Covid-19: Global attack on freedom of expression is having a dangerous impact on public health crisis

Attacks on freedom of expression by governments, combined with a flood of misinformation across the world during the Covid-19 pandemic, have had a devastating impact on peoples’ ability to access accurate and timely information to help them cope with the burgeoning global health crisis, said Amnesty International today in a new report. Silenced and Misinformed: …

Emergency update for all Apple users: Everything you need to know about Pegasus Spyware

Updating your phone’s software can sometimes be the last thing on your mind, particularly right now, when updating means losing access to our phone, something no one wants during a lockdown.

However, this recent update is an important security update to ensure your phone isn’t at risk of being exploited by spyware. While it may seem like international spyware is not something you will ever need to worry about, it’s important to know what you can about how surveillance systems can impact you, and why they’re central to human rights.

Belarus: Blocking leading online media outlet is a brazen attack on freedom of expression

Reacting to the news that TUT.by, one of Belarus’ leading independent online media outlets, was blocked today by the country’s Ministry of Information, Amnesty International’s Senior Campaigner on Belarus, Aisha Jung, said:  “This is a cowardly step taken by a government which fears truth and resorts to brutal measures to suppress human rights. It must …

Russia: Parliamentarians must reject new bills threatening rights to freedom of association and expression

Three bills adopted today in the first reading by the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament, drastically restrict rights and liberties in the country by imposing new muzzles on individuals who criticize the government and barring them from participating in public life, Amnesty International said today.  The bills are intended to target Russians …

Thailand: Authorities using repressive laws to intensify crackdown on online critics

The Thai authorities are prosecuting social media users who criticize the government and monarchy in a systematic campaign to crush dissent which is being exacerbated by new COVID-19 restrictions, Amnesty International said in a new report released today. ‘They are always watching’ shows how General Prayut Chan-O-Cha’s administration has increased the use of vague or overly …

Viet Nam: Facebook must cease complicity with government censorship

Facebook must immediately reverse its decision to censor posts deemed critical of the government in Viet Nam, said Amnesty International today. On 21 April, Reuters reported that Facebook has begun to significantly step up its censorship of “anti-state” posts in the country. This follows pressure from the authorities, including what the company suspects were deliberate restrictions placed …