Egypt: A cruel blow to human rights

The Egyptian authorities must immediately retract an order to freeze the bank account of the renowned El Nadeem Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence. The organization, a clinic which provides hundreds of torture victims with vital services including counselling and legal assistance, learned today that its financial assets were frozen according to an order by the Central Bank …

Iraq: Investigate reports of torture and killings

The Iraqi authorities must urgently investigate reports that fighters wearing Iraqi Federal Police uniforms tortured and extrajudicially executed residents in villages they captured south of Mosul. Researchers from Amnesty International visited several villages in the al-Shura and al-Qayyara sub-districts of Ninewa governorate, south-west and south of Mosul, and gathered evidence indicating that up to six people …

Iran: Musicians campaign to free jailed artists

Amnesty International and renowned Iranian music band Kiosk are calling on artists and members of the public around the world to join a #FreeArtists campaign to demand that Iran immediately and unconditionally release jailed artists, including a musician and a filmmaker who are on hunger strike in Tehran’s Evin Prison. The brothers, musician Mehdi Rajabian and …

Outrageous lifetime ban of refugees rejected by Labor

Amnesty International welcomes the news that the Australian Labor Party has unanimously rejected Immigration Minister Dutton’s outrageous and unnecessary proposal for a lifetime ban on people seeking asylum. “It is encouraging to see the Labor party step up at this time and make the right decision to reject this callous and cruel legislation,” said Dr …

Afghanistan: A welcome step towards accountability

In response to the announcement by the United Nations that it will investigate last week’s US-led airstrikes in Kunduz province, in which more than 30 civilians were killed, Champa Patel, Amnesty International’s South Asia Director said: “The horrific events in Kunduz last week are the latest in a growing list of incidents which have resulted …

Iraq: Kurdish authorities bulldoze homes and banish hundreds of Arabs from Kirkuk

Kurdish authorities have carried out a wave of attacks, demolishing the homes and driving out hundreds of Arabs from Kirkuk, as apparent revenge for an attack carried out by the armed group calling itself the Islamic State (IS) on 21 October, said Amnesty International in a new briefing. The briefing, ‘Where are we supposed to go?’: …

Syria: Fears of civilian carnage in Aleppo

Fears for the safety of civilians in eastern and western Aleppo city are mounting amid the looming threat of a resumption and possible escalation of fighting and bombardment by Syrian government forces with Russian support and non-state armed groups once a humanitarian pause comes to an end on 4 November. Media reports indicate that a …

Malaysia: Journalists at risk

The Malaysian authorities must immediately take steps to protect journalists at the respected news site Malaysiakini against intimidation and threats from vigilantes. The so-called “Red Shirts” movement, has vowed to “tear down” the offices of Malaysiakini on Saturday and continues to mount aggressive demonstrations outside them. “Everyone has a right to peaceful protest, but what …

Good news: 17-year-olds out of adult prisons

The Palaszczuk Government, with the support of three cross-bench Members, has today shown great leadership in protecting Queensland’s children. It has ensured the passage of a historic Bill to move 17-year-old children out of adult prisons and into the youth justice system. Queensland has treated 17-year-old children as adults in the criminal justice system since …

Egypt: Lift abusive arbitrary travel bans

The Egyptian authorities should stop imposing travel bans to prevent human rights defenders from leaving the country and speaking out about Egypt’s appalling human rights record, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said after another prominent human rights lawyer was banned from travelling today. The bans are part of a larger campaign to suppress independent, critical …