News

Ukraine releases Belarusian opposition activist

4 February 2010

Igor Koktysh had been held in a pre-trial detention centre since June 2007,  when Belarus requested his extradition. He was considered to be a prisoner of conscience.

Mongolia announces moratorium on executions

14 January 2010

Amnesty International has welcomed President Tsakhia Elbegdorj's move as an important development toward full abolition of the death penalty.

Jailed Sri Lankan journalist released on bail

12 January 2010

JS Tissainayagam was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on terrorism charges last year, after criticizing the government.

Mexican Indigenous man detained after unfair trial is freed

6 January 2010

Ricardo Ucán Ceca served almost 10 years of a 22-year sentence before he was released last month.

Sahrawi human rights activist returns home after hunger strike

18 December 2009

Aminatou Haidar, a Sahrawi activist who has spent the past month on hunger strike, has returned home and been reunited with her children.

Disappearances treaty edges closer to entering into force

15 December 2009

A landmark treaty on enforced disappearances has moved a step closer to entering into force after being ratified by two more countries.

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.