Congratulations to Ginetta Sagan award winner, Betty Makoni!

On Saturday, April 26, Amnesty International USA honored Betty Makoni, 37, a former high school teacher in Zimbabwe. She is the founder of Girl Child Network, a group that protects thousands of girls from abuse and empowers them to stay in school despite overwhelming violence in their communities.

» Listen to Betty Makoni speak during NPR interview
» Read more about Ginetta Sagan award winner, Betty Makoni

2008-07-14

Girl from Al-Qatif pardoned

In 2006, a young woman known only as "The Girl from al-Qatif" and her male companion were kidnapped at knifepoint by a gang of seven men shortly after they met. The male companion was attacked and then released. The woman, however, was raped by each member of the gang.

We are happy to report that the sentences of flogging and imprisonment imposed on a woman rape victim, known only as the "Girl from al-Qatif", and her male companion, are reported to have been dropped under a pardon granted by Saudi Arabia's Head of State, King Abdullah. »Read More

2008-01-16

Dr. Haleh Esfandiari allowed to leave Iran!

Haleh Esfandiari is the Head of the Middle East Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington D.C., and is a well-known advocate of dialogue between the U.S. and Iranian governments. She had travelled to visit her elderly mother. While on her way to the airport to return to the USA, her taxi was stopped by armed, masked men, who took both her passports and her belongings. In May Amnesty International activists began a letter-writing action and in June held a rally calling for her release. Many thanks to all who participated on Haleh's behalf.
2007-09-02

House Committee Approves Resolution Condemning the Killings of Women in Guatemala

On March 27, 2007 the House Committee on Foreign Affairs unanimously approved House Resolution 100 (H. Res. 100), condemning the over 2,500 killings of women in Guatemala sponsored by Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-CA). The resolution passed with 84 cosponsors. Consideration of the resolution by the full House is expected in the coming months. Thanks to all who took action to make this possible! We will keep you updated on the progress of this resolution.

Please write to thank your representative for cosponsoring this resolution. » Find which representatives cosponsored this resolution.
2007-03-27

Vermont Passes Law to Protect Women in Prison from Custodial Sexual Misconduct

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) applauded lawmakers in Vermont for passing legislation that protects women in prison from custodial sexual misconduct (CSM) -- the sexual abuse of inmates at the hands of corrections staff. Vermont was the last of the 50 states to pass a law directly addressing such abuse, though many of those states' laws are severely inadequate. Read more. »
2006-05-31

U.S. Legislation Condemns Murders of Women in Chihuahua, Mexico

Amnesty International USA welcomes the congressional passage of legislation calling on the United States and Mexico to work together to find an end to the violence against women in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where more than 400 women and girls have been murdered since 1993. Read more. »
2006-05-05