Imran Mohammad is Amnesty International Australia’s Blogging Competition 2016 winner. Imran, now 22, fled Myanmar at age 16 and taught himself to read and write English while being held on Manus Island. Here is his powerful winning entry. I’m a passionate young writer incarcerated by the Australian Government for over three years on Manus Island, PNG. …
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Egypt: Free journalist detained for over three years
Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release photojournalist Mohammed Abu Zeid, popularly known as Shawkan, who has spent more than three years in detention and whose court hearing takes place on Saturday 10 December. The authorities must also drop all charges against him. “Mohammed Abu Zeid was simply doing his job when he was arrested, taking …
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Sri Lanka: Much remains to be done on torture
The Sri Lankan authorities must take decisive action to stop torture and other ill-treatment, investigate complaints, and hold perpetrators accountable, Amnesty International said following the publication of the concluding observations by the UN Committee against Torture on Sri Lanka. “If the Sri Lankan authorities are serious about breaking with the harrowing legacy of the country’s …
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Saudi Arabia: Death sentences a travesty of justice
The condemning of 15 people to death by the Specialized Criminal Court today after a grossly unfair trial is a travesty of justice and a serious violation of human rights. The men were among 32 people arrested across Saudi Arabia in 2013 and 2014 who were accused of spying for Iran. Fifteen others were sentenced …
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Standing Rock: a major victory for Indigenous people
In a major victory for Indigenous people who fought to protect the water and their rights, the Army Corps of Engineers has decided not to allow an oil pipeline to cross under a reservoir on land it controls in North Dakota. United States Assistant Secretary of the Army, Jo-Ellen Darcy, said they would “explore alternate routes” …
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Fiji: A darker side of paradise
Famed for white-sand beaches and sweeping views of turquoise water, Fiji is known as an idyllic holiday destination. However, under its picture-perfect exterior, the Pacific island contains an ingrained culture of torture. Read the report It’s been over a decade since the 2006 coup that brought Prime Minister Voreqe “Frank” Bainimarama to power. The military remains …
Myanmar: Rakhine investigation must be credible
Responding to the news that the President of Myanmar has established a commission to investigate violence in Rakhine state since the 9 October attacks on three border police posts, Amnesty International said: “An investigation into human rights violations in northern Rakhine state is long overdue. However, it will only be effective if it is independent, …
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Ai Weiwei joins call to pardon Snowden
World-renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is joining forces with Amnesty International to mobilize hundreds of thousands of supporters around the world to inundate the White House with messages in support of Edward Snowden, as part of the world’s biggest human rights campaign, launched today. The Write for Rights campaign in Australia, with local events taking place in November and December, …
UN: Inaction on Syria is not an option
Ahead of an urgent declaration being issued today by more than 200 civil society groups from around the world, urging the UN General Assembly to take action regarding the war in Syria, Sherine Tadros, Head of Amnesty International’s UN Office, said: “It is becoming clearer every day that the UN Security Council has failed the …
Children’s Commissioner urges Australia to ratify OPCAT and protect kids in detention
We welcome the Children’s Commissioner’s report tabled today, urging the Australian Government to protect children in detention by ratifying the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture. In response to the report, Roxanne Moore, Indigenous Rights Campaigner at Amnesty International Australia, said: “Let’s see Australia’s leaders ratify OPCAT, and then commit to a national plan for protecting children …