Obama's 100 days challenge

Talk of change is good. Concrete action is better. Amnesty International is calling on President-elect Barack Obama to take concrete steps in his first 100 days in office to put human rights at the center of the new government.

The new president will have the opportunity to rectify some of the unlawful policies and practices carried out in the name of national security. We are calling on the new administration to:

• announce a plan and date to close Guantanamo
• issue an executive order to ban torture
• ensure that an independent commission to investigate abuses committed by the U.S. government in its "war on terror" is set up.

Taking these steps would send a clear message to the rest of the world that, once again, the U.S. will be a leader for human rights.

» Call on Obama to demonstrate a commitment to human rights in his first 100 days
» Check out our new blog for the latest on this campaign and others

Today, Protect Civilians in the DRC

A displaced child returns to the ruins at a camp Kibumba, November 2, 2008. © AP/PA Photo/Karel Prinsloo

The situation in the DRC remains on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. While African leaders discuss the crisis in Nairobi today, a fragile cease-fire unravels on the ground. The priority at the moment is reinforcing the capacity of the UN's peacekeeping force, MONUC, to protect civilians and to ensure people have access to humanitarian assistance.

It's high time for regional leaders and the UN Security Council to step up its efforts: At least 250,000 civilians, most of them women and children, were displaced by the recent fighting. These people are in a desperate situation, without sufficient food, water, medical supplies or shelter, and cannot wait any longer.

» Urge the US Government to strengthen UN Peacekeepers
» DRC: Demonstrate leadership to address crisis immediately
» Blog post:"DRC: Protect Civilians Now!"
» Learn more on the crisis in eastern DRC

Actress Mia Kirshner's New Book

Mia Kirshner © Private

Actress Mia Kirshner’s new book, I Live Here is a visually stunning and heart-breaking narrative, told through journals, stories, images, and graphic novellas.

I Live Here explores the experiences of women and children in human rights crises in four countries: war in Chechnya, ethnic cleansing in Burma, globalization in Mexico, and AIDS in Malawi. Through the book the lives of refugees and displaced people become at once personal and global.

Mia will be touring the United States to share her book and promote awareness of human rights. A portion of the book sale proceeds will benefit Amnesty International’s life saving work.

»Read more about I Live Here and Mia Kirshner
»See the schedule of the current book tour