In response to the ruling by the Court of Justice the European Union that two employers did not break EU anti-discrimination law when they dismissed two women from their respective jobs in France and Belgium for wearing headscarves, John Dalhuisen, Director of Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia programme said: “The disappointing rulings by the …
Author Archives: Amnesty International
Syria: Justice, truth and reparation
As war crimes and crimes against humanity continue to go unpunished in Syria, an Amnesty International campaign marking the sixth anniversary of the crisis calls on world leaders to take immediate action to deliver justice, truth and reparation to the millions of victims of the conflict. The Justice for Syria campaign calls on governments to …
NSW LGBTQI network make magic at Mardi Gras
By Lizzi Price The LGBTQI network is still shaking off the glitter from the parade that brought the Mardi Gras season to a close. As always, a whole bunch of people worked really hard to make the day a success. Fair Day — 19 February Fair Day is always our busiest activism day of the year. This …
Continue reading “NSW LGBTQI network make magic at Mardi Gras”
My life as a Rohingya: An unrecognised existence
By Imran Mohammad The world has just begun to recognise the Rohingya people. Despite being born in Myanmar (formerly Burma), we are known as ‘stateless’ people, meaning we do not belong anywhere on this earth. It is so easy to be labelled stateless, however the impact on our lives is heartbreaking. Being stateless has left …
Continue reading “My life as a Rohingya: An unrecognised existence”
Palestinian security forces violently suppressed peaceful Ramallah protest
Photographic evidence and witness testimony gathered by Amnesty International at the scene suggest that Palestinian security forces used excessive force to violently suppress a peaceful protest outside of the Ramallah District Court in the West Bank on 12 March 2017. Ten minutes after the protest against the prosecution of six Palestinian men, …
Continue reading “Palestinian security forces violently suppressed peaceful Ramallah protest”
Australia: Back independent investigation into abuses in Myanmar
Ahead of the United Nations Human Rights Commission’s debate on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Amnesty International is urging the Government of Australia to back an independent international investigation into the situation in Rakhine state. “The apparent campaign of violence that Myanmar security forces have waged against Rohingya people since last October demands …
Continue reading “Australia: Back independent investigation into abuses in Myanmar”
‘My hands hurt and my body aches’: Young palms are bleeding for your palm oil
14-year-old Johan* works from 8am till 4pm, six days a week, collecting fruit at a palm oil plantation in Indonesia. “My palms hurt and my arms are tired and sore,” said Johan. “The foreman asks me every day whether my block was completed or not. They have never asked why I am not in school.” …
Continue reading “‘My hands hurt and my body aches’: Young palms are bleeding for your palm oil”
UN: Report on sexual abuse paves way for meaningful reform
In response to UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ annual report on special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, issued today, Amnesty International’s Senior Crisis Response Adviser Joanne Mariner said: “UN Secretary-General António Guterres rightly recognizes that sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers and other UN personnel is a cruel and inexcusable wrong that soils the …
Continue reading “UN: Report on sexual abuse paves way for meaningful reform”
Yemen: Cluster munitions confirmed again
Amnesty International has corroborated new evidence the Saudi Arabia-led coalition recently fired Brazilian-manufactured rockets containing banned cluster munitions striking three residential areas and surrounding farmland in the middle of Sa’da city, injuring two civilians and causing material damage. The attack, which took place at 10.30pm on 15 February 2017, is the third confirmed use of …
5 minutes with… Anti-FGM campaigner Khadija Gbla
Female genital mutilation (FGM) survivor Khadija Gbla chats to Holly Enriquez about her journey from Sierra Leone refugee to Australian Anti-FGM campaigner. How did your Anti-FGM campaigning begin? I’m a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM). I was mutilated when I was between the ages of 9 and 10 in Gambia. My mum had an …
Continue reading “5 minutes with… Anti-FGM campaigner Khadija Gbla”