Any move by the Lithuanian parliament to criminalize the promotion of homosexuality would violate the country’s international obligations to uphold freedom of expression and fight discrimination, Amnesty International warned today. This warning comes as the Lithuanian parliament prepares to debate during its autumn session legislative amendments which would criminalise the “promotion of homosexual relations in…
Any move by the Lithuanian parliament to criminalize the promotion of homosexuality would violate the country’s international obligations to uphold freedom of expression and fight discrimination, Amnesty International warned on Wednesday. This warning comes as the Lithuanian parliament prepares to debate during its autumn session legislative amendments that would criminalise the “promotion of homosexual relations…
The first ever Baltic Pride march in Riga, Latvia passed off successfully and peacefully on Saturday – but there was violence at similar events in Russia and Poland. A colourful collection of LGBT rights activists, joined by Amnesty International members from across Europe, carried rainbow flags and banners at the inaugural Baltic Pride event in…
The Baltic Pride march due to take place on Saturday 16 May in Riga, Latvia, will go ahead after a ban against the event was lifted on Friday morning. Riga City Council (RCC) had revoked permission for the march, organized by the Latvian organization Mozaika, the Lithuanian Gay League, and Estonian Gay Youth, on Thursday.…
The planned Baltic Pride march due to take place on Saturday in Riga, Latvia, has been banned. Riga City Council (RCC) revoked permission for the march, organized by the Latvian organization Mozaika, the Lithuanian Gay League, and Estonian Gay Youth. The organizers have complained to the courts and have been granted a hearing at 10am…
Amnesty International today urged the Latvian authorities to ensure that the planned Baltic Pride event on Saturday 16 May is allowed to take place and said that banning it would be unlawful. The statement came after a majority of Riga’s City council members signed a letter calling on the Council’s Director to revoke permission for…
A lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride march planned to take place this weekend in Riga, Latvia has been thrown into doubt after local councillors attempted to veto it. Amnesty International has called on the Latvian authorities to ensure that the planned Baltic Pride event on Saturday 16 May is allowed to take place.…
Amnesty International activists from over 20 countries will take part in Baltic Pride 2009 in the Latvian capital Riga to display international support and solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Amnesty International is campaigning for LGBT people to be free from physical and verbal attacks and threats…
Human rights defenders from across Africa say they remain deeply concerned by the threats, harassment, intimidation and physical violence they continue to face in carrying out their work. Human rights defenders from 45 African countries, together with partners from across the world, met at the All-Africa Human Rights Defenders’ Conference in Kampala, Uganda, last week…
Uma Singh, a young woman journalist and activist, was murdered for raising the issue of violence against women in Nepal. Uma, who worked for Radio Today FM and the Women’s Human Rights Defender Network, was hacked to death by a gang of men on 11 January 2009.On 10 April 2008, a new Constituent Assembly in…
Colombian authorities have renewed criminal proceedings against two prominent and well-respected Colombian human rights activists. The Jesuit priest Father Javier Giraldo and Elkin Ramírez, a lawyer for the human rights NGO Corporación Jurídica Libertad, face charges of defamation (known as injuria, calumnia y falsa denuncia), a criminal offence in Colombia. Both men have been active…
The Turkish lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) solidarity organization, Lambda Istanbul, has won its appeal against the closure of the association. The Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision was communicated to Lambda Istanbul’s lawyers on Tuesday. A local court in Istanbul had ordered the closure of the association on 29 May 2008. The original ruling…