Amnesty International NI
LightNews LightNews
banner
amnestyni.bsky.social
Amnesty International NI
@amnestyni.bsky.social
1.2K followers 110 following 41 posts
Amnesty International in Northern Ireland: human rights news, events, campaigns and comment
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Amnesty International NI
amnestyuk.bsky.social
History teaches us clearly: rights can be lost quickly if we don't defend them.

Act now: amn.st/633227EWl4
This afternoon Nigel Farage failed to pass his bill to take the UK out of the ECHR. The ECHR protects us all and we must continue to resist attempts to remove this vital safety net. History teaches us clearly: rights can be lost quickly if we don't defend them.
October 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
amnestyni.bsky.social
We will be marching in Belfast tomorrow with
@belfast-ipsc.bsky.social to call for the release of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya and thousands of other Palestinians still illegally detained in Israel.

Writers’ Square, Belfast - 12pm, Saturday 25 October.
amnestyuk.bsky.social Amnesty International UK @amnestyuk.bsky.social · 19d
Israeli authorities continue to illegally detain Palestinian health workers including Dr Hussam Abu Safiya.

On Monday, UK healthcare workers, Healthcare Workers Watch & Health Workers4Palestine joined Amnesty activists to demand Palestinian health workers illegally detained in Israel are released.
October 24, 2025 at 2:34 PM
amnestyni.bsky.social
#Manchester “Our thoughts are with the Jewish community and those affected by this appalling attack on such an important and holy day in the Jewish calendar.

“Now more than ever, it is crucial to stand in solidarity with one another."

Full statement: www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releas...
Amnesty International UK is deeply saddened by the news of this morning's attack at the Heaton Park synagogue in north Manchester and condemns this horrific act of violence that has taken the lives of...
Amnesty International UK is deeply saddened by the news of this morning's attack at the Heaton Park synagogue in north Manchester and condemns this horrific act of violence that has taken the lives of...
www.amnesty.org.uk
October 2, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Amnesty International NI
patrick-corrigan.bsky.social
This Thursday evening Shimna College in Newcastle, Co Down will host a very timely lecture by former International Criminal Court judge Sir Howard Morrison KC:

The International Rule of Law in a Changing World Order

Free tickets: www.shimnaintegratedcollege.org/post/gordon-...
Judge Howard Morrison enters a courtroom at the International Criminal Court – © ICC-CPI
September 29, 2025 at 3:37 PM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Sunday World journalist Martin O’Hagan was shot dead by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland on this day in 2001.

No one has ever been held accountable.

We demand the Police Ombudsman’s report is published — and a fresh investigation into his murder. www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releas...
September 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Ahead of the 24th anniversary of the murder of NI journalist Martin O'Hagan, Amnesty International has called for a fresh investigation into the murder.

It also wants a long-awaited report by the Police Ombudsman to be released. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/norther...
New call for probe into NI journalist’s murder ahead of 24th anniversary of LVF killing
The continued failure to catch the killers of journalist Martin O’Hagan is unacceptable, a human rights campaigner has said.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
September 27, 2025 at 8:44 PM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Amnesty International has written to Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn to request a public inquiry into unlawful state surveillance in Northern Ireland.

Amnesty's @patrick-corrigan.bsky.social spoke to Paul Clark at UTV News to explain why. #PressFreedom
September 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
amnestyni.bsky.social
MI5 admission raises troubling questions for press freedom - The @irishnews.com view

This latest disclosure should prompt urgent scrutiny of how surveillance powers are exercised and overseen. www.irishnews.com/opinion/mi5-...
MI5 admission raises troubling questions for press freedom - The Irish News view
Irish News editorial on why democracy is weakened when the press is treated as a threat
www.irishnews.com
September 16, 2025 at 9:51 AM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Calls for ‘urgent action’ after MI5 illegally monitored ex-BBC NI journalist’s phone

‘A journalist’s right to protect their sources is the bedrock of a free press. This is not just about one journalist, it is about the public’s right to know the truth.’ www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/norther...
Calls for ‘urgent action’ after MI5 illegally monitored ex-BBC NI journalist’s phone
MI5 has admitted to illegally monitoring the mobile phone of former BBC NI home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
September 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
amnestyni.bsky.social
'Shocking' attempt to cover up police surveillance of journalists

“Unfortunately, the PSNI has shown itself to be a repeat lawbreaker when it comes to covert surveillance of journalists. These revelations strike at the heart of public trust in policing.”

More: www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releas...
Belfast Telegraph: Unlawful surveillance of NI journalists was withheld from watchdog by PSNI Public inquiry call as reporter asks what else police failed to disclose
September 8, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Reposted by Amnesty International NI
amnestyuk.bsky.social
Racist crimes hit record high in Northern Ireland.

Behind these figures are real families living in fear of racist hate every day.

This crisis has been developing for years, fuelled by complacency and inaction.

Northern Ireland needs an effective anti-racism strategy NOW

@amnestyni.bsky.social
August 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
amnestyni.bsky.social
“The people at the heart of this story seem to be forgotten... the refugees themselves who have often fled war and persecution and are simply seeking safety for themselves and their families” - Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International

Link www.itv.com/news/utv/202...
Screenshot of UTV news report, featuring Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International -- 'Northern Ireland councils asked to investigate legal status of hotels housing asylum seekers'
August 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Northern Ireland: Asylum seekers deserve to live with dignity

Hotels are unsuitable for housing people seeking asylum. This judgment and further challenges must not lead to even further disruption and insecurity for refugees trying to rebuild their lives. More 👉 www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releas...
Amnesty supporters holding 'refugees welcome signs'
August 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Amnesty International has called on the PSNI to “uphold people’s right to protest against the genocide being perpetrated in Gaza”.

> Police probing possible offences following pro-Palestine rally in Belfast - UTV News
www.itv.com/news/utv/202...
The PSNI issued warnings at the event regarding potential offences being committed. Credit: UTV
August 19, 2025 at 10:24 AM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Amnesty International has called on the PSNI to “uphold people’s right to protest against the genocide being perpetrated in Gaza.”

“The police have obligations under the Human Rights Act and international law to facilitate the right to peaceful protest.” www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
Protest organiser warned of potential criminal charges over Palestine Action displays in crowd
Ahead of multiple protests this weekend, Derry organiser told she could face criminal action over her name being on Parades Commission documents
www.irishnews.com
August 16, 2025 at 9:54 AM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Amnesty International has written to PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher following the arrest of a woman for wearing a 'Palestine Action' T-shirt.

Arresting people on terrorism offences for wearing a T-shirt flies in the face of international human rights law. www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releas...
Excerpt: I am writing regarding the policing of protest related to the proscription of Palestine Action and the violations of international human rights law that this has involved. I write following the arrest of a woman on Saturday 9th August at a Refugees Welcome rally in Belfast which I addressed. Since Palestine Action was proscribed on 5th July 2025, there have been a series of protests by groups and individuals opposed to that decision. These protests have occurred in various locations including in Northern Ireland, where protesters have displayed signs or worn t-shirts with messages such as, ‘I Oppose Genocide. I Support Palestine Action’ or similar. These protests have been entirely peaceful. Nevertheless, as you will know, very large numbers of these protesters have been arrested for offences under Sections 12 and 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 across the UK, including now in Northern Ireland. The arrest of otherwise peaceful protesters solely for expressing the statement ‘I Oppose Genocide. I Support Palestine Action’ is a violation of the UK’s international obligations to protect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Further arrests on this basis would violate international human rights law. As such, we urge you to instruct your officers to comply with the UK’s international obligations and act with restraint in their response to any such protests that occur, by not arresting protesters who display messages that state they oppose genocide and support Palestine Action. Under the international human rights framework to which the UK is a party, state interference with expression and peaceful assembly must be lawful, and a necessary and proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. In this context, protest speech can only be criminalised if it incites violence or advocates hatred or discrimination. Excerpt: The High Court in England & Wales has recently granted permission for Palestine Action to pursue judicial review proceedings against their proscription. In doing so the High Court has ruled that it is at least arguable that the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful. The legal foundation for the section 12 and 13 offences under which arrests have taken place up to now is therefore in doubt, and subject to what the court referred to as a ‘serious issue to be tried’. In these circumstances, continuing to implement arrests would be a reckless use of police power, and inevitably risk breaching the test of legality. People are understandably and justifiably outraged by the ongoing genocide being committed by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza. They are entitled under international human rights law to peacefully express themselves. There is no reasonable basis for peaceful protesters to be regarded as inciting violence. It is therefore disproportionate, and a clear violation of the UK’s human rights obligations, to be arresting and treating them as terrorists. We urge you to ensure the PSNI’s approach to such protests is in compliance with the international human rights standards to which the UK has signed up.
August 12, 2025 at 10:08 AM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Belfast - a city of welcome.

Compassion, dignity, and human rights for all.

🧡 #RefugeesWelcome
📍 #Belfast
Say no to racism. Ten Square Hotel. Sat 9th August, 1pm. United Against Racism.
August 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Reposted by Amnesty International NI
amnestyuk.bsky.social
We analysed every line of X’s algorithm we could get our hands on.

Here’s what we found.

Read on: www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
August 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Northern Ireland: Amnesty condemns 'appalling racist violence' in Ballymena www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releas...
Northern Ireland: Amnesty condemns 'appalling racist violence' in Ballymena
Last night’s appalling racist violence in Ballymena could have cost someone their life.
www.amnesty.org.uk
June 10, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by Amnesty International NI
amnestyni.bsky.social
Amnesty has documented scores of death threats, bomb threats and violent attacks against journalists in Northern Ireland.

🎬 Powerful testimony from Belfast journalists Allison Morris, Paula Mackin, Richard Sullivan, Martin Breen and Steven Moore. youtu.be/eXriDvx51mE?...
Why is Northern Ireland the most dangerous place in the UK to be a journalist?
YouTube video by Amnesty International UK
youtu.be
June 6, 2025 at 11:02 AM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Amnesty has documented scores of death threats, bomb threats and violent attacks against journalists in Northern Ireland.

🎬 Powerful testimony from Belfast journalists Allison Morris, Paula Mackin, Richard Sullivan, Martin Breen and Steven Moore. youtu.be/eXriDvx51mE?...
Why is Northern Ireland the most dangerous place in the UK to be a journalist?
YouTube video by Amnesty International UK
youtu.be
June 6, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Amnesty International NI
irishlegal.com
Northern Ireland’s justice minister has been urged to establish and chair a new media safety group following a “sustained campaign of threats and violence” against journalists.
Naomi Long urged to establish new media safety group for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s justice minister has been urged to establish and chair a new media safety group following a “sustained campaign of threats and violence” against journalists.
www.irishlegal.com
June 3, 2025 at 11:22 AM
amnestyni.bsky.social
Northern Ireland journalists working in 'climate of fear' amid paramilitary threats

Journalists threatened with death, rape and bombs, Amnesty says in new report www.rte.ie/news/ulster/...
NI journalists threatened with death, rape - Amnesty
Journalists in Northern Ireland are regularly receiving threats from paramilitary-linked crime gangs and others angered by their work, according to a new report.
www.rte.ie
June 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Reposted by Amnesty International NI
patrick-corrigan.bsky.social
Protest is not a threat to democracy. Protest is democracy in action.

Today we protested in Belfast against Israel's genocide in Gaza. We are part of a global movement that refuses to be cowed, refuses to be silent.

Text of my speech here: www.amnesty.org.uk/blogs/belfas...
Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International speaking at a protest against Israel's genocide in Gaza. The protest took place outside Barclays Bank in Belfast. Image shows a protestor and a police officer in the background. Photograph courtesy of Brendan Harkin.
May 31, 2025 at 7:30 PM
amnestyni.bsky.social
‘Year of hate’ as race incidents and crimes on the rise in NI

‘Last year, race hate crime hit an all-time high – a shameful milestone. The Executive’s ten-year racial equality strategy has failed. People deserve better.’ – Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Race crime: 'Year of hate' as incidents and crimes on the rise in NI
Six of the eight highest monthly levels of race hate incidents in the PSNI data series were recorded between May and October 2024.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM