Livewire – Amnesty International blogging for human rights

Stanislav Dmitrievskii campaigns for the right to freedom of assembly and fair elections © Strategy 31, Nizhnii Novgorod

By Friederike Behr, Russia researcher for Amnesty International

Stanislav Dmitrievskii is a veteran human rights defender and political activist from Nizhnii Novgorod, a town East of Moscow.

During recent months he has actively participated in numerous demonstrations for the right to freedom of assembly and for fair elections. And he has been repeatedly detained.
Continue reading ‘Facing intimidation in the fight for human rights in Russia’

By Anne Sophie Bonefeld, Head of Communication of Amnesty Denmark,

On Saturday, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Salil Shetty, will be one of the key note speakers alongside Aryeh Neier who is the President of the Open Society Foundations. Together with other international experts they will map and discuss the implications of the wave of nationalism and xenophobia which increasingly influences mainstream politics in the European societies. Furthermore, they will discuss how to address the challenges that xenophobia creates in terms of protecting and upholding human rights.

You can follow the conference live via webcast and the following link: http://amnestywebcast.dk

After the demolition of the Pearl Roundabout, many activists were targeted for arrest © Amnesty International

I am a Bahraini activist, involved in the Bahrain Revolution that started on 14 February.

When the army demolished the Pearl Roundabout and began arresting people, I was terrified. I knew that I hadn’t done anything wrong – but they were crazy.
Continue reading ‘Testimonies from Bahrain: An activist’s detention ordeal’

By Jeremy Bloom and Vittorio Infante from the Central American team,

Thanks so much to all the people that have created their butterflies online and on paper! If you haven’t already please show your support. You can create your own butterfly here: bit.ly/butterfly50

In July, we delivered the first butterflies to girls that have survived sexual violence. We wanted to show them just how much power their words have had and how they have inspired people all around the world to stand in solidarity with them.

Argentina Espinoza, Director of the Ixchen Centres for women and girls in Nicaragua, told us how important the butterflies have been for the girls and the centre staff; ‘We really appreciate all the expressions of solidarity as they give us energy to continue with this struggle” See the full video here.

One brave girl, a survivor of sexual violence, who shared her story with Amnesty International, wrote this message to the presidential candidates on the wings of her butterfly; “We young people and children are asking for freedom and that justice is done. No more domestic, psychological and spiritual violence. And I really hope that you give us a good response today. We have to break the silence and not have fear of anything anymore.”

Watch out for information on the demonstrations on 28 September and how your support contributed to girls and women defending their rights in Nicaragua.

On 28 September, please show your solidarity by making your butterfly your profile picture.

By Nicki Lees International youth advisory and action body,

Over the course of two days at the end of last month, numerous governments stood up in the UN General Assembly in New York and proclaimed their lasting commitment to furthering the development of young people in their countries. They did this in celebration of 2011 – International Year of Youth, coming together for a United Nations High-Level Meeting on Youth in New York from 25-26 July.

It is commendable that governments are expressing a desire to ensure the active participation and engagement of young people in their societies. However, these words must be followed up with actions!

As Amnesty International, we were there to ensure that deliberations included a rights-based approach and to hold governments accountable for their undertakings.
Continue reading ‘High level meeting on youth’