Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
During NAIDOC week, Amnesty International Australia is joining the National Peak Body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) to call on the Federal Government to commit to retaining the Indigenous Legal Assistance Program (ILAP). In the Federal Budget 2019-20, the Government announced that from 2020 funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander …
Continue reading “Indigenous Legal Assistance Program must be retained”
Amnesty International has condemned the use of force against largely peaceful protesters by Hong Kong police – who used tear gas, guns firing bean bags and rubber bullets, batons and pepper spray – to disperse a demonstration against the extradition bill in central Hong Kong today. Man-Kei Tam, Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong, said: …
Continue reading “Hong Kong: ‘Excessive’ police force against peaceful protesters condemned”
Climate change activist Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future movement of school-children (represented by School Strike 4 Climate in Australia) have been honoured with Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2019, the human rights organisation announced today. “The Ambassador of Conscience Award is Amnesty International’s highest honour, celebrating people who have shown unique …
Greece to become ninth out of 31 European countries to recognise that sex without consent is rape “This is a historic victory, not just for the campaigners who have fought long and hard for this day, but for all women in Greece” – Eirini Gaitanou Responding to today’s last-minute decision by the Greek government to …
Continue reading “Rape law amendment in Greece ‘a historic victory’ for women”
Today’s raids by the Australian Federal Police on Australian journalists are the latest in what is emerging as a pattern of secrecy and curtailment of free speech from the Australian Government. Amnesty understands that the raids on the ABC relate to the Australian Defence Force’s involvement in civilian deaths in Afghanistan. Amnesty has continuously called …
Continue reading “Response to AFP Raids on Australian Press”
The Myanmar military has committed fresh war crimes and other human rights violations in Rakhine State, according to evidence published by Amnesty International today (29 May). New abuses come after government order to “crush” armed group Military units responsible for past atrocities are committing war crimes, while deployment of additional units suggests involvement of senior …
Amnesty International have condemned the Palaszczuk Government for actively avoiding taking action on the issue of Queensland children in adult watchhouses. Today they have used all the parliamentary tricks of the trade to avoid finding a solution to the watchhouse crisis including: Delaying and shortening question time Avoiding answering questions on watch houses Attempting to …
The Queensland Opposition today announced that they will introduce a bill to cap the time children are held in police watch houses at 72 hours. In response, Rodney Dillon, Amnesty International Australia Indigenous Rights Adviser, said: “While any action on the traumatising use of watchhouses is to be welcomed, three days of detention is still …
Continue reading “Investigations and 72 hour caps are not the solution to watchhouse issues”
Political Leaders Must Act on Demands of Striking Students Amnesty International Australia is in full support of the action by students right across Australia on their #ClimateElection Day of Action on Friday May 3. Extreme weather-related disasters and rising seas will destroy homes and ruin people’s ability to earn a living. And unless emissions are …
Continue reading “Political leaders must act on demands of striking students”
Southern Africa: Media freedom muzzled as journalists are targeted for telling the truth Mozambique becoming increasingly hostile towards journalists Zambia and Zimbabwe among countries where media space continues to shrink Amnesty calls for states to stop treating journalists with contempt Media freedom remains under threat in several countries in southern Africa with journalists put in …
Continue reading “Media freedom muzzled as journalists are targeted for telling the truth”
