With the election campaign in full swing, Amnesty International Australia is urging all political parties to change the conversation by refusing to engage in divisive and stereotyping conversation. Tim O’Connor, Impact Manager at Amnesty International Australia said: “Today we are calling on our political leaders to stand against racism and unite Australia through inclusive leadership.The …
Type Archives:
Julian Assange must not be extradited to the US
Following the announcement of Julian Assange’s arrest, and request for extradition to the United States, Massimo Moratti, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Research in Europe, said: “Amnesty International calls on the UK to refuse to extradite or send in any other manner Julian Assange to the USA where there is a very real risk that …
Continue reading “Julian Assange must not be extradited to the US”
Death penalty 2018: Dramatic fall in global executions
Global executions fell by almost one-third last year to the lowest figure in at least a decade, Amnesty International said in its 2018 global review of the death penalty published today. The statistics assess known executions worldwide except in China, where figures thought to be in their thousands remain classified as a state secret. Following …
Continue reading “Death penalty 2018: Dramatic fall in global executions”
Has the QLD Government given up on keeping kids out of prison?
The Queensland Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women yesterday announced that 12 new beds have opened at Cleveland Detention Centre. In response, Joel Clark, Amnesty International Australia Indigenous Rights Advocate, said, “Opening new beds at youth prisons isn’t an achievement or a win, it is a sign that the Minister has given up listening …
Continue reading “Has the QLD Government given up on keeping kids out of prison?”
Freedom of religion: time to act
In response to the release of the Freedom of Religion Second Interim report Tim O’Connor, Impact Manager at Amnesty International Australia said: “We welcome the recommendation to implement legislation that gives full effect to Australia’s obligations under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Political …
Indigenous Legal Assistance Program should be retained
As part of the 2019 Budget, the government yesterday announced plans to disband the Indigenous Legal Assistance Program (ILAP). The ILAP funds organisations to deliver culturally appropriate legal assistance services to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive the help needed to overcome legal problems and fully exercise their legal rights. Tammy Solonec, …
Continue reading “Indigenous Legal Assistance Program should be retained”
Saudi Arabia: Provisional release of three women activists a positive step, but bogus charges must be dropped
Responding to the release of three Saudi women activists, Iman al-Nafjan, Aziza al-Yousef and Ruqayyaa al-Mhareb, Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty International’s Middle East Director of Research, said: “The release from jail of Iman al-Najfan, Aziza al-Yousef and Ruqayyah al-Mhareb, who will finally be able to return to their homes and loved ones after their 10-month ordeal …
Australia’s peak medical body calls on governments to raise the age of criminal responsibility
Aboriginal and human rights organisations today welcomed the Australian Medical Association’s call for all states and territories to raise the age when children can be held criminally responsible to at least 14 years. All Australian states and territories currently have laws that allow children as young as ten years to be charged, brought before the …
Amnesty: Struggles and pain of Don Dale boys comes to nothing as the NT Government takes a giant step backwards
In response to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly’s introduction of the Youth Justice Amendment Bill 2019, Amnesty International Australia Indigenous Rights Advocate Joel Clark said: “The amendments rushed through by the NT Government are dangerous. They are taking the system back to the dark days of the old Don Dale. The Government has made a …
Hakeem al-Araibi shocked and disappointed at FFA’s continued support of Sheikh Salman
Football Federation Australia must explain why it is supporting Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Al-Khalifa for reelection as AFC President, despite the very serious unresolved human rights allegations that continue to hang over his head, says Hakeem al-Araibi and the human rights organisations who worked to bring him home. Al-Araibi, who was himself detained and …