Australia-ASEAN Summit: Leaders must take a stand against ethnic cleansing of Rohingya

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia must take a strong stand against ongoing crimes against humanity targeting Rohingya in Myanmar as they meet this weekend, Amnesty International said. Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s State Counsellor and de facto political leader, is expected to attend the first ever ASEAN-Australia Summit, taking …

Manus Island: deportations are refoulement risk without fair, credible process established

Reacting to the news that Australia and Papua New Guinea have begun deporting some men from the Manus Island facilities, Amnesty International’s Refugee Researcher Kate Schuetze said, “No asylum seeker should be arrested or deported until they have been given a fair opportunity to present their case for asylum. To do so creates a serious …

Myanmar/Australia: Forced starvation of Rohingya highlights danger of premature returns

Amnesty International Australia was appalled to see the timid ‘diplospeak’ as laid bare in the FOI documents obtained by Guardian Australia. This confirms that not only is Australia intent on continuing its ties with the Myanmar military, but it is employing a sickening softly softly approach despite the horror being inflicted on the Rohingya people. …

Manus Island: Australia abandons refugees to a life of danger

New centres offer less protection than previous camp New centres do not meet refugees’ basic needs Refugees live with constant fear of violence Australia must end policy of cruelty and neglect The Australian government’s abandonment of hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea is a form of prolonged punishment, Amnesty International said …

Arms sales expansion plan exposes Australia to profiting from human rights abuses

Responding to reports that the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said that he wants Australia to become one of the world’s top 10 arms exporters to target markets including the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region, Amnesty International Australia’s Crisis Campaigns Coordinator Diana Sayed said: “When the Government talks about expanding arms exports to the …

NT Royal Commission: Federal leadership welcome, now it’s time for Australia-wide change

In response to reports that Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion said the Federal Government will release in the “very near future” a “fully funded” response to the final report of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory, Amnesty International Australia’s Indigenous Rights Advisor Rodney Dillon said, “We’re …

USA: Recognition of unified Jerusalem ‘reckless’ and undermines Palestinians’ human rights

  Australia’s bipartisan condemnation of President Trump’s move welcomed   Condemning yesterday’s announcement by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, that the US is recognising unified Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and will move its embassy there, Amnesty International USA’s Middle East Advocacy Director, Raed Jarrar, said: “This is a reckless and provocative decision …

Rohingya crisis: Australia must not be complicit in ethnic cleansing

The AFP news agency has reported that the European Union is considering cutting ties to the Myanmar military in protest at the Rohingya crisis. This follows a similar move last month by the United Kingdom. Amnesty International is calling on Australia to follow their leadership on human rights and cut ties with the Myanmar military. …

Rohingya crisis: Australia must bring in emergency intake of refugees, provide clarity on military training

Amnesty International is calling on the Australian Government to dig deep and take immediate steps to bring in an emergency intake of Rohingyan refugees and clarify the training Australia is providing to the Myanmar military. “Bangladesh cannot do this on its own, Australia must provide humanitarian assistance and take immediate steps to bring in an …

Marriage Equality: Let’s bring home the Yes vote now

“Marriage equality is a human rights issue. Amnesty International Australia wanted a free vote in Parliament to usher in marriage equality in our country. However, now the High Court has ruled the postal survey will proceed, we call on all Australians who believe in fairness, in family, in equality and in love to make certain …