Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
Turkey spent the months leading up to its military incursion into northeast Syria forcibly deporting refugees to the war-torn country, in advance of attempting to create a so-called “safe zone” on the Syrian side of the border, new Amnesty International research has revealed. The organization met or spoke with refugees who said Turkish police had …
Continue reading “Turkey: Syrians illegally deported into war ahead of anticipated ‘safe zone’”
Amnesty International has gathered fresh evidence that the Myanmar military is continuing to commit atrocities against ethnic minorities in the north of the country, with civilians bearing the brunt of offensives against multiple armed groups. The conflicts show no sign of abating, raising the prospect of further violations. A new report, “Caught in the middle”: …
Continue reading “Myanmar: Military atrocities ‘relentless and ruthless’ in northern Shan State”
Amnesty International Australia welcomed Australian Federal Police chief Reece Kershaw’s apology to Hakeem al-Araibi for the time he was detained in a Thai prison. “An apology, albeit belated, is the very least Hakeem should expect for the ordeal he and his family endured,” Amnesty International Australia campaigner Tim O’Connor said. “It’s a welcome acknowledgement of …
Continue reading “AFP apology to Hakeem welcome, action still needed”
Ahead of today’s extradition hearing in the Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Massimo Moratti, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Europe, said: “The British authorities must acknowledge the real risks of serious human rights violations Julian Assange would face if sent to the USA and reject the extradition request. The UK must comply with the commitment it’s already …
Continue reading “Extradition of Julian Assange to the United States must not go ahead”
Turkish military forces and a coalition of Turkey-backed Syrian armed groups have displayed a shameful disregard for civilian life, carrying out serious violations and war crimes, including summary killings and unlawful attacks that have killed and injured civilians, during the offensive into northeast Syria, said Amnesty International today. The organization gathered witness testimony between 12 …
In response to news today that Cotton On and Target Australia would cease sourcing cotton from Xinjiang, Amnesty International Australia campaigner Rose Kulak said: “Amnesty welcomes this move by Cotton On and Target to stop sourcing cotton from Xinjiang. We know there are terrible human rights violations occurring for the million Uyghur people currently interred …
Following Claire Mallinson’s announcement earlier this year that she would not be seeking a fourth term as Amnesty International Australia (AIA) National Director, it was announced at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting that Samantha Klintworth has been appointed to be the new National Director. AIA Board Chair Gabe Kavanagh paid tribute to Claire who departs …
Continue reading “Amnesty International Australia appoints new National Director”
Responding to comments by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton today that “human error” was to blame for his department putting Hakeem al-Araibi’s life at risk, Amnesty International Australia campaigner Tim O’Connor said: “It’s simply not good enough to scapegoat a single person for what is a systemic failure. The fact is that a person’s life …
Freedom of information documents finally released after nine months illustrate how shambolic communication and a culture of punishment before protection within the Home Affairs Department put Hakeem al-Araibi’s life at risk. Hakeem was unfairly detained in Thailand in November 2018 for 76 days on an erroneous Interpol red notice after contacting the Australian Government to …
Malaysia must start to fulfil its promise to abolish the death penalty in forthcoming legislation by ending its use for drug-related offences and eliminating the mandatory death sentence, Amnesty International said today, as it launches a new report to mark the World Day Against the Death Penalty. The report, Fatally flawed: Why Malaysia must abolish …
