Amnesty International NI

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Amnesty International in Northern Ireland: human rights news, events, campaigns and comment

New Police Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin urged to release Martin O’Hagan report Sunday World journalist shot dead in 2001 and family say they are being ‘fobbed off’
Screenshot from Belfast Live article linked below - image of anti-racism protestors in Belfast
UAR Belfast has announced a vigil following the death of Yves Sakila tomorrow, Friday 22 May at 5.30pm at Writers’ Square.
Patrick Corrigan Photo: Kevin Cooper NUJ / photoline
Patrick Corrigan, from Amnesty International, said the “new Taser 10 electro-shock weapon carries significant new risks, with the potential for serious unintended injuries”. “A weapon that can fire ten times carries a real risk of overuse and serious injury,” he said. “The longer, faster-firing barbs raise the possibility of serious unintended injuries, particularly for children, who may face a heightened risk of facial or eye injuries.” Mr Corrigan said calling the new weapon ‘safer’ is “misleading”. “Amnesty International recognises that the police have a duty to protect the public and themselves from harm,” he said. “However, we have serious concerns about the use of Tasers, including the rise in their use by the PSNI over the past year.” Mr Corrigan urged the Policing Board to limit the use of Tasers. “With the introduction of this new Taser, the Northern Ireland Policing Board should, at a minimum, ensure that the PSNI ends the use of this electro-shock weapon against children, in compliance with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s repeated recommendations,” he said.
A photo of Hind Rajab with a mortarboard hat on pretending to be graduating from university. Writing over the photo says: Justice for Hind Rajab.
Image of Iranian woman surrounded by body bags, with the message: 'Hold Iranian authorities to account. Act now!'
Image advertising Write for Rights event as part of NI Human Rights Festival 2025
Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International addressed the Palestine solidarity rally in Belfast on Saturday
Israeli settlement under construction in the occupied West Bank. These settlements are illegal under international law.
Amnesty International has called on the Irish Football Association (IFA) in Northern Ireland to support moves to suspend the Israel Football Association from UEFA and FIFA competitions, following the Football Association of Ireland (FAI)’s landmark vote at the weekend to formally seek the suspension. At its Extraordinary General Meeting, the FAI voted by an overwhelming majority to submit a motion to UEFA calling for the immediate suspension of the Israel FA, citing breaches of UEFA and FIFA statutes including the organisation of clubs in illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territory and failure to implement an effective anti-racism policy. Amnesty International has written to the IFA, providing direct and substantiated evidence of breaches of FIFA’s own rules. In correspondence to Amnesty International last month, the IFA stated it “does not support the suspension of any member association unless there is a direct and substantiated breach of the governing bodies’ statutes.”
Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International speaks about the Martin O'Hagan case
UTV interview: Paul Clark and Patrick Corrigan
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
Screenshot of UTV news report, featuring Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International -- 'Northern Ireland councils asked to investigate legal status of hotels housing asylum seekers'
Amnesty supporters holding 'refugees welcome signs'
The PSNI issued warnings at the event regarding potential offences being committed. Credit: UTV
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.
Say no to racism. Ten Square Hotel. Sat 9th August, 1pm. United Against Racism.
Our Belfast: free from racism Peaceful community gathering Sunday 23 March at 1pm, Belfast City Hall
Police recorded race incidents each month April 2019 to December 2024, showing highest and lowest levels in each financial year. Graph shows spike in incidents in summer 2024. Extracted from PSNI / NISRA report here: https://www.psni.police.uk/system/files/2025-02/2023864648/Hate%20Motivations%20Bulletin%20Period%20ending%2031st%20December%202024.pdf
France - Senate votes to ban wearing a hijab in sports
Text on graphic reads 'Women have the right to choose what to wear'. The word choose is emphasised in yellow text, whilst the rest of the text is white on a grey background. An illustration of seven women in different kinds of clothes.
Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. - Maya Angelou
Text: 'This is genocide', with image of devastation in Gaza
Image of Assad in a picture frame with broken glass
Image of Francesca Albanese Text: Genocide as Colonial Erasure Amnesty International NI Annual Lecture with Francesca Albanese NI Human Rights Festival Amnesty International
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Photo: Ned Mansour
Join us for the Voices of Afghanistan webinar with the Amnesty Feminists network Hear from young Afghan women advocating for change. Featuring Ariana Abawe & Sara Wahedi. 5th Dec. 1pm. Register online.
Image of PM of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. WANTED by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity