University of NSW

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Amnesty International Australia University of NSW (AIAUNSW) is a campus group of Amnesty International Australia, made up of UNSW students dedicated to defending human rights.

About us

The current AIA UNSW group started in 2004 and since has been actively promoting human rights issues and the work of Amnesty International. Each year we focus on one or two campaigns that are particularly topical and relevant both locally and globally. AI UNSW organise events on campus to promote and publicise these human rights issues and encourage the student population to take action through petitions and letter writing.

We work closely with Amnesty International Australia and many of our campus group members have experience volunteering or working in the AIA Activist Resource Centre.

Meetings and joining

If you are interested in becoming an on campus activist, come and meet up with other like-minded individuals here at Amnesty UNSW. We meet regularly on Mondays 1-2pm on Kensington campus for semester two 2011. All are welcome to attend.

Upcoming Events

We will be hosting a debate in collaboration with UNSW Debating Society on the topic: Positive Discrimination is the only way to 'close the gap'. This will be held on Tuesday 20th September 2011 from 1.00 - 2.00pm in the Drawing Room, Roundhouse UNSW. Lunch will be provided, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments following the debate. Please RSVP on our Facebook event page, or email us at amnesty@unsw.edu.au. It will be a fantastic event so hope to see a good turnout. All are welcome to attend.

Past Events

On 12 May 2011, Amnesty UNSW hosted a forum about Women's Rights in Iran: is discrimination legalised? This was in association with Campaign for Equality and our support for the One Million Signatures campaign. The event was successful in getting the audience thinking and talking about women's rights in Iran and gender discrimination. Importantly, we were able to receive actions towards the release and dropping of charges of Campaign for Equality and other women's rights defenders in Iran.

In 2010, we effectivly promoted the 'Refugee Campaign' on campus with a speakers forum held to highlight the pressing issues in the refugee and asylum seekers debate. We also had secondary campaigns such as the promotion of a possible Human Rights Act in Australia and Demand Dignity campaign during National Anti-Poverty Week.

Our past campaigns have included the 'Stop Violence Against Women!' We aim to raise awareness about the systematic violence faced by women and help stop this violation of human rights that transcends all social and cultural divides. We want justice, not excuses!

Also, in 2009 our secondary campaign is particularly relevant in an international climate focused on fighting terrorism. Our Human Rights and Security campaign aims to help stop human rights violations in the name of anti-terror measures. There is no excuse for denying people the fundamental rights they deserve, such as freedom from torture and free trials.

We hope that you will join our cause to defend human rights.

or email us at amnesty@unsw.edu.au.