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Amnesty International Australia

Campaign newsletter March 08

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Dear friend,

International Women's Day on Saturday 8 March is a time to celebrate women's achievements as well as a time to campaign to make human rights a reality for all women.

This year we're highlighting the achievements we've made campaigning together.

However, in Australia and around the world there is more work needed to advance women's rights and to Stop Violence Against Women. Our collective efforts can make a difference. The actions you've already taken during this campaign have made a real impact on individual women's lives as well as helped to change policies to advance women's rights.

In Iran brave women and men face severe reprisals for their peaceful campaigning work. Find out more about women human rights defenders in Iran.

 

In this edition

End violence against schoolgirls

Education is a human right and therefore every girl's right. But violence leads to countless girls being kept out of school, dropping out, or not fully participating in school life. It causes not only pain and fear, but also lowered self-esteem, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies and depression. In many cases, abuses go unreported. Read our new Safe Schools report and find out how you can help.

Government commits to banning torture

We welcome the announcement of the Australian Government's commitment to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture. This represents a great step towards reaffirming Australia's commitment to the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. The Second Optional Protocol provides for a system of inspection by UN officials of places of detention in Australia to ensure compliance with the Convention. Tell us what you think

In other news

Australians join worldwide demonstrations in solidarity with Kenyan people
Three years in jail for using Facebook
Cuba signs up for human rights
Children and civilian bystanders in Gaza death toll
European Court reaffirms ban on torture
Calls for calm as Serbs rally
Migrant shot dead trying to cross Egypt/Israel border

On the blogs

New law to address violence against women and children in Saudi Arabia
Campaign to Stop Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Spielberg never signed up
Watching the journalists
Fractured Families slideshow

  

Defend Iranian women’s rights activists

Women's rights activists in Iran need your help now. They face harassment, arrests, detention, beatings, flogging and torture. They have requested international support for individual activists who face reprisals and international support for change. Show your support now.

Protect women and girls in Darfur

Rape is an ever-present danger for women and children in areas of instability and conflict in Darfur. Call on the UN-African Union Peacekeeping mission to monitor and record all incidents of rape and to refuse impunity for perpetrators. Take action.

Former prisoner brings tears and hope

More than 100 people filled our Sydney Action Centre on February 28 to hear a powerful speech by Rebiya Kadeer, a Uighur human rights campaigner and former prisoner of conscience. The event was the final engagement in her Australian visit and was filled with passion, tears and hope. Find out more

Events in your area

Campaign with us for women's rights on International Women's Day. Check our online calendar for exciting events near you.

Also, come and celebrate the end of the Pacific Solution for asylum seekers in our Sydney Action Centre on Friday 14 March at 4pm. Find out details.

New jobs at Amnesty

We are looking for interns in Melbourrne and are seeking applications for Australian delegates to attend the Amnesty International 2009 International Council Meeting.

Become a human rights defender

In Myanmar, around 1,850 people are still being detained for peaceful political activities. They have been poorly treated and in some cases tortured. Together, we can support the people of Myanmar and their calls for freedom and justice, and campaign for human rights around the world. Donate today.

More about Amnesty International

Amnesty International is an international movement promoting and defending human rights. Your donations are vital to our work.

We do not accept funding from governments or political organisations for our campaigning work against human rights abuses, only from individuals like you. Please donate today.

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