Syrian refugees at the Arbat Temporary Refugee Camp in Iraqi Kurdistan, having fled the fighting inside Syria © Amnesty International

There is a huge risk of a major human tragedy because of the complete absence of any peacekeeping force.  The situation in this part of the Central African Republic is very volatile and the international peacekeeping effort is vital to protect the thousands of civilians from both communities

The message to President Putin, from rank and file Amnesty International supporters to world leaders staying away from the Games, is the same – repeal series of laws that restrict the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.

EU leaders must shine the spotlight on the grave human rights violations in Russia at every opportunity. The EU-Russia summit must be used to politically and publicly remind Russia of its human rights obligation, and show them that the world is watching.

Protesters in Ukraine clashed with police over new laws stifling freedom of expression© AFP/Getty Images

23/01/2014 – Amnesty International expresses its profound concerns over the loss of life of migrants and refugees including several small children near the island of Farmakonisi on 20 January 2014. In the early hours of Monday, 20 January 2014, a fishing boat carrying 28 migrants and refugees including many small children capsized and sank near the island of Farmakonisi. The group consisted of 25 Afghans including ten children aged between one and nine years old and three Syrians.

Women demonstrate to demand action on war missing

22/01/2014 – Following the start of negotiations between Serbia and the European Commission on 21 January 2014 on European Union (EU) membership, Amnesty International is calling for your support of a human rights agreement between Serbia and Kosovo.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE

Not only do we have fears that Ablyazov would not get a fair trial in Russia or Ukraine, there is the real danger that he will eventually end up in Kazakhstan, where he will be at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. The French authorities must not send Ablyazov to any country where he will face serious human rights violations or be forced back to Kazakhstan.

Asylum seekers in Bulgaria, including many fleeing from war-torn Syria, are being held in appalling conditions, sometimes for months on end. They lack access to food, sanitation or basic medical care. They are also at risk of arbitrary detention and face lengthy delays in registration and are routinely deprived of access to fair and effective asylum procedures.