The United States and other governments must urgently find funding for education programmes in Myanmar that were a lifeline for students, teachers and families in the war-torn country, Amnesty International said today, as it warned of a “lost generation” if no action is taken.

The United States government’s abrupt and sweeping freeze on foreign aid is severely imperiling the human rights of refugees, civilians in armed conflict areas and individuals fleeing persecution in Myanmar, Amnesty International said today. 

Responding to news that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested by Philippine authorities on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him for the crime against humanity of murder in relation to killings in the “war on drugs”, Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said:

The international community must take urgent action to ensure accountability for atrocities in Myanmar, 46 organizations said today ahead of the four-year anniversary of the 1 February 2021 military coup.

Amnesty InternationalPhoto : ©Nathalie Jamois/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Global executions

Executions soared to their highest number in almost a decade in 2023 with a sharp rise across the Middle East, Amnesty International said today as it released its annual report on the global use of the death penalty.

Upon the last statement by Piyanut Kotsan, Director of Amnesty International Thailand, who gave a welcome speech to the event “BEING OURSELVES IS TOO DANGEROUS”, silence prevailed in the room. Everyone was stunned and stayed silent to mourn the passing of Netiporn “Boong” Sanehsangkhom, a political activist and hunger striker who died in prison on 14 May 2024.