Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
In the wake of terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, we vow to unite against racism and hatred. Please join us by sending a message of hope and solidarity to the NZ Muslim community. Knowing how to respond to racist remarks from friends and relatives can be a minefield. On the one hand, you want …
Continue reading “How to tell someone you love they’re being racist”
Sex without consent is rape. It’s as simple as that. But myths and gender stereotypes related to rape and consent are widespread in our societies, including in court rooms. Knowledge is power when it comes to fighting rape. Here, Amnesty’s Senior Campaigner on women’s rights in Europe, Monica Costa Riba, explains five undeniable truths about …
When it comes to brave women fighting for their rights, Rosa Parks, the suffragettes and Helen Keller might all spring to mind. But you might not know these five amazing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who used empowerment and activism to change Australia for the better. 1. Shirley Colleen Smith (1924-1998) Shirley Smith, better known …
Continue reading “Five amazing Aboriginal women who shaped history”
Do you know what the term intersex means? If the answer is no, you’re not the only one. Many people couldn’t tell you; nor could they say what issues intersex people face. As well as stigma and discrimination, many children who are born intersex face unnecessary medical surgeries in their early years, which irrevocably shape …
As a young girl, Alice Beauchamp became a refugee when she had to flee Nazi Germany. Today she lives in Sydney and has spent her life promoting human rights. Story as told to Annika Flensburg. “Our relatives all thought my father was mad when he said we had to flee Germany in the 1930s. He …
Continue reading “90-year-old activist: “I come from a tough line of women””
In celebration of the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, writer and poet Magan Magan explains how we can draw inspiration from the South African revolutionary’s legacy, work and philosophy in our current fight for human rights. Today marks 100 years since the birth of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. He was a South African hero, human rights …
Continue reading “How we can draw inspiration from Mandela in 2018”
Claire Harris, winner of the Amnesty International Australia Blogging Competition 2018, gives us her account of her visit Shatila refugee camp in Palestine. “I am terrorist”, the teenage boy says and he laughs. His friend leans on his shoulder and flashes a beaming set of straight white teeth. I am on my way to meet …
Continue reading “Stateless in Shatila: Palestine’s Perpetual Refugees”
To celebrate Eddie Mabo’s birthday, entrepreneur and Miss NAIDOC 2018 finalist Louise O’Reilly shares the life lessons he taught her. If you are an Australian, you have probably heard the name Eddie Mabo. Mabo Day. The Mabo Decision. Eddie Koiki Mabo passed away in 1992, when I was five years old. He was a man …
Bangladesh, one of the world’s poorest countries, is primarily dealing with the catastrophe that has befallen the Rohingya people. It is in the interests of advanced economies to lend a hand, writes Dr Stephen Moss. I recently returned from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh where I was part of an Amnesty International delegation. I witnessed first-hand …
Continue reading “Amnesty meets with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh”
On World Environment Day Alice Appel, runner-up of our 2018 Blogging Competition, looks at the human cost of climate change and the effects of climate disasters on countries around the world. Climate Refugee. These words combined can often trigger unease and frustration. The UNHCR estimates that an average of 21.5 million people each year have …
Continue reading “How can we ease the human cost of climate change?”
