I grew up with two stories of displacement and resilience running through my blood. One as the granddaughter of a mission born and raised Nigena woman and the other as the grandchild of post WWII European refugees. My life as an Aboriginal woman is deeply intertwined with my refugee ancestry. Both my families faced discrimination …
Author Archives: Amnesty International
Rohingya: Australia must act: shameful anniversary highlights lack of accountability for Myanmar’s atrocities
World leaders’ failure to act has allowed the Myanmar security forces’ perpetrators of crimes against humanity to remain at large for a year after their murderous campaign against the Rohingya prompted an exodus of epic proportions, Amnesty International said today. More than 700,000 Rohingya women, men, and children fled from northern Rakhine State to neighbouring …
Cambodia: Land rights activist Tep Vanny released from prison following royal pardon
Responding to the news that human rights defender Tep Vanny has been released from prison following a royal pardon after more than 700 days in detention, Minar Pimple, Amnesty International’s Senior Director of Global Operations, said: “After more than two years of being unjustly detained for her peaceful activism, the news that Tep Vanny is …
Following WA Corrections Minister’s comments, Government must commit to ending solitary confinement of children
The Western Australian government must stop breaching international laws and standards by locking children in solitary confinement, to ensure children are protected, said Amnesty International today. The organisation called on WA’s government to place a moratorium on holding children in solitary confinement until the state’s laws are amended to prevent children being held in these …
Kofi Annan, lifelong champion of justice, peace and dignity
Responding to today’s announcement of the passing of Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, Kumi Naidoo, Amnesty International’s Secretary General said: “The world has lost a great leader. Kofi’s dedication and drive for a more peaceful and just world, his lifelong championing of human rights, …
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Malaysia: 100 days in power – government still has much to do on human rights
Malaysia’s new government still has a long way to go to fulfil its agenda of human rights reform, despite some notable achievements during its first 100 days in power. While the Pakatan Harapan coalition has taken some positive steps, including the pardon and release of former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and the abolition this week …
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Bangladesh: Nearly 100 arrests as pall of fear descends on civil society
The Bangladeshi authorities must end the crackdown on protests that has swept up nearly 100 people, Amnesty International said today. Two weeks after thousands of school students came out on to the streets of Dhaka, demanding safer roads after two students were killed by a speeding bus, a pall of fear has descended on civil …
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Nauru: Australian Government’s failure to transfer child ‘at imminent risk of dying’ an absolute disgrace
Responding to reports that the Australian Government has failed to transfer a 12-year-old child, who has been on hunger strike on Nauru for more that a fortnight, to Australia for urgent medical treatment despite medical advice that he is at imminent risk of dying, Tim O’Connor, Campaigns Manager at Amnesty International said: “It is absolutely …
Viet Nam: Authorities must investigate alleged torture and ill-treatment of concert-goers by police
Viet Nam’s authorities must immediately investigate allegations that a group of activists were attacked and severely beaten by police officers while attending a private performance of pre-Communist era songs in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday, said Amnesty International. After breaking up the event – a performance of pre-1975 apolitical love songs by the musician Nguyen …
Indonesia: Dozens killed on the streets in police crackdown ahead of Asian Games
Indonesian police have shot dead more than 70 people in an escalating crackdown on what they have called ‘petty criminals’ in the lead-up to the country’s hosting of the 2018 Asian Games, which open tomorrow in Jakarta, said Amnesty International Indonesia. Between January and August this year, at least 77 people have been gunned down …
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