Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
The adoption of a draft law by the Philippine House of Representatives to revive the death penalty sets the country on a dangerous path in flagrant violation of its international legal obligations, Amnesty International said today. “The idea that the death penalty will rid the country of drugs is simply wrong. The resumption of executions …
Continue reading “Philippines: Death penalty inhumane, unlawful”
Today is a very special day in our human rights calendar. It’s International Women’s Day (IWD). A day in which the incredible feats of women are championed and the inequalities and prejudices against us that still exist today are challenged globally. In 2017 the theme of IWD is #Beboldforchange, so we wanted to shine the …
Continue reading “15 women championing human rights in Australia this year”
In response to President Trump’s new Executive Order to reinstate the suspension of the USA’s refugee resettlement programme and establish a temporary travel ban on people from six majority-Muslim countries, Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said: “President Trump’s determined efforts to slam the door on those fleeing the very terror he claims to be fighting …
Continue reading “Trump’s revised travel ban will stir hatred and division”
Recommendations by the European Commission to detain almost all irregular migrants before returning them to their home countries, with no limitations on where they can be apprehended, have laid bare the cruelty and hypocrisy of European Union (EU) Commissioners’ migration policies. “Detention of irregular migrants, some of the most vulnerable people in Europe, should be …
Continue reading “Cruel migration detention regime exposes hypocrisy of European Commission”
The Australian Government has failed to commit to reforms that would prevent a future Bali-Nine situation. Today Australia handed down its response to the report of the Parliamentary inquiry into the role Australia can play to abolish the death penalty worldwide. “It is extremely disappointing that the Government did not take this opportunity to ensure …
Continue reading “Door left open to future Bali Nine-type executions”
Good news has come through from our Amnesty colleagues in Malaysia today – Shahrul Izani Suparman, who was sentenced to death in 2009 for drug trafficking, has been officially pardoned. Shahrul was found in possession of cannabis in 2003, when he was just 19 years old. After spending more than six years in detention awaiting …
Continue reading “Good news: Death row prisoner Shahrul Izani Suparman pardoned”
Russia and China have again abused their veto power at the United Nations Security Council today, following a vote on a draft resolution that would have helped ensure accountability for the use and production of chemical weapons by all parties to the conflict in Syria, said Amnesty International. “By vetoing this resolution Russia and China …
At a time when racist attacks and hateful speech are on the rise around the world, Amnesty International strongly welcomes the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights’ decision not to water down the Racial Discrimination Act. Late last year, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had announced that the Federal Government had set up a parliamentary inquiry to determine …
In the early afternoon on Thursday 24 February, the Oceti Sakowin camp in North Dakota was officially shut down, with dozens arrested in a final stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline project. Many protesters left peacefully on the evacuation deadline of Wednesday afternoon, some lighting ‘ceremonial’ fires in their wake. Those who stood their ground …
Blame, hate and fear at centre of global political trends Abuses exposed in Australia, urgent reforms needed As Australia bids for membership of UN Human Rights Council, consistent leadership is needed REPORt: state of the world’s human rights The courage to expose and speak out about human rights abuses has become more important than ever, …
Continue reading “Annual Report 2016-2017: State of the World’s Human Rights”
