International standards on the use of force and firearms are clear – law enforcement officials should resort to the use of firearms only in defence against an imminent threat of death or serious injury. They should apply other non-violent means before resorting to the use of force, and the use of firearms must always be the last resort. When the use of force and firearms is unavoidable they must exercise restraint and take steps to minimize damage and injury and preserve life.

Rather than enacting repressive laws, the Spanish government and parliament must review legislation, policies and practices relating to public assemblies and demonstrations in order to ensure they meet international obligations

A major shift in approach to migration issues is long-overdue. The presidency has a responsibility to set an example to member states, not only in language, but also in action, to ensure that the EU’s human rights obligations toward migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are fully respected.

17/04/2014 – Amnesty International is calling on the Montenegrin authorities to provide adequate alternative accommodation for six families and two individuals living in the Zverinjak settlement in Nikšiæ, who are due to be evicted from their homes, on15 May.

17/04/2014 – Amnesty International’s submission to ECRI on France mainly focusses on the discrimination experienced by Roma with respect to their right to adequate housing. In particular, we raise concern about the Albanian authorities’ failure to protect Roma from forced evictions from informal settlements in Tirana and to provide them with adequate alternative housing.

Credit: European External Action Service – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

14/04/2014 – Ahead of the 14-15 April Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), Amnesty International calls on the European Union (EU) and its member states to act urgently to bring stability to the Central African Republic (CAR). The newly launched EUFOR RCA military operation must be robust and well-resourced in order to immediately assist the existing peacekeeping troops on the ground. EU and international efforts are also necessary to ensure much-needed financial and logistical support reaches the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA). This will be essential for MISCA to live up to its mandate to protect civilians in all parts of the country until the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission deploys following the recent adoption of UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2194 (2014).

Thank you for all the on-line interaction and support during our week-long spotlight on Roma Rights in Europe. But our work isn’t over!

11/04/2014 – The EU must not fail the people of Ukraine by sacrificing human rights to political expediency, and must prioritise human rights in their relations. In particular, Amnesty International calls on the EU to insist on progress being made to combat impunity for torture and other ill-treatment and discrimination, and to protect the rights to freedom of assembly association and expression throughout Ukraine.

The court had two options, and its choice was not in favour of justice and human rights. Its disheartening decision is in line with the prevailing tendency promoted by the Russian government to stamp its authority on any civil society activity. It sets a dangerous precedent which could be used against other NGOs

These allegations, if substantiated, would confirm our long-held fears that state intelligence agencies like the NSA and GCHQ have been subjecting human rights organisations to mass surveillance all along