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April 24, 2013
Memorial day held for murdered LGBT people in South Africa

In a country where vicious attacks against gay people are rife, activists stress the need to honor and remember

A day of commemoration will be held in South Africa in honor of all LGBT individuals murdered due to their sexual orientation today (24 April).

The day is being organized by Amnesty International and the local LGBT rights organisation Ekurhuleni Pride Organizing Committee (EPOC).

It will involve a short memorial service, after which participants will be given the opportunity to write messages of hope and condolence that will remain at the site as a memorial.

January 24, 2013
Cameroon forcing gays to have anal probe exams

Amnesty International says Cameroon is abusing the criminal justice system to attack LGBTI people

Cameroon is forcing prisoners to have degrading and useless anal exams to find out if they have had gay sex, according to a new report.

Amnesty International says the criminal justice system in the west African country is being ‘used as a weapon to attack lesbian, gay, transgender and intersex people’.

The global human rights watchdog’s report on Cameroon highlights a ‘notable increase’ since the mid-2000s in the number of gays – or suspected LGBT people – arrested, imprisoned and tortured because of their sexuality.

January 7, 2013
Scissor Sisters' Ana Matronic calls for end to lesbian hate in SA

US performer speaks out in support of Amnesty International's Write for Rights campaign which demands justice for murdered lesbian activist Noxolo Nogwaza

Scissor Sisters singer Ana Matronic has shown her suppport for a campaign to end violence against lesbian women in South Africa.

In an emotional video made for Amnesty International's Write for Rights campaign, the US performer has spoken out against the plight of 24-year-old lesbian activist Noxolo Nogwaza who was raped, beaten and stabbed to death in South Africa in April, 2011.

It is believed she was attacked because of her sexuality and Nogwaza's killers have yet to be brought to justice.

December 7, 2012
Increase in attacks on gay rights activists in Americas

Amnesty International report calls on governments to ensure safety of gay rights campaigners

Gay rights activists across the Americas are facing escalating levels of intimidation, harassment and attacks, Amnesty International said in a new report.

The human rights group's study, 'Transforming pain into hope: Human rights defenders in the Americas', is based on around 300 cases of intimidation, harassment, attacks and killings of human rights defenders in more than a dozen countries between January 2010 and September 2012.

October 31, 2012
Fears Ukraine far right will push through anti-gay bill

Amnesty International slams Svoboda's record result in Ukraine's parliamentary election

Human rights campaigners fear the election of far right party Svoboda to the Ukraine parliament will 'encourage' the passing of an anti-gay 'propaganda' bill.

August 2, 2012
David Cameron urged to pressure Putin over Pussy Riot trial

Amnesty International calls on UK prime minister to 'dispense with the kid gloves' during talks with Russian president in London today

Activists are calling on British Prime Minister David Cameron to pressure Russian President Vladamir Putin over the trial of pro-gay punk protesters Pussy Riot during his visit to London today (2 August).

Amnesty International has urged Cameron to 'dispense with the kid gloves' in talks with Putin and raise the issue of the Pussy Riot trial and Russia’s increasing intolerance of legitimate dissent.

July 7, 2012
Pride in a hostile environment

A film about pride in Latvia, and the state of World Pride in London, both lead Linda Wilkinson to conclude that the visibility such events brings is vital

Uber butch dyke and performer Lea Delaria hosted a panel discussion on Friday (6 July) at Amnesty’s Human Rights Centre in Shoreditch, east London, around a film about the history of LGBT prides in Latvia.

At 90 minutes long, the film pulled no punches. We heard opinions from every quarter, from the hilariously religious mother figure who carried a cross and lay down in an attempt to stop the marches; to the frankly terrifying right wing fascists. Interested and engaged queers were counterbalanced by those who simply wanted to hide in their corner.

May 21, 2012
Kiev pride cancelled after far-right attack threat

Gay activists beaten and tear-gassed by youths in Ukrainian capital after pride march abandoned

Ukrainian capital's first ever gay pride was cancelled yesterday amid fears of attacks from far right thugs.

Police advised pride organizers to abandon the march through the center of Kiev just 30 minutes before it was due to start, claiming 500 ultra-right football hooligans were en route to the rally point with the intention of preventing the event from going ahead.

Two activists were beaten up and tear gassed by a dozen youths in central Kiev after those already gathered for the march were evacuated with police escort.

February 28, 2012
John Amaechi to open Amnesty exhibition

Discrimination through a lens at Amnesty International exhibition in Croatia

Former NBA basketball player John Amaechi will open an anti-discrimination photo exhibition in Croatia.

Yes to Diversity, No to Discrimination will feature photographs celebrating diversity across Europe and is the conclusion of a Europe-wide competition by human rights group Amnesty International.

December 5, 2011
Stephen Fry calls for letter writing for Amnesty
Amnesty campaign aims to help 10 cases to mark 50th anniversary.
Gay TV star Stephen Fry is championing handwritten letters as part of a Write for Rights campaign to mark Amnesty International’s 50th anniversary. Running until 10 December, the campaign will see thousands of people writing a hand-written letter on behalf of one of 10 Amnesty cases.