Human Rights Defenders

Human rights defenders expose violations and campaign for redress for victims. They are the people who on their own or with others take action to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights for all. The important thing is not who they are, but what they do. Human rights defenders take peaceful action and believe everybody has equal rights.

More on human rights defenders

 

News and Updates

Russian Court upholds ban on 'extremist' Pussy Riot videos

31 January 2013

The ban on videos of the group's protest in a Moscow cathedral last year, highlights an escalating clampdown on freedom of expression.

Council of Europe must intervene after Azerbaijan imprisons more peaceful protesters

28 January 2013

Scores of activists were detained and five sentenced to prison following a peaceful protest in Azerbaijan on Saturday.

Russia’s anti-gay ‘propaganda law’ assault on freedom of expression

25 January 2013

LGBTI activists protest outside Russia’s Parliament as it backs a bill which outlaws the “propaganda of homosexuality among minors”.

Iraq: Investigation needed as troops shoot anti-government protesters

25 January 2013

Iraq must immediately investigate the killings of protesters in Fallujah in accordance with international standards. 

Cameroon: End impunity for grave human rights violations

24 January 2013

A new Amnesty International report says unlawful killings, torture and other abuses are being used to clamp down on political opponents and activists.

Appeals for action

Reopen investigation into enforced disappearance in Ingushetia!

On 8 August 2007, Ibragim Gazdiev was reportedly seized by armed men and has never been seen since. No effective steps have been taken to trace him.

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Video and Audio

"They found bulldozers crushing their houses” – Kenyan activist on forced evictions

22 March 2012

Teargas in Egypt's Tahrir Square

29 June 2011

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

Video: The role of Western countries in the Egypt crisis

Senior Director of Amnesty International Widney Brown gives an international political analysis and human rights update on the Egypt demonstrations.

Salil Shetty on Egypt protests

Amnesty International's Secretary General disappointed by military failure to protect protesters

Amnesty International staff member reports from a raid on a Cairo law centre

3 February 2011

The Hisham Mubarak Law Centre has been raided by security forces and surrounded by army and police.

Tunisian government must respect rights amid protests

18 January 2011

Tunisian government must respect rights amid protests

Networking for change

Amnesty International analyses the role of social media in unrest across the Middle East and North Africa.

Gambia Global Day of Action

22 July 2010

Government urged to end its widespread use of arbitrary detentions and torture as activists worldwide stage protests against the authorities' appalling human rights record.

Mexican activist jailed for defending human rights

Interview with Raúl Hernández, a Mexican human rights defender who has been wrongfully imprisoned for his work with an Indigenous community.

Video: Thousands get Fired Up for human rights

22 December 2008

Thousands of people around the world took part in actions to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December.