Cambodia’s government is using its courts to silence human rights defenders and political activists, Amnesty International says in a new report. Using its tight grip on the criminal justice system, the Cambodian government has brought a series of trumped-up charges against members of the political opposition, trade union activists, human rights activists, and political commentators, …
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Australia must step up as U.S. raises refugee quota
In response to reports the U.S. is raising the number of refugees it will accept, Amnesty International Australia’s Refugee Coordinator Dr Graham Thom said: “It’s important for Australia to also step up, given the ongoing crises in places like Syria and Iraq.” “Now the additional 12,000 refugees have been resettled here, Australia should allocate another …
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Australia’s embarrassment as Taiwan leaps ahead on marriage equality
Australia is dragging its heels on marriage equality, as Taiwan has taken a step closer to becoming the first in Asia to legalise marriage for everyone. Progress in Australia has stalled since the bipartisan show of support for change during a senate committee enquiry in February. Amnesty International is urging the Parliament to …
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Palestine: Hamas must urgently halt executions of three men sentenced after unfair trial
Responding to reports that Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip will tomorrow execute three men accused of killing senior Hamas commander Mazen Faqha on 24 March, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa Magdalena Mughrabi said: “The three men scheduled to be hanged or shot in Gaza tomorrow were tried in …
Israel: Release Palestinian prisoner of conscience
The Israeli authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Ahmed Qatamesh, a 67-year-old Palestinian academic, writer and political analyst who has been arbitrarily detained under a three month administrative detention order. Ahmed Qatamesh was seized during a pre-dawn raid on his home on 14 May 2017. Three days later a military commander signed an administrative order …
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Iraq: US admits failures to monitor over $1 billion worth of arms transfers
The US Army failed to keep tabs on more than $1 billion (AUD$1.3 billion) worth of arms and other military equipment in Iraq and Kuwait according to a now declassified Department of Defense (DoD) audit, obtained by Amnesty International following Freedom of Information requests. The government audit, from September 2016, reveals that the DoD “did not …
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Offshore detention reaches critical point, further tragedy inevitable unless Australia acts responsibly
Accountability and an immediate plan to guarantee the safety of refugees trapped on Nauru and Manus Island are needed urgently as the evidence stacks up on the danger, deliberate abuse and suffering the Australian Government’s offshore detention regime is causing. The clear message being delivered ahead of the Immigration Department’s appearance at Budget Estimates on …
Human Rights Council bid glosses over refugee, asylum seeker, Indigenous rights
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has this week launched Australia’s bid for a Human Rights Council seat at the United Nations. But, back at home, the Government continues its inherently abusive offshore detention regime, and oversees astronomical rates of Indigenous incarceration. “It’s not enough to talk the talk in New York – this government must …
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Australia must step up for Indigenous kids as Julie Bishop talks up Human Rights Council bid.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has today begun her US visit to officially launch Australia’s Human Rights Council candidacy. In response, Julian Cleary, Indigenous Rights Campaigner at Amnesty International Australia, said: “While Ms Bishop is overseas talking up Australia’s human rights record, back at home one of Australia’s most serious human rights abuses needs …
Digital verification of Manus Island shooting released
Amnesty International experts have digitally verified images and footage from the shooting and found bullets were fired directly into the centre. Calls for accountability renewed one month on from incident Australian government deliberately fails to take responsibility for people’s lives Digital verification of images and videos establishes that bullets were fired directly into the Manus …
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