Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
The sight of one of the most infamous borders on earth – roughly 1,000 kilometers of porous metal fence dividing lives, hopes and dreams between the USA and Mexico, is undoubtedly overwhelming, but not in the way we expected it to be. While it has been one of the most talked about issues since last …
Continue reading “How to stir up a refugee crisis in five steps, Trump style”
Sri Lanka will not break with its violent past until it reckons with the cruel history of enforced disappearance and delivers justice to as many as 100,000 families who have spent years waiting for it, Amnesty International said today in a new report, revealing the enduring scars of a conflict that has been forgotten by …
Continue reading “Sri Lanka: Victims of disappearance cannot wait any longer for justice”
Prime Minister Turnbull must learn from the systemic failings in children’s prisons, outlined in today’s Northern Territory Royal Commission interim report, and commit to reforming broken justice systems across Australia, said Amnesty International. “The Commissioners found that children are being failed by a detention system that focuses on punishment rather than healing and rehabilitation, leaving …
Continue reading “Not just the NT: PM Turnbull needs new vision for youth justice”
Today as the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory hands down its interim report, Amnesty International Australia joins more than 100 organisations in an open letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, calling on him to develop a national action plan on youth justice. Dear Prime Minister Turnbull, Today the Royal …
Continue reading “Prime Minister: It’s time for national leadership on youth justice”
Bucking the trend of rising racial hatred around the world, the Australian Senate tonight took a stand against racism in Australia by voting down proposed harmful changes to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. “This vote shows that Australia is ready to move on from this divisive debate. It follows last month’s decision by …
Continue reading “Senate stands against racial hatred – now PM Turnbull must do the same”
On 27 March 2017, the Supreme Court of the Province of Tucuman in northern Argentina unanimously decided to acquit Belén, a 27-year-old woman who was sentenced to 8 years in prison after suffering a miscarriage in a public hospital. What happened? In March 2014, Belén went to the public hospital in her province complaining of abdominal …
Continue reading “Good news: Belén acquitted of all charges”
Hundreds of civilians have been killed by airstrikes inside their homes or in places where they sought refuge after following Iraqi government advice not to leave during the offensive to recapture the city of Mosul from the armed group calling itself Islamic State (IS). Survivors and eyewitnesses in East Mosul said they did not try …
On the International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (and Harmony Day), the Federal Government announced it would push forward with a bill to water down the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA). Our submission outlines why Amnesty International is calling on the Parliament to reject the changes to the Racial Discrimination Act proposed by the Australian Government. …
Continue reading “Submission: Inquiry into the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2017”
In one of the deadliest strikes in Iraq in years, hundreds of civilians have been killed by airstrikes in Mosul after following Iraqi government advice to stay put. Survivors of the attack in East Mosul said they did not try to flee as they received repeated instructions from the Iraqi authorities to remain in their …
Continue reading “Families killed by airstrikes in their homes after being told not to flee”
The Senate must stand firm against racism and vote down proposed changes to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act when it meets today, said Amnesty International, and Prime Minister Turnbull should definitively put the harmful debate to rest. “The overwhelming message from eight out of 10 Australian voters and from the bipartisan Freedom of …
Continue reading “Senate must stand firm against racism and vote down 18C changes”
