Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Amnesty International –

The Algerian authorities must immediately drop charges against prominent Hirak activist and poet Mohamed Tadjadit and 12 other activists who face state security charges punishable with long terms of imprisonment, or even possibly the death penalty, for exercising their human rights, Amnesty International said ahead of the start of their trial on 30 November. The organization is calling on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all activists who have been detained solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. 

It is utterly appalling that activists in Algeria, like Mohamed Tadjadit, are facing heavy prison sentences and even the possible risk of the death penalty, simply because they advocated for political reforms.

Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“It is utterly appalling that activists in Algeria, like Mohamed Tadjadit, are facing heavy prison sentences and even the possible risk of the death penalty, simply because they advocated for political reforms,” said Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.  

“The Algerian authorities’ misuse of vaguely worded security laws to silence their critics is a grave injustice that must cease. These baseless charges must be dropped, and the activists released immediately and unconditionally.” 

Algeria has not carried out any executions since 1993. However, Algeria is yet to abolish the death penalty and ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Authorities have sentenced people to death, including dissidents following unfair trials in recent years. The imposition of the death penalty after unfair proceedings renders the use of this punishment arbitrary under international law and standards.  

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty unconditionally, in any cases and under any circumstances. 

The trial of the 13 Hirak activists will commence in front of the Dar El Beïda tribunal of first instance in Algiers on 30 November. They are facing state security charges solely based on their peaceful activism advocating for political reforms. 

Unjust prosecution and risk of death sentence for expressing dissent 

The activists are facing charges of “conspiring to incite citizens against the authority of the state and to undermine national unity” (Articles 77 para 1, 78 and 79 of the Penal Code). This criminal charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and by the death penalty.  

The public prosecution also accused them of “receiving funds to carry out actions undermining state security or stability (…) as part of a premeditated plan inside or outside the country,” “publishing content harmful to national interest,” and “inciting to unarmed gathering,” respectively under Article 95bis, 95bis 1, 96 and 100 of the Penal Code that together carry penalties of 11 to 30 years’ imprisonment.  

These vaguely and overly-broad criminal provisions, which stipulate heavy penalties, lack legal clarity, directly criminalize the peaceful exercise of human rights, and are open to arbitrary and discretionary application in contravention with international human rights law and standards. In addition, the actions subject to prosecution do not meet the threshold of the “most serious crimes”, interpreted as intentional killing, to which the use of the death penalty must be restricted under international human rights law and standards. 

The public prosecution is solely relying on the activists’ social media posts and private digital communications lamenting socio-economic conditions in the country and supporting Hirak protests as ‘evidence’.  

In some instances, the public prosecution is using online publications for which the defendants have already been previously convicted, thus indicating a violation of the principle of double jeopardy. For example, the prosecution is relying on a video shared by Mohamed Tadjadit and four co-defendants who posted the testimony of a child tortured in police custody, an act for which those five men were previously sentenced to 16 months in prison. 

Mohamed Tadjadit has previously been convicted and sentenced in at least seven separate cases since 2019. On 11 November, he was sentenced to another five years in prison in a third case for unfounded terrorism-related charges. Multiple defendants among the 13 are also facing multiple sentences related to their peaceful activism in separate cases. 

“The Algerian authorities’ repeated prosecution of activists simply for expressing dissenting opinions or for participating in peaceful assemblies reveals a deliberate attempt to close the civic space and silence any form of criticism,” said Hussein Baoumi. 

 Algerian authorities must reverse course urgently: free these activists immediately and unconditionally and cease the criminalization of dissent.

Hussein Baoumi

 “Algerian authorities must reverse course urgently: free these activists immediately and unconditionally and cease the criminalization of dissent.” 

Background 

Since the outbreak of the “Hirak” protests in 2019, the Algerian authorities have maintained a relentless crackdown on all forms of dissent by arresting, detaining and convicting activists, journalists, and critics expressing opposition to the government’s policies or other opinions critical of the authorities. 

Source: Amnesty International –

Two years ago, a group of activists known as Scientist Rebellion blocked road and river traffic in Le Havre, Northern France, to oppose a new floating liquefied natural gas terminal.

Some activists locked themselves to the barriers on either side of the road, while others glued themselves to the asphalt. Police arrested them a few hours later and placed them in pre-charge detention for 24 hours.

Libre* is one of the 16 activists who took part in the protest. Each activist received a €200 criminal fine for blocking traffic, however they all chose to oppose and stood trial before the Havre First Instance Court, stating their acts were protected by freedom of expression. Two years later, on 10 February 2025, the Court acquitted the activists.

Libre’s case features in a new briefing developed by Amnesty International, APCOF and Suaram together with the Campaign to Decriminalize Poverty, Status and Activism “Dissent on Trial: Strategies to Counter Rising Criminalization of Activism”, which shares strategies activists, lawyers and civil society organizations can pursue to challenge the criminalization of various forms of activism including civil disobedience.

In this story, Libre reveals what inspired her activism, and why she’s hoping her engagement will lead to changes.

*Name has been changed to for security purposes

I’ve been aware of the effects of climate change since I was young. My parents used to find little notes I’d written such as “be careful with water” or “watch your waste”. It was a gradual journey, where I started taking small actions at home such as making posters for my parents, before trying to implement eco-friendly ideas in my classroom.

After that, I joined youth climate marches and organized scout projects, where we would pick up trash on beaches. However, I started to realise that youth climate marches weren’t as effective as I’d hoped, so I decided to turn to civil disobedience, hoping it makes a difference.

As part of Extinction Rebellion, I currently campaign on climate and environmental issues, taking on companies responsible for the climate and social crisis harming people, whose lives and lands they exploit.

Source: Amnesty International –

New PSNI report shows 2,048 racist incidents and 1,280 race hate crimes – among the highest levels recorded since records began in 2004

Four of the five highest monthly levels of race hate incidents since 2004 were recorded between June and September 2025

Year ending 30 September 2025 was one of worst-ever periods for racist hate crime after Ballymena riots and migrant attacks

Amnesty is calling for a new anti-racism strategy from the NI Executive

‘Behind every shocking statistic, there is a real person or family left living in fear’-

– Patrick Corrigan

Amnesty International has branded the past 12 months “a shameful year of hate” in Northern Ireland, after new PSNI figures revealed racist hate crime continues at its highest level since records began in 2004.

Published today (27 November) by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, the report covers the 12 months to 30 September 2025. The figures include the impact of the racist attacks and riots in Ballymena and other towns in June 2025 and the ongoing wave of attacks on families from migrant and minoritised communities.

The report reveals that there have been 2,048 race hate incidents and 1,280 crimes recorded by the police. There were 270 more race incidents and 112 more race hate crimes recorded in the last 12 months than in the previous corresponding period. Almost half of the race hate crimes (588) and incidents (912) occurred in Belfast.

June 2025 saw 347 race incidents, the second highest-monthly total on record, surpassed only by August 2024 (349 race incidents).  

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director, said:

“This has been a shameful year of racist violence – from the targeting of families in Ballymena and other towns this summer to daily attacks on homes right across Northern Ireland.

“Behind every shocking statistic, there is a real person or family left living in fear.

“Yet too many politicians have echoed anti-migrant misinformation that provides the backdrop to these attacks, rather than stand with the victims of hate crimes.

“Meanwhile, the Executive’s under-powered 2015-25 Race Equality Strategy has been a dismal failure. It expires in a month, with no agreed plan in place to follow.

“We urgently need a bold action plan to confront and dismantle the toxic prejudice that has been allowed to take root across Northern Ireland.”

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

This judgment establishes powerful legal precedent globally, affirming that the ancient right of farmers to save and share seeds supersedes commercial interests, reshaping the legal balance of power between communities and agribusiness worldwide.

NAIROBI, Kenya, 27 November 2025 – In a decisive victory for food sovereignty and climate justice, the High Court of Kenya has today ruled in favour of smallholder farmers, declaring punitive sections of the Seed and Plant Varieties Act unconstitutional. The judgment effectively decriminalises the age-old practice of saving, sharing, and exchanging indigenous seeds, affirming that Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) are a protected right, not a criminal activity.

For years, Kenyan farmers have lived under the shadow of a law that threatened jail terms of up to 2 years and a fine of 1 million shillings (about 7,800 USD) for selling or exchanging unregistered seeds, effectively handing control of the country’s food system to multinational corporations. Today’s judgement dismantles that monopoly.

Samuel Wathome, a smallholder farmer who was petitioner number 1 in the case he filed with 14 others,  said:

‘I have waited years to hear these words. My grandmother saved seeds, and today the court has said I can do the same for my grandchildren without fear of police or prison. Today, the farmer is king again.’

Elizabeth Atieno, Food Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, said:

“Today, the shackles have been removed from Kenya’s farmers. The court has affirmed what we have known all along: Seed is Sovereign. This is not just a legal win; it is a victory for our culture, our resilience, and our future. By validating indigenous seeds, the court has struck a blow against the corporate capture of our food system. We can finally say that in Kenya, feeding your community with climate-resilient, locally adapted seeds is no longer a crime.”

Gideon Muya, Programs Officer, Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya, said:

“This judgment is a shield for our biodiversity. Indigenous seeds are the library of life – they hold the genetic diversity we need to withstand droughts, pests, and a changing climate. The court has recognised that you cannot patent nature’s heritage. We have reclaimed the right to choose what we plant and what we eat, free from the coercion of commercial seed monopolies.”

Claire Nasike, Agroecologist, said:

 Today’s judgment indicates that farmers’ right to seed must be recognised and protected through policy instruments. Seed is life, and it is sovereign, and whoever controls it influences the lifeline of a generation. It is a delight that the right to save, share and exchange seeds is in the right hands, those of Kenyan farmers. 

In her judgment, Justice Rhoda Rutto declared unconstitutional sections of the Act which gave seed inspectors sweeping powers to raid seed banks and seize seeds meant for the next harvest, made it illegal for farmers to process or sell seeds unless they were registered seed merchants, gave extensive proprietary rights to plant breeders and none to farmers, and made it illegal for farmers to save or share seeds from their harvest without prior knowlege of seed proprietors.

Wambugu Wanjohi, Legal Counsel for the Law Society of Kenya which supported the petition, said:
‘The court has correctly interpreted the Constitution to find that the rights of farmers supersede punitive and restrictive commercially driven laws that infringe on their inherent rights.  This judgment sets a powerful legal precedent not only for Kenya but also for the entire African continent.

Greenpeace Africa and its partners now call on the Ministry of Agriculture to immediately align national policy with this judgment and support the formal recognition of Farmer-Managed Seed Systems.

ENDS

For Media Inquiries, Contact:

Ferdinand Omondi, Communication and Story Manager, Greenpeace Africa, +254 722 505 233, [email protected] / [email protected]

---

About Greenpeace Africa:

Greenpeace Africa campaigns for a sustainable environment and food security, working with communities across Africa to implement ecological farming practices that guarantee a sustainable and safe food future.

About BIBA Kenya:

Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA Kenya) works to protect Kenya’s biodiversity and promote biosafety by advocating for policies that foster biological diversity and food security free from genetic modification.

Source: Amnesty International –

More than a month after a ceasefire was announced and all living Israeli hostages were released, Israeli authorities are still committing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, by continuing to deliberately inflict conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction, without signalling any change in   their intent, said Amnesty International today.

In a briefing released today, the organization provides a legal analysis of the ongoing genocide along with testimonies from local residents, medical staff and humanitarian workers highlighting the dire ongoing conditions for Palestinians in Gaza.

“The ceasefire risks creating a dangerous illusion that life in Gaza is returning to normal. But while Israeli authorities and forces have reduced the scale of their attacks and allowed limited amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the world must not be fooled. Israel’s genocide is not over,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

The ceasefire risks creating a dangerous illusion that life in Gaza is returning to normal. But while Israeli authorities and forces have reduced the scale of their attacks and allowed limited amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the world must not be fooled. Israel’s genocide is not over

Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International

In December 2024 Amnesty International issued an extensive study concluding  that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza arguing that Israel had carried out three acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, including killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction.

Today despite a reduction in scale of attacks, and some limited improvements, there has been no meaningful change in the conditions Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza and no evidence to indicate that Israel’s intent has changed.

“Israel has inflicted devastating harm on Palestinians in Gaza through its genocide, including two years of relentless bombardment and deliberate systematic starvation. So far, there is no indication that Israel is taking serious measures to reverse the deadly impact of its crimes and no evidence that its intent has changed. In fact, Israeli authorities are continuing their ruthless policies, restricting access to vital humanitarian aid and essential services, and deliberately imposing conditions calculated to physically destroy Palestinians in Gaza,” said Agnès Callamard.

At least 327people, including 136 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire was announced on 9 October. Israel continues to restrict access to critical aid and relief supplies, including medical supplies and equipment necessary to repair life-sustaining infrastructure, violating multiple orders from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for Israel to ensure that Palestinians have access to humanitarian supplies, in the case brought by South Africa to prevent Israel’s genocide. In January 2024, the ICJ found that Palestinians’ rights under the Genocide Convention, namely their survival were plausibly at risk.

The objective probability that the current conditions would lead to the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza persists, particularly considering the enhanced vulnerability of the population to sickness and spread of disease following months of famine caused by years of unlawful blockade and months of total siege earlier this year.  This has created circumstances that would lead to a slow death of Palestinians resulting from the lack of proper food, water, shelter, clothing or sanitation. 

While there has been some very limited improvement, Israel continues to severely restrict the entry of supplies and the restoration of services essential for the survival of the civilian population including by blocking the entry of equipment and material necessary to repair life-sustaining infrastructure and required to remove unexploded ordnance, contaminated rubble and sewage, all of which pose serious and potentially irreversible public health and environmental risks.  Israel is also limiting the distribution of aid, including by  restricting which organizations are allowed to deliver relief within the Gaza Strip. Simply increasing the number of trucks entering Gaza is not sufficient. According to OCHA, while households are now having two meals per day (up from one daily meal in July) dietary diversity remains low with access to nutritious foods including vegetables, fruits and protein still out of reach for many families, and items like eggs and meat scare or unaffordable.

Israel’s systematic displacement of Palestinians from fertile lands has continued unabated, with Israeli military currently deployed across around 54-58% of the Gaza Strip.  Israel has not stopped severely limiting Palestinians’ access to the sea. It has taken no measures to address the impact of its extensive destruction of farming land and livestock over the last two year. Altogether, this means that, Palestinians are left virtually totally deprived of independent access to forms of sustenance.

“Palestinians remain held within less than half of the territory of Gaza, in the areas least capable of supporting life, with humanitarian aid still severely restricted. Still today, even after repeated warnings by international bodies, three sets of legally binding orders by the ICJ, and two ICJ advisory opinions, and despite Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, both as an occupying power and as a party to an armed conflict, Israel deliberately continues not to provide or allow necessary supplies to reach the civilian population in Gaza,” said Agnès Callamard.

Additionally, Israeli authorities have failed to investigate or prosecute those suspected of responsibility for acts of genocide or hold accountable officials who have made genocidal statements. Even the ceasefire came about as a result of international pressure, including from the United States, not an explicit change of stance by Israel

“Israel must lift its inhumane blockade and ensure unfettered access to food, medicine, fuel, reconstruction and repair materials. Israel must also make concerted efforts to repair critical infrastructure, restore essential services, provide adequate shelter for the displaced and ensure they can return to their homes,” said Agnès Callamard.

In recent weeks, signs have emerged that the international community is easing pressure on Israel to end its violations. The newly adopted UN resolution on the future of Gaza fails to include clear commitments to uphold human rights or ensure accountability for atrocities. Most recently, the German government cited the ceasefire when it announced the lifting of a suspension on the issuance of certain arms export licences to Israel as of 24 November. A planned vote on suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement was also halted.

“Now is not the time to ease pressure on the Israeli authorities. World leaders must demonstrate that they truly are committed to upholding their duty to prevent genocide and to ending the impunity that has fuelled decades of Israeli crimes across the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They must halt all arms transfers to Israel until Israel’s crimes under international law cease.  They must press Israeli authorities to grant human rights monitors and journalists access to Gaza to ensure transparent reporting on the impact of Israel’s actions on conditions in Gaza,” said Agnès Callamard.

“Israeli officials responsible for orchestrating, overseeing and materially committing genocide remain in power.  Failing to demonstrate that they or their government will be held accountable effectively gives them free rein to continue the genocide and commit further human rights violations in Gaza and in the West Bank including East Jerusalem.”

“The ceasefire must not become a smokescreen for Israel’s ongoing genocide. Israel’s pattern of conduct in Gaza, including the deliberate, unlawful denial of lifesaving aid to Palestinians, many of whom are injured, malnourished and at risk of serious disease, continues to threaten their survival. The international community cannot afford to be complacent: states must keep up pressure on Israel to allow unfettered access to humanitarian aid, lift its unlawful blockade and end its ongoing genocide. Companies must immediately suspend any operations that contribute or are directly linked to Israel’s genocide,” said Agnès Callamard.

Source: Amnesty International –

Conditions for Palestinians in Gaza show no significant change, with no clear evidence to indicate that Israel’s intent has changed

‘The ceasefire must not become a smokescreen for Israel’s ongoing Genocide’ – Agnès Callamard

More than a month after a ceasefire was announced and all living Israeli hostages were released, the Israeli authorities are still committing Genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, by continuing to deliberately inflict conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction, without signalling any change in their intent, Amnesty International said today (Thursday 27 November).

In a new briefing, Amnesty provides a legal analysis of the ongoing Genocide along with testimonies from local residents, medical staff and humanitarian workers highlighting the dire ongoing conditions for Palestinians in Gaza.

In December 2024, Amnesty issued an extensive study concluding that Israel is committing Genocide in Gaza, arguing that Israel had carried out three acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, including killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction.

Today, despite a reduction in the scale of attacks, and some limited improvements, there has been no meaningful change in the conditions Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza and no evidence to indicate that Israel’s intent has changed.

At least 327 people, including 136 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire was announced on 9 October. Israel continues to restrict access to critical aid and relief supplies, including medical supplies and equipment necessary to repair life-sustaining infrastructure, violating multiple orders from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for Israel to ensure that Palestinians have access to humanitarian supplies, in the case brought by South Africa to prevent Israel’s Genocide. In January 2024, the ICJ found that Palestinians’ rights under the Genocide Convention, namely their survival, were plausibly at risk.

The objective probability that the current conditions would lead to the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza persists, particularly considering the enhanced vulnerability of the population to sickness and spread of disease following months of famine caused by years of unlawful blockade and months of total siege earlier this year. This has created circumstances that would lead to a slow death of Palestinians resulting from the lack of proper food, water, shelter, clothing or sanitation. 

While there has been some very limited improvement, Israel continues to severely restrict the entry of supplies and the restoration of services essential for the survival of the civilian population including by blocking the entry of equipment and material necessary to repair life-sustaining infrastructure and required to remove unexploded ordnance, contaminated rubble and sewage, all of which pose serious and potentially irreversible public health and environmental risks. Israel is also limiting the distribution of aid, including by restricting which organisations are allowed to deliver relief within the Gaza Strip. Simply increasing the number of trucks entering Gaza is not sufficient. According to OCHA, while households are now having two meals per day (up from one daily meal in July) dietary diversity remains low with access to nutritious foods including vegetables, fruits and protein still out of reach for many families, and items like eggs and meat scarce or unaffordable.

Israel’s systematic displacement of Palestinians from fertile lands has continued unabated, with Israeli military currently deployed across around 54-58% of the Gaza Strip. Israel has not stopped severely limiting Palestinians’ access to the sea. It has taken no measures to address the impact of its extensive destruction of farming land and livestock over the last two years. Altogether, this means that Palestinians are left virtually totally deprived of independent access to forms of sustenance.

Additionally, the Israeli authorities have failed to investigate or prosecute those suspected of responsibility for acts of genocide or hold accountable officials who have made Genocidal statements. Even the ceasefire came about as a result of international pressure, including from the United States, not an explicit change of stance by Israel.

In recent weeks, signs have emerged that the international community is easing the pressure on Israel to end its violations. The newly adopted UN resolution on the future of Gaza fails to include clear commitments to uphold human rights or ensure accountability for atrocities. Most recently, the German government cited the ceasefire when it announced the lifting of a suspension on the issuance of certain arms export licences to Israel as of 24 November. A planned vote on suspending the EU-Israel trade agreement was also halted.

Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said:

“The ceasefire risks creating a dangerous illusion that life in Gaza is returning to normal. But while Israeli authorities and forces have reduced the scale of their attacks and allowed limited amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the world must not be fooled. Israel’s Genocide is not over.

“Israel has inflicted devastating harm on Palestinians in Gaza through its Genocide, including two years of relentless bombardment and deliberate systematic starvation. So far, there is no indication that Israel is taking serious measures to reverse the deadly impact of its crimes and no evidence that its intent has changed. In fact, Israeli authorities are continuing their ruthless policies, restricting access to vital humanitarian aid and essential services, and deliberately imposing conditions calculated to physically destroy Palestinians in Gaza.

“Palestinians remain held within less than half of the territory of Gaza, in the areas least capable of supporting life, with humanitarian aid still severely restricted. Still today, even after repeated warnings by international bodies, three sets of legally binding orders by the ICJ, and two ICJ advisory opinions, and despite Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, both as an occupying power and as a party to an armed conflict, Israel deliberately continues not to provide or allow necessary supplies to reach the civilian population in Gaza.

“Israel must lift its inhumane blockade and ensure unfettered access to food, medicine, fuel, reconstruction and repair materials. Israel must also make concerted efforts to repair critical infrastructure, restore essential services, provide adequate shelter for the displaced and ensure they can return to their homes.

“The Israeli officials responsible for orchestrating, overseeing and materially committing Genocide remain in power. Failing to demonstrate that they or their Government will be held accountable effectively gives them free rein to continue the Genocide and commit further human rights violations in Gaza and in the West Bank including East Jerusalem.

“The ceasefire must not become a smokescreen for Israel’s ongoing Genocide. Israel’s pattern of conduct in Gaza, including the deliberate, unlawful denial of lifesaving aid to Palestinians, many of whom are injured, malnourished and at risk of serious disease, continues to threaten their survival. The international community cannot afford to be complacent: States must keep up pressure on Israel to allow unfettered access to humanitarian aid, lift its unlawful blockade and end its ongoing genocide. Companies must immediately suspend any operations that contribute or are directly linked to Israel’s genocide.”

Source: Amnesty International –

On 1 September, the Government of India notified the Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025, superseding the Registration of Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 1957, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Order, 2007. The Order has been issued under Section 3, 7 and 11 of the newly enacted Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, which consolidates and replaces three colonial-era legislations, namely, the Passport Act, 1920; the Foreigners Act, 1946; the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000. While the government has presented this as a modernization measure, Amnesty International is concerned that the new Order grants sweeping powers to authorities to restrict movement, censor expression, detain and deport individuals without safeguards, and expand the powers of biased foreigners’ tribunals. This undermines India’s obligations under international human rights law and represents a serious threat to the protection of human rights in the country.

Specifically, Section 5 of the Order empowers the government to prevent foreigners from leaving India on vague grounds such as “public interest” or potential harm to relations with a “foreign state.” The provision lacks clear definitions, judicial oversight, or procedural safeguards and fails the tests of necessity and proportionality required under international law. As such, these restrictions directly violate Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which India is a state party. India ratified the ICCPR in 1979, thereby committing to uphold human rights, including freedom of expression, movement, and association.

The Order further limits the right to work under Section 9 by requiring prior government approval for foreigners seeking employment in sectors such as defense, space, nuclear energy, and human rights. Although states may impose limited restrictions on employment of foreigners for legitimate security reasons, the arbitrary nature of this power risks excluding skilled professionals, human rights experts, and journalists. Treating human rights as potential security threats is inconsistent with the principles of freedom of expression and association protected under Articles 19 and 22 of the ICCPR.

In addition to curbing movement and employment, the Order in Section 10 introduces additional restrictions on freedom of expression by requiring foreigners to obtain prior approval before producing films or digital content in India. This framework grants the authorities broad discretion to deny permission, effectively silencing foreign journalists, filmmakers, and digital creators before their work begins. Such measures are inconsistent with Article 19 of the ICCPR, which requires that any restrictions on expression be precise, proportionate and subject to review – none of which are met here.

Further, Section 12 of the Order permits detention and deportation without due process, authorizing authorities to detain and deport individuals who do not possess valid documentation, regardless of their circumstances. Refugees and asylum-seekers such as the Rohingya people are at particular risk, as deportation may expose them to persecution and torture. These provisions violate the principle of non-refoulement, as well as Articles 6, 7 and 9 of the ICCPR, which guarantee the right to life, freedom from torture and ill-treatment, and protection from arbitrary detention.

In addition, Sections 16 to 20 of the Order further expand the powers of foreigners tribunals across India, granting these quasi-judicial bodies powers to issue arrest warrants and send individuals to detention centers. Amnesty International India has previously documented how, in Assam, such tribunals have declared Indian citizens as “foreigners” despite valid documentation, rendering individuals stateless and subject to indefinite detention. The new Order replicates this flawed system on a national scale, shifting the burden of proof onto individuals and removing meaningful avenues for appeal.

The Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025 cannot be justified as legitimate measure for national security. Instead, it concentrates unchecked power in the hands of the state, enabling mass censorship, arbitrary detention, and deportations that contravene India’s international obligations. It creates an environment where journalists can be silenced, refugees face deportation to danger, and civil society organizations are unable to operate freely and effectively.

Amnesty International urges the Government of India to immediately repeal the Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025. Any regulation of immigration must comply with the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality, and include effective safeguards against abuse. The government must ensure that its laws and policies uphold the rights guaranteed under international human rights law and protect all individuals including foreigners, refugees, and human rights defenders from discrimination, censorship, and arbitrary detention.

The Government of India must reaffirm its commitment to human rights by ensuring transparency, accountability, and respect for freedom of movement and expression. The Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025 represents a step away from these obligations and risks further eroding the country’s rule of law and rights-based fabric.

Source: Amnesty International –

Most factory workers who produce garments for the fashion industry are women. Studies show that women constitute 60-80% of the global garment workforce. This means that when we talk about protecting human rights in the garment and fashion industry, we must also specifically consider the rights of women. Many of the issues facing garment workers, like low wages and precarious employment, disproportionately affect women.  

Gender discrimination is rife in the garment industry. Women face a persistent wage gap, earning less than men for comparable work. They also endure rampant gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace.  

Empowering women workers is crucial for combating gender discrimination. When states and companies suppress labour rights, such as the right to form unions, they not only undermine workers’ rights but also specifically impede women’s ability to advocate for change.  

The garment industry lacks sufficient safeguards for workers, especially women workers. Empowering women workers with greater authority and decision-making opportunities to ensure that new safeguards are designed and implemented based on the genuine, lived experiences of those they aim to protect.  

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

CANBERRA, 27 NOV 2025 — Greenpeace has welcomed the agreement struck by Labor and the Greens today on EPBC Act reforms, which secures new nature and forest protections, but says there remains major work to be done to halt the severe climate impacts on nature from coal and gas projects.

David Ritter, CEO at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: 

“The agreement announced today secures a significant improvement on the broken laws that for too long failed to deliver credible environmental protection. There will be trees that will stand, wildlife that will survive and ecosystems that may flourish again because of this.

“These reforms will remove exemptions that have allowed the unchecked bulldozing of Australia’s forests. Australia is a global deforestation hotspot and this is a big and important step forward in ending this rampant destruction. The Albanese Government now has the opportunity to model forest protection to the world by ending and reversing deforestation by 2030, a promise Australia made in 2022 as part of global climate talks in Glasgow.

“Removing the risk of fast-tracking coal and gas projects is also welcome. But the big sting in the tail is that the legislation still fails to address the enormous climate harm to nature from these sorts of projects. It still leaves the door open for the heedless expansion of coal and gas—major drivers of worsening bushfires, floods, and other climate disasters that destroy ecosystems and harm species.

“There will be lots of work to do to ensure these revised laws protect and restore nature. This includes making the proposed national environmental standards as strong as possible, funding and setting up the EPA to succeed, and ensuring the biodiversity offset system is not abused by big developers. Greenpeace also maintains the firm position that the Federal Government should be the final decision-maker on project approvals.

“Environmental protection laws have one job: to protect the environment. Significant progress on nature protection signalled in the agreement today is very welcome, but must be followed up by strong implementation and ending the expansion of fossil fuels.”

-ENDS-

For more information or interviews, please contact Vai Shah at 0452 290 082 or [email protected]