Egypt: Verdicts expected for 739 defendants in grotesque mass death penalty trial

739 defendants face death penalty, including photojournalist popularly known as ‘Shawkan’ Grossly unfair trial marred by torture of defendants The mass trial of 739 people, many facing the death penalty on charges related to participation in the al-Rabaa sit-in on 14 August 2013, is a grotesque parody of justice, Amnesty International said ahead of the …

USA: Authorities must stop separating and locking up families

US authorities must put an immediate end to both the separation and detention of children and families who come to the US border with Mexico seeking asylum, while also immediately reuniting the thousands of families who remain separated as a result of the Trump administration’s unlawful and damaging policies, said Amnesty International. “Despite the executive …

Passing of draconian laws throws Australian rights and freedoms under the bus

At the disappointing news that the Senate tonight passed the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill and the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill, Claire O’Rourke, External Affairs Director at Amnesty International Australia, said: “In passing these draconian laws, both sides of Australian politics have thrown our rights and freedoms under the bus. …

Maribyrnong Council unanimously passes motion supporting community sponsorship for refugees

Maribyrnong Council last night stepped up Australia’s response to the global refugee situation by unanimously passing a motion in support of expanding and improving the Australian Government’s current refugee community sponsorship program. “It is so fantastic to see Maribyrnong Council get behind expanding this neighbourhood-led solution to the global refugee crisis.” Shankar Kasynathan, Refugee Campaigner …

Myanmar: Military top brass must face justice for crimes against humanity targeting Rohingya

Report names 13 officials with a key role in murder, rape and deportation of Rohingya. Myanmar’s security forces committed nine distinct types of crimes against humanity; responsibility goes to the top of the chain of command. Calls for accountability, including a UN Security Council referral to the ICC. Amnesty International has gathered extensive, credible evidence …

Albury, Wodonga & Wagga Wagga Councils come together in support of community sponsorship for refugees

Last night Albury Council, Wodonga Council and Wagga Wagga Council marked a significant moment in Australia’s response to the global refugee situation by simultaneously passing motions in support of expanding and improving the Australian Government’s current refugee community sponsorship program. “This is a fantastic show of support for welcoming refugees and Amnesty International is so …

Espionage & Foreign Interference Bill could damage Australian civil society

On today’s commencement of debate in the House of Representatives on both the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill 2017 and the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017, Amnesty International Australia’s External Affairs Director Claire O’Rourke said: “Despite the welcome bipartisan announcement yesterday exempting charities from having to register under the Foreign …

Jordan: Syrian refugees must not be abandoned

Responding to the news that the Jordanian government has said it will not accept any more refugees fleeing a new offensive in southern Syria, Mouna Elkekhia, Amnesty International’s Advisor on Refugee and Migrant Rights, said: “People fleeing war in Syria are in a desperate life-or-death situation, and the Jordanian government cannot simply abandon them.” “People …

Albury Council passes motion supporting community sponsorship for refugees

Albury Council today marked a significant milestone in Australia’s response to the global refugee situation by passing a motion in support of expanding and improving the Australian Government’s current refugee community sponsorship program. “Albury is the first local council in NSW to get behind expanding this neighbourhood-led solution to the global refugee crisis,” said Shankar …

An open letter to Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the UN

Dear Ambassador Haley, We write in response to your letter of 20 June 2018, in which you suggest that NGOs are somehow responsible for your decision to withdraw from the Human Rights Council. The decision to resign from the Council was that of the US administration alone. We had legitimate concerns that the US’s proposal …