April marks the tragic death, 48 years ago of Martin Luther King, American civil rights activist and champion of non-violent resistance. Here we remember some of his powerful words. On justice “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” “We want all of …
Author Archives: Amnesty International
Greece is the EU’s new refugee camp
By shutting their borders, European leaders have trapped thousands in a humanitarian crisis in Greece – and they could easily fix it. Among the olive groves on some of Greece’s beautiful islands there are barbed wire fences. At least 6,000 asylum-seekers have been locked up here since a new EU plan kicked in on 20 …
Europe must shoulder burden for refugees trapped in Greek squalor
With all eyes focused on the implementation of the recently agreed EU-Turkey deal, the plight of more than 46,000 refugees and migrants stuck in squalid conditions across mainland Greece, is in danger of being forgotten. Trapped in Greece: an avoidable refugee crisis According to a new report from Amnesty International, Trapped in Greece: an avoidable …
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15 brilliant human rights wins in March!
March was an incredible month for human rights wins – activists were released, unfair laws were changed, and people who committed serious human rights abuses were brought to justice. We’ve picked out 15 successes, wins and pieces of good news, and they were all made possible thanks to your support. 1. Egypt: Teen who challenged …
“330 deaths later: our justice system terrifies me”
In the 25 years since the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC), more than 330 Indigenous people have died in custody. It’s proof that our justice system doesn’t care about me, my children and the hundreds of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, writes Kelly Briggs. A man died alone in …
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Four Indigenous heroes to look out for in 2016
Loved Beyonce’s political stance at the Super Bowl? Laughed out loud at Nakkiah Lui’s Black Comedy? It’s exciting to see the push for black and Indigenous rights creeping into the mainstream. Here’s a few other home-grown young Indigenous heroes who are totally nailing it for progress — ‘like’ them before everyone else does. Rachael Hocking …
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Good news: Myanmar activist Phyoe Phyoe Aung released
Phyoe Phyoe Aung, a student activist from Myanmar jailed for helping to organise a student protest, has been released. Her freedom is a huge victory for human rights and human rights defenders. What happened? Phyoe Phyoe Aung is a young activist and Secretary General of one of Myanmar’s largest student unions. On 10 March 2015, …
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Myanmar students’ release must pave way for end to repression
The release of dozens of student protesters in Myanmar is a step forward for human rights that should pave the way for the new government to release all remaining prisoners of conscience and amend or repeal all laws that fuel arbitrary arrests. The Tharawaddy Court in Myanmar yesterday dropped charges against scores of students facing …
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Indigenous students reveal their aspirations
In March, Indigenous school students from across the country came together to inspire the next generation of Indigenous mathematicians, scientists and engineers – through a video game. We asked them to share their inspirations for the future. Game On The Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), the educational program that supports Indigenous students through high school …
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Australia takes first step to address world refugee crisis
The Australian Government has stepped up to save the lives of 12,000 more people escaping the conflict in Syria. Worst refugee crisis since WWII This is just the first step needed, as world leaders, including Australia, look to address the worst refugee crisis since WWII. “Thousands more people will now have the chance to live …
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