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Amnesty International welcomes the return of Salim Alaradi to Canada after more than 21 months in illegal detention in the United Arab Emirates. Supporters from Amnesty International welcomed Mr. Alaradi today when he arrived at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, where he briefly addressed media before continuing to his home in Windsor, Ontario. 

“Amnesty International welcomes the news that Salim Alaradi has been able to reunite with his family and return to Canada.  Amnesty International supporters across Canada had campaigned on his behalf during his ordeal of unlawful imprisonment and torture in the United Arab Emirates,” said Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada.  “While he has regained his freedom, he has not seen justice for the serious human rights violations he endured.  Amnesty International will continue to stand with Salim in pressing for redress and accountability for what he has been through.”

Ottawa – Aujourd’hui, sur la Colline parlementaire, l’Association des femmes autochtones du Canada, la campagne « Suis-je la prochaine? », Amnistie Internationale Canada et la Fédération canadienne des étudiantes et étudiants ont livré un puissant message au gouvernement du Canada : un demi-million de personnes ont signé une pétition pour demander la tenue d’une enquête nationale exhaustive et efficace sur la disparition et l’assassinat de femmes et filles autochtones ainsi que de personnes bispirituelles.

 

« Depuis près de 20 ans, l’Association des femmes autochtones du Canada exige des réponses et une reddition de comptes pendant que nos sœurs continuent d’être enlevées pour la simple raison qu’elles sont des Autochtones, a déclaré Dawn Harvard, présidente de l’Association des femmes autochtones du Canada. Le temps du changement est arrivé, afin que mes filles puissent grandir en sécurité. »

 

A new decree by the governor of Rio de Janeiro authorizing spending cuts ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games must not be used as an excuse to cut short basic services and training for security forces to be deployed in favelas, Amnesty International said.   “The decision to cut down on social services and security ahead of the Rio Olympics is not only shocking but incredibly worrying, particularly given Rio’s utterly poor record when it comes to homicides and police killings,” said Atila Roque, Brazil Director at Amnesty International.    “What Rio needs is not less but more investment to ensure security forces that will be deployed across the state are properly trained to prevent the kind of human rights violations we have been documenting for years.”   “This is not the time to hide behind numbers. Authorities in Rio de Janeiro have a responsibility to keep its people safe. Failing to take this responsibility seriously will only end up in more pain and suffering.”  

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The Indonesian central government should allow dozens of Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers, including a pregnant woman and nine children, who have reached the coast of Lhoknga, Aceh, to disembark and meet UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) officials, Amnesty International said today.

“These people have endured a long and difficult journey already. Now that they have reached land in Aceh, they should be allowed to disembark and meet UNHCR officials,” said Josef Benedict, Amnesty International’s Director of Campaigns for South East Asia and the Pacific.

The organization fears that the Indonesian authorities may push the boat - reportedly carrying 44 people - back into international waters.

The Aceh fishermen discovered the boat off the coast of Aceh province on 11 June. They subsequently reported the boat to the Indonesian navy who have not allowed the boat to disembark and the people on it to apply for asylum, arguing the asylum-seekers lack the proper documentation.

Released 00:01 GMT Tuesday 14 June 2016

The EU’s plans to cooperate more closely with Libya on migration risk fuelling the rampant ill-treatment and indefinite detention in horrifying conditions of thousands of refugees and migrants, said Amnesty International.

Last month the EU announced plans to extend its anti-smuggling naval mission in the Mediterranean, Operation Sophia, for another year and to train, build up the capacity of and share information with the Libyan coastguard following a request by the new Libyan government. However, testimonies gathered during visits to Sicily and Puglia in May 2016 reveal shocking abuses by the Libyan coastguard and at immigration detention centres in Libya.

Amnesty International spoke to 90 people who survived the treacherous sea crossing from Libya to Italy, including at least 20 refugees and migrants who described shootings and beatings while being picked up by the coastguard or harrowing torture and other ill-treatment at detention centres. In one case, the Libyan coastguard abandoned a boat leaving some 120 people on board instead of rescuing them.

Malawian officials must live up to their promises to end violence against people with albinism and tackle discrimination against this group, Amnesty International said on International Albinism Awareness Day.

During a series of meetings with senior government officials, including President Arthur Peter Mutharika, on 7 June, Amnesty International secured commitments to not only address the spate of killings of people with albinism but also to tackle the root causes of discrimination.

“Recognition by the Malawian authorities at the highest level that people with albinism not only experience daily discrimination but also live in constant fear of attacks is an important step in addressing the problem,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Southern Africa.

“Malawian police need more resources and must conduct thorough and effective investigations to bring the abductions and killings to an end. Visible policing in rural areas coupled with an effective public education campaigns can contribute significantly in arresting the problem.”

An on-the-ground investigation by Amnesty International has confirmed that the Nigerian army gunned down unarmed people ahead of last month’s planned pro-Biafran commemoration events in Onitsha, Anambra state.

Evidence gathered from eyewitnesses, morgues and hospitals confirms that between 29-30 May 2016, the Nigerian military opened fire on members of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB), supporters and bystanders at three locations in the town.

“Opening fire on peaceful IPOB supporters and bystanders who clearly posed no threat to anyone is an outrageous use of unnecessary and excessive force and resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. In one incident one person was shot dead after the authorities burst in on them while they slept,” said M.K. Ibrahim, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

“These shootings, some of which may amount to extra judicial executions, must be urgently and independently investigated and anyone suspected of criminal responsibility must be brought to justice.”