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 …

Biden administration’s approval of weapons sale to Israel will put civilians at greater risk

Responding to reports that the Biden administration has approved a $735 million sale in weapons to Israel, Philippe Nassif, the advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International USA, said: “President Biden’s approval of a $735 million offensive arms sale to Israel in the midst of violations of human rights and …

Israel/ OPT: Pattern of Israeli attacks on residential homes in Gaza must be investigated as war crimes

Israeli forces have displayed a shocking disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians by carrying out a number of airstrikes targeting residential buildings in some cases killing entire families – including children – and causing wanton destruction to civilian property, in attacks that may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, said Amnesty International …

Australia must condemn Egypt after nine Ramadan executions

Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the Egyptian government’s decision to go forward with the execution of nine people, including an 82-year-old man, on 26 April this year. Amnesty International’s recently released annual report on death sentences and executions for 2020 saw Egypt as the third most frequent executioner internationally (following China and Iran), with …

Destruction of mass grave site in Iran a continuation of human rights abuses against the Baha’i

The actions of the Iranian government to destroy and desecrate a mass grave site and prevent the dignified burial of members of the Baha’i community must be condemned on the international stage as serious violations of human rights. The Khavaran mass grave site is believed to contain the remains of up to several hundred victims …

Cambodia in the midst of COVID-19 humanitarian crisis; Australia must support

A third wave of COVID-19 has contributed to a worsening human rights situation in Cambodia. The government is accused of barring humanitarian assistance to locked-down parts of Phnom Penh, silencing dissent, and violently cracking down on those believed to have broken lockdown restrictions. Everyone under lockdown must be provided access to adequate food, water, health …

Kenya: Homophobic attack leaves man dead at Kakuma Refugee Camp; UN safety measures review needed

Ugandan man, Chriton Atuhwera, has died after a homophobic attack at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. The LGBTQIA+ community at the camp were targeted in a fire-bombing. The death of Chriton Atuhwera serves as a tragic reminder of the significant threat faced by refugees fleeing homophobic violence. In light of this very real threat, it …

Colombia: Demonstrators killed and injured, arbitrary detentions, acts of torture and sexual violence, and reports of people disappearing

Amnesty International Australia written to Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne asking her to urge the Colombian authorities to end its crackdown on human rights during anti-tax reform demonstrations. As the protests enter their third week, Colombian authorities must end the repression of demonstrations, cease the militarization of cities and ensure that respect for and guarantee …

Morrison’s India repatriation flights a failure

Responding to the news that first repatriation flight from India having a high positive COVID test rate Amnesty International Campaigner Joel MacKay said: “This is sadly not surprising, but it is entirely a situation of the Morrison Government’s making. Refusing repatriation is lazy policy-making – it’s much easier to leave stranded Australians behind in India …

Azerbaijan: Authorities using smear campaign to silence women activists

More than two dozen women targeted by government-backed smear campaign Private photos and intimate conversations made public, and women labelled ‘bad wives’ and ‘bad mothers’ ‘This is part of a deliberate strategy to muzzle critics of the Government’ – Natalia Nozadze Women who have played a prominent role in campaigning for women’s rights in Azerbaijan are …