Responding to news that a Manila court convicted Rappler editor-in-chief Maria Ressa and former journalist Reynaldo Santos Jr of “cyber libel” over an article written in 2012, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Regional Director, Nicholas Bequelin, said:
Responding to Zoom’s compliance with a Chinese government request to end meetings related to the Tiananmen crackdown and suspend the accounts of three US-based activists hosting meetings, Amnesty International’s Business and Human Rights Analyst William Nee said:
Shocking footage of Rohingya women, men and children being rescued off rickety boats after dangerous sea voyages is still being broadcast around the world.
As countries worldwide have struggled to adapt to restrictions imposed in the Covid-19 pandemic, online space has provided a valuable means of expression and social participation. From connecting patients and doctors, family and friends, to keeping teams working together, it has provided an essential substitute for physical presence to help maintain people’s livelihoods and social interactions. And with restrictions on public gatherings in place, the significance of online space to exercise human rights has grown.
Following reports that Wanchalearm Satsaksit, a 37-year old activist, was abducted by unknown persons from outside an apartment building in Phnom Penh, David Griffiths, Director in the Office of the Secretary-General at Amnesty International, said:
Responding to remarks by President Donald Trump today in the Rose Garden, Ernest Coverson, the End Gun Violence campaign manager at Amnesty International USA said:
Rachel Ward, National Director of Research at Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), issued the following statement about the police response in cities nationwide to this weekend’s protests:
10 of the worst government responses
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 8 million people who stand together for human rights, and creating a society of equality and justice. Amnesty was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for our campaigning against torture by governments.
On 26 May 2020, the Thai government approved the extension of emergency powers under the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation (2005). Amnesty International further urges the authorities to lift charges it has imposed on individuals who are being penalized for exercising their right to freedom of expression; stop the arbitrary detention of refugees and migrants; and refrain from using restrictions to target critics with disproportionate punishments based on politically-motivated grounds. While the right to freedom of peaceful assembly can be restricted where doing so is necessary and proportionate to protect public health, those facing charges for assembling in breach of physical distancing measures must never face prison sentences.
Responding to the Chinese government’s proposal to enact new national security legislation for Hong Kong, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and South East Asia, Joshua Rosenzweig, said:
There are weeks where decades happen. These are those weeks.