Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
The Thai military government must end its far-reaching crackdown on peaceful demonstrations, Amnesty International said as nine activists – including the first person arrested for protesting after the military coup in 2014 – are facing criminal proceedings. They join hundreds of people who have been harassed or jailed simply for speaking out peacefully against military …
Continue reading “Thailand: End escalating crackdown on peaceful protests”
In reaction to reports that the former Immigration Minister Scott Morrison deliberately obstructed the processing of visas for refugees in 2013, Amnesty International Australia’s Refugees Coordinator Graham Thom said, “This is another example of Australia’s cruel and punitive approach to people arriving by boat to seek our protection. This is despite the recommendation from the Minister’s …
Continue reading “Government, ASIO need to explain interference in refugee visas process”
Responding to reports that the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said that he wants Australia to become one of the world’s top 10 arms exporters to target markets including the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region, Amnesty International Australia’s Crisis Campaigns Coordinator Diana Sayed said: “When the Government talks about expanding arms exports to the …
Continue reading “Arms sales expansion plan exposes Australia to profiting from human rights abuses”
Responding to news that an asylum-seeker being treated at a hospital in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG), for a serious medical condition, has been restrained for three days and is being force-fed by hospital staff after he went on hunger strike for 20 days, Kate Schuetze, Amnesty International’s Pacific Researcher said: “Forcing medical treatment …
Continue reading “PNG: Sick asylum-seeker restrained and force-fed”
In response to today’s attack on Save the Children’s offices in Jalalabad, which has left several people dead and a number of others injured, Biraj Patnaik, Amnesty International’s South Asia Director said: “We stand in solidarity with our colleagues at Save the Children following this dreadful news, which comes after a wave of violence against civilians …
The government of Bangladesh’s announcement that it is to postpone the return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar is a welcome relief for hundreds of thousands currently living in Bangladesh, Amnesty International said today. Implementing a returns arrangement – finalised last week – in its current form would put the safety and rights of more than …
An independent inquiry into abuses at Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre is welcome, but must be accompanied by immediately moving at-risk young people out of the harmful ‘Intensive Support Unit’. WA Corrections Minister Fran Logan announced at a press conference on Friday that Inspector of Custodial Services Neil Morgan would examine the allegations of abuse, …
Continue reading “Young people still at risk despite WA Banksia Hill inquiry”
Australia should move Australia Day to a date that is inclusive of all Australians and recognises the survival and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Amnesty International said today, as it released its first position statement on the issue. “Australia Day should be a day when everyone can come together, to celebrate our …
Continue reading “Keep Australia Day, and move to a date we can all celebrate”
Responding to an announcement by the Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry that it will aim to repatriate all Rohingya refugees within two years, James Gomez, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said: “With memories of rape, killing and torture still fresh in the minds of Rohingya refugees, plans for their return to Myanmar …
Continue reading “Bangladesh: Returning Rohingya to Myanmar illegal and premature”
Amnesty International Australia is partnering with kikki.K on its #MoreLove campaign for Valentine’s Day. Kikki.K is passionate about LGBTQI rights and is donating $1 to Amnesty for every sale from their #MoreLove range to help us continue our human rights work. To celebrate the partnership, Alison Gibbins, Amnesty Australia’s Deputy National Director, talks about love, life, …
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