Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
US authorities must put an immediate end to both the separation and detention of children and families who come to the US border with Mexico seeking asylum, while also immediately reuniting the thousands of families who remain separated as a result of the Trump administration’s unlawful and damaging policies, said Amnesty International. “Despite the executive …
Continue reading “USA: Authorities must stop separating and locking up families”
At the disappointing news that the Senate tonight passed the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill and the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill, Claire O’Rourke, External Affairs Director at Amnesty International Australia, said: “In passing these draconian laws, both sides of Australian politics have thrown our rights and freedoms under the bus. …
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Maribyrnong Council last night stepped up Australia’s response to the global refugee situation by unanimously passing a motion in support of expanding and improving the Australian Government’s current refugee community sponsorship program. “It is so fantastic to see Maribyrnong Council get behind expanding this neighbourhood-led solution to the global refugee crisis.” Shankar Kasynathan, Refugee Campaigner …
Last night Albury Council, Wodonga Council and Wagga Wagga Council marked a significant moment in Australia’s response to the global refugee situation by simultaneously passing motions in support of expanding and improving the Australian Government’s current refugee community sponsorship program. “This is a fantastic show of support for welcoming refugees and Amnesty International is so …
On today’s commencement of debate in the House of Representatives on both the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill 2017 and the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017, Amnesty International Australia’s External Affairs Director Claire O’Rourke said: “Despite the welcome bipartisan announcement yesterday exempting charities from having to register under the Foreign …
Continue reading “Espionage & Foreign Interference Bill could damage Australian civil society”
Responding to the news that the Jordanian government has said it will not accept any more refugees fleeing a new offensive in southern Syria, Mouna Elkekhia, Amnesty International’s Advisor on Refugee and Migrant Rights, said: “People fleeing war in Syria are in a desperate life-or-death situation, and the Jordanian government cannot simply abandon them.” “People …
Continue reading “Jordan: Syrian refugees must not be abandoned”
Albury Council today marked a significant milestone in Australia’s response to the global refugee situation by passing a motion in support of expanding and improving the Australian Government’s current refugee community sponsorship program. “Albury is the first local council in NSW to get behind expanding this neighbourhood-led solution to the global refugee crisis,” said Shankar …
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Dear Ambassador Haley, We write in response to your letter of 20 June 2018, in which you suggest that NGOs are somehow responsible for your decision to withdraw from the Human Rights Council. The decision to resign from the Council was that of the US administration alone. We had legitimate concerns that the US’s proposal …
Continue reading “An open letter to Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the UN”
Saudi Arabia’s decision to allow women to drive is welcome but must now be followed by more reforms to women’s rights, Amnesty International said today. This weekend (Sunday 24 June) women will be allowed to drive in the country as the controversial driving ban is lifted. However, leading women’s rights activists and campaigners against the …
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Ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary and presidential elections in Turkey, Amnesty International has published a media briefing documenting some of the most egregious human rights abuses that have followed the failed coup attempt in July 2016. The briefing highlights the vast swathe of people impacted by the crackdown, including journalists, public sector workers, the LGBTI community …
Continue reading “Turkey: Elections come after two years of human rights crackdown”