Campaigns

In 2009, there are two main campaigns that UTS AIA will be raising awareness about. These include:
  1. Stop Violence Against Women
  2. Universal Abolition of the Death Penalty
These two campaigns are currently being organised by Amnesty International Australia, and will be taken up by various other university campus groups and other affiliated groups with AIA.

Stop Violence Against Women

Stop Violence Against Women
“The United Nation has recommended governments:
“take action to eliminate all forms of violence against women by means of a more systematic, comprehensive, multi-sectoral and sustained approach, adequately supported and facilitated by strong institutional mechanisms and financing, through national action plans”

Amnesty’s six year Stop Violence Against Women was initiated in 2004. This year, the UTS Amnesty International Association is joining the fight. Despite the efforts of all levels of government, at least 40 percent of women have experienced violence in Australia. We believe that what is needed is a National Plan of Action (NPoA), operating at all levels of government, that is clearly and comprehensively formulated, is sustained and focuses on prevention, provision of support services and prosecution.

Issues of gender discrimination, sexism and culture are inextricably linked to violence against women. The social roots of this problem means that it is not enough for the Office for Women to solely be involved. A re-education program including a variety of government portfolios and social, cultural and racial groups must be initiated. This effort should be nationally outlined and monitored with constant funding and accountability. Violence against Indigenous women should also be addressed and monitored through this program.

In Europe, countries spend on average $14,000 per 10,000 people every year on national plans addressing violence against women. In Australia, this is only $9,300 per 10,000 people. More must be done. Drawing on international experiences and successes, Australia is in a position to develop a NPoA that will really make a difference.

The Death Penalty

“Everyone has the rights to life, liberty and security"
(Article 3, Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

States and governments which employ the death penalty contradict this fundamental human right. Universal abolition of the death penalty is a focus for the UTS Amnesty International Association.

The death penalty can be viewed as supporting “victim’s rights”, enabling the victim and/or their family to see the guilty party lose their life to the state for their crimes. Is this really justice? Governments condoning the taking of a human life are simply setting precedent for the society they govern. Additionally, it is a power that can be abused to eliminate political opponents. “The death penalty is a symptom of a culture of violence, not a solution to it”.

The death penalty can be viewed as the ultimate deterrent to drug dealing and rising crime rates. However, many executions are carried out in secret, preventing public awareness or debate. Studies have shown that increased education and policing are a more plausible method of reducing crime.

There is no such thing as a ‘humane’ way to kill a person. Hanging, electrocution, shooting, and more commonly, lethal injection, are all methods of execution which have been proved flawed.

All over the world people are denouncing the death penalty. In December of 2007, the UN General Assembly passed a moratorium encouraging states to abolish the death penalty. Today, two thirds of states have, in comparison to only three at the beginning of last century. The trend globally is undoubtedly a positive one, but Amnesty is committed to ensuring the United Nation’s moratorium is actualised and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is internationally upheld.

Past Campaigns