Le Azioni Urgenti

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Il programma Azioni Urgenti ha lo scopo di salvare persone che vivono situazioni di emergenza per quanto riguarda i Diritti Umani. Si tratta di un metodo di risposta rapida realizzato per proteggere individui la cui vita o integrità fisica è in pericolo.

Alla fine di questa pagina trovi maggiori informazioni che ti potranno aiutare a partecipare alla nostra attivazione.

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Mozambique: Return journalist’s seized work equipment: Estácio Valoi

On 16 June, officers of Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service seized the work equipment of investigative journalist Estácio Valoi from his home in Pemba, Cabo Delgado province, as part of criminal proceedings against him linked to his reporting on environmental crime. The search and seizure warrant did not provide any factual or legal justification for the confiscation of the devices, which have to date yet to be returned. The continued confiscation prevents Estácio Valoi from carrying out his work and risks undermining the confidentiality of his journalistic sources. The Mozambican authorities must immediately return Estácio Valoi’s personal equipment unless they can demonstrate before a competent court that its continued retention is lawful, necessary and proportionate.

Mexico: State continues to fail those searching for loved ones

Authorities in Oaxaca have failed to approve a Programme for the Search for Missing Persons in the State of Oaxaca, more than a year after its completion led by the victims’ families. Without an approved programme, efforts to locate missing persons remain fragmented, uncoordinated, and ineffective. With a sharp increase in missing persons over recent years – from 418 in 2022 to 760 in 2025 – the situation in the state is critical. The delay in approval contravenes obligations of the Mexican state under international human rights law and standards, which emphasize the duty to guarantee effective search mechanisms and protect the rights of victims and their families. We demand authorities the immediate approval and implementation of the Programme.

USA: Shut down “Alligator Alcatraz” for good

The Everglades Detention Facility, also known as “Alligator Alcatraz”, opened in the state of Florida in July 2025 to detain migrants and asylum seekers. It has operated as a deliberate system dehumanization and abuse: there are cruel and degrading conditions there, including overflowing sewage, shackling, denial of medical care, sleep deprivation, and punishment practices that amount to torture. The Florida governor has recently announced his intention to close it down, but the federal government insists it will remain open. We demand Florida governor Ron DeSantis close “Alligator Alcatraz” immediately.

Madagascar: Release former presidential candidate: Sylvain Rabetsaroana

Sylvain Rabetsaroana, a former senator and presidential candidate, is being targeted by the Malagasy authorities in a broader post-coup crackdown on former regime figures since 14 October 2025. On 14 March 2026, he was arbitrarily arrested during a dawn raid at his residence in the capital, Antananarivo, by armed and masked soldiers, gendarmes and police, and held for two weeks without being informed of the reason for his detention. He was subsequently charged with criminal conspiracy, illegal firearms possession (with a firearm that appears to have been planted), and attempting to assassinate the Head of State. He remains held in pre-trial detention at Tsiafahy prison in overcrowded conditions, with major concerns for his deteriorating health. The Malagasy authorities must drop all charges against Sylvain Rabetsaroana and immediately release him as he is detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.

Madagascar: Release jailed youth activist: Rakotoarijaona Vonimahery

On 21 April, activist Rakotoarijaona Vonimahery (known as ‘Mahery’) was arbitrarily arrested without a warrant in the capital city Antananarivo at his place of work by gendarmes. He was taken into custody at the Criminal Brigade, where he was held for approximately one week without access to legal counsel and charged with “criminal conspiracy”. If convicted, he faces up to five years imprisonment solely for peacefully exercising his rights to freedom of expression and association by engaging in conversations with a former political figure via WhatsApp regarding the status of the current political transition in Madagascar and the broken promises of reform. Amnesty International calls on the Malagasy authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mahery and all other activists detained solely for exercising their human rights.

Angola: Protect three jailed human rights defenders: Jaime Domingos Chimbamba Mussinda, Edgar Cláudio, João Luanda

On 12 May 2026, human rights defenders Jaime Domingos Chimbamba Mussinda, Edgar Cláudio and João Luanda were arrested and taken by police to the ex-Controlo do Benfica police station in Luanda, Angola’s capital. At the time of their arrest, the three were documenting violations against women informal sellers, known in Angola as zungueiras. The three were subsequently held at the police station for five hours without clear information on the grounds for their detention before being released without charge. The Angolan authorities must immediately launch an investigation into their arbitrary detention and ensure they are protected from further intimidation, harassment or reprisals for their human rights work.

United Kingdom: Over 500 further arrests at peaceful protest

On 11 April, over 500 protesters were arrested for opposing the ban on the ‘Palestine Action’ group at a series of peaceful protests organized by grassroots campaigning group ‘Defend Our Juries’. Over 3300 arrests have now been carried out across the UK since the ban came into force in early July 2025 and over 1200 protesters have been charged with terrorism-related offences under the UK’s counter terror legislation, with more charges likely to come. Amnesty International continues to call on the relevant UK authorities to drop the existing charges and take no further action against these and any other individuals arrested and charged simply for the exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Colombia: Protect human rights organization: Juan Carlos Gaona

In late March, human rights defender Juan Carlos Gaona, a member of the Inter-Church Commission for Justice and Peace in northern Colombia, received a text message stating that an operation to murder him in Sincelejo, Sucre department, had been frustrated by chance due to the presence of an Army truck near the place where he was holding a meeting, but warned he would not be as lucky next time. This death threat highlights the urgent need for stronger protection for members of this organization across the country. We call on Colombian authorities to comply with international measures ordering it to protect the organization.

United Arab Emirates: Sudanese political activist detained: Mohammed Farouk Salman Mahmoud

Mohammed Farouk Salman Mahmoud is a Sudanese political activist and transitional justice advocate who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 19 January 2025. He moved to the UAE in early 2023. On 19 January 2025, while at Dubai Airport preparing to board a flight out of the UAE, he was arrested by Emirati security officials and taken to his house where they searched his belongings and confiscated his devices before detaining him at an undisclosed location. At the time of his detention, he was recovering from a major surgical procedure, raising significant concerns regarding his health and well-being. In April 2025, the UAE authorities claimed he was being investigated for insulting the head of the UAE state. He is currently detained at the Al Sadr Prison in Abu Dhabi. Amnesty International urges the UAE authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mohammed Farouk Salman Mahmoud.

Mexico: Journalist receives death threats: Alberto Amaro

On 4 May 2026, journalist Alberto Amaro received a threatening message through Facebook warning of an attempt on his life and the lives of his family members. This latest threat adds to a long pattern of intimidation, harassment, and violence he has faced since 2019, and that forced him to leave the country for a year in 2024, because of his journalistic work. We call on the authorities ensure his safety, a thorough investigation on the attacks and threats against him and his family, and demonstrate through concrete actions that freedom of expression and the defence of human rights will be protected.

USA: Shut down migrant family detention center

The South Texas Family Residential Center (‘Dilley”) in Dilley, Texas, is the only migrant family detention facility in the United States, and it is emblematic of the cruelty of the US migration detention system. Families detained there have reported prolonged incarceration without due process, denial of medical care, and inadequate access to clean drinking water. Infants and children have experienced alarming weight loss, families are frequently separated while detained, and children are denied opportunities for joy and play. Dilley should be shut down immediately, and US authorities must end the detention of migrant children and families once and for all.

Cuba: Teenager detained in adult prison: Jonathan Muir Burgos

Jonathan Muir Burgos, 16, has been detained since 16 March 2026 after protests in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, against prolonged power cuts and food shortages. He is reportedly held in the Canaleta prison. He is charged of “sabotage”, a serious crime with a possible 15-year prison sentence. His family reports his physical and psychological health deterioration and lack of access to adequate medical care. We call on authorities to immediately release Jonathan Muir Burgos and, pending his release, protect him from violence and ill-treatment, from been held with adults, and provide adequate medical care, and regular family and lawyer’s access.

Greece: Restore asylum for human rights defender: Javed Aslam

For 20 years, Javed Aslam has served as President of the Pakistani Community of Greece and has been a prominent advocate for migrant and labour rights. After repeated attempts to end his status and residence in Greece, the Greek authorities terminated his refugee status in March 2026. The decision, which appears to target Javed Aslam’s human rights and community work, fails to demonstrate that he will not be at risk in Pakistan and does not to take into account his settled presence in Greece. The Greek authorities must restore his refugee status and halt any deportation proceedings.

Nigeria: Bille residents’ health emergency continues

The residents of the town of Bille, in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, are continuing to face a serious health emergency. Since October 2025, methane gas has been bubbling up in nearby rivers and swamps and is now affecting a significant amount of the town’s drinking wells. Bille’s school children have been forced to move to another community for safety. On 7 April, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission visited Bille to launch an investigation into the leaks and has ordered oil companies operating nearby to find a solution. While this is a positive development, little has been done to identify and stop the leaks. Amnesty International continues to call for the investigation to be expedited, for the findings to be made public, and for action to be taken to stop the gas leaks.

South Sudan: Deportees’ ongoing detention is unlawful: Nyo Myint and Enrique Arias Hierro

Nyo Myint and Enrique Arias Hierro, who had been deported from the US as part of the United States government’s mass deportation campaign and held in a US military base in Djibouti since May 2025, arrived in Juba, South Sudan’s capital, on 4 July 2025, almost a year ago. They are arbitrarily detained in an undisclosed location with limited and monitored access to their lawyers. In October and November 2025, Nyo Myint reported suicidal thoughts in detention. The South Sudanese authorities must immediately disclose the whereabouts of the two men, grant them unmonitored and unfettered access to their legal representatives and immediately clarify the legal grounds of their detention. The South Sudanese authorities must also ensure that individuals’ wishes for a durable solution are facilitated including through access to UNHCR, IOM and the national human rights commission and other relevant bodies. If a fair and efficient assessment of protection needs has taken place and the principle of non-refoulement is not breached, the states of the men’s countries of origin must expedite their repatriation.

South Sudan: End four deportees’ arbitrary detention

Jose Manuel Rodriguez-Quinones, Thongxay Nilakout, Kyaw Mya and Tuan Thanh Phan were deported from the US as part of the United States government’s mass deportation campaign in May 2025. They were initially held in a US military base in Djibouti before arriving in Juba, South Sudan’s capital, on 4 July 2025. For ten months they have been arbitrarily detained in an undisclosed location. Amnesty International calls on the South Sudanese authorities to immediately disclose the whereabouts of the four men, grant them unmonitored and unfettered access to their legal representatives, including local counsel, and immediately clarify the legal grounds of their detention. The South Sudanese authorities must also ensure that individuals’ wishes for a durable solution are facilitated including through access to UNHCR, IOM and the national human rights commission and other relevant bodies. If a fair and efficient assessment of protection needs has taken place and the principle of non-refoulement is not breached, the states of the men’s countries of origin must expedite their repatriation.

Egypt: Tortured convert on trial for his religious beliefs: Said Abdelrazek

On 15 July 2025, security officers arrested Egyptian national and Christian convert Said Abdelrazek from his home in Cairo. After nine months of arbitrary pretrial detention, Said Abdelrazek was referred to trial before the Terrorism Circuit of the First Criminal Court in Badr on charges stemming from his conversion and religious beliefs. His first court hearing took place on 21 April 2026, and the trial was adjourned to 15 June 2026. Said Abdelrazek is currently detained in the 10th of Ramadan prison amid growing concerns over his health. The Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Said Abdelrazek as he is solely detained for exercising his right to freedom of religion and belief.

Pakistan: End enforced disappearance of activists: Hanif Pashteen and Noor Ullah Tareen

Hanif Pashteen and Noor Ullah Tareen, activists and members of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, a civil rights movement, were forcibly disappeared as they left a convening organized by the provincial government on 12 November 2025, in Peshawar, north-eastern Pakistan. They were forcibly disappeared alongside five others who were released two months later. The continued disappearance of Hanif Pashteen and Noor Ullah Tareen raises serious concerns regarding their safety and well-being. The Pakistani authorities must make their whereabouts known and ensure their immediate release.

Tunisia: Free arbitrarily detained members of the political opposition

On 13 July 2024, Tunisian police arrested Ennahdha party members Ajmi Ourimi, Mohamed Ghannoudi, and Mosaab Gharbi in the Mannouba governorate during a routine identity check while travelling for personal reasons. Authorities later alleged that Ghannoudi was wanted by the police in connection with a terrorism investigation and opened proceedings against all three on suspicion of “participating in a terrorist group” and “providing support to a person suspected of involvement in terrorist acts.” They were referred to trial under Articles 13, 34 and 37 of the 2015 counterterrorism law and Article 32 of the Penal Code, provisions relating to participation in terrorist activities, providing assistance or shelter, failure to report alleged terrorism-related conduct and complicity. The three men have been in pretrial detention for 14 months, exceeding the legal limit. Authorities must immediately drop all charges against them and release them as their arrest stems solely from their political affiliation.

Türkiye: Drop charges against LGBTI+ rights defender: Defne Güzel

LGBTI+ rights defender Defne Güzel is being criminalized in Türkiye for her legitimate human rights work. As the president of the 17 May Association, a civil society organization working on LGBTI+ rights, she faces criminal prosecution over content published on the organisation’s website and social media platforms. Authorities allege that the materials fall outside the association’s lawful objectives and violate broadly defined penal code provisions related to morality and social development. If convicted, she could face one to three years’ imprisonment and judicial fines, and the organization itself could face dissolution as a result. This case represents an unjustified restriction of the rights of freedom of expression and association under international human rights law. We call on the authorities to immediately drop all charges and end the criminalization of LGBTI+ advocacy.

Tunisia: Woman rights defender facing bogus charges: Saloua Ghrissa

French Tunisian human rights defender Saloua Ghrissa, executive director of the Association for the Promotion of the Right to Difference (ADD), is facing a criminal trial along with seven other staff and members of the association. They are being prosecuted on unfounded financial criminal and other charges stemming from their human rights work. On 19 March 2026, Tunisian authorities granted Saloua Ghrissa’s request for provisional release after she spent more than 15 months in arbitrary pretrial detention. She was arrested in December 2024 amid a broader crackdown on civil society. Tunisian authorities must immediately drop all charges against Saloua Ghrissa and her co-defendants. The next hearing in their case is scheduled for 30 April 2026.

Tunisia: Opposition figure unjustly sentenced: Abir Moussi

On 13 March 2026, the Tunis Court of Appeal sentenced opposition figure Abir Moussi to ten years in prison on the basis of unfounded accusations of attempting to change the form of the state and “inciting violence” and disorder. In addition to her existing two-year prison sentence in another case. The Tunis Court of First Instance initially sentenced her in December 2025 to 12 years imprisonment following a grossly unfair trial based on the same accusations. Abir Moussi has been unjustly imprisoned since 3 October 2023 when police officers arrested her after she attempted to submit an appeal against presidential decrees on electoral districts. The Tunisian authorities must immediately release Abir Moussi, quash her sentence and drop the charges against her as she is imprisoned solely on the peaceful exercise of her human rights.

Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory: Release Ayman Bani Owda immediately

Ayman Bani Owda, also known as Ayman Ghrayeb, Palestinian human rights defender and social worker from Tammoun (Tubas Governorate) in the occupied West Bank, is held without charges or trial in an Israeli jail outside the occupied territory for his human rights work. A father of four, Bani Owda has been arbitrarily detained by Israeli forces since 17 November 2025. An Israeli military court confirmed a six-month administrative detention order against him on 14 December 2025. Israeli authorities must immediately and unconditionally release him.

Eswatini: Student activist jailed under terrorism law: Menzi Bongeka Bhembe

Menzi Bongeka Bhembe, a 26-year-old university student and activist, was arrested on 16 January 2024 and charged under Eswatini’s 2008 Suppression of Terrorism Act. He has been held in arbitrary detention for over two years in violation of due process guarantees, in what appears to be a politically motivated attempt to suppress student activism. Eswatini authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Menzi Bongeka Bhembe and drop all charges against him as he is detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.

Myanmar: Grave concerns for tortured ex-politician: Linn Htut

While serving as Myanmar’s Shan State Chief Minister, Linn Htut was arrested on 1 February 2021 as part of a nationwide clampdown on senior government officials during a military coup. After he was reportedly tortured and subjected to sleep deprivation, solitary confinement and unfair trials, Linn Htut was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison with hard labour over trumped-up charges of corruption and electoral fraud. In June 2025, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention determined that Linn Htut’s detention is arbitrary and called for his immediate release. With 1,800 deaths in custody reported in Myanmar over a three-year period, there are dire concerns for the life of Linn Htut, who at 65 years of age faces multiple chronic medical conditions made worse by years of torture and poor conditions while in custody. We call on the Myanmar military to immediately and unconditionally release Linn Htut

Pakistan: Human rights lawyers imprisoned: Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha

On 24 January, human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were given ten-year prison sentences on “cyber terrorism” and “false information” charges for their posts on the social media platform, X, for expressing solidarity with Baloch and Pashtun activists and criticizing the Pakistan military. They were arrested on 23 January and remain imprisoned in Adila Jail, Rawalpindi. Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha are prominent lawyers who have defended the rights of countless people and are being targeted solely for their advocacy and work defending human rights in Pakistan.