Amnesty International calls for the release of all prisoners of conscience worldwide

Amnesty International is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all the prisoners of conscience it is campaigning for worldwide, who are now at heightened risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil: Bolsonaro goes to war with democratic institutions | The Intercept

Bolsonaro and his allies have repeatedly insisted that protests in favour of overthrowing the legislature and undermining the Supreme Court are “spontaneous movements” by average supporters, but the Supreme Court has opened an investigation into who is behind them.

France: Judge to probe police ‘torture’ of high school students allegations | Euronews

Scores of young people were pictured on their knees, with their hands on their heads for several hours during protests in December 2018.

Turkey: How the courts turned on Erdogan’s foes | Reuters

It took 16 judges to convict Kurdish politicians Gultan Kisanak and Sebahat Tuncel of belonging to a terrorist organization last year.

Israel: Government plans thousands of new settlement homes | Al Jazeera

Israel has announced a plan for thousands of new Jewish settlement homes in the occupied West Bank as Washington voiced readiness to back de facto Israeli annexations there.

Lebanon: Army denies torture of protesters | Morning Star

Lebanese protesters have accused the army of torture, including electrocution, after being detained in weekend clashes with security services during demonstrations over the country’s deepening economic crisis.

Venezuela: US denies involvement in alleged invasion attempt as details remain murky | The Washington Post

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that “there was no United States government direct involvement” in an apparent attempt to invade Venezuela early this week.

Mali and Burkina Faso: Human rights abuses mar counterinsurgency campaigns | World Politics Review

Massacres by state security forces are by no means an anomaly in northern Burkina Faso and the neighbouring region of central Mali, which have become epicentres of violence in recent years.

Haiti: Human rights groups call for inquiry into football sexual abuse claims | The Guardian

Human rights organisations in Haiti have called for a government investigation into allegations that the president of the country’s football federation sexually abused young female footballers at the national training centre.