Archives, Refugees' Human Rights, Amnesty International Australia

Barbed wire fence around the immigration detention centre on Christmas Island

A short stay on Christmas Island

In December 2009, our research team spent one week on Christmas Island to investigate conditions inside the immigration detention centre there and in the permanent communities on the island.

cards of support drawn by Australian children

Harming children

Professor Louise Newman explains how detaining children on Christmas Island is likely to affect their mental health.

Thank you for your support

Graham Thom thanks supporters who spoke out for refugees.

sign outside Malaysian detention centre saying 'restricted area no entry' in a number of languages, and including a cartoon of someone getting shot by a guard

Situation dire for refugees in Malaysia

Dr Graham Thom recently travelled to Malaysia to investigate the situation for refugees and asylum-seekers in detention there. Many of these people endure horrific conditions and treatment while seeking sanctuary there.

Australians support equal rights for asylum seekers

A Nielsen poll commissioned by Amnesty International shows that a clear majority of Australians think all asylum seekers should have the same legal protections.

Positive Changes for Asylum Seekers

New work permit regulations will aid many asylum seekers who are struggling to survive without paid employment.

woman and child crossing the border into South Africa

Zimbabwean Refugees face further hardship in South Africa

Incidences of abuse, discrimination and rape are not uncommon for desparate Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa.

One step closer to ending detention debt

Amnesty International congratulates the Australian Parliament for passing a bill to end the damaging practice of charging asylum seekers the costs of their detention.

Senator queries Christmas Island detention policy

The Amnesty International 2009 Annual Report was recently used in a Senate hearing to highlight the continuing problems with detaining asylum seekers, including over 80 children, on Christmas Island.

Refugees in Turkey denied protection

Amnesty International has released a report highlighting the many dangers facing people seeking protection in Turkey.

Reforms to detention recommended

Amnesty International Australia welcomes the changes to immigration detention recommended in the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s report, tabled on 25 May 2009.

New report shows the dangers of detaining children

A recent Commonwealth Ombudsman report, rebuking the Department of Immigration for the deportation of a 7-year-old Iranian girl, has highlighted the serious implications of detaining children.

Australia is not immune to global trends

The recent increase in asylum seekers arriving by boat is a result of a worldwide surge in refugees, not the Labor Party’s new immigration policy.

Economic crisis no excuse to abandon refugees

The overbearing challenges faced by refugees fleeing war, persecution or natural disaster increase during times of economic crisis. Dr Graham Thom explains that we must maintain our support.

Bali Process should consider Rohingya human rights

Amnesty International has appealed to Member States at the Bali Process to give adequate consideration to the rights of the Rohingya population in the Asia Pacific region.

Australian child behind mock-refugee detention bars wearing a t-shirt reading 'Kids don't belong in detention centres'

Time for Australia to lead the world

Refugee Coordinator Dr Graham Thom explains why Australia must show greater willingness to assist people displaced by the world's worst crisis situations.

28 refugees off Christmas Island, 134 to go

We welcome the Australian Government's recent decision to grant permanent protection visas to 28 Afghan and Iranian asylum seekers.

Dr Thom’s video reports from Syria

Our Refugee Coordinator, Dr Graham Thom, recently visited Palestinian refugee camps on the Syria-Iraq border as part of an eight country delegation of NGO’s. Watch his video reports.

Palestinian refugees from Iraq trapped on Syria-Iraq border

Amnesty International Australia was recently part of an eight country delegation of NGOs that visited Palestinian refugee camps on the Syria-Iraq border.

A new beginning?

We welcome the release of the report ‘Immigration detention in Australia: A new beginning’ by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration.

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