Racism is harmful to human rights and health

In the run up to International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 9 August, our Indigenous Rights Campaigner Roxanne Moore looks at the human rights and health consequences of racism. Racist attacks on Adam Goodes Racism is not only a violation of human rights, but it has serious health consequences. We have seen the …

Dystopian novels human rights activists will love

From the controversial to the downright terrifying, the dystopian futures described in these novels are starting to feel familiar. By Katie Young 1984 by George Orwell In an age where government agencies carry out surveillance on ordinary citizens and charities, George Orwell’s chilling novel, 1984, feels more relevant than ever. First published in 1949 – …

Geneva meetings: it’s time to act on the refugee crisis

Graham Thom, Amnesty International Australia’s Refugee Coordinator, recently spent a week in Geneva for the two most important meetings on the refugee campaign calendar. Here, Graham reveals five things that stood out to him during this trip. 1. Syrian refugees are most in need of resettlement while solutions for the Rohingya remain distant Issues relating …

Why I stand for Indigenous rights

This NAIDOC Week, our Indigenous rights team tell us what motivated them to work for Indigenous rights. Rodney Dillon, Indigenous Rights Advisor Rodney Dillon here. I’m an Aboriginal man from Tasmania. I have worked at Amnesty for the past eight years. My great-great grandmother Fanny Cochrane Smith was the daughter of Tanganooturra, from Cape Portland …

Moses Akatugba officially pardoned

A Nigerian torture victim wrongfully sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was 16 years old has been pardoned following intensive campaigning from Amnesty International supporters across the world. Moses Akatugba, who was on death row following his conviction for stealing three mobile phones 10 years ago and was repeatedly tortured into signing …

Community is everything: Sarah’s story

Why is community so important for Indigenous kids? Meet Sarah*, from the Kimberley. She attributes her bright future to strong cultural and community connections while growing up. Sarah’s story Sarah is employed at a local Aboriginal organisation in the Kimberley and is planning to start her own business. She attributes her promising future to her …

Pardoned Nigerian torture victim ‘overwhelmed’ by campaign to spare his life

A Nigerian torture victim wrongfully sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was 16 years old has been pardoned following intensive campaigning from Amnesty International supporters across the world. Moses Akatugba, who was on death row following his conviction for stealing three mobile phones 10 years ago and was repeatedly tortured into signing …

‘My first week of freedom after 10 years in jail’: Moses Akatugba

On 28 May 2015, Moses Akatugba, a Nigerian death-row inmate, was pardoned after nearly 10 years in jail. He had been tortured to confess to a crime he says he never committed. Over 800,000 activists sent letters demanding justice for Moses. Moses describes his joy at finally being free. Tears of joy When I called …