Bahrain: free political prisoners
Torture and Terror
Iraq: Amnesty International condemns the killing of two diplomats
26 August 2005, 11:25AM
Amnesty International today strongly condemned the killing by an armed group of two Algerian diplomats, Ali Belaroussi and Azzeddine Belkadi. The two were kidnapped on 21 July 2005 as they were leaving the Algerian Embassy in Baghdad by car. The armed group, al-Qa'ida of Jihad Organization in the Land of Two Rivers, led by Jordanian national Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and the killing of the two diplomats.
Morocco/Western Sahara: New arrests and allegations of torture of Sahrawi human rights defenders
26 August 2005, 11:25AM
Amnesty International is concerned about the recent arrest and detention of six human rights defenders in Western Sahara in the context of politically charged protests in Laayoune and several other cities in Morocco and Western Sahara. The organization said it was particularly disturbed by reports that two of them had been tortured.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Prominent human rights defender assassinated
26 August 2005, 11:25AM
The Congolese government must immediately start thorough and independent investigations into yesterdays assassination of human rights activist Pascal Kabungulu Kibembi, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Front Line said today.
USA/ Jordan/ Yemen: Torture and Secret Detention Centres
26 August 2005, 11:25AM
Two men in a Yemeni prison have told Amnesty International how they were held in US secret detention in solitary confinement for over one and a half years without seeing daylight, mostly shackled and in handcuffs, with no chance of communicating with their families, lawyers or humanitarian organisations. They had no idea in what country they were in.
Nigeria: Harassment of a human rights defender and unlawful arrest and detention of three others in
26 August 2005, 11:25AM
Amnesty International and Open Society Justice Initiative today expressed grave concern at the continuing harassment of a human rights defender and the unlawful arrests and detentions of three others by Nigerian authorities.
USA: Guantanamo detentions enter fourth year as torture allegations mount
26 August 2005, 11:24AM
The international community must redouble its efforts to persuade the USA to end the human rights scandal at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, Amnesty International said today.
Habib’s Release: Questions Remain on Torture Allegations
26 August 2005, 11:24AM
Amnesty International repeats its call to the Australian Government to ensure an independent investigation is conducted into allegations of torture and ill-treatment of Australian detainee Mamdouh Habib, who is due for release without charge.
Australia: Return of Habib long overdue; illegal detentions continue
26 August 2005, 11:24AM
Amnesty International said today Mamdouh Habibs release from detention and return to Australia was long overdue, and called for an end to all illegal detentions at Guantanamo Bay.
USA: Open letter to the US Senate on the nomination of Alberto Gonzales
26 August 2005, 11:24AM
In an open letter to be handed to Senators today, Amnesty International is urging the United States Senate to refrain from voting on the nomination of Alberto Gonzales to the position of US Attorney General pending his full and unambiguous responses to outstanding questions about torture and ill-treatment.
UK: The Prevention of Terrorism Bill is a grave threat to human rights and the rule of law
26 August 2005, 11:24AM
Amnesty International calls for the withdrawal of the Prevention of Terrorism Bill (PTB), as it will effectively end the rule of law and the separation of powers by placing key powers in the hands of the executive.
2005 UN Commission on Human Rights: An important opportunity to address human rights violations when
26 August 2005, 11:24AM
On the eve of the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International calls on the Commission, its Members and observer governments to reaffirm unequivocally that the absolute prohibition of torture and ill-treatment applies in all circumstances, including the "War on Terror".
Spain: Amnesty International expresses solidarity with victims of attacks by armed groups
26 August 2005, 11:24AM
(Madrid) Participating at the International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security ahead of the first anniversary of the Madrid bombings, Amnesty International Secretary General, Irene Khan, called for the international community to adopt a comprehensive strategy to combat abuses by armed groups, which must have human rights at its centre.
Prisoner of Conscience Professor Yury Bandazhevsky is free
25 August 2005, 12:21PM
The eminent Belarusian academic, Professor Yury Bandazhevsky, was conditionally released from prison on 5 August, after serving four years of an eight year sentence. Speaking to Amnesty International, Yury Bandazhevsky said that he is now spending his time getting used to his freedom and looking into work possibilities. He was released suddenly under a recent amnesty declared by President Lukashenka on 5 May, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Nepalese detainee released
5 April 2005, 12:34PM
Hom Bahadur Bagale (male, aged 41, Police Sub-Inspector) was released on 28 March, on the orders of the Supreme Court. A habeas corpus writ had been lodged on 24 March by the Centre for Victims of Torture (CVICT). The court ruled that his detention was illegal and ordered the police to set him free immediately.
A policeman's job is to protect all citizens, even those he or she doesn't like. I'd have thought that a pretty basic concept.
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21 May 2012, 03:59PM