In response to news about the arrest of human rights defender Ebtisam al-Saegh by the Bahraini authorities on the night of 3 July 2017 Samah Hadid, Director for Campaigns at Amnesty International in the Middle-East said: “The Bahraini authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Ebtisam al-Saegh whose only crime is speaking up against a government …
Author Archives: Amnesty International
One year later, Duterte remains a human rights nightmare
“I don’t care about human rights, you better believe me.” We cannot say that we were not warned. During his campaign for the Philippine presidency, Rodrigo Duterte made his contempt for human rights and the rule of law glaringly apparent. He vowed to kill as many as 100,000 people – filling Manila Bay with so …
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Media Awards expression of interest
Are you an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander sculpture artist with a passion for human rights? Do you believe in a free press and the ability of the Australian media to speak truth to power? Amnesty International Australia is looking for an Indigenous artist to design and produce six trophies, which will be presented to …
USA: Refugee Ban Could Have Devastating Effect
The Trump administration may not recognise refugee resettlement agencies as having “bona fide relationship” for purposes of its refugee ban implementation. The decision by the administration means tens of thousands of refugees from countries all over the world who were in the process of being resettled in the United States may not be able to …
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Philippines: Duterte’s bloody and lawless year in power
Since assuming the presidency of the Philippines a year ago, Rodrigo Duterte and his administration have presided over a wide range of human rights violations, intimidated and imprisoned critics, and created a climate of lawlessness, Amnesty International said today. Using the highest office in the country, Duterte has explicitly approved violence that has led to …
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Philippines: Australia must not become complicit in killing of Marawi civilians
“Amnesty International Australia is seriously concerned about reports that the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has given troops an unequivocal license to kill civilians with impunity while fighting ISIS-aligned militants in Marawi,” Amnesty International Australia Crisis Campaigns Coordinator, Diana Sayed said today. “The Australian Government, in its planned supply of surveillance airplanes to the effort, needs …
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Australia must never let this happen again
Australia urgently needs a national approach to stop abuse of children in youth detention, in light of new, horrific details about hog-tying and sedating children. The latest revelations from Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville add to the litany of abuses of children in detention around Australia, including the Northern Territory’s Don Dale and Victoria’s …
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Remembering 60 years of NAIDOC
It’s amazing to think that something that started as a human rights movement in the early 1900s to highlight the treatment of Aboriginal people has turned into one of the busiest and most cherished weeks for the Australian community. Indigenous Rights Manager Tammy Solonec explains this year’s theme, the history and provides information on events …
Myanmar: Release journalists immediately
The Myanmar authorities must immediately release three journalists, who were detained while carrying out their work in conflict-afflicted northern Shan State, Amnesty International said today. Aye Nai and Pyae Phone Naing, both reporters for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and Thein Zaw (aka Lawi Weng), a reporter for the Irrawaddy newspaper, were arrested along …
Indigenous Issues Reporting entries open in our 2017 Media Awards
Entries are now open for the 2017 Indigenous Issues Reporting award, part of the annual Amnesty International Australia Media Awards. This award celebrates insightful, excellent reporting on human rights issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It recognises those journalists at media outlets large and small, across Australia, who shine a light on …
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