An apparently pre-planned suicide attack, which killed at least 63 people and wounded more than 50 others in a hospital in Quetta, south-western Pakistan, today is the latest in a series of horrific attacks by armed groups targeting ordinary people in Pakistan. “This is an absolutely senseless targeting of dozens of people, including patients and …
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Thailand referendum marred by rights violations
Thailand’s referendum on a draft constitution takes place this Sunday against a backdrop of pervasive human rights violations that have created a chilling climate. In the context of the referendum, the authorities have arbitrarily arrested scores of people, have cancelled or disrupted peaceful assemblies and took off the air a television station in recent weeks, …
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NT Government must protect children still at risk
The Giles Government must tell the public what steps it has taken to protect children from further abuse in juvenile detention, not only in Darwin but Alice Springs, since the furore around the Northern Territory detention system erupted 11 days ago. While the announcement of the Royal Commission is a welcome step, the process so …
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China: Assault on human rights lawyers and activists escalates with convictions after sham trials
The Chinese authorities must end their relentless suppression of human rights lawyers and activists, after a prominent lawyer became the latest to be convicted after an unfair trial. On Thursday, Zhou Shifeng was sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of “subverting state power”, following a trial that lasted less than a …
UN Refugee Summit talks end in abject failure
World leaders have wasted a critical opportunity to tackle the global refugee crisis, after talks for a new UN refugee deal ended falling far short of expectations. Late last night, the United Nations (UN) member states meeting in New York finalized a watered-down outcome document for adoption at a UN Summit meant to tackle the …
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Iran: Hanging of teenager shows authorities’ disregard for international law
A teenager has been executed in Iran after being convicted of the rape of another boy, the first confirmed execution of a juvenile in the country this year. Amnesty International has been carrying out extensive research into the situation of juvenile offenders on death row in Iran, and found that Hassan Afshar, 19, was hanged in Arak’s …
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Syria: Fatal airstrike on maternity hospital a potential war crime
An aerial attack which struck and partially destroyed a maternity hospital in rural Idlib province, north-western Syria, yesterday afternoon appears to be part of a despicable pattern of unlawful attacks deliberately targeting medical facilities. The number of casualties in the attack is not yet clear, but a spokesperson from Save the Children, which supports the …
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We must not wait for a Royal Commission to protect children in youth detention
No one could have watched Monday’s ABC’s Four Corners without a sense of horror. Distressing is an understatement as I sat and watched a crying, distraught child seized by his neck, forced to the ground, manhandled, stripped naked by three grown men and left alone in a cell. It made me sick. Amnesty International welcomed …
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Turkey: Intensified crackdown on media increases atmosphere of fear
As Turkey enters its second week of a three month state of emergency, the ongoing crackdown on civil society and the assault on media freedom has reached disturbing and unprecedented levels. Arrest warrants have been issued for 89 journalists, more than 40 have already been detained and others are in hiding. A second emergency decree …
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Indonesia: Deplorable executions must not be compounded
Reacting to the announcement that at least four people – Fredi Budiman, Humphrey Jefferson Ejike, Michael Titus Igweh, and Seck Osmane – have been executed by the Indonesian authorities, Amnesty International has this statement. “The execution of at least four people tonight by the Indonesian authorities is a deplorable act that violates international law. Any …
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