Accessibility – The Amnesty International website has built in accessibility tools to help ensure that our activism is inclusive. To open the accessibility menu click on the accessibility icon located at the bottom right of your screen.
A Voice to Parliament will be a representative body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples that will give independent advice to the Government on laws and policies that affect their lives. Put simply, a Voice to Parliament gives Indigenous Peoples a seat at the table when decisions are being made that specifically affect them.
Amnesty stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in their continuing fight for justice, and all it encompasses. As a predominantly non-Indigenous organisation, Amnesty recognises the importance of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the pursuit of self-determination and justice, and acknowledging there’s a diversity of opinions and perspectives in First Nations communities.
As a human rights organisation, we recognise the opportunity the 2023 Referendum on the Voice provides in progressing First Nations rights in Australia. Amnesty is committed to campaigning to ensure all human rights are recognised and realised for all First Nations peoples, and as such supports voting in favour of the Voice to Parliament. Amnesty intends to continue supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ demands for justice beyond the Voice, and encourages its supporters and the public to do so as well.
For more information see The Voice page and visit FAQs page to learn more about what the Voice to Parliament will achieve for the human rights of First Nations peoples.
ACTIVIST TOOLKIT
We are excited to share our Activist Voice Toolkit! In it you’ll find everything you need to join in with the Voice campaign including general information, how to get involved, FAQ’s and additional learning resources.
What’s Inside the Activist Voice Toolkit:
- General information about the Voice campaign.
- Practical ways to get involved and make a meaningful impact.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) answered by experts.
- Additional learning resources to deepen your understanding.
Stay Informed and Act Now: We’ve kept this toolkit as a LIVE Google document that will be continuously updated with the latest actions and information. Your activism journey is dynamic, and this toolkit will evolve with you.
Connect with Fellow Amnesty Activists: Join our dedicated Slack channel, #activist-voice-campaign, to connect with like-minded activists working passionately on the Voice campaign. It’s a place to share ideas, updates, and inspiration.
Step Up and Lead: Are you ready to take your activism to the next level? We’re searching for a select group of activist leads to help us organise a nationwide Voice event. If you have the capacity and passion to get more deeply involved, please reach out to us at communityorganising@amnesty.org.au. Together, we can amplify our impact.
Additionally you can see the recorded webinar held on Wednesday, 30 August 2023, for Amnesty Supporters here discussing The Voice to Parliament. Read the Uluru Statement from the Heart here and hear what our Indigenous Rights Campaigner, Kacey Teerman, and Indigenous Rights Adviser, Rodney Dillon, have to say here.
Together, we can work towards a more just and equitable future for all Australians.
Thank you once again for your participation and commitment to this important cause. Let’s continue to stand together and amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples in our nation.
We need to work with and listen to those most at risk of human rights abuses so their voices are informing our campaign and are a central part of the movement in support of a Human Rights Act. Working together, we can raise a massive amount of support for a Human Rights Act that protects all of us.
Additional Resources
Additional resources not linked to in the Voice Activist Toolkit can be found below.
- Organising team contact – communityorganising@amnesty.org.au
- ALC contact information
- Local Action Group contact information
- Participation Protocol: A guide to including people with lived experience in our work
- Guide on maintaining Amnesty’s independence
- Amnesty International Australia Brand Resources
- Submit a form for assistance from activist communications team
- Using digital tools for activism
- Events & Tactics: Part 1 – Planning
- Events & Tactics: Part 2 – Coordination
- Inclusive language and events guide
- Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Action Plan
- National Facebook group for activists
- National Activists Slack Channel
- Sustainable Activism and Self Care Guide
Let us know how it went!
- Share your pictures and success via the National Facebook group for activists or the National Activists Slack Channel!
- If you have held a Community Listening Event, don’t forget to send your notes or recordings to communityorganising@amnesty.org.au
- If you have hosted an HRA Party let us know how it went so that we can refine the campaign and provide any support. Fill in this feedback form
Safeguarding the well-being of yourself and others
Campaigning for human rights can be difficult. Burnout and vicarious trauma can happen and it’s important to keep a look out for the signs in yourself and your friends. You can check out our Sustainable Activism & Self Care guide as a starting point to ensure that you are looking after yourself and others while doing this important work. It examines how we can better take care of ourselves as activists and what you can do to make sure your activism is sustainable!
As a global movement of 10 million people, and 500,000 people in Australia, Amnesty International has the people power to build public support for a Human Rights Act. Learn more about what are human rights and our Human Rights Act campaign work.
