 2009

Chilean Judge Victor Montiglio issued the arrest warrants against the agents in relation to a number of security operations that targeted opponents of Augusto Pinochet during the 1970s.

Death row prisoners freed in Nigeria - 26 August 2009

One of Nigeria's most influential states has taken an important step towards abolition of the death penalty by pardoning and releasing three condemned prisoners.