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Amnesty International Australia

Campaign newsletter February 08

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Dear friend,

In September last year, peaceful protests in Myanmar were violently suppressed by the military, with monks and civilians being beaten, detained, and tortured. The media's attention has moved on but the people of Myanmar are still suffering.

They have suffered human rights abuses for decades. Poverty and malnutrition are rife as a result of massive economic mismanagement by the military junta.

Those who speak out against the regime are brutally suppressed. Currently, there are around 1,850 people detained for peaceful activities. Of these, 700 were arrested because of their involvement in the protests last year. Even now, arrests continue.

With your help, we can continue to keep this issue on the international agenda. Together we will support the people of Myanmar and their calls for freedom and justice. Give a tax-deductible gift of $30 today.

 

In this edition

Apology was an essential first step

We welcome the formal apology to the Stolen Generations by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and the commitment to a bipartisan approach to addressing human rights abuses of indigenous Australians. How do you think the apology will impact all Australians?

Defend Perwiz Kambakhsh’s death sentence

In our last newsletter we told you about Afghani journalist Perwiz Kambakhsh who was sentenced to death after being convicted of downloading and distributing written materials examining the role of women in the Islamic faith. You can now take action to defend his sentence. Act now.

Impunity and injustice in the ‘war on terror’

From torture in secret detention to execution after unfair trial...Read our latest report on the recent U.S. developments. More.

Teaching about the Stolen Generations

Our new resource Human Rights today includes a chapter on Indigenous rights, which focuses on the Stolen Generations, the apology and compensation. Read the summary.

Free copies are still available to members who fill out our survey.

In other news

Pakistan's new Parliament must act
New leadership in Cuba must introduce human rights reforms
Misguided HIV crackdown endangers people in Egypt
Silencing dissent in Sri Lanka
UN Human Rights Council: Unravelling the tissue
Kenyan Government and African Commission must act

On the blogs

British athletes gagged
Chinese internet storms brewing
Refugee bargaining
Australia winds up the Pacific Solution
Justice Department continues to deny detainees' rights
Detainee dateline

  

Increase Australia’s humanitarian intake

Many Australians believe in the right to a 'fair go' and this opportunity has been extended to the many people who have resettled in this country for a variety of reasons. Recent events in Iraq, Myanmar and Darfur demonstrate the urgent need to offer asylum to vulnerable refugees around the world. Call on the Australian Government to increase its commitment to the offshore component of its Humanitarian refugee program. Send an urgent email to Senator Chris Evans.

Celebrated activist Rebiya Kadeer visits Australia

Celebrated Uighur human rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize nominee and former prisoner of conscience Rebiya Kadeer has arrived in Australia on her first visit to the country.
- Find out more about her
- Take action against the continuing violations directed at her family
- RSVP to meet and see her talk

South Korean photojournalist now free

Activists in Australia and around the world campaigned for Lee Si-woo, a South Korean photojournalist and peace campaigner, to be unconditionally released after his arrest on 23 April 2007. Last month he was found not guilty, and is now free. Thank you to everyone who worked on his behalf. More about the good news.

Events in your area

Film can educate the world about the threats to individual freedom and dignity. We're proud to be hosting the first Human Rights Film Festival in Brisbane on Sunday 9 March 2008 at Metro Arts from 11am to 9pm. See the film listing and purchase tickets.

In NSW, we're showing a special screening of the acclaimed Australian film, The Jammed, about human trafficking. Lead actress Veronica Sywak will speak and food will be provided. Tickets are $14/10, at Chauvel Cinema, Paddington Town Hall on Tuesday 4 March 6pm.

Also, we're calling an international day of action on Kenya on 27 February 2008. Keep an eye for details to come here.

Human Rights Innovation Fund and Employment

We have established a Human Rights Innovation Fund to give anyone interested in promoting and defending human rights direct access to funding to support new, innovative and creative initiatives. Find out more and apply now.

We are also looking for an Event Coordinator based in Melbourne and Media Interns in Sydney. More about the positions.

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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