Bangladesh: End crackdown on freedom of expression online

Bangladeshi authorities must end the crackdown on people’s right to freedom of expression online and urgently repeal the draconian Digital Security Act (DSA) unless it can be amended in compliance with international human rights law and standards, Amnesty International said in a new briefing released today.  The briefing, “No space for dissent” examines cases under …

Myanmar: Australia must cease support as Rohingya returns plan puts thousands at risk

Bangladesh and Myanmar authorities must immediately halt plans to send Rohingya refugees back to Rakhine State, and Australia must cease its training and support to the Myanmar military who are continuing to commit crimes against humanity today, Amnesty International has said. A first wave of organised returns could begin as soon as today (15 November), …

Bangladesh: Denial of bail to Shahidul Alam a cruel affront to justice

Responding to the denial of bail to Shahidul Alam, a celebrated Bangladeshi photographer and Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, the organisation’s South Asia Campaigner, Saad Hammadi, said: “The decision to deny Shahidul Alam bail is a cruel affront to justice. He should never have been detained in the first place, since all he did was …

Bangladesh: Photographer facing 14 years declared Prisoner Of Conscience

Shahidul Alam, the Bangladeshi photographer and outspoken social activist facing between 7 and 14 years in prison for Facebook posts about the student protests he was covering, is a prisoner of conscience who should be immediately released, Amnesty International said today. Shahidul Alam was charged on Monday under Section 57 of Bangladesh’s Information and Communication …

Myanmar: Fresh evidence of ongoing ethnic cleansing as military starves, abducts and robs Rohingya

“An arms embargo and targeted sanctions are urgently needed to send a message that these violations will not be tolerated. There is also an urgent need for unfettered and sustained humanitarian access throughout northern Rakhine State.” – Matthew Wells, Senior Crisis Advisor at Amnesty International The Myanmar security forces’ devastating campaign against the Rohingya population …

Bangladesh/Myanmar: Postponing returns arrangement provides temporary relief for Rohingya refugees

The government of Bangladesh’s announcement that it is to postpone the return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar is a welcome relief for hundreds of thousands currently living in Bangladesh, Amnesty International said today. Implementing a returns arrangement – finalised last week – in its current form would put the safety and rights of more than …

Bangladesh: Returning Rohingya to Myanmar illegal and premature

Responding to an announcement by the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry that it will aim to repatriate all Rohingya refugees within two years, James Gomez, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said: “With memories of rape, killing and torture still fresh in the minds of Rohingya refugees, plans for their return to Myanmar …