Responding to comments by the Turkish Consul-General to Australia Melih Karalar on Radio National this morning, Campaigns Manager Michael Hayworth said: “We call for the immediate and unconditional release of 10 human rights defenders arrested by the Turkish government for their peaceful human rights work, including the Director of Amnesty International Turkey Idil Eser. The ‘Istanbul 10’ …
Author Archives: Amnesty International
Liu Xiaobo: A giant of human rights who leaves a lasting legacy for China and the world
Responding to the news that Nobel Peace Prize Winner Liu Xiaobo has passed away, Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International commented: “Today we grieve the loss of a giant of human rights. Liu Xiaobo was a man of fierce intellect, principle, wit and above all humanity. “Today we grieve the loss of a giant …
Saudi Arabia: Death penalty used as political weapon against Shi’a as executions spike across country
The Saudi Arabian government is employing the death penalty as a political weapon to silence dissent against the Shi’a Muslim minority, said Amnesty International, following the execution of four men in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on 11 July. Yussuf Ali al-Mushaikass, a father of two, was executed along with three other men, for terror-related offences …
West Mosul: Iraqi and US-led coalition forces failed to take adequate measures to protect civilians
In the battle against Islamic State in west Mosul, Iraqi and US-led coalition forces failed to take adequate measures to protect civilians. New Amnesty International report sheds light on the scale of death, injury and suffering caused to civilians caught between the warring parties in Mosul Islamic State deliberately trapped families in west Mosul to …
Report: ‘At any cost: The civilian catastrophe in West Mosul, Iraq’
Civilians in west Mosul have been ruthlessly exploited by the armed group calling itself the Islamic State (IS), which has systematically moved them into zones of conflict, used them as human shields, and prevented them from escaping to safety. They have also been subjected to relentless unlawful attacks by Iraqi government forces and members of …
Continue reading “Report: ‘At any cost: The civilian catastrophe in West Mosul, Iraq’”
UK: Court ruling over arms sales to Saudi Arabia a ‘deadly blow’ to Yemeni civilians
A UK court ruling that the government is entitled to continue authorising arms supplies to Saudi Arabia is a potentially deadly setback to Yemeni civilians, Amnesty International said. The High Court in London dismissed a legal challenge from the NGO Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), which claimed that such arms transfers should not take place because of …
Absurd ‘terrorism’ investigation launched into Amnesty Turkey’s Director and 9 others
Responding to news that Idil Eser, Director of Amnesty International Turkey, seven other human rights activists and two IT trainers, are being investigated for membership of an armed terrorist organisation, Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said: “The absurdity of these accusations against Idil Eser and the nine others cannot disguise the very grave nature …
South Sudan: Spiralling strife
South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, gained independence on 9 July 2011 following decades of war, lengthy negotiations and a referendum to secede from Sudan. But the jubilation over this new-found freedom was fleeting, and internal strife has marred much of its short life as an independent state. An armed conflict that erupted in December …
Refugee week in pictures
Activists across Australia came together during Refugee week to reflect on, celebrate and take action for refugee and asylum seeker rights. Events took place all over the country from capital cities to regional centres and included film screenings, stunts, welcome trees and MP engagement. Here is a snapshot of what Amnesty refugee groups were involved …
China must release critically ill Liu Xiaobo
The Chinese authorities are demonstrating new-depths of cruelty by preventing Liu Xiaobo from leaving the country to receive urgent medical treatment for his late-stage liver cancer. On Wednesday, the authorities announced medical experts from Germany and the US will be invited to China to assist with the treatment of the Nobel Peace Prize winner. The …
Continue reading “China must release critically ill Liu Xiaobo”