10 anti-slavery activists released in Mauritania

On International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, we celebrate the recent release of three anti-slavery activists, and the reduced sentence of 10 others in Mauritania who have been imprisoned since 30 June. The Appeal Court ruling in Mauritania acquitted and ordered the release of three anti-slavery activists, and reduced the sentence of 10 others – including …

Parliament urged to ditch lifetime ban bill

Amnesty International Australia and the Refugee Action Committee Canberra today urged Parliament to scrap the proposed lifetime ban bill. Concerned community members brought giant photo portraits of people seeking asylum locked in offshore detention to the lawns of Parliament House early this morning. “Enough is enough, the lifetime ban is yet another layer of cruelty …

Andrews’ Government must not send any child to adult prison

Amnesty International urges the Victorian Government to ensure no children are jailed at the maximum security adult facility Barwon Prison, following the Government’s astonishing decision to halt the transfer of some children, while exposing others to ongoing harm. Ongoing risk “The Andrews Government has agreed not to transfer Aboriginal children to a maximum security adult …

Syria: Civilians in eastern Aleppo city fear revenge attacks

Syrian government forces who have captured parts of eastern Aleppo city in recent days must ensure that civilians living in these areas are allowed to move freely and are protected from revenge attacks including arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearance or harassment. Syrian government forces have taken control of two neighbourhoods in eastern Aleppo, Jabal Badro …

Fremantle’s culturally-inclusive Australia Day a positive step for Indigenous people

In a bold move which has received both praise and cries of being ‘unAustralian’, the The City of Fremantle has cancelled its Australia Day festivities, instead celebrating its National Day on 28 January. Its new family-friendly event, labelled “One Day” will replace the traditional fireworks display and include an impressive list of performances from artists …

Refugees in urgent need of protection from sexual violence

There is an urgent need for governments around the world to provide better protection for women and girls, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) refugees, who face appalling levels of sexual and gender based violence at every stage of their journeys. “Imagine living in a refugee camp where you are too scared to go …

Bangladesh pushes back Rohingya refugees

Rohingya refugees and asylum-seekers being detained and forcibly returned Lack of water, food and medical care Both governments preventing thousands from accessing aid Harrowing details of Myanmar military attacks on villages As the Myanmar authorities are subjecting the Rohingya Muslim minority to collective punishment, thousands of refugees who have made it across the border to …

The great shame of Australia: When will violence against women stop?

On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, one woman shared her story of domestic abuse. “If you go out tonight, I’ll hit you in places where people won’t see the bruises,” Rebecca’s* husband said to her calmly. This was a man the 30-year-old Sydney-sider had once considered funny, charming and handsome – so …

New #JustJustice book should be top of PM Turnbull’s reading list

The Federal Government must make good on its promise to listen to, and work with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including engaging with the solutions put forward in the forthcoming #JustJustice essay collection. The book includes more than 90 articles on solutions to protect the rights of Australia’s First Peoples. These include pieces by …

UN: Intensify scrutiny of Russia’s role in Syria

Ahead of a visit to Moscow by the incoming United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, on 24 and 25 November, Jane Connors, Amnesty International’s Director of International Advocacy said: “The incoming Secretary-General must ensure the UN system intensifies its scrutiny of Russia’s responsibility for violations of international law in the conflict in Syria.” “António Guterres must …