Amnesty International Australia
Defending Human Rights
Write for Rights is a moment when Amnesty International’s movement of ten million comes together to challenge injustice and take action for freedom, justice and equality. Over nearly 20 years, those actions more have made a real difference in many lives. In 2019 Amnesty activists took more than six million Write for Rights actions. And …
Continue reading “You can make a difference: Good news from Write for Rights in 2019”
Nearly 70,000 supporters continue to pressure the Australian Government to get refugees and asylum seekers trapped in offshore detention to safety. Last week, Vali Papi was one of many who have finally been resettled. After being held offshore for more than 7 years, last week Papi boarded a plane with his family to be resettled …
Legislation seeking to remove mobile phones from refugees and asylum seekers in detention has failed to secure support in the Senate, with Jacqui Lambie confirming she will vote against the Bill. The Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill sought to give Border Force increased powers to remove mobile phones which for many …
Continue reading “Prohibiting items bill support collapses in the face of people powered pressure”
The Australian Capital Territory’s Legislative Assembly has voted to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14, paving the way for other jurisdictions to reform an outmoded law which disproportionately affects Indigenous kids. Amnesty International Australia campaigner, Joel Clark said: “Amnesty congratulates the ACT on showing the other states and territories that raising …
Continue reading “ACT paves the way for vital law reform by raising the age”
Guligeina Tashimaimaiti has been released from a “transformation through education” centre in China. Following her release, in early May 2020 she spoke with her family in a video call — the first contact they’ve had since 2017. Her family said she looked well, and is currently teaching English in the community in Xinjiang. Thank you to …
Continue reading “Good news! Guligeina released from re-education camp in China”
After pressure from over one million Amnesty supporters from around the world, Yasaman’s prison sentence has been reduced. Sentenced originally to 16 years for campaigning against Iran’s forced veiling laws, she will now be required to serve 5 years and 6 months. With her head uncovered, Yasaman handed out flowers to women on the Tehran …
As the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s natural to have feelings of despair and fear. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, it’s more important than ever that we all stand together – and celebrate the good news when it breaks. People may need to be physically distant right now, but we are always united …
Filmaker Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi was released from prison in Myanmar on 21 February 2020! What happened? Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi, a prominent filmmaker, was detained on 12 April 2019. He was detained because of Facebook posts criticising the role of the military in politics. Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi has liver cancer …
Continue reading “Freedom for Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi in Myanmar”
Vietnamese activist Trần Thị Nga was released from prison in January. Trần Thị Nga was released in January, after having served three years of a nine year prison sentence. She has since safely arrived in the USA along with her partner and two sons. Tran Thi Nga shared the following message with Amnesty supporters; “I …
With inequality, injustice and hate speech seemingly ever more prevalent across the globe, you’d be forgiven for thinking 2019 has been a bad year for human rights. Yet, we have also seen some significant wins. Activists the world over have been galvanised to stand up and fight for our human rights – and thanks to …
Continue reading “In a dangerous world, human rights activists have been winning all year”
