Fears for Kurdish minority activist detained incommunicado in Syria

18 March 2010

It is not known why 'Abed al-Hafith 'Abed al-Rahman is being detained or whether any charges have been brought against him.

Saudi Arabia 'sorcery' death sentence upheld

18 March 2010

If the higher courts reject his appeal, former televison presenter 'Ali Hussain Sibat could be executed at any time.

Election observers must monitor human rights during Sudanese elections

19 March 2010

An increase in harassment, arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture and other ill-treatment by security forces is anticipated ahead of April's elections.

Cuba's 'ladies in white' at risk of beatings and intimidation

18 March 2010

President Raúl Castro has been urged to ensure the safety of a group of female relatives of prisoners of conscience.

Open letter on death penalty in Taiwan

18 March 2010

President Ma Ying-jeou urged to ensure that the country's de facto moratorium on executions remains in place.

Control of US special forces in Afghanistan a step toward accountability

17 March 2010

New measures introduced by the Commander of US forces and the NATO International Security Assistance Force are in response to resentment spurred by ongoing civilian casualties.

Cuba urged to revoke repressive laws and release prisoners of conscience

17 March 2010

President Raúl Castro also called upon to allow independent monitoring of the country's human rights situation by UN experts and other human rights groups.

Vietnamese Catholic priest should be unconditionally released

16 March 2010

Father Nguyen Van Ly, who is serving an eight year jail term for spreading "propaganda" against the state in 2007, was released for a period of 12 months on humanitarian grounds to receive medical treatment.

Legal loopholes allow European companies to trade in 'tools of torture'

16 March 2010

European companies are participating in the global trade in types of equipment widely used in torture or other ill-treatment, according to evidence presented in a new report by Amnesty International and the Omega Research Foundation.

Tunisian government must end harassment of former political prisoners

15 March 2010

Amnesty International has called on the Tunisian President to end the daily harassment of former political prisoners ahead of the country's national independence day.