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 …

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 …

Good news: Torture survivor Jerryme Corre is free!

Jerryme Corre has been released in the Philippines after being tortured by police and spending 6 years in jail on trumped up drug charges. Thousands of Amnesty activists in Australia and around the world have campaigned for his freedom since 2014. Despite years of delay, hearings were held in January 2018 concerning the charges. On …

Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega released from prison

Journalist and prisoner of conscience Eskinder Nega was unconditionally released as part of a presidential pardon on the 14 February 2018. What happened? At an event to mark the Ethiopian New Year in 2011 Eskinder spoke about press freedom in the country. Shortly after, on the 14 September, Eskinder was arrested – for the ninth …

Good news: Cambodian environmental activists released!

Two Cambodian environmental activists and prisoners of conscience  Hun Vannak and Doem Kundy, were released on a seven-month suspended sentence on 13 February 2018. What happened? On 11 September 2017, two environmental activists – Hun Vannak and Doem Kundy – were arrested by police while filming two sand-bearing vessels anchored off the coast of Cambodia. They suspected the vessels …

Good news: Teodora Vásquez is free

Teodora del Carmen Vásquez was released from prison in El Salvador on 15 February, after a court reduced her sentence. Teodora suffered a stillbirth and was sentenced to 30 years for ‘aggravated homicide’ under strict anti-abortion laws. She spent over a decade behind bars. What happened? Teodora was at work when she began to suffer …