Amnesty Ireland Newsletter
Amnesty International Ireland
We are a movement of over 10 million people, campaigning to stop human rights abuses worldwide.
Hi there,
As summer sets in, we take a look back at a busy few months for Amnesty Ireland below. We want to say a big thank you to everyone who continues to support our work by signing petitions, reading our emails, or even mentioning our work to colleagues or friends. In the fight for human rights across the world, every little action of support matters. Thank you.
Don't forget you can get involved by becoming a member, joining a local amnesty group or supporting any of our upcoming campaign efforts. Everyone is welcome, always.
In solidarity,
Stephen Bowen
Executive Director
Free at Last
Julian Assange is Free!
After many years of fighting for his freedom, including five years in a high security prison in the UK, Julian Assange has finally been freed.
Through his work as a journalist with WikiLeaks, he brought to light revelations of alleged war crimes committed by the USA. For this, years of his life have been stolen from him, and his family.
Amnesty International campaigned tirelessly for Julian's release alongside lawyers, press freedom organisations and importantly, his family.
We will always stand by society's right to information and justice.
Death Sentence Overturned
Iranian rapper and and activist Toomaj Saleh's death sentence has been overturned. Toomaj had supported the Woman, Life, Freedom protests in Iran and, for that, was faced with execution.
Campaigning around the world, including 4,000 people in Ireland who signed the petition, helped overturn this conviction.
However Toomaj remains arbitrarily detained for peacefully exercising his human rights and continues to be subjected to a litany of human rights violations.
Latest Updates
Death Penalty Report
Our annual report 'Death Sentences and Executions 2023' revealed that executions soared to their highest number in almost a decade.
A total of 1,153 executions took place in 2023, not taking into account the thousands believed to have taken place in China. The spike in executions was mainly down to Iran, where authorities continue to show complete disregard for human life.
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The other countries with the highest number of executions (excl. China) were Saudi Arbia, Somalia and the USA.
On a positive note, 2023 had the lowest number of countries recording executions, 16 in total. Read the full breakdown here.
Human Rights and FIFA
Last month we launched a report assessing the human rights risks of bids submitted to FIFA to host the 2030 and 2034 men's World Cup Tournaments.
FIFA must ensure that all bids are rigorously and transparently assessed to fully safeguard human rights before announcing the successful hosts (due in December).
FIFA says that it insists that bidders consult civil society organisations including human rights groups but that has not happened. However FIFA has not responded to requests by Amnesty International to speak with consultants involved in the human rights-based assessments of the bids. Read the full report.
Action in the Community - Wexford Local Group
Our Wexford group held one of the first Picnics Against Apartheid this year. The community came out in force to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Israel, and Israel's apartheid. Performances on the day were by Bloco Garman, Ayday Whyte (pictured), Abigail and Michael Way, Rachel Grace, Aaron Barry, and Paula O'Reilly.
A big thank you to our Amnesty Wexford group for organising. If you would like to find out more about Picnics Against Apartheid, or host your own, please click here.
Evidence of War Crimes
As the death toll in Gaza continues to mount, we will not cease in our work to expose human rights violations and gather evidence of international war crimes taking place in Gaza and Israel.
Our recent investigation focuses on three Israeli air strikes in April that killed 44 Palestinians, including 32 children (some pictured here). Following the investigation Amnesty International is calling on the International Criminal Court to investigate as war crimes, these three air strikes.
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
June 26 marked International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Leidy Cadena was blinded by police in 2021 when she was hit by a rubber bullet while peacefully protesting in Colombia. Above is her story.
Unfortunately Leidy's story is all too common. The trade in policing equipment used against protesters is out of control. Equipment designed to be less lethal than firearms can still inflict serious injuries and sometimes death.
You can support our call to regulate the trade in policing equipment by signing our petition today.