AMNESTY International has expressed its "regret" over a report naming dozens of gender-critical campaign groups as "anti-rights" organisations.
The human rights campaign group published the report last week, looking into the “rise of an anti-rights movement targeting the rights of women and LGBT+ people in the UK”.
Following anger among the gender-critical movement, including suggestions of legal action from those named, the report was taken offline.
The report's list had included Beira’s Place, founded by the gender-critical campaigner and Harry Potter author JK Rowling (below). The centre provides support to what it describes as “women-only” survivors of sexual abuse and assault, and does not hire or provide services to transgender women.
On Monday, in a statement to The Herald, Amnesty International’s Secretariat – the central hub for the global charity – said an "internal review" had been launched into how the report came to be.
“This briefing was developed and published by Amnesty International UK (AI UK), one of 72 national entities in the Amnesty International movement," a spokesperson said.
“AI UK has since removed the briefing from its website and has initiated an internal review process.
“Amnesty's International Secretariat was not involved in the development of this briefing and is awaiting the results of AI UK's review. We support the decision to withdraw the report from AI UK's website.
“Amnesty International conducts independent research and campaigns on human rights issues worldwide, and works alongside victims and communities on the frontlines of the struggle for dignity and justice. This work includes a long‑standing and explicit commitment to gender justice, including the rights of women, LGBTQI and trans people.”
A spokesperson for Amnesty UK also told the newspaper: "We regret that this briefing was uploaded to our website without going through the established internal review processes that are in place to ensure consistency, accuracy and alignment with Amnesty International UK's positions. Its use of language does not reflect the position of Amnesty International UK which is why it was promptly removed.
"We remain committed to defending human rights, including both the rights of women and the rights of trans people."
The report also included groups like campaigners For Women Scotland and policy analysts Murray Blackburn Mackenzie.
The LGB Alliance, the Seen Network, ADF International, Turning Point UK, and Labour Women's Declaration were also listed.
