Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
In response to state and territory governments issuing on-the-spot fines for breaking social distancing and quarantine rules, Amnesty International Australia Indigenous Rights Lead, Lidia Thorpe, said: “Governments are so committed to appearing as though they’re doing the right thing, it is completely blind to the fact that they are making things harder for some of …
Continue reading “Measures designed to protect push Indigenous people further to the margins”
The Syrian authorities must cooperate fully with UN agencies and humanitarian organizations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country’s prisons, detention centres and military hospitals, Amnesty International has warned. Prisoners and detainees, including tens of thousands of people arbitrarily detained or forcibly disappeared, are at risk of contracting the disease as they are held in …
Continue reading “Syria: Vulnerable prisoners should be released to prevent spread of COVID-19”
In response to media reports and Opposition calls for the Australian government to assist Pacific nations with their response to the COVID-19 crisis, Amnesty International Australia Campaigner, Joel Clark, said: “These countries require international emergency and development assistance to respond effectively to the pandemic in line with human rights law and standards. Pacific countries have …
Continue reading “Pacific Islands face COVID-19 emergency: regional leaders must step up”
This was originally published by and for Pro Bono Australia, By Maggie Cogan. Maggie Coggan is a journalist at Pro Bono News covering the social sector. It’s no easy task leading a charity like Amnesty International Australia (AIA) through a pandemic. Vulnerable communities are set to bear the brunt of COVID-19, and already financially-stretched charities …
Amnesty International Australia is calling for an urgent injection of funding for frontline services who are facing an explosion in demand for their services and a reduction in available volunteers. Amnesty International campaigner Tim O’Connor, welcoming the establishment of the Independent National Coordination Commission for COVID-19, said: “Australia’s most vulnerable people are being forgotten in …
Continue reading “COVID-19 Commission must ensure vulnerable in our community are protected”
Amnesty International Australia called on the Federal Government to urgently protect the human rights of Indigenous peoples as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the key areas where Amnesty has concerns is the increased risk to the health and safety of children who are on remand and are detained in adult …
Continue reading “Government must act now to protect the rights of Indigenous peoples”
