The Eurovision Song Contest is the most-watched non-sporting competition in the world. It is perhaps not surprising, then, that Azerbaijan's government sees Saturday's gala as a ticket of admission to the community of nations. Nor that President Ilham Aliyev has spent around $134m on a spanking new venue to host the event.
England fans warned after gay pride parade is ambushed by 500 ultra-right hooligans in Ukraine
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Gay England football fans travelling to Ukraine for Euro 2012 have been warned to keep a low profile for their own safety.
Fury at lobbyists over lucrative work for brutal Maldives regime
Monday 07 May 2012
Islands' government wants to 'renew' its image in UK and US after months of conflict
DJ Taylor: Fracking is a highly explosive issue
Sunday 22 April 2012
Tara Lyle: Is the European Court of Human Rights the villain it is being presented as?
Thursday 19 April 2012
If the European Court of Human Rights were a celebrity, it would have likely hired Max Clifford by now, and together they would have broken the record for filling the most law suits for libel and slander
Bahrain's rulers split over fate of rights activist
Wednesday 18 April 2012
Shadow hangs over Formula One race as hardliners block hunger-striker's release
Activists climb roof of Bahrain Embassy to protest human rights violations and this weekend’s Grand Prix
Monday 16 April 2012
Two activists managed to climb onto the roof of the Bahrain Embassy in London today in protest at continuing human rights violations inside the Gulf kingdom and the decision by Formula 1 to press ahead with this weekend’s Grand Prix.
Steve Crawshaw: Two decades on, Bosnia's war crimes should haunt Europe
Friday 06 April 2012
The culture of denial was as disturbing then as it remains now. Painful truths need to be accepted
Syria continues rebel bombardment
Wednesday 04 April 2012
Syrian troops have clashed with army defectors and shelled rebel districts in Homs, killing at least 11 civilians a day after the government claimed it had begun a withdrawal ahead of the deadline for an international truce plan.
Roma shown to be Europe's poorest and most reviled people
Tuesday 03 April 2012
Amnesty report exposes shocking treatment of the transient population and appeals for new approach
Azerbaijan warms up for Eurovision by torturing musicians
Thursday 22 March 2012
Fresh doubts have been raised about the suitability of Azerbaijan to host May's Eurovision Song Contest, as it emerged that two local musicians who insulted the country's president during a concert may have been tortured by police over recent days.
Amnesty accuses Nato of ignoring Libya air-strike deaths
Tuesday 20 March 2012
Nato has failed to properly investigate or provide compensation for civilian deaths caused by its air strikes during the seven-month operation in Libya that helped bring about the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, Amnesty International says.
Prisoners in Syria face ordeal by torture chamber
Wednesday 14 March 2012
Amnesty compiles new evidence of treatment inflicted by brutal regime
Secret Policeman's Ball: Stand-up and be counted
Tuesday 06 March 2012
Russell Brand stole the show as American and British comics vied for laughs in New York
Gallery: In the face of discrimination
Tuesday 28 February 2012
A photography exhibition opposing discrimination across Europe opens in Croatia this weekend. We showcase the inspirational pictures








