Topic: Amnesty International

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Backchannels A Syria hit list? A list of regime enemies emerges.

News organization Mother Jones has gotten hold of a massive spreadsheet containing names and contacts for thousands of Syrian dissidents.
Change Agent Crisis Action makes a big noise using quiet citizen diplomacy

Crisis Action acts like a coach or talent scout for humanitarian and other citizen groups – but always behind the scenes.
Backchannels Amnesty International report brands Libya's militias 'out of control'

Six months since the Libyan civil war ended in Muammar Qaddadi's death, a new report from Amnesty International says hundreds of militias remain active in the country, extorting money and killing their enemies.
Malaysia sends Saudi home, where he's threatened with death for a tweet

A Malaysian lawyers' group blamed Malaysia for handing Hamza Kashgari over to the Saudi authorities 'on a silver platter.' Mr. Kashgari allegedly insulted the prophet Muhammed on Twitter.
Why Ethiopia's authoritarian style gets a Western nod

Ethiopia is a geostrategically important ally in the West's efforts to battle extremism in the Horn of Africa. Western leaders have also emphasized its progress in battling poverty.
Maldives president asks for unity while rioting rages on (+video)

Backers of the Maldives former president clashed with police while the country's new leader sought to bring unity to government after months of turmoil.
Roe v. Wade anniversary: Study says 'unsafe' abortions on rise

Roe v. Wade, the landmark legislation legalizing abortion in the United States, marks its 39th year this week. As Americans debate abortion rights in the midst of an election year, a new study indicates abortion rates are steadying worldwide, though the frequency of dangerous abortions is rising. Here are the answers to five questions related to abortion laws globally, and their effects on women.
Terrorism & Security See no evil? Activists doubt credibility of Arab League mission to Syria.

Activists are concerned that Arab League observers could leave Syria with a falsely favorable report because of government cover-up and a tainted head of mission.
12/28/2011 09:51 am
Latin America Monitor Veracruz police disbanded: many in Mexico won't notice

The Mexican city's 1,100-member police force has just been fired, with the Navy put in charge of civilian security. Many in Veracruz won't miss the cops, whom they distrust.
12/22/2011 01:39 pm
Ethiopia convicts Swedish journalists of terrorism

Rights groups protest the conviction of Swedish journalists Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye, saying Ethiopia is using its antiterrorism laws to silence dissent.
12/21/2011 11:46 am
Africa reacts to Obama's pro-gay rights foreign policy

Most of Africa's 54 nations ban homosexuality, so President Obama's promotion of gay rights as a human right draws quick ire from African governments.
12/08/2011 05:29 pm
Thai court sentences American citizen to 2.5 years in prison for insulting monarchy (VIDEO)

American Joe Gordon, who translated a banned biography of Thailand’s king and posted it online while living in Colorado, was sentenced to 2-1/2 years in a Thai prison.
12/08/2011 12:42 pm
Historic Myanmar trip for Hillary Clinton: Enough focus on human rights? (video)

Obama's 'constructive engagement' policy gets a test as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Burma (Myanmar). Some critics say US is offering too much for too little progress, especially on human rights.
11/30/2011 08:32 am
Latin America Monitor Burma sanctions should be model for Cuba embargo

The byzantine Cuba embargo in many ways ties the US's hands, says guest blogger Anya Landau French, so maybe it’s time to apply the Burma sanctions model – defend it or lose it – to Cuba.
11/28/2011 12:07 pm
Will police officer's manslaughter trial bring greater accountability in Caribbean?

Trinidad has set a date for the trial of a police officer accused of killing a civilian in 2003 – a rarity in the Caribbean, where cops under pressure to stop crime are usually not charged for on-the-job slayings.
11/17/2011 12:29 pm
Syrian opposition forms unity council, hoping to continue Arab Spring

Creation of the Syrian opposition's unity council comes as the US is set to call for a UN resolution to consider further sanctions against Syria if it does not halt the crackdown that has left some 2,700 dead.
10/04/2011 03:01 pm
China's debate on the death penalty becomes increasingly open

Calls for death penalty reform in China are growing, but so is the ability of the public to pressure courts into changing sentences perceived as too lenient – a development some say verges on mob justice.
09/28/2011 03:01 pm
Global News Blog Saudi woman sentenced to lashes days after women win right to vote

A Saudi woman has been sentenced to 10 lashes for driving, just days after King Abdullah granted women the right to vote and run for municipal office. A quick look at Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
09/28/2011 01:44 pm
Troy Davis supporters gather around the world to protest, mourn

Troy Davis was given a lethal injection Wednesday, despite protests around the world.
09/22/2011 02:15 am
Troy Davis makes 'unprecedented' bid for clemency. Will it save his life?

More than 600,000 people, including leaders like Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President Carter, have urged a Georgia clemency board to commute Troy Davis's death sentence.
09/19/2011 05:59 pm
Death penalty: Top 5 countries to execute the most people

According to Amnesty International’s annual Death Sentences and Executions report, at least 527 people were executed in 23 countries in 2010, plus thousands in China. The number of people executed worldwide since 2007 is more than 2,500. Here are the five countries registering the most executions since 2007:
09/18/2011 04:41 pm
3 questions US forces must answer before declaring victory in Libya

Even as fighting in Libya continues, Pentagon officials and US commanders overseeing operations on the ground are wrestling with tough questions about the future of the campaign – and what military forces still need to do before they can consider it a victory. Here are the top three:
09/15/2011 03:27 pm
Libyan rebels tarnished by human rights report

An Amnesty International report released today said Libyan rebels 'committed abuses' amounting to 'war crimes,' raising fresh concerns about post-conflict justice in Libya.
09/13/2011 06:28 pm
Africa Monitor Calls for activist's release ahead of Kampala bombing trial

The 19 people accused in the 2010 bombing in Kampala, Uganda, will begin standing trial Monday. Among them is a human rights activist who was arrested when he came to help the accused.
09/09/2011 05:06 pm
Opinion The decade since 9/11 has eroded – and confirmed – American values

US actions over the past 10 years have called into question America’s commitment to justice, freedom, and respect for human rights. But the decade has also confirmed how resilient the country's democratic values really are.
09/07/2011 02:59 pm