Campaigning for people who have been wrongfully imprisoned is at the heart of what Amnesty International does. We investigate reports of human rights abuses from all over the world, raise awareness of those abuses in the media, and talk to politicians and people with the power to make a difference. Our compassionate activists and supporters …
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Write for Rights 2020: You’re already changing lives!
In 2020, Amnesty International Australia supporters took over 185,000 actions as part of Write for Rights. Around the world, nearly 4,500,000 actions were taken as part of Write for Rights to challenge injustice. Check out the full report from our International Secretariat here. Our collective actions are already making a difference and changing lives. Challeging …
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Defeat of Tasmanian Government’s anti-protest laws a win for human rights and the right to protest
Responding to the news that the Tasmanian State Government’s proposed legislation to restrict the right to protest peacefully has been defeated, Amnesty International Australia campaigner, Nikita White, said: “This is good news for human rights and for Tasmanians. The Bill, under which protesters could have faced up to 21 years in prison, would have unnecessarily …
Myanmar: suspension of security assistance welcome, but more needs to be done to protect human rights
Amnesty International Australia today welcomed the suspension of security assistance with Myanmar in the wake of the military coup on February 1, and called for further targeted multilateral sanctions against senior officials. “The Myanmar military has a well-documented history of violence and grave human rights violations. Amnesty commends he Australian government for finally suspending its …
Kirin pulls out of MEHL: a win for activists and human rights
Commenting on Kirin Holdings’ statement today that it would end its joint venture, Myanma Economic Public Company Limited (MEHL), with the Myanmar military, Amnesty International Australia Campaigner, Tim O’Connor said: “We welcome that Kirin, which owns Australian and New Zealand brewing and beverage giant Lion, has finally divested from its MEHL joint venture with the …
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LGBTQIA+ conversion practices are finally banned in Victoria!
Thanks to the advocacy of survivors and allies, LGBTQA+ Victorians are now protected from harmful conversion practices. On 4 February 2021 the Victoria’s Legislative Council passed the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill (2020). The Bill protects LGBTQA+ Victorians from harmful change or suppression practices, otherwise known as conversion practices. The Bill puts in …
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Proposed Alice Springs youth curfew will not go ahead: Minister Manison
In response to a motion passed by the Alice Springs Town Council, Amnesty International Australia wrote to the Northern Territory Police Minister, Nicole Manison, asking her to intervene and ensure that a curfew did not go ahead. Amnesty International Australia argued that a curfew on children and young people will only entrench cycles of disadvantage, …
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2020 human rights wins to celebrate right now
It’s been a difficult year, with many people facing familiar and new hardships. Despite the difficult circumstances, our global community continued courageously standing up for justice, freedom and equality. From writing letters and signing petitions to protesting in a safe way, people came together to take action and show that change is possible. Celebrate these …
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Solomon Islands blocks bauxite mine in victory for Wagina islanders who feared for livelihoods
The Solomon Islands Minister of the Environment has upheld a decision that had refused the development of an open-cast bauxite mine on Wagina Island. “This is a hard-won victory for Wagina Island residents who rely on their island and waters around the proposed mining site for their livelihoods,” said Richard Pearshouse, Amnesty International’s Head of …
Raise the Age Coalition welcome ACT’s nation-leading step towards raising the age
The national Raise the Age coalition of medical, legal, Aboriginal-led and human rights organisations today congratulated the new ACT Labor-Greens Government on its historic commitment to change the law in the ACT and raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility. State and territory Attorneys-General delayed making a decision to raise the age when they met …
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