On June 20 we celebrate Yellow Day, known as the happiest day of the year. This is a perfect time to focus on the good news and highlight inspiring stories and significant developments in the field of human rights.
Join us as we explore stories of hope and progress that demonstrate the power of the human spirit to create positive, lasting change.
Keep reading and discover how we move towards a better world!
ICC requests arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Hamas leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity
Destruction of Khan Yunis, Gaza, April 7, 2024. Weeks of Israeli strikes turned the city’s buildings into piles of rubble and ash. © Jehad Alshrafi/Anadolu via Getty Images
This news is one to celebrate because it shows that no leader is above international law. The Prosecutor’s Office of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested arrest warrants against senior Israeli and Hamas officials, including the Israeli prime minister. Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders like Yahya Sinwarby war crimes and Crimes against humanity committed in Israel and Palestine, specifically in the Gaza Strip.
The ICC request is seen as a crucial step in breaking the cycle of impunity that has predominated in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories for decades. All States are urged to respect the legitimacy of the Court and refrain from putting pressure on its judges.
The accusations against Netanyahu and Gallant (Israeli Defense Minister) include war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as direct attacks on civilians, intentional homicide and deliberately causing great suffering. Hamas leaders face accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder and hostage-taking.
Amnesty International has documented serious human rights violations committed by both sides and has called for the investigation into these crimes to be accelerated.
To keep the good news going, sign up for our cyber action calling for a ceasefire, NOW!
Judicial triumph for Assange: British court accepts appeal against his extradition
Action in Berlin in favor of Julian Assange. © Amnesty Germany/Jarek Godlewski
The UK High Court’s decision to grant Julian Assange permission to appeal against his extradition to the United States has been welcomed as a significant victory for press freedom advocates. This court decision reinforces the importance of protecting freedom of expression and the right to report without fear of reprisals.
Amnesty International has sharply criticized the continued US effort to prosecute Assange, arguing that this threatens global press freedom and contradicts US international commitments to freedom of expression. The organization has called on the United States to drop all charges against Assange, which would allow for her immediate release in the United Kingdom. The prolonged detention of Assange, who has already spent five years imprisoned, much of it arbitrarily, underscores the need for a fair and swift resolution of his case.
Julian Assange is an Amnesty International case. The organization is collecting signatures to get the charges against him dropped. Help us achieve it!
Victory for freedom of expression and reproductive rights. Vanessa Mendoza Cortés Acquitted
Vanessa Mendoza Cortés is a human rights defender and president of the Stop Violencies Association. The organization works against gender violence and for the decriminalization of abortion in Andorra. © Stop Violence Association
The absolution of Vanessa Mendoza Cortes of defamation charges in Andorra represents an important victory for human rights and freedom of expression. Amnesty International and other organizations applauded this court decision, stressing that the accusations against Vanessa, after she expressed her concerns about the total ban on abortion at a UN meeting, were unfair. Despite this acquittal, the high personal cost that she has paid during a judicial process that has lasted more than four years has been highlighted, affecting her work and that of the organization she represents.
The organizations have also urged the Andorran authorities to publicly recognize the legitimacy of Vanessa Mendoza’s human rights work and ensure that she and other activists can carry out their work without fear of intimidation or reprisals. In addition, they have reiterated the need for Andorra to comply with its international obligations, including the decriminalization of abortion and facilitating access to safe and legal abortion services in the country.
Vanessa Mendoza was an Amnesty International case. The organization was collecting signatures so that the Andorran authorities would withdraw the charges against her. We thank everyone who participated!
The fight against repression in Venezuela
© Amnesty International
The situation in Venezuela remains challenging, with the repressive government policy affecting a large part of the citizenry, including union members, teachers, journalists and human rights defenders. Amnesty International has documented these abuses over the last decade, noting that arbitrary arrests, torture and forced disappearances have been part of a systematic strategy that could constitute Crimes against humanity.
However, there is a ray of hope and solidarity. Dozens of people imprisoned for political reasons have been freed thanks to the intervention of Amnesty International supporters. The student Gabriel Blanco sent us the following message:
“My message is to all human rights defenders for their noble work. And specifically, to all Amnesty defenders and those who collaborate with Amnesty International in Venezuela. Your campaigns help make human rights violations visible in Venezuela and the world. I am really very grateful and I send you a big brotherly hug.”
Given the success, the organization asks that these actions be maintained to achieve the immediate and unconditional release of those people who are still unjustly detained, such as Emirlendris Benítez, María Auxiliadora Delgado, Juan Carlos Marrufo, Darío Estrada, Robert Franco and Javier Tarazona, among other people. Sign our cyber action!
The release of Daouda Diallo
Daouda Diallo is a trained pharmacist and a committed human rights defender. © Private
Another great news was the release of the human rights defender Daouda Diallo!
Daouda was abducted by security forces on December 1, 2023 after being forcibly recruited in November 2023. The government did not disclose his whereabouts or allow legal challenges to his conscription, which constitutes enforced disappearance under international law.
Upon his release, Daouda expressed emotional gratitude to Amnesty International and its activists:
“I thank Amnesty International and all the people who mobilized for my release. Their actions were a light in the loneliness of my ordeal and a reminder that I was not alone. Let us remain committed to defending the principles of justice, equality and dignity for all people.
Amnesty International will continue to monitor the situation of Daouda Diallo and other activists in this situation. Thank you to everyone who took action!
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Below we invite you to sign our actions and leave your mark on history. Imagine the impact of seeing words of gratitude from the people whose lives you have helped change. Signature!
The story of Pierina Nochetti
Pierina Nochetti, Argentine LGBTI activist. © Amnesty International Argentina
Pierina Nochetti, an LGBTI human rights activist, faces criminal charges for allegedly painting graffiti on a public wall with the question “Where is Tehuel?”, a 21-year-old trans person who disappeared in 2021 while on her way to a job interview .
Pierina works for the local government where she has already suffered administrative retaliation, including a pay cut, due to her activism during the 2022 Pride March.
Pierina needs our support! Sign the petition asking the prosecutor to drop the charges against her and ensure that justice prevails.
The story of Manahel al Otaibi
Manahel al-Otaibi, a woman at risk in Saudi Arabia. © Private
Manahel, a 29-year-old Saudi woman, is a physical education instructor, human rights defender and blogger. Her activism on her social media cost her her freedom; She was arrested in November 2022 for uploading photos to snapchat in which she appeared in a shopping center without an abaya (traditional long dress) and with “improper” clothing. In addition, she published messages “contrary to the norms and laws relating to women”, calling for the end of male guardianship with the hashtag #EndMaleGuardianship.
It has recently become known that Manahel has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the Specialized Criminal Court, created to try terrorism crimes and known for conducting grossly unfair trials and handing down harsh sentences. This same court has even imposed death sentences, such as that of Mohammad bin Nasser al Ghamdia 54-year-old retired professor, sentenced to death for his peaceful activity on Twitter and YouTube.
Manahel has been a victim of illegal detention and forced disappearance while being interrogated, tried and sentenced in secret. Additionally, she has been subjected to beatings by other people in prison. This situation is unacceptable and Ella Manahel must be released immediately, with all charges dropped from her. Sign for the freedom of Manahel!
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