It was a year ago that I returned to Canada after five and a half grueling years in an Iranian prison.  Believe you me, many a time I thought it might never happen. Years and hours I was yearning for it.  With the shadow of execution over my head I felt I had been forgotten. […]

Joan Francis, one of Amnesty International’s longest-serving volunteers, passed away on September 3 at the age of 97. Joan was well known for her support of Amnesty International (AI), and for encouraging others to sign AI letters and petitions. She also created Teddy Bears which were sold to...

By Gloria Nafziger, Refugee, Migrants and Country Campaigner Maran was a journalist and owned his own media company in a country riddled with conflict. Believing that the media was a tool that he could use, he wanted to tell the story of his people to the world.  Telling these stories was a way to...

, By Gloria Nafziger, Refugee, Migrants and Country Campaigner , “Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand was in the bed to my right, Hossein Ronaghi Maleki was in the bed to my left; Saeed Malekpour became my friend and Abdolfattah Soltani taught me about human rights.” , With these words, human rights...

By Eskinder Nega, with Kaliti Prison – Originally published on Ze-Habesha Website The mistakes of my life. Ah! I could go on and on and on about them. (Warning, I am aiming for your sympathy.) There are the missed opportunities. (God is generous, I squandered them all, literally.) There are...

Even Canadians are at risk while the death penalty remains in this world This time last year, Toronto resident and Canadian citizen Hamid Ghassemi-Shall, was in an Iranian prison, facing the prospect of execution by a regime that is notorious for use of the death penalty. Hamid was eventually one...

GLOBAL FIGURES At least 778 people were executed in 22 countries in 2013. In 2012, Amnesty International reported at least 682 executions in 21 countries worldwide. Most executions took place in China, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, USA and Somalia – in that order. China executed more people than the...

Amnesty International challenges what you think you know about capital punishment by debunking the top five death penalty myths. MYTH #1 The death penalty deters violent crime and makes society safer. FACTThere is no convincing evidence that the death penalty has a unique deterrent...

  Standing with individuals, tackling global problems 2013 year-end message from Amnesty International – by Alex Neve Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada   One thing so powerful and important about Amnesty International’s work is that we strive to make a difference in the...

By Gloria Nafziger, Campaigner, Refugees and Migrants On Thursday October 10, Hamid Ghassemi Shall came home to Canada.  Hamid Ghassemi-Shall spent the past 5- ½ years in Iran’s notorious Evin prison, on charges of espionage, and faced the death penalty.  He was released from prison September...

by Gloria Nafziger Campaigner for human rights of refugees and migrants Take action now for Hamid   Antonella Mega (centre) and members of Amnesty’s Iran Action Circle in Toronto call for the freedom of Antonella’s husband, Hamid Ghassemi-Shall, a Canadian on death row in Iran.   Antonella...

Governments and other organizations across the world are perfecting techniques to prevent journalists from shining a light on corruption and human rights abuses. From trumped-up charges, and removing work licences to murder, here are 10 ways journalists are repressed and prevented from reporting...