Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
More than half of Australians believe we already have a national Human Rights Act and when told we’re the only Western liberal democracy without one, 76% said they would support its introduction. More than a third of Australians are unsure if their right to vote is protected. The nation is split as to whether the …
Continue reading “Australia’s Human Rights Barometer: overwhelming support for a Human Rights Act”
The Australian Government’s decision to ignore key recommendations from UN member states aimed at improving its human rights record is extremely disappointing. The recommendations, made at the UN Human Rights Council’s review of Australia earlier this year, found that 31 countries called for the Government to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility, while 47 …
Australia’s lack of action on climate change, treatment of Indigenous people and the ongoing detention of refugees have been singled out for criticism in Amnesty International’s annual report into the state of human rights around the world: Amnesty International Report 2020/21 – The State of the World’s Human Rights. The report highlighted widespread public support …
Tibetan activist Tashi Wangchuk has been released after five years in prison for “inciting separatism.” Tashi was targeted after campaigning for the Tibetan languge to be taught in Tibet’s schools. BACKGROUND Tashi wants Tibetan children to learn their native tongue in Chinese schools, as well as the Mandarin that they currently learn. In January 2016, …
Continue reading “Tibetan activist Tashi Wangchuk released from prison”
The family of Australian father of two, Chau Van Kham, are this week marking the two year anniversary of his arrest and incarceration in Viet Nam. The former baker from Sydney, who suffers from a number of medical issues, will also be turning 72 years old. But he won’t be talking to his wife and …
Amnesty International has gathered new evidence of indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Rakhine State, amid serious escalations in the ongoing armed conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA). This evidence is based on firsthand testimony, photographs and video obtained from inside Rakhine State, and analysis of satellite imagery as well as media reports …
Continue reading “Myanmar: Villages burned, civilians killed as Rakhine State conflict escalates”
Amnesty International Australia and the Grata Fund call on State and Territory governments and all relevant bodies to publicly release guidelines used by police to enforce COVID-19 social distancing regulations. A growing list of organisations are now calling for improved police accountability to maintain public trust as COVID-19 health regulations are enforced. To monitor this, …
Continue reading “Clear guidelines needed for public to trust Covid-19 enforcement”
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”
