During the 2021 NSW lockdown, dozens of people reported concerning interactions with police to Amnesty International Australia, including being incorrectly issued fines and being stopped and searched under the pretext of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Tag Archives: COVID-19
New report shows leading Covid-19 vaccine pharma companies fuelling unprecedented human rights crisis
Six companies at the helm of the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out are fuelling an unprecedented human rights crisis through their refusal to waive intellectual property rights and share vaccine technology, with most failing to prioritise vaccine deliveries to poorer countries, Amnesty International said today.
Community groups urge Trade Minister to deliver on waiving monopolies at WTO
Following months of campaigning, Australian civil society organisations last week welcomed the comments from Trade Minister Dan Tehan that the Australian Government now supports the temporary waiver of monopoly rules on COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and related products proposed by India and South Africa at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The waiver is key to supporting equitable …
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Vietnam: As Ho Chi Minh City extends Covid-19 restrictions, militarized response must respect human rights
The Vietnamese authorities must take urgent steps to avert a looming humanitarian and human rights crisis on top of the country’s Covid-19 battle, as strict lockdown measures increasingly harm society’s most vulnerable.
Amnesty welcomes Australia’s support for the TRIPS Waiver to end vaccine monopolies
Amnesty International has written to Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan, welcoming the Australian Government’s recent commitment to support the waiver on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). But more must be done.
Stranded Aussies: Overseas Travel Ban Determination
Amnesty International has written to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, expressing concern regarding laws that came into effect this week, essentially denying Australian citizens and permanent residents the right to return home.
Australia must support the proposal for a temporary Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement
Amnesty International has urged the Australian Government once again to support the revised proposal for a temporary Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and Treatment of Covid-19 with other World Trade Organisation (WTO) member states. Under current WTO rules, pharmaceutical companies have a 20-year monopoly on COVID-19 vaccines and …
European Parliament backing TRIPS further isolates Australia in global movement for equal access to vaccines
Responding to the announcement that the European Parliament has voted to back the TRIPS waiver, Amnesty International Campaigner Joel MacKay said: ‘This news from the European Parliament further isolates Australia as one of the few governments holding out on an important step towards equal access to vaccines. “With the US and now Europe throwing their …
South Asia: Urgent action needed to combat deadly COVID-19 surge across region
Governments across South Asia must immediately address healthcare shortages and urgently strengthen their healthcare systems to respond to the rapid surge of COVID-19 cases in the region, said Amnesty International. With India and Nepal’s healthcare systems reaching breaking point, the human rights organization expressed its concern over the lack of preparedness of other countries in …
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Repatriation flights welcome, but quarantine system still seriously lacking
Responding to the announcement today that repatriation flights would begin from India to Australia on May 15, Amnesty International Campaigner Joel MacKay said: “We welcome the fact that the totally unconscionable flight ban from India will be lifted, however, we still have concerns about what is being proposed and how that affects the human rights …
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