News

Growing calls for end to executions at UN

18 December 2008

Over one hundred countries voted overwhelmingly in favour of a second resolution on "Moratorium on the use of the death penalty" at the United Nations on T

Standing ovation for jailed Chinese dissident

17 December 2008

The European Parliament has honoured a jailed Chinese dissident in absentia with its top human rights award.

Amid new releases, government critic allowed to leave

15 December 2008

The Libyan authorities have allowed political reform activist Idriss Boufayed to travel to Switzerland to seek medical treatment for cancer.

Brazil's Supreme Court upholds rights of Indigenous Peoples

12 December 2008

A vote in Brazil’s Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the reservation of Raposa Serra do Sol on the frontier between Brazil

Access to justice for all rights becomes a reality

11 December 2008

The international community has adopted a historic instrument that secures access to justice for everyone whose economic, social and cultural rights are violated and

The race for ratification of landmark cluster bomb ban

9 December 2008

Four countries have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions - which bans the production, stockpiling, use and export of cluster bombs. The treaty cannot take eff

African Commission calls for a moratorium on the death penalty

5 December 2008

In an important step towards making the African Union (AU) a totally death penalty-free zone, the African Commission calls on African States to observe a moratorium on

Landmark cluster bomb treaty signed in Oslo

3 December 2008

Ninety two states have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions - which bans the production, stockpiling, use and export of cluster bombs.

South Africa pledges to make HIV and AIDS a priority

1 December 2008

To mark World AIDS Day on Monday, 1 December 2008, Amnesty International has welcomed signs of the South African government's change of direction.

Malaysian activist acquitted after 12 years of legal battles

24 November 2008

The Kuala Lumpur High Court acquitted a prominent migrant workers' rights activist on Monday.