Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
Singaporean authorities must halt the imminent executions of Prabu N Pathmanathan, a 31-year-old Malaysian national, and of another man whose name has not been released, Amnesty International said today. Both prisoners were sentenced to the death penalty on drug-related convictions in separate cases. Pathmanathan’s family were informed last week of his scheduled execution for Friday …
Continue reading “Singapore: stop imminent hangings, end wave of executions”
“The Australian Government’s response so far to Amnesty International’s concerns about arms sales to Saudi Arabia has amounted to blatantly brushing us off” – Amnesty International Australia’s Crisis Campaigns Coordinator Diana Sayed Responding to reports that Germany has suspended all future arms deals with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and ahead of the Defence Department …
Responding to Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne’s announcement today imposing targeted sanctions against five Myanmar military officers over their role in the ongoing ethnic cleansing campaign against the Rohingya people in northern Rakhine State, Amnesty International Australia’s Rohingya Rights Campaign Coordinator Diana Sayed said, “The Australian Government has today responded to Amnesty International’s research and …
Continue reading “Australia: Sanctions against Myanmar military welcome, but need expansion”
While discussions over the proposed ‘lifetime ban’ legislation and New Zealand deal must prioritise those most vulnerable – children and families – the negotiations must be a first step to moving the 1278 men, women and children from Australia’s abusive offshore detention regime, said Amnesty International today. “All sides of Australian politics must agree to …
Continue reading “Real bipartisan action urgently needed for all people in offshore detention”
Tep Vanny is a Cambodian human rights defender who spent more than 700 days in prison for her peaceful activism. Her only “crime” was standing up against a luxury tourist construction project which resulted in the forced evictions of thousands of people out of their homes in the Boeung Kak lake area of Phnomh Penh. Now back at …
Continue reading ““We are willing to risk everything to defend our homes and land””
Fears of escalating bloodshed are rising ahead of planned protests in Gaza later today after Israeli authorities announced a “zero tolerance” policy towards demonstrations along the Israel/Gaza fence, said Amnesty International. The organisation is calling on the Israeli government to rein in its armed forces, which have routinely used unnecessary or excessive force during Gaza’s …
Continue reading “Gaza: Fears of further bloodshed as Israel adopts ‘zero tolerance’ policy”
Turkey should urgently ask UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to establish a United Nations investigation into the possible extrajudicial execution of the prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Reporters Without Borders say. The investigation should determine the circumstances surrounding Saudi Arabia’s role in the enforced disappearance …
With the critical situation on Nauru deteriorating even further, Amnesty International is calling on the Australian Government to show leadership and urgently bring all refugees and asylum seekers to Australia, or a safe third country. Dr Graham Thom, Amnesty International Australia’s Refugee Coordinator, said, “The Australian Chief Medical Officer has reportedly been deported, which will …
Continue reading “PM Morrison must act now to stop escalating Nauru crisis”
Nguyễn Ngọc Như Quỳnh, a prominent Vietnamese blogger also known by her pseudonym, Mẹ Nấm (Mother Mushroom), has been released from prison in Vietnam on the condition that she leaves the country. The mother of two was arrested in 2016 and sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of “conducting propaganda” against the state. Responding …
Continue reading “Mother Mushroom: Vietnamese blogger released and exiled”
Disappointing Pentagon communiqué spurns liability for civilian casualties Coalition strikes destroyed 80% of Raqqa, killing hundreds of civilians Ongoing Amnesty International investigation reveals evidence of dozens of new civilian victims The US-led Coalition’s ongoing failure to admit to, let alone adequately investigate, the shocking scale of civilian deaths and destruction it caused in Raqqa is …