Subscribe to News & Updates

Analysis: HIV progress blunted by discrimination and sexual violence

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:04:27 +0000

Gender discrimination, sexual violence and poverty are undermining global progress in tackling HIV/Aids, Amnesty International said on World Aids Day.

Women are at greater risk of HIV infection and HIV has a particularly devastating impact on women and their families. Unless these gender disparities and their underlying causes are adequately addressed, efforts to reduce the spread of HIV and address its consequences will be woefully incomplete.

The picture at the end of 2009 is, in some important respects, a positive one. UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on Aids, reports that new HIV infections are down by 17 per cent over the past eight years. Sub-Saharan Africa has seen the most progress in reducing new infection rates.

More people have access to antiretroviral treatment, and the number of Aids-related deaths has declined by more than 10 per cent over the past five years.

However, laws, practices and proposals in many countries undermine these positive developments.

Canada and the United States have in recent years prosecuted and secured convictions of dozens of people with HIV under legislation that criminalises HIV transmission.

Elsewhere in the world, countries have increasingly adopted or considered such measures.

Human Rights Watch reports that in Africa alone, 14 countries have enacted laws that criminalise HIV transmission — in terms that potentially outlaw all sexual behaviour by those who are HIV positive.

A measure now being debated in Uganda would require pregnant women and their partners to be tested, even without their consent.

Mandatory testing increases the potential for stigma and discrimination. In particular, women who test positive face a greater chance of violence at the hands of their partners.

The measure would also criminalise “attempted transmission” of HIV and would provide for other criminal penalties for the failure of an HIV-positive person to “observe instructions on prevention and treatment,” among other provisions.

Laws like these are impractical, unnecessary and counterproductive — especially because they create incentives to avoid getting tested, receiving health information and obtaining necessary care.

Even where such legislation is not an issue, stigma and discrimination are an everyday reality for those who live with — or are suspected of having — HIV.

Gay and bisexual men, people who use drugs, prisoners and sex workers, among others, may face significant hurdles in access to effective HIV prevention programmes.

Heterosexual transmission accounts for a larger proportion of new HIV transmission worldwide, and in sub-Saharan Africa the significance of heterosexual transmission has long been well-known.

Even so, knowledge has not translated into sound policy responses. Not enough has been done to address the human rights abuses and the role of poverty in driving the epidemic among women.

As one example, the rate of HIV infection in South Africa for young women between the ages of 15 and 19 is more than twice that for young men of the same age. The prevalence rate for women in their mid to late 20s is more than 32 per cent.

South Africa’s alarming level of sexual violence is one contributing factor in these high rates. Two out of five men surveyed for a study on rape prevalence had been physically violent to an intimate partner, and one in four admitted to at least one rape, the South African Medical Research Council found this year.

Poverty is another factor. As Amnesty International found in 2008, lack of reliable and affordable transport often hinders or prevents rural women from reaching health facilities that offer the comprehensive HIV and post-sexual assault services they need.

Rural women also struggle to have access to adequate food every day, essential in order to cope with the side effects of antiretroviral medication.

Effective HIV prevention is not easy, particularly when policies must tackle complex factors such as poverty and sexual violence to have real impact.

Removing discriminatory laws and policies, including legislation that criminalises HIV transmission, is an obvious step for governments to take.

They must quickly follow up by seeking to understand and correct the ways that policies and practice contribute to gender disparities, including in access to health services and vulnerability to violence.

Climate change deal must ensure the poor are not left out and further disadvantaged

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:33:54 +0000

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.

Mary Robinson – former President of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and President of the Ethical Globalization Initiative – and Irene Khan – Secretary General of Amnesty International – participated in a conference organized by Amnesty International to discuss the impact of climate change on human rights in the run up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15).

Mary Robinson and Irene Khan issued the following joint statement:

The cruel fact about global climate change is that while the problem has largely been caused by emissions from the richest countries, the poorest will pay the price. If governments fail to act in Copenhagen next month, basic human rights for the worlds poorest and most marginalised communities will hang in the balance. The rights to food, water, shelter and heath all risk being undermined by climate change. There is an urgent need for an ambitious, fair and binding agreement at COP15 in Copenhagen.

Stating that the effects of climate change will be felt most by people experiencing human rights abuses because they are poor or vulnerable, like women and indigenous people, Mary Robinson and Irene Khan cautioned that if governments don't comply with their human rights obligations when responding to climate change, it could reinforce the links between denial of rights and vulnerability to climate change.

Governments are legally bound to address inequality and non-discrimination and they called for adaptation and mitigation policies to prioritize those whose rights are most at risk through patterns of discrimination.

Warning that billions of the world’s poorest people are adversely affected by climate change and yet are not central to the UN Climate Change Conference, they called for an urgent, people-centered approach to countering climate change and ensuring the future for generations to come. They urged governments to conduct adequate and meaningful consultation with affected people, involving them in decision-making on the adaptation and mitigation strategies that would affect their lives.

"The time has passed when politicians and the public could imagine climate change as problem for the future," cautioned Mary Robinson.

"Climate change is a threat to the survival and enjoyment of human rights. If we don’t deal with climate change no one will have a secure world."

"The fight against poverty and the fight against climate change are an integral fight for the rights of the marginalized peoples of this world," said Irene Khan.

"If we don't address climate change all gains to eradicate poverty risk being wiped out."

Both human rights leaders called on the general public to support the Tck Tck Tck campaign.

TckTckTck is the campaigning hub for more than 50 international organizations that are part of the Global Campaign for Climate Action.

Almost 10 million TckTckTck supporters have called for an ambitious, binding and fair deal at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15).

Amnesty International's Demand Dignity campaign aims to end the human rights violations that drive and deepen global poverty.

The campaign is mobilizing 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 recognize and protect their rights.

An Amnesty International delegation will participate in COP15.

Military shooting in Honduras must be urgently investigated and witnesses protected

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:29:54 +0000

Amnesty International said on Saturday that it was deeply worried about the safety of victims of and witnesses to a shooting at a military blockade that took place in Tegucigalpa on Friday night. The organization called on the Human Rights Prosecutor to urgently investigate the incident.

According to eye witnesses interviewed by Amnesty International on Friday night, four men were on their way back home when they saw a military blockade moved from its normal position, close to the Estado Mayor (military compound). They were not given any indication to stop or request to slow down so they drove past.

Immediately after, shots were fired by the military at the car. The men drove on and as they went into a new road, one bullet hit the driver, 32-year-old Angel Salgado, in the head. He lost control of the vehicle which then crashed into a taxi and injured several bystanders, including 45-year-old woman, who was also hit by a stray bullet. She is now in a serious condition in hospital.

At the time of writing, Angel Salgado was in hospital in a critical condition.

Eye witnesses said military personnel began cleaning the scene immediately after the crash occurred.

"We are extremely concerned about this case given Honduras' track record of widespread impunity for human rights violations committed by police and military," said Javier Zuñiga, Head of Amnesty International's delegation in Honduras.

Amnesty International delegates in Honduras visited the hospital where both injured were being treated and heard the relatives of Angel Salgado had found it difficult to gain entry to see him.

The organization's delegates also saw two men in military outfits passing by and going directly into the theatre where Angel Salgado was recuperating. The men said they wanted to check on his condition.

"Until the authorities take serious action to investigate and bring to justice those responsible for human rights violations, this will be another shocking example of how the lives of Hondurans can be devastated in a moment by the police and military, who act knowing that noone will ever hold them to account," said Javier Zuñiga.

Switzerland votes against religious freedom

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:21:23 +0000

Amnesty International said it deeply regrets the choice of Swiss voters on Sunday to introduce a ban on the construction of minarets into the constitution.

The ban, which takes immediate effect, violates both the freedom of religion of Muslims living in the country and the prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religious belief as set out in several international human rights instruments that Switzerland is a party to.

"The yes vote comes as a surprise and a great disappointment. That Switzerland, a country with a long tradition of religious tolerance and the provision of refuge to the persecuted, should have accepted such a grotesquely discriminatory proposal is shocking indeed," said David Diaz-Jogeix, Europe and Central Asia Deputy Programme Director at Amnesty International.

"The general prohibition of the construction of minarets violates the right of Muslims in Switzerland to manifest their religion. It can do lasting damage to their integration."

Islam is the second largest religion in Switzerland after Christianity, and its followers represent over 4 per cent of the country's population.

The ban is expected to be rejected by either the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland or the European Court of Human Rights.

Alyaksei Bondar

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:38:34 +0000

Blog written for Amnesty International by Belarusian youth activist Alyaksei Bondar, who was sentenced to two years of 'restricted freedom' on 22 April 2008.

I’ve been in Moscow for more than a year, having come here to escape persecution. Since I am on a wanted list, I have to live and work here illegally. It is not very pleasant to live knowing that any day my life can change dramatically and I will find myself behind the bars for a “crime” such as the peaceful expression of my opinion.

Moscow is a very interesting city but at the same time it is complicated and difficult to live in; it has a heavy feel. Crowds of people everywhere, as well as constant traffic jams, create tension. In general, it is difficult to understand Russia.

The majority of my friends remain in Belarus; therefore I am spending a lot of time communicating through the internet but I don’t have enough real communication.

I would very much like to study something in the field of politics or economics. However, everything is very uncertain here and I have to evaluate my opportunities and risks. On the other hand, I don’t want to waste time.

However, not everything is so bad. I have met my other half here :-) We love to go for a walk in the old town of Moscow, to visit theatres and spend time outside the city.

On the whole, I look at life, as before, optimistically, with humour. Freedom is inside us; no authority can break a man as long as Freedom lives inside him. For every new day of Freedom, I thank God and the people who supported and support me in life.

READ MORE

Belarus activists tell of life in exile (News, 27 November 2009)

Read Mikhail Kryvau's blog

Read Tatyana Tishkevich's blog

Read Ales Charnyshou's blog

Belarusian activists speak out (Livewire Blog - Discussion)

Call on Belarusian President to free youth activists

Belarus activists tell of life in exile

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:55:25 +0000

Tatyana Tishkevich, Ales Charnyshou, Mikhail Kryvau and Alyaksei Bondar © Private

Audio placeholder

Audio: Activist Ales Straltsou describes living under 'restricted freedom'

Belarusian youth activists sentenced to 'restricted freedom' for attending a peaceful protest have told Amnesty International how they were targeted by the authorities, with police seeking to control almost every aspect of their daily lives.

Seven activists were effectively placed under house arrest when they received sentences of up to two years for taking part in a peaceful rally supporting small businesses in Minsk in January 2008.

Five of the activists - Tatyana Tishkevich, Alyaksei Bondar, Mikhail Kryvau, Ales Straltsou and Ales Charnyshou - have spoken to Amnesty International, describing how they were forbidden from socialising, visiting family and taking part in cultural or leisure activities.

The terms of 'restricted freedom' were so severe that three of the activists escaped Belarus, fleeing to Russia, Poland and Ireland respectively.

"I would have to stay in my apartment at all times, except the eight hours when I was at work," Mikhail Kryvau wrote in a blog for Amnesty International. "If the police called my home landline and I was one minute late, I'd get an official warning. If I got three such warnings, I'd be [sent to jail]."

The activists were arrested after protesting against a presidential decree on tax and employment regulations for small businesses. In his blog, Mikhail Kryvau tells how he was beaten before being sentenced to 15 days' detention.

"We were lying on the floor with our faces down as the police were fiercely hitting us with their iron-covered boots and gloves. We asked the officers to stop but they wouldn’t. It was a shattering experience," he describes.

Tatyana Tishkevich fled to Poland after being expelled from university for her political activities.

"[Leaving Belarus] was a difficult choice," she says. "For a long time I suffered from depression, knowing I wouldn’t be seeing my family and friends. One of the teachers [in Poland] asked me how things were in Belarus … to which I could say nothing. And I couldn’t hold back my tears."

Alyaksei Bondar fled to Moscow more than a year ago to escape persecution. He told Amnesty International: "Since I am on a wanted list, I have to live and work illegally.

"It is not very pleasant to live, knowing that any day my life can change dramatically and I will find myself behind bars for a 'crime' such as the peaceful expression of my opinion."

If the activists return to Belarus, they will face up to three years in prison for evading their sentence. Ales Charnyshou remained in the country and endured the restrictions set by police.

"I was forced to be at home every day after 8pm and on all weekends and public holidays; the officers had the right to check my presence at home or work at any time," he says. "For the slightest infringement, such as meeting with friends over a beer, a formal warning was issued."

Ales Straltsou, who also stayed in Belarus until he was amnestied in November 2009, told Amnesty International: "It's like prison, it's the same feeling. You cannot go out at all. Instead of sitting in a cell, you sit in your flat."

Thousands of people took to the streets in Minsk on 10 January 2008 to protest against President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's constraints on entrepreneurial activities.

Initially, 14 people were convicted for "taking part in or organizing actions that gravely disturb public order". Seven were subsequently pardoned under amnesties but the sentences for the remaining seven remain in force.

Although a 'restricted freedom' sentence is imposed by a judge, specific terms can be set by the police officer in charge of the case. This often results in details being changed arbitrarily, making it difficult for the convicted person to comply.

In June 2009, one of the seven activists, Maxim Dashuk - who was 16 years old when he was convicted - had his sentence increased by 15 months after a police officer was unable to find him at home on several occasions.

The following month, fellow activist Artsyom Dubski was sentenced to one year in prison after the police officer in charge of his case told the prosecutor he had violated the conditions of his sentence.

"'Restricted freedom' is a form of imprisonment and the convictions against these seven activists violate their rights to freedom of assembly and expression," says Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia Director Nicola Duckworth.

"The Belarusian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Artsyom Dubski, lift all the restrictions placed on the other six activists, and the three who have fled must be allowed to return without risk of any further charges being brought against them."

READ MORE

Read Mikhail Kryvau's blog

Read Tatyana Tishkevich's blog

Read Ales Charnyshou's blog

Read Alyaksei Bondar's blog

Belarusian activists speak out (Livewire Blog - Discussion)

Call on Belarusian President to free youth activists

Witness protection needed to ensure justice for Philippines massacre victims

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:35:24 +0000

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, deputy director of Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific programme.

"Given the Ampatuan family's history of using private militias to maintain their dominance in Maguindanao, there is every reason to fear for the safety of witnesses and the protection of evidence."

Amnesty International pointed out that the inability of Philippines investigators to gather and process forensic and circumstantial evidence in prosecutions has led to an overreliance on eyewitness testimony.

Media footage from the scene of the massacre shows little evidence of proper collection of forensic evidence.

"The Philippine government has responded with encouraging speed and seriousness to this incident so far but they must demonstrate that they will put in place proper mechanisms to ensure there is transparent, credible accountability," Guest said.

"This case, which has shocked the country and the world, cannot end in impunity as the vast majority of cases of political killings have in the past."

Amnesty International called on the government of the Philippines to invite assistance from the international community in conducting the technical aspects of this investigation.

The European Union and the Philippine government have recently signed an agreement to improve the quality of investigations and prosecutions of extrajudicial executions in the Philippines.

Most witnesses are reported to lack confidence in the current witness protection program, and fear that, given prolonged delays in criminal proceedings, it will not be able to offer protection to them or their families which may be needed to extend over a number of years.

In conjunction with lack of confidence in the impartiality of the police, fear of reprisals and a lack of an effective witness protection program, most investigations remain ineffective and fail to lead to the identification, arrest, trial and conviction of the perpetrators.

Ales Charnyshou

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:52:07 +0000

Blog written for Amnesty International by Belarusian youth activist Ales Charnyshou, who was sentenced to two years of 'restricted freedom' on 22 April 2008.

On April 23, 2008 I was sentenced to two years of 'restricted freedom' for participating in a rally in support of entrepreneurs.

The action was intended to draw public attention - and the attention of the national authorities - to the contents of a decree issued by the President of Belarus that significantly worsened the situation for small businesses.

I am not a businessman. But as a person with an active, open attitude, I found it necessary to participate in this action. All the more so because I link my future to business activities and the error of the decree was obvious to me.

During the rally, about 1,500-2,000 people marched with banners from the central square of Minsk to the House of Government.

Unfortunately, my participation in this event turned into 15 days of detention and criminal punishment under the so-called "trial of 14", resulting in a sentence of 'restricted freedom'.

Since the commencement of criminal proceedings against me, my life has changed dramatically.

After sentencing, I was obliged to have a permanent place of work (without the right to quit), to regularly register at the police station and to be at home every day after 8pm and all weekends and public holidays.

This was all under the control of the police, whose officers had the right to check my presence at home or work at any time.

According to the sentence, I had no right to travel, not only abroad, but also outside the city. I was not allowed to attend any concerts or football matches or other social events.

The slightest infringement, including meeting with friends over a pint of beer (which, incidentally, I love very much ☺) carries a formal warning. After the third such warning, law enforcement agencies are entitled to change the punishment following another trial.

Fortunately I have not reached that stage. I must admit that the police officers, while carrying out their duties, treated me rather humanely. I would like to believe that they understood the uncertainty of my situation.

On June 15, 2009 the terms of my punishment was changed (reduced). It is now "corrective" work, which means the continuation of work at my normal job, while paying 15% of my earnings to the state. As before, my rights are restricted (for example, I have no right to travel abroad).

I have been following Amnesty International's activities and I am grateful to them for paying so much attention to our trial, and for issuing the statement in May 2009 in which we were named as “prisoners of conscience.”

I hope that an amnesty will be applied to me and others involved in the "trial of 14". At the moment, despite everything that has happened, I am optimistic about the future and that is what I am wishing you.

READ MORE

Belarus activists tell of life in exile (News, 27 November 2009)

Read Mikhail Kryvau's blog

Read Tatyana Tishkevich's blog

Read Alyaksei Bondar's blog

Belarusian activists speak out (Livewire Blog - Discussion)

Call on Belarusian President to free youth activists

Stock pile of tear gas grenades in Honduras triggers fears of human rights abuses

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:49:23 +0000

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.

An Amnesty International delegation in Honduras to monitor the human rights situation around the presidential elections on 29 November received information of the recent official purchase of 10,000 tear gas grenades; 5,000 projectiles for tear gas grenades and a water spray tank, as well as the deployment of several thousand reservists.

"Since taking power, the de facto authorities have allowed the security forces to use tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition to punish demonstrators in Honduras, causing several deaths and serious injuries, and nobody has been held responsible," said Javier Zuniga, Head of Amnesty International's delegation in Honduras.

"The past misuse of tear gas and other crowd control equipment, together with the lack of guarantees that the purchased equipment will not be used to attack demonstrators and the absence of investigations on past abuses paints an extremely worrying picture of what might happen over the next few days," said Javier Zuniga.

It is not clear how this new equipment will be used or whether the security forces have received appropriate training or put the procedures in place to ensure that security operations in the context of possible demonstrations do not abuse human rights.

In July, Amnesty International visited a detention centre in Tegucigalpa and spoke to a number of demonstrators who were arbitrarily arrested and had been beaten and ill-treated.

Amnesty International also denounced the fact that human rights activists and journalists critical of the de facto authorities have been receiving increased threats and intimidation.

In a facsimile signed by the First Battalion of Communications, the Honduran Armed Forces requested a local mayor to provide a list of names and phone numbers of activist members of the Resistencia, a movement opposed to the de facto authorities.

"Today, there's an environment of fear and intimidation in Honduras," said Javier Zuniga. "We have seen an increased level of harassment against those who are seen as opposed to the de facto authorities and officials responsible for the protection of human rights are not doing anything to investigate the incidents or stop them."

The Amnesty International delegation will be in Honduras until 4 December. They are meeting with victims of human rights violations, representatives of human rights organizations, journalists, teachers and doctors. Meetings have also being requested with prosecutors, the Army and the Police.

Mikhail Kryvau

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:24:41 +0000

Blog written for Amnesty International by Belarusian youth activist Mikhail Kryvau, who was sentenced to two years of 'restricted freedom' on 22 April 2008.

In October 2007, I got involved in a group of youth activists called the United Civil Party of Belarus (UCPB). We decided to start the Young Democrats - the UCPB youth wing - and activities involved organizing political discussions and student education seminars, as well as writing and distributing materials. One of our major activities became participation in protest actions held by the democratic opposition.

On the 10th of January 2008, I took part in a major action of protest. The participants of the demonstration – small entrepreneurs and opposition activists – were protesting against one of President Lukashenka's rulings.

It grew into a mass demonstration and the protesters stopped the traffic in the city centre. However, it remained a peaceful and non-violent protest.

When it was almost over and I was going back home, I was brutally attacked by the officers from the special police force - the so-called "Police Squads of Special Function".

They hit me and bent my arms behind my back. Then the officers threw six or seven more people into the police van.

All of us were lying on the floor with our faces down. They were fiercely hitting us with their iron-covered boots and gloves. I noticed some blood on the girl's coat next to me. We asked the officers to stop but they wouldn't. It was a shattering experience. I felt like what was happening was unreal and I was just having a very bad dream.

When I was taken to the police department, I felt very bad. I asked for a doctor but the police ignored my requests. I spent the night in a prison cell.

The next morning we were taken to the Minsk Central District Court. In the evening, I was eventually brought before a judge. As a result of the 15-minute "trial", I was given 15 days of administrative detention.

Following that, on 4 March 2008, I was called to the police department again. This time, they handed me an Official Note declaring me accused of "organizing and active participating" in the January 10th demonstration.

On 16 April 2008, the trial proceedings began in Minsk. A number of opposition activists – 14 people in total - were accused of "organizing and active participating in an unauthorized action of protest".

On 22 April, the judge found us guilty. Most of us were sentenced to two years of restricted freedom, which is a form of home arrest.

Our lawyers had the verdicts appealed. However, the sentences were reaffirmed.

In July 2008, my sentence officially came into force. I would have to stay in the confines of my apartment at all times, except when I was at work (eight hours) and the time designated for my day-to-day activities, such as going to the grocery store, barber's etc. (two hours).

If the police phoned me on my home landline and I was one minute late, I would get my first official warning. If I got three such warnings, my sentence would automatically change from restraint of liberty to deprivation of liberty - i.e. jail.

Every two weeks I would have to go and register at the police department. The police would have the right to enter my apartment at any time of day. I would not be permitted to leave Minsk. I would not be permitted to attend public events such as any kinds of demonstrations, conventions or picketing. I would not be permitted to visit other people's apartments.

Because of the harsh restrictions imposed on my freedom and the threat of further confinement, I made a difficult decision to flee Belarus. I sought the status of a political refugee, which was granted to me by the Irish government in May 2009.

Since I left Belarus, the police have visited my apartment twice. Both times there was a group of 4-6 police officers. They searched my apartment and asked my relatives and neighbours where I was. When they showed up the second time, they searched my apartment again and told my parents that they had launched a criminal investigation with regard to my evasion from serving my sentence.

READ MORE

Belarus activists tell of life in exile (News, 27 November 2009)

Read Tatyana Tishkevich's blog

Read Ales Charnyshou's blog

Read Alyaksei Bondar's blog

Belarusian activists speak out (Livewire Blog - Discussion)

Call on Belarusian President to free youth activists