Amnesty International Bournemouth Poole Christchurch Group – local news & events Amnesty International group for Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch

South America Newsletter March 2026

March 9, 2026 by zarganar

This month, we bring you news from Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile and Peru.

Highlights are:

Colombia: Amnesty has issued an Urgent Action calling on the Colombian authorities to ensure full and effective protection for two Venezuelan human rights defenders.
Brazil: The masterminds behind the murder of human rights defender Marielle Franco, her driver Anderson Gomes, and the attempted murder of her aide Fernanda Chaves, have been sentenced to 76 years in prison.
Venezuela: The Venezuelan authorities have released numerous individuals on whose behalf Amnesty International has campaigned, but many more political activists remain behind bars
Argentina: The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has expressed its deep concern about the setbacks recorded since 2023 regarding the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people in Argentina.
Chile: The Senate has begun discussing a Bill that would allow many prisoners, including those convicted of serious human rights violations, to serve part of their sentences under house arrest, which has triggered strong public and political backlash.
Peru: In a landmark ruling, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IAHCR) has held the Peruvian state “internationally responsible” for the death in 1997 of one of the women subjected to sterilisation as part of the government’s forced sterilisation programme.

COLOMBIA

Venezuelan human rights defenders Yendri Velásquez and Luis Peche

URGENT ACTION: On 13 October 2025, Yendri Velásquez and Luis Peche, Venezuelan human rights defenders, suffered an armed attack in Bogotá. Four months later, they continue to depend on temporary and insufficient protection measures, despite the National Protection Unit’s vow to implement comprehensive and stable protection measures after the attack. Amnesty is urging the Colombian authorities to ensure full and effective protection for Yendri and Luis. Please help us take action here: Urgent Action. [Read more…]

Europe Newsletter March 2026

February 26, 2026 by zarganar

Busy times for Human Rights defenders.

The shocking scenes in the US of ICE enforcers arresting and detaining refugees and migrants and shooting Human Rights defenders have shown that the attacks on the human rights of refugees and migrants are threatening us all. In the UK Nigel Farage has pledged that, when in power he would deport 600000 people seeking asylum, including those who have been granted leave to remain.

The concept of “Remigration” the forced deportation of refugees, immigrants and even citizens of colour is being normalised. And rhetoric leads to violence. Driven by xenophobic rhetoric and hate speech by far-right influencers and agitators and often but not always led by far- right organisers people are attacking hotels and other accommodation housing asylum seekers and refugees. Vulnerable people, survivors of torture, families with children, unaccompanied minors are re-traumatised by verbal and physical violence. As human right defenders we need to staunchly defend the universal human right of seeking asylum from persecution.

And far-right violence doesn’t stop with terrorizing people seeking asylum. The Ahmadi community in Crewe is getting targeted by far-right followers of Tommy Robinson. On Saturday 28^th February Far right thugs have again announced a protest at the premises of the Ahmadi community. Activists from Manchester Stand up to Racism are going to travel to Crewe to support the Ahmadi community. For further questions or if you want to get involved please contact Hadil Hadil.El-Khouly@amnesty.org.uk

120 organisations so far have joined the Together Alliance to march against the Far Right on 28^th of March 2028. Amnesty has joined the coalition. World-wide there will be actions on or around the same day in Greece, France, Norway, Spain, Germany, Denmark and the US. Join the Amnesty bloc on the 28^th ! https://www.togetheralliance.org.uk/

Hungary

Urgent Action

DROP CHARGES AGAINST PÉCS PRIDE ORGANISER

On 10^th February the Hungarian prosecution brought charges against Géza Buzás-Hábel, organiser of Pécs Pride and Director of the Diverse Youth Network.

Géza Buzás-Hábel is a Roma, gay man. He worked as a teacher and human rights defender and is from Pécs. He taught Romani language and culture, trained future educators, and has long organised Pécs Pride, the country’s only Pride outside of Budapest, ensuring it remains inclusive, peaceful, and community-driven. [Read more…]

South America Newsletter February 2026

February 3, 2026 by zarganar

Dear Friends,

This month we bring you news from Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Chile and Argentina.

Highlights are:

Venezuela: Urgent Action issued calling on authorities to immediately release all arbitrarily detained individuals.
Colombia: Indigenous groups face physical and cultural extinction as illegal groups battle for control of illicit mining and drug-trafficking routes.
Brazil: The jury trial of two military policemen accused of the death of 13-year-old Thiago Menezes Flausino, due last week, has been adjourned; Thiago’s family continue to seek justice almost three years after his killing.
Chile: Police officer accused of blinding protester Gustavo Gatica during Chile’s 2019 protests acquitted; President-elect José Antonio Kast names abortion opponent as gender equality minister; Kast also visits El Salvador’s mega-prison to explore collaboration on Chile’s penitentiary system.
Argentina: Decree issued by President Javier Milei granting intelligence agency SIDE the power to arrest people is condemned by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations; mothers and grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo recognised for their enduring Human Rights struggle.

VENEZUELA

Between 25^th December and 19^th January, the Venezuelan authorities released a number of politically motivated arbitrary detainees, including Roland Carreno and Biagio Pillieri, as well as prisoners of conscience Rocio San Miguel and Carlos Julio Rokas. However, at least 780 individuals remain arbitrarily detained for political reasons, according to NGO Foro Penal. Amnesty International has issued an urgent action calling on the authorities to immediately release all arbitrarily detained individuals and to ensure that, whilst in custody of the state, every detainee sees their life and safety protected, fair trial guaranteed, adequate medical care, and family visits.

COLOMBIA

Indigenous leader Ati Quigua says local people have been put under curfew by violent groups who want to use their land as a drug-trafficking corridor. Photo credit: Harriet Barber

Violence is surging across Colombia as illegal groups battle for control of the country’s illicit economies, including key drug-trafficking routes and coca-growing regions. The 2016 peace deal with the guerrilla Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has begun to unravel, allowing splinter factions to move into the vacuum it left behind.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, located in northern Colombia on the Caribbean Coast, illustrates this vulnerability clearly. The UN has warned that five Indigenous groups living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – the Kogui, Wiwa, Kankuamo, Arhuaco and Ette Naka – face “physical and cultural extinction.” Indigenous leaders say assassination attempts have increased, while Colombian research organisation Cinep/Programme for Peace reports that some victims have been tortured, dismembered and displayed in public spaces in a bid to instil collective terror.

Indigenous leaders say they have faced death threats for speaking out against environmental destruction, and at least three have survived recent assassination attempts. Colombia has suffered the highest number of murders of environmental defenders for three years in a row. Colombia’s representative for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says this risk is “an ongoing tragedy that we can and must prevent.” [Read more…]

Europe Newsletter January 2026

January 23, 2026 by zarganar

Dear Amnesty activists and supporters,
HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Europe Team. Here is our latest newsletter with updates and actions.

European Parliament votes to expand access to abortion in historic ballot

The vote could pave the way for funding thousands of European women who travel every year to another EU country to access abortion care.

Poland

European Court of Human Rights rules on violation of rights due to near-total abortion ban

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Poland violated the rights of a pregnant woman who had to travel abroad to obtain an abortion after her foetus was diagnosed with a birth defect. It is the second time that the court has issued a judgment against Poland relating to its near-total abortion ban.

Documentary on intergenerational trauma, memory, and Poland’s fight for women’s bodily autonomy.

We are inviting you support a documentary on intergenerational trauma, memory, and Poland’s fight for women’s bodily autonomy.

The documentary brings together family members from different generations, activists and experts to explore how bodily autonomy has become tied to ideas of nationhood, motherhood and survival.

The aim is to make a film that feels honest and grounded rather than sensational, made by our CC for Central Europe Lucja, who wants audiences to understand Poland’s current abortion debate as part of a longer story about memory, control and survival. This will reflect on how inherited trauma can continue to shape political choices.

Support and read more here:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/intergenerational-trauma-and-abortion- in-poland-do#

The Crowdfunder is only open until 3rd Feb 2026.

If you’d like to help fundraise, please contact Lucja.jastrzebska@amnesty.org.uk to facilitate speaking events on abortion rights in Poland.

Once the film is completed, there will be opportunities for screening available.

Thank you for your ongoing support! [Read more…]