Australia’s role on UN Human Rights Council now more important than ever

Following the United States’ announcement it will leave the United Nations Human Rights Council, Emma Bull, Advocacy Manager at Amnesty International Australia, said: “Australia’s role on the UN Human Rights Council is now more important than ever. We should work towards having the US rejoin the Human Rights Council, but Australia also must now step …

Community sponsorship: a new way to help refugees

The Federal Government’s Community Support Program is a new way for communities to help refugees by sponsoring them to set up home in Australia. This is an exciting opportunity to connect people seeking safety with compassionate communities willing to help. But the program also has some significant flaws. We think it can be made better …

Thailand: Country’s first execution since 2009 a deplorable move

Responding to the news that Thailand executed a 26-year-old man for aggravated murder on 18 June, in the country’s first execution since August 2009, Katherine Gerson, Amnesty International’s Thailand Campaigner, said: “This is a deplorable violation of the right to life. Thailand is reneging on its own commitment to move towards the abolition of the …

Turkey: Case against Amnesty Chair must be dismissed after long-awaited police report finds no evidence of wrongdoing

Police report finds nothing to suggest Taner Kılıç ever had the controversial ByLock app on his phone Trial resumes in Istanbul on 21 June Amnesty Secretary General and directors from four countries to attend trial More than a year after his arrest, a 15-page police report finally submitted by the prosecution fails to find any …

USA: Policy of separating children from parents is nothing short of torture

The sickening images of children cruelly separated from their parents and held in cages as a result of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ policy of ‘zero-tolerance’ will leave an indelible stain on the reputation of the USA, said Amnesty International today. “This is a spectacularly cruel policy, where frightened children are being ripped from their parent’s …

NAURU: Another tragic death in Australia’s offshore detention

Responding to the tragic news that a 26-year-old Iranian man reportedly died on Nauru this morning, Kate Schuetze, Refugee Researcher at Amnesty International said: “This is extremely sad and heartbreaking news. Amnesty International is extending our sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends.” “This tragic death is the second death to occur in Australia’s …

Japan: Investigate brewer Kirin over payment to Myanmar military amid ethnic cleansing of Rohingya

Japanese beer company admitted its subsidiary made three donations during recent violence in Rakhine State Head of military filmed receiving donation which he said was for security forces Kirin admits it does not know how its donations were used Japanese authorities must urgently launch an investigation into payments that a subsidiary of the multinational brewing …

WA’s youth justice system still has a way to go

By Tammy Solonec, Indigenous Rights Manager. This article originally appeared in the Koori Mail. Western Australia’s youth justice system has been crumbling under successive governments for a long time and, while last month brought two promising moves for change, this has yet to translate into reality for children suffering in the system. Target 120 On 11 …

Yemen: Attack on Hodeidah threatens civilian lives and life-saving humanitarian aid

Responding to the news that Yemeni forces backed by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition have launched an offensive on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research Director Lynn Malouf said: “The assault on Hodeidah could have a devastating impact for hundreds of thousands of civilians – not just in the city but …

Threat of criminal prosecution for charities still looms despite Committee report

In response to today’s release of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security’s report into the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill, Claire O’Rourke, Director of External Affairs at Amnesty International Australia has expressed grave concern around the Labor Party’s support for the Government’s dangerous lurch towards authoritarianism. “Under this Bill …