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  • Campaigns
  • Americas
  • Armed Conflict

Colombia: Rural communities and environment at risk

On 12 April 2021, President Ivan Duque signed decree 380 allowing the spraying of glyphosate for the eradication of illicit crops to resume. This policy, which was stopped in 2015 due to its detrimental effect on human rights and the environment, could negatively affect the health and other related rights of hundreds of campesino farming communities and have further environmental impacts in the country.

Date:
16 April 2021
Ref:
AMR 23/3995/2021
  • News
  • Eritrea
  • Armed Conflict

Ethiopia: Three killed, 19 injured in Tigray as Eritrean troops open fire on civilians

Amnesty International can confirm that Eritrean troops killed three people and injured at least 19 in an unprovoked attack on civilians in the centre of Adwa town on 12 April. Witnesses told Amnesty International that Eritrean troops were passing through the town located in the Tigray region, when they suddenly opened fire at people on the main street close to the bus station. “Three people lost their lives and at least 19 others are in hospital from yet another unlawful attack by Eritrean troops on civilians in Tigray.

Date:
14 April 2021
  • News
  • Africa
  • Armed Conflict

Nigeria: Seven years since Chibok, the government fails to protect children

Nigeria: Seven years since Chibok, the government fails to protect children No accountability for crimes against children by Boko Haram and other gunmen Over 600 schools closed for fear of abductions Authorities repeatedly failed to protect schools despite several abductions Tens of thousands of children in Nigeria are missing out on their education because of the authorities’ ongoing failure to protect schools, particularly in northern Nigeria, from attacks by insurgents and other armed groups, Amnesty International said today.

Date:
14 April 2021
  • Campaigns
  • Americas
  • Human Rights Defenders and Activists

Colombia: Protect Human Rigths defender at risk

On 24 March, the Santander’s (North) Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights (CREDHOS in Spanish) received a threatening call from a unknown man self-identified as member of the Magdalena Medio Block of the armed group FARC- EP saying “stop making publications and being toadies, CREDHOS´ Staff is a military objective, you have 48 hours to leave Barrancabermeja”. Minutes later the President of CREDHOS received a threatening voice message.

Date:
9 April 2021
Ref:
AMR 23/3965/2021
  • News
  • Americas
  • COVID-19

Facts and figures: Human rights in the Americas in 2020-21

The Americas has been the region worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 55 million confirmed cases and 1. 3 million confirmed deaths as of 29 March 2021. (WHO) The United States had more than 29 million confirmed cases and 543,000 deaths from COVID-19 as of 29 March 2021, more than any other country on earth. Brazil (310,000 confirmed deaths) and Mexico (201,000) had the second and third highest death tolls on earth.

Date:
7 April 2021
  • News
  • Africa
  • Armed Conflict

Sub-Saharan Africa: The devastating impact of conflicts compounded by COVID-19 

Pandemic hits those shackled by oppression hardest thanks to decades of inequalities, neglect and abuse It lays bare massive systemic inequality with marginalized communities, unemployed people, health workers, and women among the most severely impacted Report finds COVID-19 was weaponized by leaders to ramp up assaults on human rights New Secretary General Agnès Callamard calls for reset of broken systems The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the terrible legacy of deliberately divisive and destructive policies that have perpetuated inequality, discrimination, and oppression across Sub-Saharan Africa, Amnesty International said in its annual report published today.

Date:
7 April 2021
  • Campaigns
  • Americas
  • Human Rights Defenders and Activists

Colombia: Further information: Environment defenders’ security strengthened

On 26 February, the Major of Barrancabermeja notified the National Protection Unit (UNP) about the risk Luis Alberto González Lopez was facing and acknowledged his role as a human rights defender. On 3 March, the UNP strengthened his protection scheme providing him with one bodyguard and a vehicle. On 12 March, the Major of Barrancabermeja organised a Meeting with FEDEPESAN to address their risk situation.

Date:
7 April 2021
Ref:
AMR 23/3944/2021
  • Article
  • Africa
  • Armed Conflict

Nigeria: Boko Haram brutality against women and girls needs urgent response – new research 

Recent attacks in Borno State marked by war crimes, including rape and other sexual violence, as well as murder and mass pillage  Nigerian authorities and partners must provide food and services to affected communities  Boko Haram fighters targeted women and girls with rape and other sexual violence, amounting to war crimes, during recent raids in northeast Nigeria, new research by Amnesty International has revealed.

Date:
24 March 2021
  • News
  • Sri Lanka
  • International Justice

Sri Lanka: Landmark UN resolution marks crucial turning point on justice and accountability

A new UN resolution on Sri Lanka is an important step forward and offers renewed hope of long-awaited justice for victims of the country’s 30-year civil conflict, said Amnesty International, following its adoption by the Human Rights Council (UNHRC) today. The resolution not only ramps up international monitoring and scrutiny of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, but also mandates the UN human rights office to collect, consolidate and preserve evidence for future prosecutions and make recommendations to the international community on steps they can make to deliver on justice and accountability.

Date:
23 March 2021
  • Research
  • Ukraine
  • UN

Ukraine: Longstanding human rights concerns must be addressed. Oral statement delivered at the 46th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council – Item 10

We thank the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for its update. We reiterate our calls to the government of Ukraine to improve its response to domestic and gender-based violence, and to better address the issues of fair trial, non-discrimination and accountability for past abuses. We urge the de facto authorities in Russia-backed separatist-controlled Donbas and in Russia-occupied Crimea to end their widespread human rights violations, including their crackdown on dissenting voices.

Date:
22 March 2021
Ref:
IOR 40/3873/2021
  • Research
  • Africa
  • Censorship and Freedom of Expression

SOUTH SUDAN: RENEWAL OF THE MANDATE OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN SOUTH SUDAN REMAINS CRITICAL TO PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Amnesty International is deeply concerned by questions recently raised in relation to the renewal of the important mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS) during the current session of the UN Human Rights Council. We are surprised and disappointed that Cameroon, on behalf of the African Group, tabled an additional draft resolution (A_ HRC_46_L. 20) under Item 10, which merely mandates the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to provide technical assistance and capacity building to South Sudan.

Date:
17 March 2021
Ref:
AFR 65/3852/2021
  • News
  • Middle East and North Africa
  • International Justice

Ten years on justice for Syrians more important than ever

It’s time for the UN Security Council to overcome its veto-paralysis and push for accountability for ongoing violations to ensure perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable, said Amnesty International, ahead of the 10-year anniversary of the crisis on 15 March. Since peaceful protests began in Damascus in 2011, Syrian government forces, and later armed opposition groups, with the support of their allies, have subjected millions of civilians to unlawful ground and air attacks, widespread and systematic arbitrary detention, torture leading to deaths in detention, enforced disappearance, sieges leading to starvation, and forced displacement.

Date:
12 March 2021
  • News
  • Africa
  • Armed Conflict

Ethiopia: UN human rights chief underscores urgency of impartial, international investigation into Tigray atrocities

The United Nations must immediately launch an investigation into ongoing allegations of grave violations in the conflict in Tigray, including potential war crimes and crimes against humanity, Amnesty International said following a statement this morning by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The statement came just before the UN Security Council’s scheduled informal discussion of the crisis in Tigray.

Date:
4 March 2021
  • News
  • Middle East and North Africa
  • International Justice

Israel/ OPT: Historic breakthrough as Prosecutor confirms initiation of ICC investigation in Occupied Palestinian Territories

Responding to the news that Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has opened a formal investigation into the “Situation in Palestine”, Matthew Cannock, Head of Amnesty International’s Centre for International Justice said: “Today’s confirmation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court that she has opened an investigation into crimes under international law committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is a momentous breakthrough for justice after decades of non-accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Date:
3 March 2021
  • News
  • Iraq
  • Armed Conflict

States should curb urban slaughter of civilians from explosive weapons

Virtual consultations this week move closer to a diplomatic agreement to protect civilians Amnesty International has documented disastrous impact of explosive weapons on civilians in multiple conflicts Global civil society network outlines key changes needed Dozens of states convening this week must forge a strong new political agreement that will help to minimize civilian casualties from explosive weapons that cause widespread destruction in cities and towns during armed conflicts, Amnesty International said today.

Date:
3 March 2021