Prisoners Of Conscience

Obama must press China to uphold human rights - 13 November 2009

President Obama must use his first official visit to China to urge the authorities to reverse the sharp rise in human rights violations in the country, Amnesty International said on Friday.

Jailed Azerbaijani bloggers adopted as prisoners of conscience - 12 November 2009

Youth activists Emin Abdullayev and Adnan Hajizade have been sentenced to 30 and 24 months' imprisonment respectively on charges of 'hooliganism' and 'inflicting minor bodily harm'.

Ukraine must release Belarusian prisoner of conscience - 11 November 2009

Musician and activist Igor Koktysh has been detained for over two years for the peaceful expression of his beliefs. If forcibly returned to Belarus, he could face the death penalty.

Tunisia releases prisoners held over Gafsa protests - 6 November 2009

Sixty-eight people held in connection with protests against unemployment and high living costs in the resource-rich Gafsa region have been released.

Activist on trial for denouncing pollution in Tunisia must be released - 5 November 2009

Amnesty International has called for the release of a human rights activist who went on trial this week for making a video about pollution in Tunisia and posting it on Facebook.

China holds Uighur journalist over Xinjiang unrest remarks - 30 October 2009

Hairat Niyaz has been detained since 1 October. He is thought at risk of torture and ill-treatment. Family and friends believe his detention is due to comments he made about the recent unrest.

Iran must release scholar held for peaceful criticism of election - 27 October 2009

Dr Mohammad Maleki has been held incommunicado since his arrest in August. Amnesty International has expressed grave concern for his health as he is suffering from serious illnesses.

Iran must overturn sentences issued by post-election 'show trial' - 21 October 2009

Iranian-American academic Kian Tajbakhsh has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, for his alleged part in the protests following the June presidential election.

Uruguay must annul law that protects police and military torture suspects - 20 October 2009

A law in Uruguay that has allowed the police and military to get away with torture and murder should be annulled.

Honduras must allow journalists to broadcast freely - 9 October 2009

The de facto Honduran authorities must allow journalists to broadcast as negotiations over the country's political future continue, Amnesty International has said.