Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics.© ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images

31/01/2014 – Amnesty International is concerned about recent forced evictions targeting Romani communities in Rome. The organisation has received reports of two forced evictions involving Romani families in the past week.

The Lithuanian court has set an example for all of Europe and the USA by upholding the rule of law and recognising that victims of torture and enforced disappearance at the hands of the CIA and European agents have an absolute right to a thorough investigation.

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

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.

“The injustice that is Guantanamo has been allowed to fester for twelve years now – twelve years too many. It is wholly unacceptable that the human rights violations by the US against those detained have gone unchecked for so long”

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