Europe Newsletters

Europe Newsletter July 2026

July 25, 2026 by zarganar

Dear Amnesty activists and supporters,
Here is our latest newsletter with updates and actions.

United Kingdom

Appointment of Country Coordinator

For the first time in the history of Amnesty UK a Country Coordinator for the United Kingdom has been appointed and we are delighted to welcome Elena Fowler to this role as part of the Europe Team. Below is Elena’s first contribution to this newsletter together with a link to a new UK Human Rights Newsletter that she will be regularly producing.
Why do we need a Coordinator for the UK you might ask, and why now? Here’s why! – There is increasing evidence that human rights in the UK are under serious threat and there is a worrying steady slide towards authoritarianism that threatens our democracy. We have evidence of: –

• Increasing restriction and criminalisation of protest.
•Erosion of democracy with increasing use of secondary legislation and statutory instruments taking power away from Parliament and giving it to the Executive.
• Increasing use of multiple big databases where our highly personal information is gathered and shared. We can’t know who accesses it, what exactly is on it or what it is being used for.
• Facial recognition and surveillance used alongside AI to inform decisions made about us, despite well documented flaws in the technology.
• A rise in racism which is becoming “normal” and is seldom challenged. We need to know about these frightening developments. We need to help others to know what is going on. We need to turn our concerns into actions. You or your local group can opt in on the Amnesty website and Community Platform to receive Actions, Campaigns and Updates on the UK. We need to turn our concerns into actions, and for that we will need your help. Click on this link download the full UK Human Rights Newsletter. For more information contact Elena Fowler, United Kingdom Country Coordinator

Greece

New campaign against the use of stun guns at demonstrations and public protests

Protests Are Not Battlefields -Patterns of Unlawful Use of Force by Police and Impunity in Greece
[Read more…]

Europe Newsletter April 2026

May 1, 2026 by zarganar

Here is our latest , slightly shorter than usual, newsletter with updates and actions.

TÜRKİYE

Invitation to talk by speaker from Human Rights Solidarity 7.30 pm 11 May

The Maidstone, Medway and Swale Group are inviting activists to join them online or in person to hear Kerim Balci from the organisation Human Rights Solidarity speak about human rights in Turkey. Please see a short biography below.

The meeting is in hybrid format and so people can take part online or in person. It will take place from 7:30pm on 11 May and the presentation and discussion will last about one hour.

Those wishing to join the meeting online should request a link by email at mmands.amnestygroup@gmail.com. The link will be sent out on the morning of the meeting.

In case anyone is in a position to join in person, the meeting will take place at the Maidstone Community Support Centre, 39-48 Marsham Street, Maidstone ME14 1HH.

Kerim Balci is the Director of Continuing Education at Respect Gratuate School in the US. Apart from his administrative role in Respect, he teaches topics like Islamic Logic, Hermeneutics, Said Nursi’s writings and the thought of Fethullah Gulen. Balci lives in London, where he leads the international human rights work of the Human Rights Solidarity, a British charity on human rights, immigrant rights and integration. Kerim served as the editor in chief of Turkish Review, a semi-academic journal on Turkey and Turkish politics, and as a columnist at Zaman and Today’s Zaman dailies in Turkey. He published pieces in Quartz, Miami Herald, Oasis, The Atlantic, Dawn and others. Kerim has edited a book named Whose War? in Turkish dealing with the Iraqi War, published an album called Ottoman Jerusalem in Photographs (IRCICA, Istanbul, 2009, Published in Turkish, English and Arabic.) and another album with modern photographs of the city. Kerim contributes to the work of Dialogue Society with occasional lectures on dialogue in Islam and the philosophy of dialogue. [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…]

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…]