Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
The fierce offensive on western Aleppo city launched by armed opposition groups on 28 October has been marked by indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas that cannot be justified as a way to break the relentless siege that has sparked a humanitarian crisis in eastern Aleppo. Up to 48 people including 17 children have been killed …
Continue reading “Syria: End unlawful attacks by armed opposition groups”
We are calling for a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the conduct of Myanmar’s security forces in the restive Rakhine state for human rights violations committed during ongoing security operations in the region. Amnesty International has received numerous reports that Myanmar’s security forces operating in the state – home to most of the country’s oppressed Rohingya …
Continue reading “Myanmar: reports mount of security forces’ abuse of Rakhine”
The use of white phosphorus around the city of Mosul could pose a deadly risk to civilians fleeing the fighting in the coming days and weeks. Amnesty International has received credible witness and photographic evidence of white phosphorus projectiles exploding in the air over an area north of the village of Karemlesh, about 20 …
Continue reading “Iraq: White phosphorus puts civilians at grave risk”
Some good news from the Northern Territory: The newly-elected NT Government has, for the first time, appointed a Minister for Youth Justice, marking a clear intention to consider the distinct needs of children in contact with the justice system. Earlier this week they also introduced legislation to ban the use of the horrific chair used …
Continue reading “NT Government appoints a Minister for Youth Justice”
Military operations to retake Mosul and the surrounding areas from the armed group calling itself Islamic State (IS) are endangering civilians who are being caught in the crossfire or in some cases being used as human shields by IS fighters. The organization’s research team met with civilians displaced from their homes in villages north of …
Amnesty International and the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) are seriously concerned about the Aceh Islamic Criminal Code (Qanun Jinayat), which came into effect in the province a year ago. The code criminalizes consensual sexual relations and extends the use of caning as a punishment. Our organizations call on the Indonesian authorities to adhere …
Continue reading “Indonesia: Criminalisation of consensual intimacy must end”
In a first for Amnesty’s Write for Rights campaign, we’ve joined forces with acclaimed contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, to bring you this unique set of portraits. Click through the gallery below to see the 12 Ai Weiwei portraits. Ai Weiwei was the perfect fit for this campaign. In 2015, he was joint recipient of …
Continue reading “Amnesty joins forces with world-renowned artist Ai Weiwei”
Over the last two months, the South Australia/Northern Territory Branch has been hard at work with partner organisations to put together a Schools Congress that teaches students about racism and cultural safety. The Branch has been working with Reconciliation South Australia and ActNow Theatre on the Schools Congress titled “Generation of Change”, which was an excellent …
Continue reading “Schools Congress 2016: Generation of Change”
The Hobart and Joondalup local groups have held some stellar events over the past few months to build momentum for the national refugee campaign. Femke, Co-convenor of the Joondalup group in Western Australia reports: We started the Joondalup group in January this year, and we have been focused on recruiting new members to help us achieve …
Continue reading “Hobart and Joondalup gather to #BringThemHere”
It’s really looking like the tides are turning. Last week was enormous for refugees and we saw a government under huge pressure, and on the defensive. The week started with a harrowing 4 Corners Episode, ‘The Forgotten Children’ featuring never seen before interviews of children on Nauru and our very own Anna Neistat — Amnesty …
