Afghanistan: Taliban torture and execute Hazaras in targeted attack 

  • Six people killed during a night raid on a family home in Ghor province, including a 12-year-old girl
  • Ongoing Taliban killings indicate a pattern of attacks on ethnic minorities and members of the former security forces

Taliban fighters killed six Hazara people in a deliberate attack on the ethnic minority group in Afghanistan’s Ghor province, Amnesty International said today following a new investigation.

On 26 June 2022, the Taliban detained and unlawfully executed four men during a night raid operation in search of a former security official. The body of at least one of those executed showed signs of torture. A woman and a 12-year-old girl were also killed during the raid.

The attack is part of a wider pattern of unlawful targeted killings of people whom the Taliban perceives as adversaries, in this case being both members of the Hazara community and those who were associated with the former Afghan government.

“These violent deaths are further shocking proof that the Taliban continue to persecute, torture and extrajudicially execute Hazara people.”

AGNES CALLAMARD, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S SECRETARY GENERAL

“The Taliban must immediately end this cruel pattern of targeted killings and, as the de facto authorities, ensure the protection of all Afghans.

“The Taliban must investigate these killings and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted in accordance with international human rights obligations and standards. If the de facto authorities cannot provide justice, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court should immediately open full investigations into all cases of extrajudicial executions. In addition, along with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation in Afghanistan, Amnesty International calls for an independent accountability mechanism in and for Afghanistan.”

Amnesty International documented similar extrajudicial executions of Hazara people in Ghazni province in July 2021, and Daykundi province in August 2021. Despite publicly promising not to target former government officials, the Taliban have still not investigated or prosecuted anyone for the killings.

Amnesty International conducted eight remote interviews, including with witnesses to the June 2022 attack, analyzed 38 photos and three videos that were taken in the aftermath of the attack, consulted a forensic pathologist to review the images of the bodies, and reviewed satellite imagery of the area to confirm the location of one of the killings. Several of the photos analyzed were published online by Taliban media, including the Ghor Province Governor Media Office, which deleted the post soon after publication.

Family members killed

On the night of 26 June 2022, Taliban forces raided the home of Mohamad Muradi, a Hazara man and security official under the former government who had also previously led a People’s Uprising Program force – a local militia – against the Taliban in 2020 and 2021.

Muradi had recently returned to his home in Chahar Asyab, in the Lal wa Sarjangal district in Ghor province, after failing in an attempt to flee to Iran, and then hiding in other cities around the country. Like many who had been involved in Taliban opposition, Muradi had not taken up the offer of a personalized ‘amnesty letter’ – often issued to former security and government officials, offering permission to return home in exchange for a promise to lay down arms – due to the fear of reprisal attacks by the Taliban.

Witnesses told Amnesty International that, on the night of the attack, Taliban forces fired rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at Muradi’s home, killing Taj Gul Muradi, his 22-year-old daughter, who had studied medicine and had been providing health care in the community. The attack wounded Muradi and two of Muradi’s other children, a son and his 12-year-old daughter. The girl suffered severe stomach injuries and died the next day.

Muradi’s left leg was injured, and he surrendered to Taliban forces through the intervention of local elders. However, the Taliban then dragged him outside of the house and shot him dead. An analysis of photos of Muradi’s body shows damage to the front of his shirt, indicating a likely chest wound, and an exit wound in his forehead. 

Amnesty International reviewed photos and videos that show damage to Muradi’s home consistent with witness testimony. The images were also geolocated by analyzing visible features – including vegetation, nearby pavements and the buildings’ layout – and satellite imagery.

Tortured and extrajudicially executed

Three other men who had been staying at Muradi’s home were detained and then extrajudicially executed. Two of them, like Muradi, had previously been members of the People’s Uprising Program force, though none had taken part in fighting with the militia for some time.

Ghulam Haider Mohammadi, Muradi’s nephew, had been visiting relatives. Photos of Mohammadi’s body indicate that he was executed with at least one gunshot to the head, while kneeling and with his hands bound behind him. Locals found his body approximately 50 metres from Muradi’s home, left between some rocks in a tree-covered area.

Witnesses told Amnesty International that the other two victims – named Asif Rezayee and Arif Sangaree – were put in a vehicle and driven away to be killed in a separate location. The bodies of the two men were later discovered in an uninhabited part of Takeghal, more than 30 minutes’ drive from where they were initially detained.

Asif Rezayee had been living in Kabul but had returned to his home village a few days prior to visiting family members. Rezayee was executed by gunfire while his hands were cuffed behind his back. Photos and a video of his body show four distinct gunshot wounds, to the head, chest, right thigh, and left hand. Based upon the nature of the wounds, apparent bullet trajectory, and gunpowder stains, the wounds to the leg and hand were done at close range prior to execution. Such intentional infliction of pain on a bound detainee constitutes torture, a crime under international law.

Photos indicate that Arif Sangaree was also executed while bound and detained, with at least one close range shot to the head. One of the photos posted by the Taliban to Facebook, claiming credit for the successful operation, shows Sangaree with a significant facial wound surrounded by fresh bright red arterial blood, indicating the Taliban took the photo immediately after his death. In contrast, photos provided by people who discovered the body show Sangaree with the identical wound, but the blood dark and dried, meaning time had passed.

The Taliban news sources that posted the image of Arif Sangeree’s body described the night raid as a “targeted operation” that culminated in a fight between “rebels” and “Mujahideen”, or the Taliban. The account claimed seven rebels had been killed, detained and wounded, and that one Taliban member was killed, with two others wounded.

To justify the deaths, the statement went on to say that the raid had occurred after fighters associated with Mawlavi Mahadi, the Hazara leader of a Taliban defector group, had attacked the Taliban in Balkhab district of Sar-e-Pul province, and then fled and established themselves in the village of Chahar Asyab. This Taliban statement is incorrect. While this fighting has been documented by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation in Afghanistan in his 6 September 2022 report, which includes cases of Taliban executions of fighters hors de combat, Muradi and his family members were not members of Mahadi’s group or taking part in this round of attacks. Rather, Amnesty International believes the Taliban justification is a pretext for targeting ethnic minorities and soldiers associated with the former government.

“The Taliban must immediately cease these acts of revenge and ensure employees of the former government and their families can live safely in Afghanistan,” said Agnès Callamard.

Background

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan following the collapse of the government in mid-August 2021. Amnesty International has called for the protection of thousands of Afghans at serious risk of Taliban reprisals. There have been numerous cases of raids and extrajudicial executions targeting those the Taliban perceives as adversaries – those affiliated with the former government, particularly Hazaras/Shias or those fighting with the National Resistance Front (NRF).

Qatar: Global survey shows overwhelming demand for FIFA to compensate World Cup migrant workers 

  • Almost three-quarters (73%) polled across 15 countries support proposal that FIFA use World Cup revenues to compensate workers who suffered in the preparation of the tournament  
  • More than two-thirds (67%) want their national Football Associations to speak out publicly about the human rights issues associated with the 2022 Qatar World Cup 
  • FIFA should establish remediation programme before World Cup kick-off on 20 November 2022 

A new global poll commissioned by Amnesty International has revealed that almost three-quarters (73%) of adults in the countries surveyed would support FIFA compensating migrant workers who suffered during preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Support is even higher among those likely to watch at least one game at the tournament (84%). 

The YouGov poll, which surveyed more than 17,000 adults across 15 countries, also showed that an overwhelming majority (67%) want their national Football Associations to speak out publicly about the human rights issues associated with the 2022 Qatar World Cup, including in support of compensation for migrant workers.  

“These findings send a clear message to football’s leadership. Across the globe, people are united in their desire to see FIFA step up and make amends for the suffering endured by migrant workers in Qatar. They also want to see their national associations take a much firmer stance,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Head of Economic and Social Justice. 

“With less than 50 days until kick off, the clock is ticking. But there is still time for FIFA to do the right thing. Supporters don’t want a World Cup that’s indelibly tainted by human rights abuses. The past cannot be undone, but a compensation programme is a clear and simple way that FIFA and Qatar can provide at least some measure of redress to the hundreds of thousands of workers who made this tournament possible.” 

The findings back the #PayUpFIFA campaign launched by a coalition of human rights organizations—including Amnesty International—fans groups and trade unions in May 2022, which calls on FIFA to set aside a fund to compensate workers and prevent future abuses. The coalition demands FIFA sets aside a minimum of $440 million for the fund – the equivalent it hands out in prize money at the World Cup. FIFA will make an estimated $6 billion in revenues from the tournament. 

Following the launch of the campaign, FIFA has told Amnesty International they are considering the proposal but have issued no public response to date.

The #PayUpFIFA campaign has also highlighted that national Football Associations have a responsibility under international human rights standards to support remedy for migrant workers given their participation in the World Cup. However, while the Belgian, Danish, Dutch, English, German, and Norwegian Football Associations have so far expressed support for the principle of compensation when asked by journalists, no Football Association has yet made an official public statement specifically calling on FIFA to establish such a remediation programme. 

Global support 

YouGov surveyed 17,477 adults in Argentina, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, UK, and the USA. Of these, 54% said they were likely to watch at least one game at the World Cup.  

Nearly three quarters (73%) of those surveyed—and 84% of those likely to watch at least one World Cup match—said they would support the proposal that FIFA use some of the money generated by the 2022 World Cup to compensate migrant workers who suffered in the preparation of the tournament. The strongest support came in Kenya, where 93% of respondents supported compensation. Thousands of Kenyans work in Qatar where Amnesty International has documented numerous abuses including forced labour of Kenyan security guards, construction workers and domestic workers. 

Support for compensation also exceeded three-quarters in 2026 World Cup co-hosts Mexico (86%), and also Spain (83%), Argentina (82%), Switzerland (81%), Finland (79%) and Belgium (77%), while support among likely World Cup viewers was even higher — above 80% in 11 of the 15 countries. Only 10% of those surveyed said they would oppose FIFA providing compensation, with the remaining 17% saying they did not know either way.

More than two-thirds (67%) of those surveyed also think their national Football Associations should speak out publicly about the human rights issues associated with the 2022 Qatar World Cup, including calling for compensation for migrant workers. Support is highest in Kenya (93%) and above 70% in Spain (74%), Finland (71%), Mexico (71%), France (70%), Norway (70%), Switzerland (70%) and UK (70%). Support was again higher (71%) among those likely to watch at least one game at the tournament. 

#PayUpFIFA 

Since 2010, when FIFA awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar without requiring any improvement in labour protections, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers have faced human rights abuses while employed to build and service the stadiums, hotels, transport and other infrastructure necessary to host the tournament.  


Amnesty International is calling on FIFA and Qatar to set up a remediation programme with the full participation of workers, trade unions, the International Labour Organization and civil society. The programme should be established, and an initial meeting held between key stakeholders, before the tournament kicks off on 20 November 2022. 

As well as covering an array of compensation costs, including reimbursing unpaid wages, the extortionate recruitment fees paid by hundreds of thousands of workers, and compensation for injuries and deaths, the programme should also support initiatives to protect workers’ rights in the future.

Background 

The full list of poll results is available here. 

FIFA’s response to Amnesty International’s report on remedy in May 2022 is included in the report’s Annex. The report was accompanied by an open letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino from Amnesty International and a coalition of human rights organizations, unions, and fan groups. 

Since 2018, Qatar has introduced a series of important labour reforms that aim to improve workers’ rights, but the lack of enforcement means that serious abuses persist. Improvements for workers on official FIFA sites, such as stadiums, were also introduced in 2014 via the Supreme Committee’s Worker Welfare Standards, but these standards are not universally respected and only cover a minority of the hundreds of thousands of workers on World Cup-related projects.  

One positive initiative launched in 2018 by the Qatari body responsible for organizing the World Cup, the Supreme Committee, includes an agreement with contractors on official World Cup sites to reimburse the recruitment fees of 48,000 workers.  However, this agreement does not cover the hundreds of thousands of workers on other infrastructure projects, such as transport, utilities and hotels, essential to the World Cup. 

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 17477 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 16 August – 6 September 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all surveyed countries adults (aged 18+). 

UN: New High Commissioner must be a champion for the victims of human rights violations

Reacting to today’s expected appointment of Volker Türk as the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Agnès Callamard, Amnesty’s Secretary General, said:

“Volker Türk is being appointed to the UN’s top human rights role at a time of considerable threats to human rights around the world. Immediately, he has to help shape an effective human rights response and accountability for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, China’s persecution of millions of Uyghurs, and far too many forgotten crises, from Yemen to DRC to Myanmar and beyond. His agenda should also include strengthening the human rights response to climate change and rising inequality.

“His voice in defence of the victims of human rights violations around the world will need to be loud and clear. They count on him to stand up to human rights abusers, even when they are powerful states.

“We equally expect him to respect and support the role of civil society in informing and shaping human rights positions and responses. 

“Amnesty International is looking forward to working with him in responding to the many existential threats and violations to human rights which the world is confronting.”

Background

Volker Türk, an Austrian national, was previously the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Policy. His four-year mandate begins immediately, ahead of the 51st Human Rights Council Session, which opens on 12 September. He takes over from Chilean national Michelle Bachelet, who decided not to seek a second term. He is the ninth High Commissioner since the role was created in 1994.

Russia: ‘Filtration’ of Ukrainian civilians a ‘shocking violation’ of people forced to flee war

Responding to the news that the UN has verified that Russian soldiers have subjected Ukrainian civilians to a rights-abusing process known as “filtration”, a practice independently verified by Amnesty International as deeply abusive and humiliating, Marie Struthers, Amnesty’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:  

“The abusive and humiliating process known as ‘filtration’ is a shocking violation of international human rights and humanitarian law. Our research shows that many displaced Ukrainians end up inside Russia or Russia-occupied territories involuntarily, even if they are not physically forced to move.  Deportation and forcible transfer of civilians in occupied territory are prohibited by international humanitarian law and can constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.  Putting these forcibly displaced civilians through the abuses of ‘filtration’ is both cynical and cruel. 

“We are also concerned for vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied, separated, or orphaned children, older people, and people with disabilities, some of whom were prevented from fleeing towards Ukrainian-controlled territory by Russian soldiers. Many found themselves unable to leave Russia or Russian-occupied areas once transferred to such locations.” 

“The Russian authorities must urgently allow the international community to access and monitor temporary placement shelters for Ukrainian civilians and evacuation procedures for civilians trapped in the conflict. They must also immediately ensure that Ukrainian civilians are able to safely leave warzones and enter Ukrainian-controlled territories. Those in Russia must be able to access resources that enable them to leave the country for Ukraine or a third country.” 

Background 

Amnesty International has documented several cases of Russian soldiers abusing detained Ukrainian civilians going through the ‘filtration’ procedures while exiting the warzone or crossing the border into or out of Russia. 

Some unaccompanied, separated, and orphaned children, as well as civilians from Mariupol-based institutions that care for older people and people with disabilities, were forcibly transferred to Donetsk. Some of the children and civilians were in the process of being evacuated to Ukrainian-controlled areas at the time. 

Older people in particular are at a greater risk of getting trapped in Russian-controlled areas or in Russia, due to a lack of information, funds and mobility issues.  

There appear to be no systems in place to facilitate the return of older people or people with disabilities from Russia or Russian-occupied territories to territories controlled by the government of Ukraine. 

The overrepresentation problem: First Nations kids are 26 times more likely to be incarcerated than their classmates

In Australia, we like to think of ourselves as giving everyone a fair go. We’re told no matter who you are, or where you come from, if you work hard, and stick to it, you can achieve anything. Sadly, the reality is that not everyone gets the same chance to thrive.

Kids don’t belong in prison.

What is overrepresentation?

Just like any other group, the vast majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will never get in trouble with the law. However, despite making up only 2% of the general population, they make up 26% of the prison population and are 10 times more likely to be locked up than other Australians.

This shameful reality is even greater for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, who are 26 times more likely than their peers to be incarcerated.

That’s why we call it overrepresentation – there are too many First Nations people represented in these statistics about prison. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the most incarcerated people in the world.

Why does Australia have such a big problem with overrepresentation?

When we talk about overrepresentation, it’s important to make one thing very clear: the biggest factor bringing First Nations people into contact with the criminal justice system is traced back to a historical disadvantage.

Australia’s shameful colonial history – from British invasion, to the theft of Aboriginal land, to genocide, the rejection and repression of Aboriginal culture, social exclusion, imprisonment, slavery, the stolen generation, extreme racism and forced poverty – continues to hold First Nations people back in almost every facet of life.

The ongoing impacts of colonisation and racism are a large part of the reason First Nations kids have more contact with police, courts and prisons. And they continue to face injustices across housing, healthcare, schools, our workplaces – everywhere.

No one should lose their childhood to a racist criminal justice system.

What’s the deal with locking up kids?

In Australia, the age of criminal responsibility is 10-years-old. This is the age set by our governments that allows a child to be arrested, charged, tried in court, sentenced and imprisoned.

If that sounds pretty young, that’s because it is.

Australia has one of the youngest ages of criminal responsibility in the world. The UN, scientists, medical experts, First Nations leaders and legal professionals have all agreed that prison is no place for a child.

Prison don’t address the causes of problematic behaviour, and they don’t reduce recidivism.

If prison isn’t the answer, what is?

The criminal justice system is like quicksand. Once you’re in, it’s very difficult to get out.

When a child comes into contact with the criminal justice system they enter a never-ending cycle of trauma, harm and violence. Kids who interact with the criminal justice system are three times more likely to reoffend.

That’s not good for the kids, and it’s not good for crime rates. So, what’s the alternative? 

Beyond raising the age, it’s justice reinvestment.

There is a record amount of money being spent on prisons and police, and very little being spent on evidence-based diversion programs that actually work. Unlike harmful punitive approaches, diversion programs are community-led and designed to divert kids away from the criminal justice system by providing culturally appropriate support to break the cycle of incarceration.

And the good news?

These programs already exist all over the country. Time and time again, First Nations-led diversion programs have proved themselves successful in keeping kids out of the criminal justice system. A lot more successful than detention or prison.

It doesn’t make sense for the government to continue to direct funding and resources into putting kids behind bars when we know that it doesn’t work. Investing in First Nations-led community based programs is the better solution.

How you can help

Overrepresentation matters.

Raising the age of criminal responsibility is just one part of a much bigger solution – justice reinvestment is another. Now that we have a new federal government, there is a strong role for them to play in this by properly funding diversion programs and showing leadership for the states and territories. 

Sign the petition calling on the Australian government to start investing in justice that works. Investing in diversion programs is how we can break the vicious cycle of incarceration and end the overrepresentation of our First Nations kids in the criminal justice system.

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Report: The Power of ‘the Street’, protecting the right to peaceful protest in Poland

Amnesty’s latest follow-up report highlights the state’s response to peaceful protest in Poland, especially towards LGBTQI+ activism. Protest is a fundamental right that should be protected as everyone has the right to act on their conscience and stand in solidarity.

Almost every week, people take to the streets in various towns and cities across Poland to protest. They demonstrate against the government’s ongoing attempts to restrict human rights, including women’s rights; to challenge growing nationalism and xenophobia; and to oppose threats to the environment.

This latest report Poland: The Power of ‘the Street’, Protecting the Right to Peaceful Protest in Poland report is a follow-up to the October 2017 Amnesty International report On the Streets to Defend Human Rights. It documents the state response to peaceful protest in Poland which continues to be marked by ongoing harassment and prosecution.

It also documents the effect of legislation adopted in 2016 that broadened the surveillance powers of Polish law enforcement agencies. As a result, people do not know when they are under surveillance or by whom, giving rise to a climate of uncertainty and fear.

Amnesty International has documented the following patterns of the increasingly shrinking space that raise concerns over the rights to freedom of assembly and expression in Poland:

  • Crackdown on protest manifested by the use of force against demonstrators, lack of accountability for breaches of the human rights, and criminalization of peaceful protest;
  • Differential treatment of assemblies in law and practice;
  • Surveillance of activists;
  • Undermining the independence of judiciary that plays an important role in upholding the right to freedom of assembly and expression.

The report provides key recommendations for authorities in Poland to protect the rights to freedom of assembly and expression.

The full report can be found here.

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Right now, governments in Australia and around the world are cracking down on our right to protest. Too many people in power who fear change and want to keep us divided are suppressing protests and silencing critical voices. A protest is a powerful tool for change — when people stand up and speak out for human rights, they change the world for the better. It must be protected.

Find out more about our right to protest campaign.

Kids need more than platitudes: close Ashley, Don Dale and raise the age

Amnesty International Australia called on State and Territory governments to do more than release media statements with empty platitudes during National Child Protection Week, and act to close detention centres and raise the age of criminal responsibility.

“State and Territory governments have it in their power now to do more than make empty statements about the importance of child safety,” Amnesty International Australia Indigenous Rights Campaigner, Maggie Munn, said.

“The little kids locked up in Don Dale, Ashley, Banksia Hill and all the other detention centres – where multiple cases of physical and sexual abuse have been documented over many years – deserve more than words, they deserve actual protection. 

“No less than Royal Commissions and commissions of inquiry have found that these places are unsafe for children. 

“It is frankly galling hearing from the same authorities that – against all the evidence and child welfare expert advice – continue to lock up kids as young as 10. They know better alternatives like community-led diversion programs already exist.

“Until they take the most obvious and proven step to truly care for some of the most vulnerable children in our country, then these words ring very hollow indeed.”

Report: Amnesty International Australia Human Rights Barometer 2022

Australia is the only liberal democracy without a national human rights protection. Our latest annual Human Rights Barometer report investigates key areas of human rights concern and highlights how a single Human Rights Act will uphold the rights of everyone and provide a mechanism to hold decision-makers to account.

In the 12 months since Amnesty International Australia launched its inaugural Human Rights Barometer, there has been a change of government and an emphasis on ambitious climate targets as well as more progressive policies on refugee rights and First Nations justice.

Australians clearly care about human rights; the previous Human Rights Barometer proved that and the latest reaffirms that support, despite a slight softening in overall opinions.

The latest report looks at 4 key human rights areas: First Nations peoples’ rights, racism, Covid-19 impact on human rights and refugee rights. These are the key findings:

First Nations peoples’ rights

  • First Nations people are one of the most vulnerable groups in Australian society. 50% of respondents believe that First Nations people need the most protection within Australia.
  • Australia needs to stop imprisoning First Nations children. First Nations children currently comprise 50% of Australia’s youth detention population. Half of the survey respondents supported raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years old and only 20% did not agree with this option. A vast majority (81%) of respondents said there are better alternatives to locking kids up.

A Human Rights Act will ensure there is a comprehensive anti-discrimination legislative framework in place across Australia. Until then, Amnesty continues to advocate for the Australian government to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years old.

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Racism

  • Australia has a problem with racism and it is our responsibility to fix it. More than half of the respondents (55%) agreed that Australia has a problem with racism to some degree. 80% of people surveyed felt that everyone in Australia has a responsibility to stop racism.
  • There is a lack of understanding of different cultures and ethnic groups in Australia. Unfortunately, 57% of Australians believe that some cultures and ethnic groups do not want to fit into the ‘Australian’ way of life. 55% of respondents agreed and 18% of respondents strongly agreed that some cultures need to be doing more to fit in. This indicates that many people still believe homogeneity is necessary for a harmonious Australian society.
  • Multiculturalism should be more freely discussed among Australians. Less than half of respondents disagreed with the statement that Australia is not a successful multicultural society, and 32% said they weren’t sure. There needs to be more open discussion around multiculturalism and diversity in Australia to increase understanding.

With racial inequality firmly in the spotlight, now is the best time for Australia to act. Together, we can build an equal Australia where everyone feels safe and a sense of belonging regardless of race, ethnicity, culture or religion.

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COVID-19 impacts on human rights

  • Australians are increasingly skeptical of COVID-19 restrictions. Compared to the previous year, there has been an increase in respondents who feel that COVID-19 restrictions and orders have infringed on their rights. 43% of respondents felt this way, compared to 32% in 2021.
  • However, a majority of people still feel COVID-19 restrictions were worthwhile. 67% of respondents said that the impact of lockdowns and other COVID-19 restrictions on their rights has been worth it to slow the spread of the virus.
  • Attitudes towards COVID-19 restrictions differ across the country. Queensland had the highest number of respondents (47%) who felt that restrictions had infringed on their rights. Victorians also had high levels of concern about the impact on their rights, though 61% still supported COVID-19 restrictions. Meanwhile, in Western Australia, there was strong support for restrictions, with 74% of residents saying they supported COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.

We have expressed concern over police overreach in the application of public health orders amidst the pandemic. Reports have been raised of discrimination and targeting of vulnerable groups, namely Indigenous, homeless and migrant Australians.

A Human Rights Act would ensure that these inherent rights are balanced and considered with the protection of public health. It could also ensure greater scrutiny and transparency over policing powers to prevent overreach and abuse in the future. Until then, Amnesty will continue advocating to protect the right to peaceful protest.

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Refugee rights

  • Australians want to end offshore detention. 54% of respondents agreed and 20% of respondents strongly agreed that if people are found to be refugees, they should be settled in Australia as opposed to settled or detained offshore. A total of 60% of surveyed Australians think that the Federal Government spends too much money on keeping asylum seekers in detention.
  • Many Australians support an increase in the humanitarian refugee intake level. One-third of respondents feel that Australia’s humanitarian refugee intake should increase, while 41% felt that it should stay the same. Only 14% of respondents felt that it should decrease. Amnesty International Australia has called upon the Government to increase the intake to a minimum of 30,000 places a year.

By the end of 2025, Amnesty aims to raise refugee and humanitarian intake numbers, increase community resettlement, secure the release of those incarcerated on- and off-shore and build safe pathways for asylum seekers into Australia.

In March 2022 after nine long years, the Australian Government accepted New Zealand’s long-standing offer of resettling refugees trapped in Australia’s cruel offshore detention regime. Now, Amnesty is calling for an increase in Australia’s annual humanitarian intake to a minimum of 30,000 places per year.

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Do Australians know if these rights are protected?

Awareness of which rights are currently protected under Australian law remains varied and seemingly not that well understood.

  • Bare majorities of the sample said that the right to vote (61%), freedom from discrimination (55%) and the rights of children (54%) were protected by Australian law.
  • Only half the sample believed there were laws that protected Australians from torture (51%) and slavery (51%), with the other half saying there weren’t or they were unsure.

In reality, Australia is a signatory to the core human rights treaties but current federal laws only protect people from discrimination on the basis of their sexuality, gender, age, race, and disability. The current laws and framework are insufficient. The government is failing to protect, respect, and fulfil human rights, as is its responsibility under international law.

Support for a Human Rights Act (HRA) is still strong

  • A vast majority (73%) of Australians support the introduction of an HRA when told Australia doesn’t currently have one.
  • Knowing that Australia is the only liberal democracy without an HRA again bolsters the case for its introduction: 59% of the sample become more supportive when they know this.
  • One fifth of supporters (22%) felt an HRA would provide important protection for vulnerable people and those who could not speak up for themselves.
  • 10% felt that an HRA would simplify current laws and provide commonly agreed standards.

A Human Rights Act would ensure all individuals under Australia’s care, regardless of background or identity, have access to basic rights, equal freedoms, and dignity.

Amnesty envisions an Australia where everyone is treated with equality, justice, dignity, and respect, no matter who you are or what you believe. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has the power to protect and defend our human rights. Join us in our call to legislate a Human Rights Act now.

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Amnesty International Australia is leading the way in protecting and defending human rights. Over the next five years, we’ll strive for systemic change on the human rights issues that are vital to our allies, partners, and the people of Australia. Our vision is to sustain the ground so many fought hard to and take purposeful action to further advance human rights. View our Australian campaigns.

Raising the age: why it needs to be more than detention

Tasmania has recently been in the news for raising the age – not of criminal responsibility, but of detention.

Amnesty welcomes this significant step in a smarter approach to justice. Putting children in prisons causes irreparable harm, governments know this, but continue to allow children to be subject to this treatment. The Tasmanian government recognising that kids don’t belong in prison is a major step forward; but it doesn’t go nearly far enough.

The distinction may seem subtle, but it is significant. Keeping kids out of detention under the age of 14 indeed keeping kids out of prison altogether, is preferable to detaining them. But raising the age of detention still doesn’t keep them out of the criminal justice system.

We know that kids who interact with the criminal justice system are three times more likely to reoffend.

That’s not good for the kids, and it’s not good for crime rates.

So why do we keep doing it? That really is the central question. 

The only conclusion I can draw is that Australian lawmakers view the harm caused to kids (disproportionately First Nations kids) is more palatable to the electorate than a nuanced approach which tackles the underlying causes.

The good news for those State and Territory politicians is that the hard work has already been done. Time and time again across the country, Aboriginal-led diversion programs have proved themselves successful in keeping kids out of the criminal justice system. A lot more successful than detention. 

The thing that’s missing? Funding. It’s pretty galling to see State governments committing billions of dollars to policing when a fraction of the money could be spent on diversion programs that are proven to keep kids out of prison and ergo, reduce youth crime.

Raising the age of detention is a very small step in what should be the evidence-based, socially and economically responsible reform to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility. 

The ACT is already well progressed in its work on this and other jurisdictions have indicated they are open to making the change. The new Federal Government has also committed to leadership on the issue.

But while these minor steps along the way are welcome, we can’t lose sight of the fact that Australia is a shameful outlier in locking up kids as young as 10, most Australians want it to stop to bring Australia in line with the bare minimum global standards on children’s rights.

Raise the Age campaign update

Since 2018, Amnesty has campaigned to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Australia to at least 14 years old.

In August 2022, alongside our coalition partners in Change the Record, Amnesty handed over close to 210,000 signatures from everyday Australians to Attorney General Mark Dreyfus and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, calling on the Federal Government to line up with the rest of the human rights-respecting world – as mandated under the Children’s Convention – and raise the age to 14 now.

Join our call.

Add your voice

As part of Amnesty’s 2025 Vision, we are committed to working with First Nations communities, partners and allies to secure justice and end the overrepresentation of young people in prisons within a generation. Learn more about our Indigenous Rights campaign.

Australians strongly support a human rights act: new research

Amnesty International Australia today launched its second annual Human Rights Barometer which finds that Australians are strongly in support of a Federal human rights act, all the more so when they discover Australia is the only western liberal democracy without one.

Some Australian States already have human rights acts which have enabled people to challenge breaches of their rights for fairer outcomes, but a Federal act would protect rights for all people in Australia, and protect rights, such as freedom of political communication, which are currently only implied. 

When told Australia doesn’t currently have a national Human Rights Act, 73% show support for its introduction (38% strongly support and 35% support). 

“At their core, human rights are about respecting the dignity of every one of us. Human rights matter because someone’s quality of life should not be determined by factors beyond their control – race, gender, socio-economic background, sexuality or age. A Human Rights Act would help prevent human rights violations, provide a powerful tool to challenge injustices, and help create respect for human rights in our community, ensuring we are all free to exercise our human rights,” Amnesty International Australia campaigner Nikita White said.

“Amnesty International is calling on the Albanese Government to put human rights – both here at home and abroad – at the heart of all policy decisions and to establish Australia’s place in the world as a human rights leader as well as a free, fair and caring country,” White said. 

Australia played a crucial role in developing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. But Australia today remains the only western liberal democracy without overarching human rights protection, and issues of racism, discrimination, children’s rights and the right to seek asylum, among others, continue to beleaguer our society. 

While the Barometer showed a variety of views on racism in Australia, there was consensus that we all have a responsibility to stop it, with 80 percent of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing with this statement

When asked if different cultures and ethnic groups should do more to fit in, 55% agreed and 18% strongly agreed. Disappointingly, this indicates that a majority of the population believe that a successful and harmonious Australian community is reliant upon some form of cultural homogeneity, again pointing to the need for more discussion surrounding multiculturalism and diversity.

The recent Federal election saw Australians strongly reject attacks on people’s identities and  support for action on climate change, progressive policies on refugee rights and First Nations justice.

Amnesty International Australia’s Human Rights Barometer takes a deep dive into Australian attitudes towards key human rights issues such as racism, refugee rights and the effects of COVID-19 on human rights.