Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

SYDNEY, FRIDAY 24 JULY 2026 — Greenpeace is calling on the Labor government to urgently address Queensland’s deforestation crisis using the new national nature law, after the Great Barrier Reef dodged another ‘in danger’ listing by UNESCO. 

The decision to keep the world’s most famous reef off the ‘in danger’ list was adopted at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in South Korea today, despite grave concerns over the government’s unmet targets for water quality last year, a direct impact of deforestation in Queensland.

Adele Chasson, Nature Policy Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: 

“UNESCO has repeatedly voiced concern about the health and future of the Great Barrier Reef, and the reality is that this global icon is still in deep danger from runaway climate heating, coral-killing deforestation run-off, ocean acidification and coral bleaching.

“Deforestation in Great Barrier Reef catchment areas is an environmental crisis, making up almost half of all deforestation in Queensland. Deforestation run-off floods the reef with dirty sediment and toxic pesticides, poisoning corals and fuelling destructive crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. Labor must end rampant deforestation in Queensland or risk the Reef losing its World Heritage status, threatening the communities and wildlife who depend on it.” 

The UNESCO committee recognised deforestation as a major threat to the Reef and welcomed Australia’s recent nature law reforms aimed at tackling deforestation in catchment areas. It urged Australia to act to improve the Reef’s water quality and requested a progress report by 2028.

“With these compounding pressures and a record El Niño around the corner, action to protect the Reef has never been more urgent. The Albanese government must immediately implement UNESCO’s recommendations under the new EPBC laws and end unchecked deforestation in the Reef catchments,” Chasson said.

-ENDS-

Source: Amnesty International –

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

ADELAIDE, Friday 24 JULY — Labor’s National Conference has today committed to support a global moratorium on deep sea mining just days before the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly is due to meet in Kingston, Jamaica, on Monday.

The commitment, agreed under the platform’s third chapter which covers climate and environment, outlines that Labor will “ensure the Australian Government leads ambitious international efforts for global agreements on… a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters.” 

Dr. Susie Byers, Head of Advocacy at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said from the Conference: “This commitment to support a moratorium on deep sea mining is the strongest from Labor yet and is very welcome. The eyes of the world are now on Australia ahead of the ISA’s Assembly meeting next week, where delegates will discuss the future of deep sea mining and protection of the sea floor.

“Deep sea mining is a destructive new industry that, if allowed to start, will risk irreversible damage to the ocean and communities worldwide who depend on it, with disproportionate impacts on Pacific nations, cultures and economies.

“Labor must not agree to strong action at the Conference today and then stay quiet in front of the world at the ISA come Monday. Australia must hold its nerve or risk letting down the many thousands of Australians who want to see this destructive industry stopped – not to mention our friends, including many of our Pacific family, who want to see the world’s precious deep seas protected from greed and destruction.

“This year, Labor moved to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty, the most significant ocean protection agreement in history. To be true leaders in ocean protection, Australia must now fortify their position with a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters.”

More than 40 countries, including seven Pacific nations, have called for a moratorium or precautionary pause on deep sea mining.

The Government has not yet announced opposition to deep sea mining, despite it being revealed that former LNP prime minister Scott Morrison and the international weapons industry, with links to AUKUS, were behind a global push to start the practice.

— ENDS —

Source: Amnesty International –

Reacting to the 14-day jailing of journalist Vakho Sanaia over his satirical Facebook posts and a reported assault on comedian Onise Okriashvili following a smear campaign in pro-government media prompted by a joke he had made, Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Deputy Regional Director, said:

“Beating up and imprisoning government critics is nothing new in Georgia, but in their ongoing crusade against free speech the authorities are now cracking down hard on those who dare to crack a joke. A witty punchline may now cost someone their freedom or their health, if not both.

“Satire, including the use of language that shocks or offends, is protected by the right to freedom of expression. No-one should be deprived of their liberty merely for ridiculing those in power. Those exercising political authority can be legitimately subjected to criticism.

“In Vakho Sanaia’s case, the violation is direct and unequivocal: the authorities prosecuted and imprisoned him solely for protected expression. Onise Okriashvili’s case raises a different but equally serious concern. While the available information does not establish that state officials ordered, participated in or were otherwise connected to this particular attack, Amnesty International has documented a clear pattern in Georgia in which campaigns vilifying government opponents are followed by violence against them.”

“The Georgian authorities must immediately release Vakho Sanaia and ensure a prompt and effective investigation of the attack on Onise Okriashvili, identify all those responsible and bring them to justice in fair proceedings.”

Background

On 22 July 2026, Tbilisi City Court sentenced journalist and TV Formula presenter Vakho Sanaia to 14 days of so-called administrative detention, over Facebook posts that mocked the Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili and MP Vladimir Bozhadze. In his first post, Sanaia sarcastically urged people not to use an insult against them while using it himself, for which he was fined GEL 6,000 (US$ 2,280) on 10 July. He responded online with a similar post reproducing the words he had been fined for – which led to his detention.

Hours after Sanaia was jailed, comedian Onise Okriashvili, a popular figure among government’s critics and active participant of the ongoing protests, was reportedly attacked outside his home by three unidentified men. The assault followed days of hostile coverage and vilification in pro-government media over a joke he had made about the late Georgian writer Nodar Dumbadze. During a studio appearance, he jokingly said that he hated Dumbadze and immediately clarified that he was only joking and in fact was criticizing the government. Amnesty International has previously documented a pattern whereby vilification of government opponents in Georgia has been followed by intimidation and violent attacks against them.

Source: Chatham House –

Director of Environment and Society Centre gives evidence to UK Parliament Energy Committee
News release
jon.wallace
23 July 2026

Ana Yang gave evidence to the UK Parliament’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee on 8 July, discussing the UK’s role in international climate policy. 

Ana Yang, Director of Chatham House’s Environment and Society Centre, gave evidence to the UK Parliament’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee on 8 July, as part of an inquiry examining the UK’s priorities and global standing as a leader on climate action.  

In the second session, Ana discussed how the UK can build on and strengthen its climate leadership on the global stage in an increasingly challenging fiscal, economic and political environment.

Ana described the changed geopolitical environment since the 2015 Paris Agreement, where climate change action is completely entangled with geopolitics – including rivalry between the US and China, US disengagement with the COP climate process and the war with Iran. 

During her evidence Ana said:

‘What we also see with the Strait of Hormuz…is almost this bifurcation of the petro states and electro states. 

‘And then the question is what can you do in terms of the UNFCCC and COP negotiation in setting targets and sending the signals? But then the biggest question is, what does implementation look like? Implementation needs to link to national interests. It needs to link to prosperity…it needs to also link to the security issue.’

Addressing UK climate policy she said:

‘What is the re-industrialization story for the UK… there is a missing story. In the process of clean transition, can the UK reinvent itself and think about what are the next generation of green industrial policies that will transform this country? That will inspire people, have more jobs…that is the story that is missing that connects climate to everybody’s daily life…’

Watch the session in full.
 

Source: Amnesty International –

Responding to the charges brought against detained Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) journalist MacPherson Mukuka, reportedly related to the violation of Section 10 of Zambia’s 2025 Cyber Crimes Act, which prohibits recording a private conversation without prior notice and posting it on social media, Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director said:

“MacPherson Mukuka’s arrest raises serious concerns about the application of Zambia’s Cyber Crimes Act and its potentially chilling effect on investigative journalism. Its impact is especially dangerous coming just weeks ahead of Zambia’s general elections.

“By charging him under Cyber Crimes laws, the authorities are misusing the criminal justice system to intimidate and harass journalists simply for doing their work..

“Authorities must immediately and unconditionally release MacPherson Mukuka and drop all charges against him. They must ensure that the media can report on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals, in line with Zambia’s international human rights obligations.

“MacPherson Mukuka’s arrest raises serious concerns about the application of Zambia’s Cyber Crimes Act and its potentially chilling effect on investigative journalism. Its impact is especially dangerous coming just weeks ahead of Zambia’s general elections.

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa

Authorities must end their attacks on journalists and uphold the human rights of everyone including the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in the country.

The authorities must ensure that the media can report on issues of public interest without fear of reprisals, in line with Zambia’s international human rights obligations.

Tigere Chagutah

“Amnesty International is also closely following the ongoing police harassment of Millenium TV journalist Rogers Mwimba, whom the police have summoned for questioning after he posted a video of revellers at a night club dancing to an opposition campaign song.”

Background

ZNBC Mcpherson Mukuka was detained on 17 July for recording a ‘private conversation without prior notice’ and posting it on social media and only charged on 21 July. The recording in question reportedly involved public servants in a Presidential Campaign Team committee discussing how they will work with polling station staff to “help people vote for their master.”

On 21 July another journalist, Rodgers Mwimba of Millenium TV, was summoned for questioning by police, after he posted a video of people dancing to an opposition campaign song.

There is a petition in court challenging the 2025 Cyber Crimes Act and the Cyber Security Act. Zambia will hold general elections on 13 August to elect a president, members of the national assembly, councillors and council chairs.

Source: Amnesty International –

Ghanaian authorities have failed in their duty to protect hundreds of victims of witchcraft accusations by delaying passing the Anti-Witchcraft Accusations Bill, said Amnesty International, six years after Akua Denteh was beaten to death, triggering outrage nationwide.

On 23 July 2020, 90-year-old Akua Denteh, accused of being a witch, was lynched to death in front of a crowd of people in her home village of Kafaba, in the Savannah Region, in Northern Ghana. The two women who were seen beating Akua in a video were sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2023 for manslaughter. Hundreds of other women who have been accused of witchcraft have been forced to flee their communities fearing for their lives.

“Akua’s case is just one of the heart-wrenching examples of the dire consequences of witchcraft accusations. This tragic anniversary is a stark reminder of the urgent need to prevent further atrocities and ensure that innocent lives are protected”, said Lamnatu Adam, Executive Director of the non-governmental organization Songtaba, partner of Amnesty International.

Source: Amnesty International –

Responding to today’s appeal decision overturning the murder conviction of a woman who had a later abortion while reducing the sentences of medical staff, Amnesty International Korea’s Executive Director HeeKyoung Cho said:

“While we welcome the court’s decision to acquit the woman who sought abortion, the court’s decision to uphold the convictions of medical staff exposes structural loopholes in access to essential healthcare in South Korea.

“The National Assembly’s failure to amend the abortion law has left pregnant people without clear legal protections and access to essential reproductive healthcare. People’s ability to exercise their reproductive autonomy, control their reproductive lives and decide if, when and how to have children is essential to the full realization of human rights, dignity, and bodily integrity. Moreover, the ability to make decisions about one’s body, sexuality and reproduction is at the core of gender, economic and social justice.

“Women deserve the latest and best medical care. The government must implement measures to remove barriers to accessing safe abortion as well as to provide proper regulations on abortion service provision. The Mother and Child Health Act must immediately be amended to prioritize women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.”

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

SYDNEY, Thursday 23 July 2026 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific has welcomed news that a ‘fishing expedition’ brought by Woodside in connection with a 2023 climate protest has been dismissed in full, celebrating it as a win for the community in their ongoing fight to stop Woodside from drilling for oil and gas at Scott Reef. 

The Supreme Court of Western Australia today threw out Woodside’s case, finding it had not succeeded in establishing it might have a cause of action against an unknown party involved in a three-year-old protest to bring attention to the harmful effects of Woodside’s gas expansion on climate and cultural heritage.

It comes as public opposition to Woodside’s plans to drill over 50 gas wells at Scott Reef continues to mount. 

David Ritter, CEO at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Greenpeace welcomes the news that this case has been dismissed. Woodside’s use of a SLAPP* suit of this kind is a grotesque attempt to use legal tactics to silence people. There should be no place for SLAPP suits in Australian democracy. 

“Community opposition to Woodside’s dangerous plans to drill over 50 gas wells at Scott Reef is large and growing. 

“Woodside’s plan to drill for gas at Scott Reef is breaking hearts in the Australian community. Their plan to drill for gas at the pristine, magnificent Scott Reef, risking precious marine wildlife like turtles and whales, oceans and the climate, is a disaster waiting to happen, and one that over half a million Australians are calling on the WA and Federal governments to stop.”

-ENDS-

Notes for editor 

A petition calling on the federal and WA governments to save Scott Reef has more than 552,000 signatures.

*SLAPP stands for “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation”. It is a legal tactic used by powerful corporations, particularly within the fossil fuel industry, to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the high costs of a legal defense until they abandon their environmental advocacy or protests.

Media contact

Lucy Keller on +61 491 135 308 or [email protected] 
Kimberley Bernard on +61 407 581 404 or [email protected]

Source: Amnesty International –

Following the arrival in the United States of Afro-Cuban visual artist and prisoner of conscience Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, after nearly five years of unjust imprisonment in Cuba, Amnesty International said: 

“Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara’s arrival in the United States brings an end to years of unjust imprisonment and underscores the harm caused by the Cuban authorities, as well as the state’s responsibility for imprisoning him solely for exercising his human rights. Luis Manuel should never have spent a single day in prison. What he endured will remain a symbol of how the Cuban government has used the criminal justice system to punish art, dissent and freedom of expression,” said Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director. 

Luis Manuel should never have spent a single day in prison. What he endured will remain a symbol of how the Cuban government has used the criminal justice system to punish art, dissent and freedom of expression.” 

Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director. 

Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara was sentenced on 24 June 2022 to five years in prison on charges including “contempt”, “public disorder” and “insulting national symbols”, in proceedings linked to his artistic expression, social media posts, criticism of the Cuban government and participation in peaceful protests. Amnesty International designated him a prisoner of conscience and repeatedly called for his immediate and unconditional release. 

“While it is a relief that Luis Manuel is free, it is essential to remember that his exile is an extension of the punishment imposed on those who dare to think differently, create freely or denounce human rights violations in Cuba. Everyone must be able to live freely, express themselves and participate in public life without being forced to leave their country,” Ana Piquer added. 

“Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara leaves Cuba after years of persecution, arbitrary imprisonment and deterioration of his health while in state custody. His departure from the country must be accompanied by full guarantees for his safety, dignity and right to continue creating, speaking out and defending human rights without threats or reprisals against him, his family or those around him,” Ana Piquer continued. 

“The Cuban authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience, including Maykel Castillo Pérez ‘Osorbo’, as well as Sayli Navarro Álvarez, Félix Navarro Rodríguez, Loreto Hernández García, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, Roberto Pérez Fonseca and everyone unjustly detained for political reasons in Cuba.  

The Cuban authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience, including Maykel Castillo Pérez ‘Osorbo’, as well as Sayli Navarro Álvarez, Félix Navarro Rodríguez, Loreto Hernández García, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, Roberto Pérez Fonseca and everyone unjustly detained for political reasons in Cuba.”  

Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director. 

“The international community must maintain pressure until no one in Cuba is imprisoned, surveilled, threatened or forced into exile for exercising their human rights,” Ana Piquer concluded.  

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact [email protected]