Annual Report 2012
The state of the world's human rights
Health and Human Rights

Human rights violations can provoke ill health or can arise as a consequence of ill health. Amnesty International campaigns on a whole spectrum of rights associated with health, from opposition to the death penalty and the denial of health care, to the right to safe drinking water and adequate nutrition. There is a role for everyone to play - get involved in our campaigns.

Read more about health and human rights

This work is part of Amnesty International's Demand Dignity campaign, which aims to end the human rights violations that drive and deepen global poverty. The campaign will mobilize people all over the world to demand that governments, corporations and others who have power listen to the voices of those living in poverty and recognise and protect their rights. For more information visit the Demand Dignity section.

News and Updates

Africa: End discrimination against LGBTI on international day against homophobia

16 May 2012

Discrimination and persecution against individuals because of their sexual orientation is increasing across sub-Saharan Africa.

Serbia: Hundreds of families face uncertainty after Belvil eviction

26 April 2012

Some 250 Roma families were forcibly evicted from Belgrade's Belvil settlement despite a lack of proper consultation.

Speaking up from the slums

24 April 2012

An radio project in Ghana and Kenya aims to challenge public perceptions of people living in slums and give inhabitants a platform to tell their stories

Kenya slum fires demonstrate need to ensure housing rights

23 March 2012

Fires in the Nairobi slums of Kibera and Mathare have claimed the lives of three people and destroyed up to 700 homes.

Tanzania must end HIV ‘red ribbon’ stigma in schools

16 March 2012

Several Tanzanian schools have forced HIV-positive pupils to wear red ribbons to class, claiming it excuses them from strenuous activities.

Issues

Appeals for action

Shell: Own up. Pay up. Clean up.

22 March 2012

The failure by the oil industry to properly clean up oil spills and other pollution in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria leaves people exposed to sustained violations of their economic, social and cultural rights.

Stop forced evictions in Africa

1 March 2012

Every year in African cities thousands of families are thrown out of their homes by the authorities or others without human rights safeguards. These forced evictions shatter lives.

Afghanistan: Urgent humanitarian assistance needed for displaced persons

17 February 2012

Displaced Afghans, fleeing war for the relative safety of cities, are facing misery in urban slums.

Bhopal - Indian government must end 25 years of injustice

16 October 2009

When thousands of tonnes of deadly chemicals leaked from Union Carbide's pesticide plant in Bhopal, India on 2 December 1984, around half a million people were exposed.

Call for governments to sign up to defend economic, social and cultural rights

13 August 2009

Hunger, homelessness and preventable diseases are not inevitable social problems or simply the result of natural disasters – they are a violation of people’s economic, social and cultural rights.

Video and Audio

Teargas in Egypt's Tahrir Square

29 June 2011

Amnesty International's Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui reports from demonstrations in Tahrir Square, Cairo.

World Habitat Day - Slideshow 2

World Habitat Day - Slideshow 2

Out of sight - In their own words

Maja was with her children on the day of the resettlement, and she describes here what conditions are like in the settlement of Rakovica...