Good News

Good News: Jaranbayar Soyolt released!
Mongolian human rights activist Jaranbayar Soyolt was released from custody in China on 16 June and returned to his home in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, on 18 June 2008...

Pakistan: journalist released!
Journalist Rehmat Shah Afridi was released on parole on 24 May. He had served nine years of a life sentence handed down in June 2004 by the Lahore High Court when it commuted his death sentence...

Pakistan ratifies key UN human rights treaty
“Becoming a state party to UN human rights conventions is a key step to ensuring human rights are respected, protected and realized for all in Pakistan in line with international standards,” said Amnesty International.

Three Australians spared death penalty in Bali
Three members of the so-called Bali Nine have had their death sentences reduced to life imprisonment following a judicial review by the Supreme Court. Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen and Tan Duc Thanh were spared execution by firing squad.

Australia apologises for abuses of Indigenous
Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologised to the Indigenous people who were members of the Stolen Generation and their families on Wednesday in Parliament. The speech, which has been described as a significant event in Australia's history, was televised live to cities all over Australia.

Breakthrough in battle for justice for 'comfort women'
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on survivors of Japan's military sexual slavery system (the so-called 'comfort women' system), which urges the Government of Japan to acknowledge, apologize and compensate the victims.

China: GOOD NEWS! Lawyer no longer at risk
Beijing-based human rights lawyer, Li Heping has recovered from the assault and does not appear to be at further risk. His lawyer’s license was renewed in November 2007...

Good News from Philippines: Community worker released without charge
Ruel Munasque was released after a petition for his release was heard at the Regional Trial Court in Pagadian City, in Zamboanga del Sur province, Mindanao Island, on the evening of 7 November. There were no charges brought against him...

Internet dissident released in Viet Nam
Internet dissident Nguyen Vu Binh has been released from prison after spending almost five years behind bars. According to official media, the 39-year-old was granted an amnesty by President Nguyen Minh Triet on 8 June...

China: human rights lawyer released
Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has been released and reunited with his family.

Pakistan: "disappeared" man released

Samiullah Baloch was released on 10 December...His brother Obaidullah Ali Baloch had been released in July of this year.

Good News from Maldives! Jennifer Latheef Freed
In a message send to Amnesty International, Jennifer Latheef says: " I believe that Amnesty and friends from Maldives and all over the world have put tremendous effort into securing my freedom..."

Sri Lanka: University Dean Released!
Amnesty International has received information that Balasingham Sugumar was released on the evening of 10 October in Batticaloa Town, Batticaloa district.

Nepal: Hundreds of Activists Released!
On 24 April, following nearly three weeks of massive nationwide public protests against palace rule, King Gyanendra announced the reinstatement of Parliament....hundreds of civil society and political party activists who were released on 25 April amid a historic political transition in Nepal.

Cambodia: Criminal Complaints Dropped Against Four in Free Speech Case
POC and former Chair of AI Nepal was released on 4 July. He was detained for nearly five months for his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights...

Rebiya Kadeer, Prisoner of Conscience, China – Released!
"We are beyond happy. We have waited for this moment for five and a half years and want to thank everyone who worked toward this joyful day." On the day of Rebiya Kadeer’s release, 17th March, her daughter issued the above statement...

Anwar Ibrahim: The Campaign For The Release Of A Prisoner Of Conscience
On September 2nd 2004 Anwar Ibrahim, former deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Malaysia, and his adopted brother, Sukma Darmawan, were released from prison after the Malaysia's Federal Court upheld their final appeal against charges of sodomy. The court found that a key prosecution witness was unreliable and, expressing concern at reports of police brutality, found that Sukma Darmawan's "confession" had not been made voluntarily...

Early Release of Cyber-dissident Le Chi Quang!
Amnesty International was delighted to learn the early release of cyber-dissident and prisoner of conscience Le Chi Quang on 12 June.

Good News From Mongolia - NGOs Claim Victory Against Violence In The Family
On 13 May 2004, the Mongolian parliament passed a law against violence in the family as a result of the Stop Violence Against Women (SVAW) campaign and long term lobbying of AI Mongolia and other cooperating NGOs.

Campaigning Works – The Example Of Sok Yoeun
Amnesty International members in countries around the world had cause for celebration when Sok Yoeun, a Cambodian national, was finally reunited with his family in Helsinki, Finland on 27 February 2004, one day after being released from a Thai prison in Bangkok.

Good News on Human Rights Day
To mark Human Rights Day, Singapore's Think Centre conferred its first Human Rights Defenders Award to veteran activist and former opposition politician J B Jeyaretnam. Amnesty International warmly welcomed the Think Centre's recognition of J B Jeyaretnam.

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