Ukraine: Civilians killed by ‘reckless’ Russian attacks on Serhiivka apartment block and beach resort

Russian air strikes on an apartment block and beach resort hotel in the coastal town of Serhiivka in southern Ukraine killed at least 21 civilians, Amnesty International said today following a new on-the-ground investigation. The strikes, apparently using anti-ship missiles, hit the town in the Odesa region shortly before 1am on 1 July, injuring at …

Moving kids with complex needs to maximum security prison shameful

Responding to the Western Australian government’s statement on moving children from Banksia Hill Detention Centre to the maximum security Casuarina Prison, Amnesty International Australia Indigenous Rights Lead, Maggie Munn, said: “Time and time again we have heard just how bad conditions are in Banksia Hill. In fact, District Court Judge Hylton Quail was quoted saying …

Ukraine: Deadly Mariupol theatre strike ‘a clear war crime’ by Russian forces – new investigation

An extensive investigation by Amnesty International has concluded that Russian military forces committed a war crime when they struck the Mariupol drama theatre in Ukraine in March, killing at least dozen people and likely many more. In a new report, ‘Children’: The Attack on the Donetsk Regional Academic Drama Theatre in Mariupol, Ukraine, the organization documents how the …

Australians show strong support for refugees: new research 

As the global community prepares to celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20, new research commissioned by Amnesty International Australia has shown Australians strongly support refugees as welcome in our communities. The research, commissioned as part of Amnesty’s annual Human Rights Barometer, shows that 72% of Australians support either maintaining or increasing Australia’s humanitarian intake, …

UK/US: Home Secretary’s certification of Assange extradition puts him at risk

Responding to the news that the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has certified Julian Assange’s extradition to the United States to face charges under the Espionage Act, Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International Secretary General said: “Allowing Julian Assange to be extradited to the US would put him at great risk and sends a chilling message to …

Malaysia: Move to abolish mandatory death penalty is ‘welcome step’ in right direction

Responding to the announcement that Malaysia’s Cabinet has decided to work towards abolishing the mandatory death penalty, Amnesty International Malaysia’s Executive Director Katrina Jorene Maliamauv said: “We applaud the government’s decision to abolish the mandatory death penalty and to grant judges discretion in sentencing. It’s a welcome step in the right direction, and we urge …

Tasmania’s commitment to raise the age of detention to 14 welcome, time to raise the age of criminal responsibility 

Amnesty International Australia welcomed today’s announcement by Tasmania’s Government to raise the age of detention from 10 to 14. Amnesty International Australia Indigenous Rights Advisor, Rodney Dillon, said: “Although we don’t have a lot of detail on the plans at this stage, Amnesty welcomes this significant step in a smarter approach to justice. “Putting children …

Repeated excessive use of force against peaceful protests show disregard for Papuan voices

Indigenous Papuans expressing their opinions in peaceful demonstrations have once again been met with obstruction and excessive use of force from Indonesian police, Amnesty International Indonesia and Amnesty International Australia said today. “Indigenous Papuans have a right to peacefully protest against government policies without running the risk of being arrested or beaten,” said Amnesty International …