Archives, Refugees' Human Rights, Amnesty International Australia

Iraqi refugees facing desperate situation

The international community is evading its responsibility towards refugees from Iraq by promoting a false picture of the security situation in Iraq when the country is neither safe nor suitable for return.

Refugee Week

Refugee Week runs between 15-21 June and is a good time to acknowledge recent developments the Australian Government has made to improve the human rights of refugees and asylum seekers. That said, there is still a lot more we need to do.

Al-Tanf camp trauma continues for Palestinians fleeing Iraq

Why would any family remain in a refugee camp infested with scorpions and snakes, with summer temperatures over 50 degrees, dropping below freezing in winter? Unfortunately the refugees in the Al-Tanf camp have no choice.

Image still from video.

“Forgotten refugees"- the Rohingya in Bangladesh

In March 2007 we joined The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Centre for Refugee Research and a number of other Australian NGOs for consultations with Burmese, Rohingyan, refugees in camps in Bangladesh. Our mission was to work with the refugees, document human rights violations, and where possible, to develop solutions addressing some of the appalling conditions facing those in the camps.

Life without a future for Sudan’s internally displaced people?

The situation in Sudan continues to become more and more aggravated with no end in sight. As UN forces finished their third weeks of operations in Darfur last week, we published a new report outlining the plight of the hundreds of thousands of internally displace people in Darfur and the potential consequences.

Mass refugee exodus in Libya

Libya announced on Wednesday that it had started deporting illegal immigrants. The expulsion of an estimated number of 1 million people from the North African country would be a breach of national and international laws and existing asylum obligations. The mass deportation puts many refugees at risk of being refouled (or returned) to face possible persecution or harm.

HREOC releases annual report on immigration detention

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission recently released its annual inspection report on Australia's immigration detention facilities. Whilst some improvements have been made, the human rights watchdog reiterated many of Amnesty International's concerns about the health effects of mandatory detention and criticised the "prison-like" conditions of Stage 1 at Villawood Detention centre.

What about asylum seeker and refugee policy?

The Australian Government's policies relating to detention, assessment and processing have been the topics of much debate. We remain dedicated to protecting the fundamental human rights of refugees and asylum seekers and would welcome any Australian Government to introduce policies that meet our international human rights obligations.

An Australian coalition of support for African refugees

Recent media coverage has focused on negative portrayals of African communities. We have joined over 60 organisations to form a coalition to support African refugees in Australia. Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program should not be based on assumptions about a group's ability to integrate. African refugees, despite facing many challenges, have not only integrated successfully but contribute greatly to Australia.

Lebanon must end discrimination against Palestinian refugees

The Lebanese government must take concrete steps to end all forms of discrimination against Palestinian refugees and to fully protect and uphold their human rights. Our new report examines the wide range of restrictions that continue to impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees, 60 years after their exodus to Lebanon during the Arab-Israeli war of 1948.

Young refugees: Long Journey, Young Lives

Millions of people around the world have no choice but to flee their homeland to escape persecution and conflict. Refugees seek asylum in other countries so they can rebuild their lives, free from fear, torture and violence. Children are among these refugees. In fact, more than half the world's refugees are children. Yet their rights and needs for special protection are often neglected.

One year in limbo for asylum seekers

October 15 marks one year since seven asylum seekers from Myanmar applied to the Australian Government for refugee status, and there is still no indication as to when a decision will be made. We urge the Australian Government to promptly finalise the asylum seekers' applications, and if any are found to be refugees they should be allowed to resettle in Australia.

Make Some Noise, download a song

We have released new tracks from our triumphant Make Some Noise project to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis in Darfur, Sudan. The album has helped increase global awareness of the human rights situation in Darfur, and its success underscores the powerful influence music can have in helping to change the world.

Caught between two tigers

The Rohingya refugees of Myanmar are caught between their own government, which forced them to leave their country and won't let them back in, and the Bangladeshi Government that insists they must return. They call it being caught between two tigers.

How Tampa became a turning point

Across Australia young people are spreading positive messages about refugees. Year 8 student Katharine Gentry won the 2006 Victorian National History Challenge for her essay The Tampa incident and how it became a turning point in Australian history.

©AI

Shadowland

We are proud to bring you Shadowland, an online photo exhibition which tells the stories of four refugees living in Australia. Shadowland uses photos narratives to offer a powerful statement on the dignity and resilience shown by refugees.

©AI

Unfair Shores

Australia's treatment of asylum seekers arriving on our shores is an embarrassment and an outrage. Amnesty International Australia has developed the Unfair Shores Campaign Kit to provide information and resources on its Refugees' Human Rights campaign.

Site navigation

Features