Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
Amnesty International has urged the WA Government to drop plans to forcibly evict Aboriginal peoples from up to 150 homelands communities, saying that demolishing homes and denying Indigenous peoples their right to practise their culture would be an illogical move, in breach of international law. Hypocritical “It’s hypocritical for Premier Colin Barnett to admit that …
Continue reading “WA Government must abandon “traumatic” plans to close Aborignal Homelands”
Protection for the millions of people whose lives are devastated by the poorly regulated global arms trade just took a giant leap forward. A total of 50 ratifications were needed for the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to come into force and as of now there have been 53, triggering a 90-day countdown to entry into …
Continue reading “Good news: Arms Trade Treaty to take effect in December 2014”
The WA Government must stop the demolition of an estimated $30 million worth of homes, public buildings and infrastructure in the Oombulgurri community in WA’s Kimberley region, said Amnesty International. The organisation’s public action calling for a stop to the demolitions has attracted over 16,000 supporters since it was launched last Wednesday. Forced eviction Amnesty …
Continue reading “WA Government must stop Oombulgurri demolitions”
Amnesty International today called for a full independent judicial inquiry into the tragic death last month of 22 year-old Aboriginal woman Miss Dhu while in West Australian police custody. This follows yesterday’s announcement of a WA coroner’s inquest and an internal police investigation. The global human rights organisation mourns the passing of Miss Dhu, who …
Continue reading “Truth and justice needed for Miss Dhu, latest WA death in custody”
The tear-gassing of children at a Darwin correctional facility last month is extremely alarming and must be urgently investigated. Six boys aged between 14 and 17 were subdued with tear gas at Don Dale Detention Centre on 21 August 2014, after the teenagers reportedly escaped their cells, armed themselves with glass, injured a prison officer …
Amnesty International welcomes new moves by the Western Australian Government to address the growing number of young people being detained in the state, the majority being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. The State Government has announced a group of community members will form a Youth Justice Board (YJB) to help reduce youth incarceration rates. The …
Continue reading “Promising moves to reduce youth incarceration rates”
Amnesty International condemns a decision to cut funding to Aboriginal Legal Services, at a time when Indigenous incarceration rates continue to rise, in a major blow to ending Indigenous inequality. The Federal Government has confirmed cuts to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS), the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres …
Continue reading “Legal cuts a massive blow for Indigenous Australians”
Amnesty International Campaigner and long-time Indigenous rights activist Rodney Dillon has been recognised for his tireless work at a presentation in Tasmania. Rodney was awarded the Human Rights Individual Award at the Tasmanian Human Rights Awards which mark Human Rights Week. He was presented with a framed copy of the award alongside other category recipients …
Continue reading “Recognition for a tireless Indigenous Rights Campaigner”
Amnesty International condemns in the strongest possible terms the inhumane incarceration of a 16 year old Aboriginal boy, along with two 17 year olds, in solitary confinement at an adult maximum security prison in Victoria. Early reports indicate the 16 year old Aboriginal boy was placed in the cell in Port Phillip Prison, for four …
Continue reading “Amnesty outraged by treatment of teenagers held in solitary confinement”
Amnesty International Australia expresses solidarity with the community of Palm Island as they react to news the Queensland Government will pay the legal costs of the police officer acquitted over the manslaughter of Mulrunji Doomadgee. Amnesty International’s Indigenous Rights Campaigner Rodney Dillon says he understands why the latest news reports have inflamed concerns at Palm …