Press releases

China: Halt death sentences against Uighurs - 3 December 2009

China’s supreme court must carefully review reported death sentences imposed today on five individuals by a court in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of northwest China. 

Thirteen people were sentenced by the court in the city of Urumqi, in connection with deadly violence that erupted after a police crackdown on Uighur protesters on 5 July. 

Five of these were sentenced to death, and another two were sentenced to life imprisonment. 

Somalia : Civilian deaths in hotel explosion condemned - 3 December 2009

Amnesty International condemns the unlawful killing of civilians in an explosion today at a student graduation ceremony in Shamo hotel, Mogadishu.

The blast appears to have occurred as people had gathered to celebrate the graduation of medical students from Banadir University in the hotel, in a district of the capital Mogadishu which remains under the control of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government. No one has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Guinea: Evidence of new arrests, harassment and illegal detentions by security forces - 3 December 2009

Guinea’s security forces are continuing to arrest and harass activists and others, following a massacre during a political protest on 28 September, Amnesty International found during a recent visit to Guinea.

Honduras: No return to “business as usual” - 3 December 2009

(Tegucigalpa) At the end of a 10-day visit to Honduras during the country’s presidential elections, Amnesty International today called for an independent investigation to ensure all those responsible for human rights abuses are brought to justice and the victims given reparations. 

Peru: Justice without discrimination for the victims of Amazon violence - 2 December 2009

The Peruvian authorities must conduct fair and impartial investigations into the deaths of all those killed during violence at a road blockade led by Amazon Indigenous peoples in June, Amnesty International said in a new report.

Afghanistan: More US troops must not harm Afghan civilians - 2 December 2009

Amnesty International has called on the US to establish a consistent, clear and credible mechanism to investigate civilian casualties resulting from military operations after President Barack Obama said he would send 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan.

Sri Lankan government must permanently release all civiliansasia - 1 December 2009

The Sri Lankan government must permanently release civilians who have been illegally detained in camps following the end of the civil war six months ago

Climate change deal must ensure the poor are not left out and further disadvantaged - 30 November 2009

(Copenhagen) Political leaders meeting in Copenhagen next week must reach a fair, ambitious and binding deal on climate change that does not leave out and further disadvantage the world’s poor, said Mary Robinson and Irene Khan.

Honduras: Authorities must reveal identities and whereabouts of people detained today - 29 November 2009

(Tegucigalpa) Amnesty International today urged the Honduran authorities to reveal the identities, whereabouts and charges against all people detained on the eve and day of the presidential elections.
 

Switzerland votes against religious freedom - 29 November 2009

Amnesty International deeply regrets the choice of Swiss voters today to introduce a ban on the construction of minarets into the constitution