France

The French government must no allow the extradition of Kazakhstani banker and opposition figure Mukhtar Ablyazov, Amnesty International said today, shortly after a French court ruled that he should be sent to Russia or Ukraine to face fraud charges.

“Today's decision by the French court flies in the face of the realities on the ground. Russian and Ukrainian security services collaborate routinely with the security apparatus in Kazakhstan,” said Julia Hall, Amnesty International’s expert on counter-terrorism and human rights.

“Not only do we have fears that Ablyazov would not get a fair trial in Russia or Ukraine, there is the real danger that he will eventually end up in Kazakhstan, where he will be at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. The French authorities must not send Ablyazov to any country where he will face serious human rights violations or be forced back to Kazakhstan."

The French authorities’ evictions of Romani communities across the country continue to flout international law a year after the government published an inter-ministerial circular on the issue, Amnesty International said from the scene of a forced eviction of 150 people outside Paris this morning. 

Amnesty International’s France researcher witnessed how, beginning early this morning, police carried out the forced eviction of Romani families, including some 60 children, from a camp in Bobigny where some families had been living for up to three years. Half the camp’s children attend school locally, and have now been made homeless as school starts next week.

Today’s eviction was just the latest in a series of such actions by the authorities, which have left hundreds homeless across France.

By George Harvey, the action circle coordinator on LGBT issues in Toronto.

 

  Amnesty International joins human rights enthusiasts everywhere in applauding the recent decision by the governments of Uruguay, New Zealand, and France to legalize same sex marriage.

Equal marriage is an important step for the LGBTQ community on the path towards equality, freedom from discrimination and the right to live with dignity.

The path towards marriage equality has been a challenging one and the courageous and determined work of equal rights activists should be acknowledged.  LGBTQ individuals have faced many challenges, even within the activist community.  It is important to realize that the loving relationship between two individuals of the same gender is just as deserving of the legal and social recognition that comes with the term marriage as every other relationship.

The investigation into the gunning down of three Kurdish women activists in Paris must be prompt and thorough, Amnesty International said.

Sakine Cansýz, a founder of the armed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Fidan Dogan and Leyla Söylemez were found shot dead at the “Kurdistan Information Office” on the evening of 9 January.

“There must be justice for these apparently political killings – no stone must be left unturned in the investigation by the French authorities,” said John Dalhuisen,Europe and Central Asia Program Director.

“The Turkish authorities must cooperate fully in the investigation to bring those responsible to justice.”

The killings come at time when the Government of Turkey and the PKK have begun peace negotiations.

“Both sides must ensure that the killings do not derail negotiations aimed at ending the decades long conflict and ongoing human rights abuses,” said Dalhuisen.