Rising tide of asylum-seekers: Will Australia let them in? Oct 31, 2009
Graham Thom, refugee coordinator for Amnesty International Australia, says the numbers of people seeking asylum here are still tiny. "They've gone from nothing to very few, so it's hard to argue that we're being swamped or overrun.". (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Details on interrogations emerge Oct 31, 2009
Details of the interrogation were contained in documents released late Friday as part of Freedom of Information Act lawsuits brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, and Judicial Watch. As the CIA began to use harsh interrogation techniques against captured terror suspects, the FBI became wary of the legality of the methods, which ranged from forced nudity to waterboarding, a form of simulated drowning. (MSNBC -- International)
Horrendous legacy Oct 31, 2009
The Greenpeace study was backed in 2004 by Amnesty International, whose Clouds of Injustice report said, ''toxic wastes continue to pollute the environment and water supply and it is appalling that no one has been held accountable for the leak and its appalling consequences. We received permission from the authorities to enter the abandoned factory site, now a vast wasteland of weeds and trees and home to packs of wild dogs. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Getting to know all about you Oct 31, 2009
He set himself up nicely, he admits, before jumping to the not-for-profit sector, and it was not Amnesty International but a major insurance outfit that took his fancy. "If you had asked me about my destiny then, I saw myself with the bank, making lots of money and going up the corporate ladder," Bransby, 49, said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
LHS group to help Kenyan school Oct 30, 2009
Lexington High School s chapter of Amnesty International will host a benefit dinner to raise money to build a school in Kenya through Free the Children s Brick by Brick program. The dinner will feature a speaker from Free the Children and international cuisine from local restaurants. (Lexington Minuteman, MA)
Anger at Zimbabwe UN envoy snub Oct 30, 2009
Human rights group Amnesty International has warned the country is on the brink of sliding back into violence. The BBC's southern Africa correspondent Karen Allen says this diplomatic snub reveals the tussle for power between two sides in an increasingly unhappy marriage. (BBC News -- Africa)
UK plans Zimbabwe asylum removals Oct 30, 2009
Amnesty International said the decision was straight out of "Yes Minister", flying in the face of evidence of violence. And Donna Covey, of the Refugee Council, accused the Home Office of being cavalier. (BBC News -- Africa)
Europe stoops to conquer the Uzbeks Oct 30, 2009
Amnesty International has promptly contradicted the claim with facts and figures. Aside from the veracity of the EU claim, the reality is that Europe not only blinked first, it also bent its knees while doing so. (Asia Times Online)
Horrific treatment makes Tamils desperate to leave Oct 30, 2009
Human Rights Organisations, such Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly expressed their concern about the conditions in the camps ... Amnesty International has stated that the camps are filthy, overcrowded and dangerous. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
UN expert 'denied Zimbabwe entry' Oct 29, 2009
And ahead of a regional meeting on the crisis, human rights group Amnesty International has warned the country is on the brink of sliding back into last year's post-election violence. Mr Nowak earlier said he had received "two completely different messages" from the Zimbabwean government - but added that he would try to meet Mr Tsvangirai on Thursday. (BBC News -- Africa)
The One Thing Oct 29, 2009
And let me ask specifically to all those who support Gitmo being closed, the Amnesty International goofballs, the protect-the-endangered-crowded-polar-bear crowd: Do you really think Russia and China will be better protectors of the planet than we have been. Will Russians cordon off 200,000 square miles of extra space for polar bear roaming or will they shoot them in the head to get a barrel of oil that used to belong to you. (Fox News)
Relationships strained by PM's crackdown Oct 29, 2009
Amnesty International said any deal had to be backed by law. Were Indonesia to sign the Refugee Convention, for instance, would make little practical difference unless changes were enshrined in domestic law, Amnesty's refugee co-ordinator, Graham Thom, said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
* Israel exploiting West Bank aquifer: Amnesty Oct 28, 2009
Amnesty International says Israeli restrictions prevent Palestinians from receiving enough water in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip ... Amnesty International is accusing Israel of pumping disproportionate amounts of drinking water from an aquifer it controls in the West Bank, depriving local Palestinians of their fair share. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Baghdad underground Oct 28, 2009
Shelter workers believe that the shelter s inconspicuous nature protects them from religious militias, which, Amnesty International reports, routinely target women s rights advocates. The Railroad s shelter locations are kept secret from angry husbands and male extended family members. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Report: Israel keeps Gaza parched Oct 28, 2009
Israel keeping Gaza parched, Amnesty International says - CNN.com ... Israel keeping Gaza parched, Amnesty International says ... Palestinians denied same water access as Israelis, Amnesty International says. (CNN -- World)
Group wants Sudan leader's arrest Oct 28, 2009
(CNN) -- The human rights group Amnesty International is calling on Nigeria to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir if he attends an African Union Summit there on Thursday. Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity relating to a five-year campaign of violence in western Sudan's Darfur region. (CNN -- World)
EU removes Uzbek arms block Oct 28, 2009
But groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International say the decision to end the sanctions fails not just the victims of Andijan and their families, but also dozens of human rights defenders and journalists who are still being harassed, tortured and detained today. Bookmark with. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Amnesty says Israel curbing water to Palestinians Oct 28, 2009
JERUSALEM, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Human rights group Amnesty International said in a report on Tuesday that Israeli restrictions prevented Palestinians from receiving enough water in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. The report said Israel's daily water consumption per capita was four times higher than that in the Palestinian territories. (AlertNet)
Water flowing one way in West Bank Oct 28, 2009
JERUSALEM: Amnesty International has accused Israel of allocating Jewish settlers in the West Bank four times as much water as Palestinians. In Troubled Waters - Palestinians Denied Fair Access To Water, the human rights organisation says Israel uses 80 per cent of the water from the mountain aquifer, the only source of underground water available in the West Bank. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
TASER Company Warns Against Shooting Chest | ... Oct 27, 2009
The group Amnesty International says more than 300 people have died in the United States in the past eight years after being tased. Self says Macon Police use the taser less than a dozen times a year on average. (13WMAZ.com, GA)
Group: Israel Hogging West Bank Water Oct 27, 2009
Israel Is Depriving Palestinians in the West Bank of Their Fair Share, Amnesty International Says ... Amnesty International says Israel is hogging water in the West Bank, depriving Palestinians of their fair share ... (AP) Amnesty International is accusing Israel of pumping disproportionate amounts of drinking water from an aquifer it controls in the West Bank, depriving local Palestinians of their fair share. (CBS News)
Israel rations Palestinians to trickle of water: Amnesty Oct 27, 2009
Amnesty International has accused Israel of denying Palestinians adequate access to water while allowing Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank almost unlimited supplies. JERUSALEM (AFP) - Amnesty International on Tuesday accused Israel of denying Palestinians adequate access to water while allowing Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank almost unlimited supplies. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Africa: Arms Treaty Could Be Powerful Tool to Protect Children Oct 27, 2009
"Children and their families have a right to expect much from the negotiations on the arms treaty, as they are the bulk of the casualties of war," said Clare da Silva of the Control Arms Campaign, a coalition of hundreds of NGOs worldwide, including Oxfam and Amnesty International. She said that arms should not be permitted to cross borders when there is a substantial risk that serious violations of human rights will be committed with those weapons. (allAfrica.com)
Israel rations water Oct 27, 2009
Amnesty International on Tuesday accused Israel of denying Palestinians adequate access to water while allowing Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank almost unlimited supplies. Israel, the human rights group said, restricts availability of water in the Palestinian territories "by maintaining total control over the shared resources and pursuing discriminatory policies.". (iAfrica.com)
Police on trial for Kurd attack Oct 27, 2009
Amnesty International calls it flagrant interference, warning it may have a chilling effect on the proper administration of justice. SEE ALSO: 11 Nov 05 | Europe 29 Aug 05 | Europe 19 Aug 05 | Europe 03 Jul 05 | Country profiles 24 Jan 06 | Country profiles. (Yahoo News -- Kurdish Issues)
UN puts Rudd policies in spotlight Oct 27, 2009
Several Australian human rights lawyers and groups, including the local branch of Amnesty International, are concerned about moves to have asylum seekers processed in Indonesia, which is not a signatory to the UN convention on refugees. The Government will be keen to avoid international criticism as it pursues a $13 million bid to win a seat on the UN Security Council. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Israel 'cuts Palestinian water' Oct 27, 2009
Israel is denying Palestinians access to even the basic minimum of clean, safe water, Amnesty International says ... Donatella RoveraAmnesty International. (BBC News -- Africa)
Group: Israel withholds water from Palestinians Oct 27, 2009
JERUSALEM - Amnesty International is accusing Israel of pumping disproportionate amounts of drinking water from an aquifer it controls in the West Bank, depriving local Palestinians of their fair share. The London-based human rights group also said in a report to be released Tuesday, that Israel has blocked infrastructure projects that would improve existing water supplies to Palestinians both in the West Bank and those living in the Gaza Strip. (MSNBC -- International)
The Case Against 'Guantanamo-North' Oct 26, 2009
Any new location for the detainees would immediately be classified as the "gulag of our time," as Amnesty International and others characterize it. Guantanamo opponents argue that the U.S. is not justified in holding any of these men in confinement without appropriate legal procedures. (Human Events Online)
33 Activist Women Arrested in Tehran Oct 25, 2009
Amnesty International yesterday demanded the swift and unconditional release of 33 prominent Iranian female activists arrested last weekend and jailed in Tehran's notorious high-security Evin prison. The women were arrested after peacefully protesting the trial of five other activists and grass-roots organizers against discrimination in the legal system. (Yahoo News -- Women's Issues)
Nancy Spero; feminist artist addressed political violence; at 83 Oct 24, 2009
Her 14-panel, 133-foot-long Torture of Women (1974-76) joins figures from ancient art and words from Amnesty International reports on torture to illustrate institutional violence against women as a universal condition. Ms. Spero considered this her first explicitly feminist work. (Boston Globe)
Lifestyle may have put woman in hospital Oct 24, 2009
Amnesty International says women have been killed for talking to unrelated males, having consensual sex outside marriage or refusing to marry the family's chosen suitor. Even rape victims can fall to the retribution of an honor killing. (AZCentral -- News)
Three rights groups decline Guantanamo tour Oct 24, 2009
Amnesty International USA, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Human Rights Watch all said the recent Defense Department invitation falls short of the full access to the prison at the US base in Cuba that they jointly requested in a January letter to President Obama. What is needed and is still being denied. (Boston Globe)
World's mega cities expand as millions quit the countryside Oct 24, 2009
amnesty international international secretariat. africa. (Yahoo News -- Population Issues)
Miss Ireland upstages lady in red Oct 24, 2009
Amnesty International accuses troops of harassing families fleeing fighting. Inside Asia. (Yahoo News -- Beauty Pageants)
Taser makers say don't aim at chest Oct 24, 2009
Amnesty International has been one of the most vocal opponents of the Taser, expressing concern on its Web site that the device is being used as a tool of routine force, rather than as an alternative to firearms ... Amnesty International has made several recommendations to police departments, including asking agencies to suspend using Tasers until thorough studies are done on their effects, or limit their use based on specific policies, to use them only in situations when the alternative would... (CNN -- Law)
The brightest shoot, score and leave Oct 24, 2009
When she finished high school there were grand plans of being an environmental or human rights lawyer for Amnesty International, which she admits is ''not even close'' to what she does now. I found the ideal of working in law didn't actually stack up when it came to studying it,'' she said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
ASEAN focuses on rights, trade amid tight security Oct 23, 2009
Non-governmental rights bodies and London-based Amnesty International have expressed concerns over the body, while the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights says it has no clear mandate for victims of abuse. Debbie Stothard of the ASEAN People's Forum said five of the 10 governments had also rejected nominees from civil society groups for the watchdog and have replaced them with their own. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Punished for wearing pants Oct 23, 2009
Last Upd: 04:57pm 22 Oct 2009. R3,000 free @ Prestige Casino. (iAfrica.com)
EU plans uniform policy on asylum seekers Oct 23, 2009
Amnesty International said the proposed changes made sense. By bringing down internal borders, the EU has created a common immigration zone, so it makes sense that it should also regulate asylum policies,'' Anneliese Baldaccini, told Deutsche Welle. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Red Cross' Fire & Ice gala honors local humanitarians Oct 23, 2009
Deveny, likewise, already is involved with the Red Cross and Amnesty International and is a real leader for her age, DeLisle-Heath said, adding that the teen plans to travel to India soon to work with the less fortunate. Proceeds from the gala benefit the local disaster relief services of the American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley. (Utica NY Obserer, NY)
Iran lawyer in 'blood money' plea Oct 23, 2009
Amnesty International says Iran has executed at least 42 juvenile offenders since 1990, flouting international law. Youngster executed. (BBC News -- Africa)
DNA prompts Japan murder retrial Oct 22, 2009
The conviction rate in Japan is more than 99%, and a recent report by Amnesty International criticised the system, saying some of these convictions were based on confessions extracted from suspects against their will. Appearing at the Utsunomiya District Court on Wednesday, Mr Sugaya said he had nothing to do with the 1990 murder. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Top 10 Worst Nobel Peace Prize Winners Oct 22, 2009
Amnesty International (1977): This group has been a constant source of anti-American rhetoric. 10. (Human Events Online)
Taser Tells Police to Avoid Shooting at Chest Oct 22, 2009
Amnesty International says more than 350 people in the U.S. died after they were shocked with Tasers, and that in 50 of those cases, medical examiners cited a link between Taser shocks and death. Taser officials say the new recommendation is designed only to "avoid any potential controversy on this topic.". (ABC News -- Wire)
Amnesty Internation sponsors talk on illegal detention Oct 22, 2009
An investigation by Amnesty International discovered many detainees whose experiences were even worse than Luis s. One man, who had been tortured and imprisoned for five years in an Albanian concentration camp, was granted asylum and had been living lawfully in the United States for 12 years when he was detained and told he would be deported. He spent four years in detention, fearful he would be tortured again if he was returned. (Concord Journal, MA)
'Sahrawi Gandhi' awarded New York peace prize Oct 22, 2009
Given a Moroccan passport in 2006 thanks to intervention from Amnesty International and the US State Department, she has gone on to win a string of awards and was nominated in 2008 for the Nobel Peace Prize. "Haidar is a courageous campaigner for self-determination of Western Sahara from its occupation by Morocco, as well as against forced 'disappearances' and abuses of prisoners of conscience," The Train Foundation said. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Taser: Don't shoot at chest Oct 22, 2009
Tasers are viewed as a less lethal option than batons or firearms, but Amnesty International has called for stricter guidelines in their use, because more than 350 people have died in the United States after being shocked by Tasers since 2001. The Associated Press contributed to this report. (Modesto Bee, CA)
The Tournament of Roses(R) Announces 2010 Rose Queen(R) Oct 21, 2009
She is president of the Amnesty International Club and as a member of the board for the Alzheimer's Foundation of America Teens, Natalie started an Alzheimer's Awareness week at her school. She has lived in the Pasadena-area her entire life and plans to stay in California for college where she'll study occupational or physical therapy with an emphasis in gerontology. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Rights group in hot water over Israel criticism Oct 21, 2009
Bernstein's charges, in an opinion piece published in The New York Times, revived debate over the organization that ranks as a respected leader in its field along with Amnesty International. HRW, which counts over 275 staff members posted around the globe and publishes reports on some 90 countries each year, has been forced to issue a series of red-faced statements in recent months amid charges of anti-Israel bias and a soft stance toward authoritarian regimes. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Taser advises police not to aim at chest Oct 21, 2009
Advocacy groups such as Amnesty International allege that Taser guns are often used by police as a compliance tool on unarmed individuals who pose no deadly threat, who are drunk or on drugs and simply quarrel with officers. Mark Silverstein, legal director of the Colorado American Civil Liberties Union, who has tracked Taser issues for years, said the bulletin means that police departments should now be asking questions about liability and reconsider how the stun gun is used. (AZCentral -- News)
Jamison wants Stuy' super seat Oct 21, 2009
Jamison lists organizational affiliations including the MRDD Subcommittee of the County Community Services Board, Camphill Village, COARC, past Board President of Philmont Hearth, NASW, Amnesty International, Stuyvesant Recreation Committee, Railstation Restoration Committee, Stuyvesant Farmer's Market, and Citizens for Clean Air. Share this Article. (Hudson Register Star, NY)
Goldstone as a touchstone for Obama Oct 20, 2009
Even UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, who came into office as a close friend of Israel, joined the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in calling for an impartial investigation - not to mention Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other respected non-governmental organizations. Much of the strongest vilification comes from commentators who have clearly not read the report. (Asia Times Online)
Africa: Sudan's Bashir Skips Kampala Visit Oct 20, 2009
Amnesty International criticised the remarks and called on Uganda to respect its international obligations under the Rome Statute. "Uganda as a state party to the treaty establishing the ICC is obliged to cooperate with the court and "arrest and surrender anyone named in an arrest warrant to the ICC," said the human rights group in a statement on Friday. "If it fails to do so, the ICC can refer this clear violation of Uganda's obligations to the Assembly of States Parties, the ICC oversight... (allAfrica.com)
* Uighur activist slams book fair for honoring China Oct 20, 2009
Amnesty International in a report last year criticized China for failing to honor vows to improve rights that officials made in lobbying for the Games, and said it did not live up to commitments as an Olympic host last year. Instead of drawing lessons from that event, the book fair invited China as its guest. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Is Obama's new Sudan policy too soft? Oct 20, 2009
Amnesty International a New York based human rights group slammed Mr. Museveni for his invitation, saying that Uganda is required by law to arrest Bashir, since Uganda is a signatory to the law that creates the ICC.. "[Bashir] is a fugitive from international justice charged with responsibility for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur," said Amnesty's Christopher Keith Hall, a senior legal adviser. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Promoting Peace Through Organic Farming in Thailand Oct 20, 2009
In recent months, the Thai government has unleashed a troop surge to try to quell the violence, which has, in turn, spawned criticism of the military's heavy-handed tactics like torture and arbitrary detentions of Muslims, according to human-rights watchdog Amnesty International ... When asked about the Amnesty International report released earlier this year documenting systematic military abuse of local civilians, the Fourth Army commander first says he has never heard of the report, then... (Time.com)
Uganda: Arrest Bashir, Uganda Ordered Oct 19, 2009
Kampala AMNESTY International yesterday expressed dismay at President Yoweri Museveni's invitation to Sudanese President Omar al Bashir to attend the special African Union summit on refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons in Africa, scheduled to begin on Monday ... "President al Bashir is a fugitive from international justice - charged with responsibility for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur," said Christopher Keith Hall, legal adviser with Amnesty International, in... (allAfrica.com)
Bay Area money man with social conscience Oct 19, 2009
"Instead, he focused on things like Amnesty International and corporate climate change initiatives. I doubt there are many who represent the good side of Silicon Valley better than Yobie does." ... Benjamin doesn't know why he was released alive, but believes pressure from Amnesty International helped ... 5 million for Amnesty International's drive to aid victims of human rights abuses in Darfur. (San Francisco Chronicle)
PAKISTAN: Thousands flee South Waziristan as army offensive begins Oct 19, 2009
In a 16 October statement Amnesty International said its research teams on the ground had found "insufficient preparations for health facilities, supplies of food and drinkable water, and shelter for the displaced". "There has been growing unrest and even bombardment for weeks. I felt I had to take my family away," said Ehsanullah Wazir, who is now in Dera Ismail Khan staying with his cousin. (AlertNet)
The Israeli Brand, Craig Smith, Adbusters Oct 17, 2009
That same week Amnesty International released Operation Cast Lead: 22 Days of Death and Destruction, a detailed and gruesome report of the various war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Israeli state against Gazas civilian population ... This comes after close to a dozen reports by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and B'tselem (the Israeli information center for human rights in the Occupied Territories). (Harper's Magazine)
Is the U.S. Softening Its Opposition to the Honduran Coup? Oct 17, 2009
But human-rights groups like Amnesty International say police and soldiers are still blocking street protests. Micheletti insists Zelaya was overthrown because he defied a Supreme Court order against holding a referendum on constitutional reform that could have lifted Honduras' ban on presidential re-election. (Time.com)
Nigeria: Army Brigade Faults Amnesty International on Shooting Oct 16, 2009
com: Nigeria: Army Brigade Faults Amnesty International on Shooting (Page 1 of 1). Army Brigade Faults Amnesty International on Shooting ... The 2 Amphibious Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has described a news item credited to the Amnesty International (AI) monitored in an international broadcast medium on the recent shootout triggered by miscreants at the Bundu Water front in the city and some parts of the state as false. (allAfrica.com)
Police on trial for Kurd attack Oct 16, 2009
Amnesty International calls it flagrant interference, warning it may have a chilling effect on the proper administration of justice. SEE ALSO: 11 Nov 05 | Europe 29 Aug 05 | Europe 19 Aug 05 | Europe 03 Jul 05 | Country profiles 24 Jan 06 | Country profiles. (Yahoo News -- Kurdish Issues)
* US reverses stance on global treaty to regulate arms trade Oct 16, 2009
The shift in position by the worlds biggest arms exporter is a major breakthrough in launching formal negotiations at the United Nations in order to prevent irresponsible arms transfers, Amnesty International and Oxfam International said in a joint statement. However, they said insisting that decisions on the treaty be made by consensus could fatally weaken a final deal. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
