Amnesty International News & Updates Feed

Brazilian women's lives shattered

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:35:53 +0100

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In May 2006 the people São Paulo witnessed a massive display of organized violence, as the notorious criminal gang, the PCC, took to the streets. Across the state more than 400 people were killed in little over a week, many by masked men linked to police or criminal gangs. Few if any of these cases have ever been investigated.

These clips are about the hidden victims. About the women who are left to pick up pieces when their fathers, brothers and sons are gunned down.

Dona Maria, Debora, Nalva and Vera are just a handful of women amongst thousands who are forced to live, bring up their children, and fight for justice against a backdrop of criminal and police violence. Without profound reforms these women will be forced to continue picking up the pieces.

Video: Gangs and police cripple Jamaica's inner cities

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:10:33 +0100

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Poor inner city Jamaicans are left at the mercy of gangs and abusive police officers who are rarely, if ever, brought to justice for human rights abuses. Watch Amnesty International's exclusive interviews and footage.

Video: Amnesty International reaches out for Kenya

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:22:22 +0100

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Since the disputed elections of the 27 December 2007, Kenya has been torn apart by a stream of politically-motivated and ethnic attacks. At least 1,000 people have been killed, while more than 500,000 have been internally displaced, and 12,000 have fled seeking refuge in neighbouring Uganda. Only handful of those responsible have been arrested and charged.

To protest against these human rights abuses and ongoing impunity, Amnesty International organised an International Day of Action on 27 February 2007. Amnesty International members around the world reached out for the people of Kenya.

The Government of Kenya must end the impunity of those responsible for post-election violence, including the members of the police who used excessive force. Only this way can the cycle of impunity and violence be broken.

Video: Post-election violence in Kenya

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:29:49 +0000

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Post-election violence in Kenya has forced thousands to flee their homes. More than 1,000 people have been killed. Amnesty International met with some of those most affected by the violence.

Video: The origami cranes' journey to Belarus

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:41:54 +0000

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When a Belarusian youth activist, Zmitser Dashkevich, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for "organizing or participating in activities of an unregistered organization" in November 2006, Amnesty International considered him to be a prisoner of conscience. He became the subject of a global action during which Amnesty International members, youth groups and supporters sent over 10,000 origami cranes to the authorities.

A giant crane was created by Amnesty International youth members at the ICM in Mexico and sent to the Ministry of the Interior in Belarus, but the package was refused at the border. The crane was then sent to the local human rights NGO, Vyasna, who successfully delivered the crane to the Ministry.

Zmitser Dashkevich was released early from Sklou prison in Belarus on Wednesday, 23 January.

Video: Moazzam Begg read Poems from Guantánamo

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:56:05 +0000

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Moazzam Begg, former detainee, reads his own poem Homeward Bound, written in Guantánamo.

Moazzam Begg, a British citizen, was held for 11 months in US custody at Bagram air base in Afghanistan, followed by three years in Guantánamo before his release in January 2005. He has recently published a memoir of his experience: Enemy Combatant: My Imprisonment at Guantanamo, Bagram and Kandahar.

Video: Worldwide actions to close Guantánamo

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:28:43 +0000

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Thousands of people, including Amnesty International members and supporters from around the world, have taken action to mark the sixth anniversary of the first transfers of detainees to Guantánamo. Amnesty International staged protests in 30 countries on Friday, 11 January.

Video: Protest in Washington to end illegal US detention

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:35:33 +0000

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As part of the global day of action on the sixth on the sixth anniversary of the US detention centre at Guantánamo, an event was held in Washington DC.

Activists gathered on the National Mall, in view of Congress and the White House, at a demonstration organised by Amnesty International. The demonstration marked the delivery of 1,200 signatures from Parliamentary representatives from many countries around the world calling for an end to illegal detention by the US government carried out in the name of counter-terrorism.

Watch footage of the protest and hear the inspiring speech made by the Director of Amnesty International in the USA, Larry Cox.

Video: Close Guantánamo actions in the UK

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:18:24 +0000

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Actions to mark the sixth anniversary of Guantánamo in the United Kingdom started on 10 January, when Amnesty International activists in London organized an all-night vigil around a replica Guantánamo cage, filled every hour with a new ‘captive’.

Watch the first images of this action and listen to the testimonies of Kate Allen, Director of the UK section of Amnesty International, and Sarah Burton, Campaigns Director at Amnesty International.

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On 11 January, over 200 activists in orange jumpsuits then gathered outside the US Embassy to call for an end to illegal detentions. Actors dressed as US guards patrolled with dogs and shouted orders at the crowd. Watch a film of the demonstration and hear from the activists how it felt to take part.

Video: Andrew Motion reads Poems from Guantánamo

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:39:50 +0000

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Andrew Motion, poet laureate, discusses the work of Abdur Rahim Muslim Dost. Muslim Dost, an Afghan national, was released from Guantánamo in 2005, and returned to Pakistan.

In October 2006, shortly after he and his brother published a memoir of their Guantánamo detention, he was again arrested by Pakistani intelligence and for several months he was disappeared. He has now been located in a Pakistani jail.