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2026 Amnesty International UK anti-rights reports

In 2026, the United Kingdom’s national entity for Amnesty International released two reports:

  • “Like a Snowball: The Growth and Impact of the Gender Critical Movement in the UK” (May 2026)
  • “A Growing Threat – the Anti-Rights Movement in the UK.” (July 2026)

The reports listed many prominent organizations engaged in anti-transgender activism, focusing on UK-specific groups.

Background

In 2025, Amnesty International UK published a similar report without incident.

The 2026 reports included a new “gender critical” category, with dozens of anti-transgender entities named.

Response

The report was immediately attacked by listed entities and their key people. In response, Amnesty International UK removed the report pending internal review. After the report was removed, anti-trans extremist J.K. Rowling posted on X: “Should any of the women’s organisations targeted by @AmnestyUK’s recent ‘anti-rights’ blacklist wish to take legal action, applications can be made to the JK Rowling Women’s Fund.”

An Amnesty International UK spokesperson told The Herald: “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.”

A spokesperson for Amnesty’s International Secretariat told The Herald: “This briefing was developed and published by Amnesty International UK (AI UK), one of 72 national entities in the Amnesty International movement. 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.”

On July 31, 2026, Amnesty International UK formally retracted both reports and issued an apology which stated in part:

“Whilst we do not share the views of all these organisations, we recognise the concerns raised by those labelled as “anti-rights” in the document. To be clear: this labelling does not represent our institutional position, and we apologise for its inclusion.  In particular, we apologise to Beira’s Place and other groups, which we categorised as gender critical organisations, which we should not have collectively labelled as anti-rights.  We have also taken down an earlier more discursive briefing (entitled Like A Snowball) which also referenced a wide range of organisations.”

In a separate email to stakeholders, CEO Kerry Moscogiuri took a different tone, writing in part:

Amnesty International UK is deeply committed to our work on gender justice. We are committed to the rights of all women and all girls the world over who face multiple and increasing attempts to roll back their hard won rights. We are committed to the rights of all trans people, in the UK and globally, as their fundamental human rights, dignity and very existence comes [sic] under sustained attack.

Our commitment to the idea that all people should be safe from gender-based violence, oppression, discrimination and hatred remains emphatic and absolute.

It is my mission as CEO to defend the idea that rights belong equally to everyone, to build bridges and synergies in a world where divisions are becoming both deeper and more entrenched.

We know that this will be disappointing, frustrating and upsetting for our supporters, members and activists and for this, too, we apologise without reservation. We know that you champion and represent the organisation, put your trust in its outputs, and rightly have high expectations of our research and analysis. We commit to listening, learning from our mistakes, and ensuring AIUK remains a fearless champion for human rights and universal equality.

Anti-rights entities listed

The AI UK report categorized the entities by one of seven types of anti-rights activism in which they primarily engage.

  • Anti-abortion
  • Branch of US group
  • Christian right policy/advocacy
  • Christian right professionals
  • Conversion practices
  • Gender critical
  • Other

The report notes these are not strict and mutually exclusive categories: “Organisations have been assigned to a specific category based on their main characteristic or specialism, but categories are not watertight. For example, the Christian Institute is classified as an ultra-conservative Christian policy and advocacy organisation, however, their focus encompasses abortion, trans rights, education as well as other issues. These entities must be understood as an ecosystem sharing values, goals, strategy and tactics and, for some of them, formal collaboration.”

Conversion practices (12 entities, reordered alphabetically)

Gender critical (35 entities, reordered alphabetically)

Branch of US group (6 entities)

Note: Family Life International UK is incorrectly categorized: this Catholic anti-abortion group is not associated with US Protestant church Family Life International Ministries. Rachel’s Vineyard is an abortion regret group similar to ex-transgender regret groups. These two groups are not directly engaged in anti-trans activism and thus fall outside the scope of this project. They do not have standalone profiles on this site.

Christian right policy/advocacy (7 entities, reordered alphabetically)

Christian right professionals (4 entities, reordered alphabetically)

Other (11 entities)

  • Evangelicals Now (Registered charity, established 1987)
  • Catholic Herald (Registered company, established 1934)
  • Premier (Registered charity, established 1983)
  • Anglican Mainstream (Registered charity, established 2005)
  • Family Education Trust (Registered company, established 1998)
  • Christians in Parliament (Informal, established Unclear)
  • All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group (Project/branch of another actor, established 2015)
  • Conservative Christian Fellowship (Registered company, established 2009)
  • Natural Family Planning Teachers’ Association (Registered charity, established 2001)
  • Alive to the World (Registered charity, established 2019)
  • Lovewise (Registered charity, established 2003)

Anti-abortion (26 entities)

Note: many groups in this category are not directly engaged in anti-trans activism and thus fall outside the scope of this project. They do not have standalone profiles on this site.

  • Right to Life UK (Registered charity, established 2003)
  • The Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel (Registered charity, established 2003)
  • Abortion Recovery Care Helpline (ARCH) (Project/branch of another actor, established 2007)
  • SPUC Education and Research Trust (Registered company, established 2007)
  • LIFE (Registered charity, established 2009)
  • Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform UK (CBR UK) (Registered company, established 2010)
  • Image UK (Image and Pregnancy Helpline) (Registered company, established 2010)
  • Alliance of Pro-Life Students (Registered company, established 2012)
  • Seen Ltd (formerly Crossway Pregnancy Crisis Centre) (Registered charity, established 2012)
  • Pregnancy Choices Directory (Other, established 2015)
  • Pregnancy Centres Network (Registered charity, established 2015)
  • Stanton Healthcare Belfast (Registered charity, established 2016)
  • Both Lives (Project/branch of another actor, established 2017)
  • Choose Life Ministries (Informal, established 2019)
  • Abortion Resistance (Informal, established 2022)
  • Precious Life (Registered company, established 2010)
  • Helpers UK (Informal, established 2017)
  • Hope Pregnancy (Project/branch of another actor, established 2017)
  • Be Here For Me (Informal, established 2018)
  • Post Abortion Support for Everyone (PASE) (Project/branch of another actor, established 2018)
  • Brephos (Project/branch of another actor, established 2018)
  • SPUC Pro-Life Limited (Registered company, established 2007)
  • SPUC Pro-Life Scotland (Registered company, established 2013)
  • Pregnancy Crisis Helpline (Registered charity, established 2020)
  • Choices Islington (Registered charity, established 2008)
  • Pregnancy Options Centre Chicester (Registered charity, established 2017)

References

Reed, Erin (July 31, 2026). Amnesty International UK Caves To JK Rowling, Issues Apology For Calling Anti-Trans Groups “Anti-Rights.” Erin In The Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/amnesty-international-uk-caves-to

Baum, S. (July 14, 2026). TERF Activist J.K. Rowling Threatens To Finance Wave Of Attacks On Amnesty International Over Report On Anti-Trans Groups. Erin In The Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/terf-activist-jk-rowling-threatens

Owen, Greg (July 14, 2026). JK Rowling encourages anti-trans groups to sue human rights org for labeling them “anti-rights.” LGBTQ Nation https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/07/jk-rowling-encourages-anti-trans-groups-to-sue-human-rights-org-for-labeling-them-anti-rights/

Staff report (July 14, 2026). JK Rowling offers legal funding to groups called ‘anti-rights’ by Amnesty International UK. PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/14/jk-rowling-amnesty-international-uk-legal-funding/

Davies, Gareth (June 17, 2026). Amnesty International exposed years of anti-trans reporting at four UK newspapers. They ignored it. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026-06-17/amnesty-international-exposed-years-of-anti-trans-reporting-at-four-uk-newspapers-they-ignored-it

Watson, Calum (July 14, 2026). Amnesty ‘regret’ over criticism of JK Rowling’s sexual violence support centre. BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8r8l84p8yo

Cameron, Lucinda (July 14, 2026). Amnesty expresses regret over report naming JK Rowling centre as ‘anti-rights.’ The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jk-rowling-amnesty-amnesty-international-uk-beira-edinburgh-b3014615.html

Staff report (July 13, 2026). Amnesty removes report that branded JK Rowling’s sexual abuse centre ‘anti-rights.’ PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/13/amnesty-international-uk-jk-rowling-beiras-place/

Staff report (July 10, 2026). Amnesty International declares JK Rowling’s sexual assault crisis centre ‘anti-rights.’ PinkNews https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/10/amnesty-international-jk-rowling-sexual-assault-crisis-centre-beiras-place/

Anti-trans coverage

Arbuthnot, Leaf (August 1, 2026). Inside JK Rowling’s rape support centre that took on Amnesty – and won. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/01/jk-rowling-rape-support-centre-amnesty-international/

Horne, Marc (July 31, 2026). Amnesty boss vows to continue ‘gender justice’ fight despite apology. The Times https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/amnesty-jk-rowling-gender-apology-trans-cpqh79wt9

Edkins, Georgia (July 30, 2026). Christian groups report Amnesty to watchdogs for ‘discrimination.’ The Times https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/amnesty-christian-watchdog-anti-rights-gender-critical-0hzbf7tt9

Horne, Marc (July 29, 2026). Granddaughter of Amnesty founder: I wouldn’t donate a single penny. The Times https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/amnesty-trans-jk-rowling-trans-anti-rights-2cmn6mhb0

Murray Blackburn Mackenzie (July 23, 2026). Amnesty International UK: Rights and Wrongs Part 2. A troublesome audit trail. https://murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2026/07/23/amnesty-international-uk-rights-and-wrongs-part-2-a-troublesome-audit-trail/

Doyle, Andrew (July 22, 2026). Amnesty International UK vs. J.K. Rowling. Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/07/22/jk-rowling-among-critics-amnesty-international-uk-gender-report/

Lampert, Nicole (July 16, 2026). How Amnesty turned its back on free speech. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/16/amnesty-critics-human-rights/

Bromovsky, Lettice (July 14, 2026). JK Rowling: I’ll fund legal action by women’s groups over Amnesty row. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15977475/JK-Rowling-womens-groups-Amnesty-row.html

Freedland, Jacob (July 14, 2026). Amnesty apologises for blacklisting JK Rowling’s charity. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/14/amnesty-apologises-for-blacklisting-jk-rowlings-charity/

Cambrian, Antonio (July 14, 2026). EXCLUSIVE: Catholic bishops respond to Amnesty International including them on ‘anti-rights’ list. LifeSiteNews https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/exclusive-catholic-bishops-respond-to-amnesty-international-including-them-on-anti-rights-list/

Moore, Suzanne (July 14, 2026). Ridiculous Amnesty International has now proved that it’s a joke. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/14/amnesty-is-a-joke/

Walker, James (July 13, 2026). Amnesty take down ‘anti-rights’ report amid gender critical backlash. The National Scot https://www.thenational.scot/news/26274969.amnesty-take-anti-rights-report-amid-gender-critical-backlash/

Shoaib, Alia (July 13, 2026). Amnesty International’s Clash With JK Rowling Charity Explained. Newsweek https://www.newsweek.com/amnesty-internationals-clash-with-jk-rowling-charity-explained-12189229

McCurdy, Rebecca (July 13, 2026). Amnesty ‘regrets’ anti-rights report amid JK Rowling row. The Herald https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26275911.amnesty-regrets-anti-rights-report-amid-jk-rowling-row/

McCurdy, Rebecca (July 13, 2026). JK Rowling’s Beira’s Place hits back at Amnesty report. The Herald https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26274915.jk-rowlings-beiras-place-hits-back-amnesty-report/

Murray Blackburn Mackenzie (July 13, 2026). Amnesty International UK: Rights and Wrongs. https://murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/2026/07/13/amnesty-international-uk-rights-and-wrongs/

Walker, David (July 13, 2026). Humiliation for anti-JK Rowling ‘human rights’ organisation as global parent charity disowns report. Scottish Daily Express https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/humiliation-anti-jk-rowling-human-37425791

Garcia, Lucy (July 13, 2026). Amnesty ‘regrets’ ‘anti-rights’ trans report and starts investigation. The National Scot https://www.thenational.scot/news/26276645.amnesty-regrets-anti-rights-trans-report-starts-investigation/

McCurdy, Rebecca (July 12, 2026). Amnesty removes report condemning JK Rowling’s Beira’s Place. The Herald https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26273049.amnesty-removes-report-condemning-jk-rowlings-beiras-place/

McColm, Euan (July 12, 2026). Euan McColm: Amnesty’s characterisation of JK Rowling and Lucy Hunter Blackburn is a travesty of the truth. The Scotsman

McCurdy, Rebecca (July 12, 2026). Amnesty removes report condemning JK Rowling’s Beira’s Place. The Herald https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26273049.amnesty-removes-report-condemning-jk-rowlings-beiras-place/

Dickie, Douglas (July 11, 2026). JK Rowling responds to Amnesty blacklisting as ‘anti rights’ report mysteriously disappears. Scottish Daily Express https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/celebrity-news/jk-rowling-responds-amnesty-blacklisting-37417254

Massie, Alex (July 11, 2026). Illiberal Amnesty thinks a woman’s place is at back of the queue. The Times https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/amnestys-message-women-shush-back-of-queue-62rh7crgn

Grant, Alistair (July 10, 2026). JK Rowling’s rape support centre labelled ‘anti-rights group’ by Amnesty. The Scotsman https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/jk-rowlings-rape-support-centre-labelled-anti-rights-group-by-amnesty-8789792

Garcia, Lucy (July 10, 2026). JK Rowling lashes out at Amnesty International in trans report row. The National Scot https://www.thenational.scot/news/26271830.jk-rowling-lashes-amnesty-international-trans-report-row/

Aaliyah Ahmed (July 10, 2026). JK Rowling’s support centre for women is ‘anti-rights’, says Amnesty. The Times https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/jkrowling-rape-centre-women-amnesty-international-jtq0n8nqx

Selected publications by Amnesty International UK

Staff report (July 31, 2026). An Apology for A Growing Threat briefing, published on 8 July 2026. Amnesty International UK https://www.amnesty.org.uk/latest/an-apology-a-growing-threat-briefing-published-on-8-july-2026/

Staff report (July 2026). A Growing Threat – the Anti-Rights Movement in the UK. Amnesty International UK original url https://www.amnesty.org.uk/knowledge-hub/all-resources/report-a-growing-threat-the-anti-rights-movement-in-the-uk-july-2026/ backup https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UggI-VPSk7uWpw4xIWS2lua3x-rF2A8T/view

Staff report (May 21, 2026). Report: Like a Snowball: the Growth and Impact of the Gender Critical Movement in the UK. Amnesty International UK https://media.amnesty.org.uk/documents/Like_a_snowball_final_.pdf [archive]

  • Technical explainer: Like a snowball https://www.amnesty.org.uk/documents/5677/Like_a_snowball_technical_explainer_.pdf [archive]

Staff report (June 30, 2025). The anti-rights movement. Amnesty International UK https://www.amnesty.org.uk/knowledge-hub/all-resources/the-anti-rights-movement/

Staff report (2025). Our impact: Uncovering a growing anti-human rights movement. Amnesty International UK https://www.amnesty.org.uk/about/strategy-and-impact/our-impact/uncovering-a-growing-anti-human-rights-movement/

Media

After Party with Emily Jashinsky (July 14, 2026). Amnesty International UK picks the WRONG Fight with J.K. Rowling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MR7A5VWfq4

Sex Matters / GB News / Free Speech Nation with Josh Howie and Helen Joyce (July 13, 2026). Amnesty condemns JK Rowling | Helen Joyce on Free Speech Nation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFnYW2IqqE0

Resources

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GC Watch UK (antirights.com)

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