1. Romania: Amnesty International concerned by proposed revisions to penal code. 2. Denmark: Amnesty International welcomes ratification against the death penalty.

Amnesty International is concerned about certain provisions of the Romanian Penal Code. Articles 238 and 239 criminalize defamation of state officials. AI believes that these articles violate the right to freedom of expression as set out in Article 19 of the ICCPR. A journalist was recently...

Since 1986, over 20,000 people have died in political violence in Colombia. The government blames most of the political killing on drug-traffickers and guerrilla organizations. However, evidence suggests that the security forces are responsible for most political killings. This report describes...

1. Amnesty International book launch: “Disappearances” and political killings: human rights crisis of the 1990s – a manual for action.

1. First United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights named.

This bulletin contains information on AI’s concerns in Europe during the period May-October 1993. These include ill-treatment and alleged torture in police detention; imprisonment of conscientious objectors and other prisoner of conscience; the death penalty; killings, hostage taking and other...

This document is a compilation of extracts from action materials produced by Amnesty International since September 1991 which particularly concern the human rights of homosexuals. It covers 24 countries and the violations reported range from repressive legislation which criminalizes homosexual acts...

1. Romania: Amnesty International calls for release of three prisoners of conscience imprisoned solely for practising homosexual acts in private. 2. United Nations: High Commissioner approved by General Assembly.

Various legislative changes have been implemented aimed at bringing Russian laws in line with international standards. This report examines the death penalty and moves towards abolition, including the fall in numbers of executions and the rise in commutations; the reduction in the death penalty’s...

Concerns described in this report include cases of alleged torture and ill- treatment by police, including that of Roma in Piata Rahova in June 1992 and the cases of Stefan Tasnadi, Mihai and Petrica Poteras, Andrei Tanase Zanopol, and Costel Covalciuc. Another concern is the alleged imprisonment...

This report examines the rise of assassinations and “disappearances” and the proliferation of “death squads” and paramilitary organizations. These groups, initially formed to combat counter-insurgency, acted with impunity against not only guerrillas, but civilians suspected of sympathizing with the...

The first Congress of Homosexual Solidarity was to be held in Istanbul during the weekend 2-6 July 1993, but was reportedly banned at the last minute by the Governor of Istanbul, despite initial permission from the Interior Ministry. On 3 July delegates decided to hold a press conference in protest...