Amnesty International’s Global Round-Up

Amnesty International welcomes the establishment by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan of a five-member commission to inquire into the human rights situation in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The commission has strong expertise in human rights and international law. In addition to the President, Antonio Cassese, the other members are Diego Garcia-Sayán, Mohammed Fayek, Jilani and Thérese Striggner Scott. They will be supported in their work by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The commission's mandate is set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1564 (2004) which requires it to investigate reports of violations by all parties of international human rights and humanitarian law; determine whether or not acts of genocide have occurred; and identify the perpetrators of such violations with a view to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.

Amnesty International calls on all relevant parties to provide the necessary assistance for the commission to carry out its functions.

UK: An inquiry into Finucane - but what kind?

The UK authorities have finally announced that an inquiry into the 1989 killing of Patrick Finucane in Northern Ireland will be established. However, instead of announcing a public judicial inquiry under the Tribunal of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921, the UK authorities have stated that the inquiry will be held on the basis of legislation to be introduced shortly.

>http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGEUR450242004

Sudan: Amnesty International welcomes UN Commission of Inquiry

Policies and practices of the Government of Zimbabwe are undermining peoples' access to food, and violate Zimbabwe's obligations under international human rights law.

http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGAFR460292004

Colombia: Violence Against Women -- Scarred Bodies, Hidden Crimes

By sowing terror and exploiting women for military gain, the security forces, army-backed paramilitaries and the guerrilla have turned the bodies of thousands of women and girls into a battleground.

>http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGAMR230482004

Serbia: Official silence greets homophobic poster campaign

The Serbian right-wing group, Obraz, launched an anti-gay and lesbian poster campaign across Serbia in July this year as part of their continuing homophobic activities.

http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGEUR700232004

Zimbabwe: Amnesty International welcomes acquittal of Morgan Tsvangirai

Amnesty International today welcomes the acquittal of Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, on charges of treason.

> http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGAFR460332004

China: Move to reduce executions?

The Supreme People's Court will in future review all death sentences passed in China, according to the Court's vice-president, Huang Songyou, quoted in the official Chinese media.

> http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGASA170532004

Zimbabwe: Report launch

Ahead of World Food Day, Amnesty International invites journalists to the launch of its latest report: Zimbabwe: Power and hunger - violations of the right to food.

> http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGAFR460302004

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