The NSW Police attempt to block the March for Humanity for Gaza across the Sydney Harbour Bridge this Sunday is a serious threat to the right to protest, a fundamental human right.
Amnesty International Australia condemns any attempt to block and criminalise protest, especially against the ongoing genocide and engineered famine currently inflicted upon Palestinians in Gaza by Israel. Any effort by NSW Police to prevent this march is not only deeply concerning, but an act of repression that risks setting a dangerous precedent for the suppression on the right to protest in Australia.
We urge the NSW Police Commissioner to work with organisers to facilitate the fundamental right to protest.
An estimated 10,000 people are expected to march in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, to protest against Israel’s ongoing, man-made humanitarian catastrophe. The march, organised by the Palestine Action Group has been endorsed by Amnesty International Australia, Jewish Council of Australia, Australian Palestine Advocacy Network, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, Sydney Peace Foundations, Students for Palestine, Cheek Media Co., Climate Justice Union, and several other unions, prominent individuals and organisations.
The Gaza Health Ministry has warned that 40,000 babies are at imminent risk of death due to Israel’s systematic weaponisation of starvation; a deliberate tactic that advances their genocide against Palestinians.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge has been the landmark site of several significant human rights movements and demonstrations, including First Nations justice, an end to the Iraq war and apartheid in South Africa.
The right to protest is a protected right under international law and a vital tool for people to call for urgent accountability and demand justice, especially in the face of ongoing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel with full impunity.
Ongoing and past efforts to suppress the right to protest for Palestine in Australia and globally over the past three years remain gravely concerning.
Following Prime Minister Albanese’s recent statement calling on Israel to comply with international law and allow full humanitarian access into Gaza, the Government must now move beyond words. It must take immediate steps to end the genocide, dismantle Israel’s apartheid system, and halt its unlawful occupation.
Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, says:
“The NSW Police’s claim that the blocking the protest is necessary for safety is a baseless excuse to suppress anti-genocide action. We are witnessing Palestinian children dying from starvation at a scale, speed and severity never seen before. Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war is a war crime, and the world must act now.
“Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war is a war crime, and the world must act now.”
Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson
“The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 60,000, and Palestinians continue to be killed even as they attempt to access basic food supplies. The so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by Israel and the US, has been condemned by 120 global humanitarian and human rights organisations. This is not aid. It’s obstruction, cruelty and an affront to humanity.
“For 22 months, Palestinians have endured horror after horror, war crime after war crime. This genocide has persisted for far too long and Israel’s actions are morally and legally indefensible.
“Australians not only have the rights freedom of expression and assembly, but a moral duty to do everything we can to ensure the Australian Government takes urgent action to stop Israel’s genocide against Palestinians. Any attempt by police to block this march is not just censorship; it is a serious assault on human rights and sets a dangerous precedent for the suppression of protest.
“Any attempt by police to block this march is not just censorship; it is a serious assault on human rights and sets a dangerous precedent for the suppression of protest.”
Mohamed Duar
“Australians have had enough of empty words. As Israel’s genocide continues to claim tens of thousands of Palestinian lives, the Australian Government must do more than speak. It must act. Thousands are taking to the streets to send that message loud and clear. They are demanding real, urgent action from their leaders.”
Amnesty International Australia fully supports and proudly endorses the March for Humanity for Gaza. We urge all Australians to stand with Palestinians and demand the Australian Government to take urgent, concrete action to stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza and end the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all – and we can only do it with your support.
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