Amnesty International Australia welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement of the closure of the offshore processing facilities in Papua New Guinea as a step in the right direction. However for the 125 men who remain in PNG, this is not a solution to the more than eight years that they have spent in limbo. Amnesty International …
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Offshore detention eight years on: 230 people remain trapped on PNG and Nauru and 133 are locked up in prison hotels across Australia
The announcement by the then Rudd Government that those arriving by boat after 19 July 2013 would never be settled in Australia was never backed up with a clear plan as to what would happen to the more than 3,000 asylum seekers sent to Papua New Guinea and Nauru for processing. Eight years later 230 …
‘Band Together’: Refugees join stars from Midnight Oil, Youth Group, Celibate Rifles, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra to mark Refugee Week
The City of Sydney, the Asylum Seekers Centre and Amnesty International Australia are coming together to host ‘Band Together’, an evening of music and conversation marking Refugee Week 2021. Speakers include Craig Foster, Rosemary Kariuki and people who have recently received protection in Australia Roaa Ahmed and Mithat Unlu. Refugees and artists Farhad Bandesh and …
Families trapped in Darwin’s Mercure Airport Hotel prison must be released
Three families, all recognised as refugees and including four women, must be released immediately into the community to end their physical and mental anguish after eight years trapped by the Australian Government’s cruel offshore detention policy. The families, who were medevaced to Australia from Nauru where they were detained for more than six years, have …
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Asylum seekers in PNG need safety following reports of more attacks
Amnesty International Australia is calling once again for the Australian Government to fulfill its duty of care obligations to asylum seekers left stranded on Papua New Guinea and get them to safety, following reports of yet another attack by gang members in Port Moresby. The attackers, allegedly carrying pistols and shotguns, targeted approximately 15 asylum …
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Activists calling for a Fair Go and Justice for Refugees
Palm Sunday has long been a day of protest for people across faith communities and for those without any religious beliefs. Thousands have been marching for justice for refugees ever since the re-opening of Australia’s inhumane offshore processing program in 2013. Our power is in challenging injustice together so this year Amnesty International Australia lent …
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Australian Government must immediately vaccinate all 134 refugees still trapped on Papua New Guinea against Covid 19
Following ABC Radio National’s report concerning discrimination towards refugees who have tested positive to COVID-19 on Papua New Guinea, Amnesty International and Doctors for Refugees call on the Australian Government to immediately vaccinate all those being held and ensure they are not being discriminated against in any way. According to the ABC report 14 detainees …
4 things Scott Morrison’s new cabinet can do right now for human rights
In the wake of weeks of shocking revelations about workplace culture and the treatment of women in federal politics, The Morrison Government have reshuffled their cabinet. Among these new ministerial appointments are Senator Michaelia Cash to Attorney General, Peter Dutton MP to Defence, and Karen Andrews MP to Home Affairs. Senator Marise Payne has been …
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Potential return of refugees and people seeking asylum to Nauru and PNG proof of policy failure
Today, the Federal Government confirmed the Minister for Home Affairs has chartered a flight to return refugees and asylum seekers to offshore detention on Nauru in a worrying development the Time For A Home coalition said highlighted the Government’s continued failure to provide a solution for the people it has held for 8 years. The …
What’s the difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker?
Do you know the difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker? The most common refugee terminology explained. Asylum seeker An asylum seeker is an individual who is seeking international protection. In countries with individualised procedures, an asylum seeker is someone whose claim has not yet been finally decided on by the country in which …
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