In its report released Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Dakar, Amnesty International has raised the alarm over worsening discrimination and human rights violations, particularly affecting migrants, racialized minorities, and women on a global scale.

According to the organization, many countries tightened their asylum and immigration policies in 2025, often in defiance of international law. Mass expulsions and forced returns were observed in several regions, including the United States, Europe, Iran, and Pakistan. These measures disproportionately impact refugees, who are sometimes sent back to countries where their safety is not guaranteed.

Amnesty International's report also highlights systemic racism in migration policies. Rooted partly in colonialism and slavery, certain practices continue to discriminate against racialized populations. The organization specifically denounces the use of digital technologies at borders, which reinforce these biases. The document further notes a rise in hate crimes in multiple countries, fueled by stigmatizing political rhetoric.

The organization also warned about the heightened vulnerability of certain groups, particularly people displaced by climate change. "Very few countries offer legal and safe pathways for their migration, forcing these populations to take dangerous and discriminatory routes. Women, the poor, the elderly, and people with disabilities are among the hardest hit by these inequalities," the report states.

Seydi Gassama and his colleagues also shed light on the persistence of gender-based violence worldwide. In countries like Afghanistan, extreme restrictions strip women of their fundamental rights, including access to education and employment. In other regions, femicides remain at alarming levels, while protective measures are sometimes weakened or dismantled.

In response to this situation, Amnesty International calls on states to take urgent action. The organization recommends: reforming discriminatory migration systems, protecting climate-displaced people, combating structural racism, and strengthening policies to address gender-based violence.