Latest news with #Amnesty
eNCA
8 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Amnesty urges probe into Israeli strike on Tehran prison
Amnesty International on Tuesday called for a war crimes investigation into Israel's deadly air attack on Tehran's Evin prison during last month's 12-day war. The strike, confirmed by Israel, killed 79 people, according to a provisional tally by Iranian authorities. It also destroyed part of the administrative building in Evin, a large, heavily fortified complex in the north of Tehran, which rights groups say holds political prisoners and foreign nationals. Amnesty International, an international non-governmental organisation that campaigns to protect human rights, called the Israeli attack "deliberate" and "a serious violation of international humanitarian law". The air strikes should therefore be "criminally investigated as war crimes", it said. "The Israeli military carried out multiple air strikes on Evin prison, killing and injuring scores of civilians and causing extensive damage and destruction in at least six locations across the prison complex," Amnesty said, basing its assessment on what it said were verified video footage, satellite images and witness statements. There was nothing to suggest that Evin prison could justifiably be seen as a "legal military objective", it said. The strike on Evin was part of a bombardment campaign Israel launched on Iranian targets on June 13 with the stated aim of stopping the Islamic republic from acquiring nuclear weapon capabilities. The victims of the June 23 attack included administrative staff, guards, prisoners and visiting relatives, as well as people living nearby. Between 1,500 and 2,000 prisoners were being held at the time in the prison. Among them were Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French nationals arrested three years ago accused of espionage. They were not injured in the attack, their families said, and have since been transferred to a different location.
The National
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Amnesty calls on John Swinney to stand up to 'authoritarian' Donald
The organisation has written to First Minister John Swinney calling on him to stand firm against authoritarian practices and defend the principles of universal human rights and international justice when he meets the US president later this week. The Scottish Government has said plans are being put in place for the FM to meet Trump during his visit to Scotland between July 25 and July 29. Amnesty has warned that the meeting will be a serious test of the Scottish Government's stated commitment to human rights, both at home and internationally. READ MORE: Police operation for Donald Trump visit to be biggest since Queen's death The letter said: "This meeting will be a major test of the Scottish Government's commitment to global justice, one which [you must] meet with a resolve to defend universal human rights and to stand against the authoritarian practices of the Trump Administration." Amnesty noted that the Trump Administration's sweeping attacks on civic space, refugee and migrant rights, the rule of law, women's rights, racial justice, and LGBT+ protections have fuelled human rights crises and emboldened anti-rights leaders and movements. It said the First Minister must be prepared to challenge those practices when the two meet. (Image: Suzanne Plunkett/PA Wire) The letter goes on: 'You have said in recent days that it is in Scotland's interest for you meet with the president. It is in Scotland's interest that political leaders reject the president's anti-rights agenda and stand firm against authoritarian practices." Liz Thomson, Amnesty International's Scotland programme director said if Scotland wants to be seen as a "principled global actor", Swinney's priority should be challenging the "serious human rights violations" of the Trump administration. 'President Trump's administration has fully embraced authoritarian tactics while furthering an anti-rights agenda – no UK leader should be rolling out the red carpet to welcome him," she said. READ MORE: Scottish Greens election 'clusterf***' as key member quits in candidate row 'If the Scottish Government wants to be seen as a principled global actor, warm words on human rights must translate into action – especially in high-stakes moments like this. 'The First Minister's priority during his visit should be to directly challenge the serious human rights violations the Trump administration is responsible for, and to ensure that those who wish to peacefully protest are fully able to without fear of heavy-handed policing. 'This meeting will be a major test of the First Minister's commitment to human rights and international justice. In a moment of global crisis for these values, the question is whether he will rise to the occasion or remain silent in the face of authoritarian practices.' The president is due to visit Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen and Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire during his stay. Police Scotland has said it will require the biggest operation since the death of Queen Elizabeth. There has been no official confirmation of where the president is planning to be on each day of his visit. However, The Sand Bothy, a voluntary run facility operated by Belhelvie Community Trust, said it will not have access to Balmedie Country Park from July 28 to 30, suggesting Trump will visit his Turnberry golf course in Ayrshire first. Multiple US military aircraft were spotted flying over Torry Battery at the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour on Tuesday.
Al-Ahram Weekly
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Amnesty urges probe into Israeli strike on Tehran prison - Region
Amnesty International on Tuesday called for a war crimes investigation into Israel's deadly air attack on Tehran's Evin prison during last month's 12-day war. The strike, confirmed by Israel, killed 79 people, according to a provisional tally by Iranian authorities. It also destroyed part of the administrative building in Evin, a large, heavily fortified complex in the north of Tehran, which rights groups say holds political prisoners and foreign nationals. Amnesty International, an international non-governmental organisation that campaigns to protect human rights, called the Israeli attack "deliberate" and "a serious violation of international humanitarian law". The air strikes should therefore be "criminally investigated as war crimes", it said. "The Israeli military carried out multiple air strikes on Evin prison, killing and injuring scores of civilians and causing extensive damage and destruction in at least six locations across the prison complex," Amnesty said, basing its assessment on what it said were verified video footage, satellite images and witness statements. There was nothing to suggest that Evin prison could justifiably be seen as a "legal military objective", it said. The strike on Evin was part of a bombardment campaign Israel launched on Iranian targets on June 13 with the stated aim of stopping the Islamic republic from acquiring nuclear weapon capabilities. The victims of the June 23 attack included administrative staff, guards, prisoners and visiting relatives, as well as people living nearby. Between 1,500 and 2,000 prisoners were being held at the time in the prison. Among them were Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French nationals arrested three years ago accused of espionage. They were not injured in the attack, their families said, and have since been transferred to a different location. France, and other western governments, consider them and others to be "hostages" taken by the Iranian authorities for leverage in negotiations. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Amnesty urges probe into Israeli strike on Tehran prison
Amnesty International on Tuesday called for a war crimes investigation into Israel's deadly air attack on Tehran's Evin prison during last month's 12-day war. The strike, confirmed by Israel, killed 79 people, according to a provisional tally by Iranian authorities. It also destroyed part of the administrative building in Evin, a large, heavily fortified complex in the north of Tehran, which rights groups say holds political prisoners and foreign nationals. Amnesty International, an international non-governmental organisation that campaigns to protect human rights, called the Israeli attack "deliberate" and "a serious violation of international humanitarian law". The air strikes should therefore be "criminally investigated as war crimes", it said. "The Israeli military carried out multiple air strikes on Evin prison, killing and injuring scores of civilians and causing extensive damage and destruction in at least six locations across the prison complex," Amnesty said, basing its assessment on what it said were verified video footage, satellite images and witness statements. There was nothing to suggest that Evin prison could justifiably be seen as a "legal military objective", it said. The strike on Evin was part of a bombardment campaign Israel launched on Iranian targets on June 13 with the stated aim of stopping the Islamic republic from acquiring nuclear weapon capabilities. The victims of the June 23 attack included administrative staff, guards, prisoners and visiting relatives, as well as people living nearby. Between 1,500 and 2,000 prisoners were being held at the time in the prison. Among them were Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French nationals arrested three years ago accused of espionage. They were not injured in the attack, their families said, and have since been transferred to a different location. France, and other western governments, consider them and others to be "hostages" taken by the Iranian authorities for leverage in negotiations. cl/jh/ah/giv
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Amnesty demands war crimes probe into Israel's Tehran prison strike
PARIS: Amnesty International has urged a war crimes investigation into Israel's airstrike on Tehran's Evin prison during last month's conflict. The attack, confirmed by Israel, killed 79 people, per Iranian authorities, and damaged part of the facility housing political detainees. The rights group labeled the strike 'deliberate' and a breach of international humanitarian law, demanding accountability. 'The Israeli military carried out multiple air strikes on Evin prison, killing and injuring scores of civilians and causing extensive damage,' Amnesty stated, citing verified footage and witness accounts. Evin prison, known for holding political prisoners and foreign nationals, was not a 'legal military objective,' Amnesty argued. The June 13 bombardment targeted Iranian nuclear capabilities, but the June 23 strike hit staff, inmates, and nearby residents. Among detainees were French nationals Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, arrested for alleged espionage. Unharmed, they were later relocated. Western governments view them as hostages used for diplomatic leverage. – AFP
