With governments across the world rapidly expanding the use of digital surveillance in an attempt to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Amnesty International and other leading NGOs have set out strict conditions that must be met to safeguard human rights and prevent surveillance overreach. More than 100 civil society groups joined Amnesty in signing the statement, including […]
Amnesty Indonesia and Amnesty Australia welcome the decision of Indonesian authorities to release 30,000 prisoners to minimise the risk of infection with COVID-19. Overcrowding and unsanitary facilities have been posing a health threat to Indonesia’s prison population of more than 250.000 prisoners. While the move is welcomed, it must be extended to all prisoners of […]
In response to state and territory governments issuing on-the-spot fines for breaking social distancing and quarantine rules, Amnesty International Australia Indigenous Rights Lead, Lidia Thorpe, said: “Governments are so committed to appearing as though they’re doing the right thing, it is completely blind to the fact that they are making things harder for some of […]
The Syrian authorities must cooperate fully with UN agencies and humanitarian organizations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country’s prisons, detention centres and military hospitals, Amnesty International has warned. Prisoners and detainees, including tens of thousands of people arbitrarily detained or forcibly disappeared, are at risk of contracting the disease as they are held in […]
In response to media reports and Opposition calls for the Australian government to assist Pacific nations with their response to the COVID-19 crisis, Amnesty International Australia Campaigner, Joel Clark, said: “These countries require international emergency and development assistance to respond effectively to the pandemic in line with human rights law and standards. Pacific countries have […]
Venezuela’s authorities have detained journalist Darvinson Rojas, in an apparent attempt to silence his reporting on the spread of COVID-19. He has been detained since 21 March.
Responding to the announcement by Mahdi al-Mashat, leader of the Huthi authorities in Yemen, that all Baha’i “political prisoners” are to be released, Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research Director, said: “The Huthis’ decision to release all Baha’i prisoners is a positive signal, and must be the first step in ending the years of suffering for those who […]
This was originally published by and for Pro Bono Australia, By Maggie Cogan. Maggie Coggan is a journalist at Pro Bono News covering the social sector. It’s no easy task leading a charity like Amnesty International Australia (AIA) through a pandemic. Vulnerable communities are set to bear the brunt of COVID-19, and already financially-stretched charities […]
Amnesty International Australia is calling for an urgent injection of funding for frontline services who are facing an explosion in demand for their services and a reduction in available volunteers. Amnesty International campaigner Tim O’Connor, welcoming the establishment of the Independent National Coordination Commission for COVID-19, said: “Australia’s most vulnerable people are being forgotten in […]
Niger’s authorities have detained journalist Mamane Kaka Touda for informing the public about a suspected case of COVID-19 infection.