Amnesty International UK
Log in

Human rights defenders

People protesting with flags
People protesting with flags

Around the world there is an unprecedented surge in attacks against human rights defenders – people who protect and promote human rights.

Amnesty’s new report On the Human Rights Frontline is centred on interviews with 82 human rights defenders in seven countries who are targeted, face arrest and threats because of their important work to make this world a better place for us all.

On the Frontline

On the Human Rights Frontline

In communities around the world, people defending human rights are being threatened, attacked, imprisoned or killed. Our report highlights what the UK can do to support them.
Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia: release of Loujain al-Hathloul 'an incredible relief'

Response to news that the Saudi Arabian human rights defender Loujain al-Hathloul was released from prison earlier today.
Global Scotland

Briefing: Scotland's Place in the World (March 2024)

Our Scottish parliamentary briefing on how the Scottish Government can adopt a human rights-focused approach to international relations and global affairs
Get involved

Join Amnesty Students

Students play a vital role in our work. Every new group makes a big difference for human rights by campaigning, fundraising, lobbying and raising awareness.
We provide all the resources and support you'll need to make it straightforward, successful and rewarding as possible to defend human rights.
Blog

The Fight for Human Rights in 2023

Although 2023 has felt, at times, to be a bleak year for human rights, there have been many inspiring moments of hope. Here's a snapshot of just some of the ways humanity won in 2023. 

Write for Rights: Global letter writing movement stands with victims of human rights abuses

Amnesty International launches flagship Write for Rights campaign to help people facing human rights abuses around the world

Turkey: 'Politically motivated' convictions of four human rights defenders quashed

After six years Amnesty Turkey’s founding members, Taner Kılıç and Idil Eser have convictions overturned

Vietnam: Authorities must drop charges against satirist for ‘Salt Bae’ video

Bui Tuan Lam, whose trial starts tomorrow, faces 12 years in jail if convicted under country’s repressive Article 117

Belarus: Jailing of three human rights defenders is 'blatant retaliation' for their work

Three key figures from leading human rights group Viasna jailed for between seven and ten years

Israel/OPT: Deporting human rights defender Salah Hammouri would ‘constitute a war crime’

Crime of apartheid needs to be included in ICC investigation into Palestine situation

UN: New high commissioner must be ‘loud and clear’ when championing victims of human rights abuses

Austria's Volker Turk is proposed to be next UN human rights chief

UK: Government attacks on human rights lawyers are putting them in ‘serious’ danger

Prominent international human rights lawyer, Caoilfhionn Gallagher has received death threats including one saying she will be murdered like Pat Finucane

Russia: 'Unjust and cruel' prison sentence handed to opposition activist

Andrei Pivovarov, former head of the UK-based Otkrytaya Rossiya (Open Russia) movement sentenced to four years in prison
5 Ways Humanity Won

5 Ways Humanity Won This Year (So Far)

As Amnesty marks 61 years of working to defend people wherever justice, freedom, truth, and dignity are denied, we celebrate just some of the ways our movement has made change in 2022 (so far)

UK: Fresh call on the Government to help British national on hunger strike in Egypt

Human rights activist, Alaa Abdel Fattah who rose to prominence during 2011 anti-Mubarak protests, believed to be in serious condition

Greece: Acquittal of police officers in LGBTI activist killing 'beggars belief'

Zak Kostopoulos, queer activist and drag artist, was brutally beaten by two men after entering a jewellery shop in central Athens

Turkey: Aggravated life sentence for Osman Kavala a 'devastating blow' for human rights

Trumped up charges against Osman related to Gezi Park protests and the 2016 coup attempt 

UK: Youth activists in training to rise up and defend human rights

Amnesty and The Co-operative Bank back young human rights defenders with 'Rise Up' training programme

Beijing 2022: Olympic skater gives away gold medal to protest China's human rights abuses

Swedish Olympic champion Nils van der Poel gives his gold medal to Hong Kong dissident’s daughter
Israel

Israel: reports of police using NSO spyware against citizens must be investigated

Response to reports that Israeli police have been using NSO Group’s notorious Pegasus spyware against Israeli citizens.