WGAR News: More WA Indigenous youth could end up in prison as a result of new laws: Amnesty

Newsletter date: 19 September 2015

Contents:

* News Analysis: Yasmin Noone, NITV: New WA laws to sentence more young offenders: Amnesty

* News Analysis: Amnesty International Australia: Harmful law will put more Indigenous kids in - rather than out - of prison

* Action: Amnesty International Australia: Tweet against mandatory sentencing for kids

* Background:

Amnesty International Australia: Indigenous Peoples' Rights: http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/
WGAR Background: Justice Reinvestment, Aboriginal imprisonment and Aboriginal deaths in custody

* Crisis Support - Talk to Someone - 24-hours/day 7-days/week:
Lifeline - Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help/
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
Beyond Blue - Talk it through with us: 1300 22 4636 http://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support

'WGAR News' postings on Indymedia Australia: https://indymedia.org.au/newswire
WGAR News Public Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en-GB#!forum/wgar-news
WGAR News - Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

- News Analysis

NITV / SBS: New WA laws to sentence more young offenders: Amnesty
http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2015/09/16/new-wa-laws-sentence-more-...
16/17 Sep 15: "Amnesty International has warned new laws to combat home invasion and aggravated burglary in Western Australia will see more young people incarcerated. ... More Indigenous youth could end up behind bars in Western Australia as a result of new laws introducing additional mandatory sentences for 16-and 17-year-olds found guilty of non-violent home invasion and burglary, Amnesty International has warned. ... Amnesty International Australia’s Indigenous rights manager Tammy Solonec raised concern about the changes in a press release on Wednesday, saying it would result in a "disastrous impact on Indigenous young people" in the state's prison population. ... " By Yasmin Noone

- News Analysis

Amnesty International Australia: Harmful law will put more Indigenous kids in - rather than out - of prison
http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/38034/
16 Sep 15: "A Bill that passed the Western Australian Legislative Assembly overnight will have a disastrous impact on Indigenous young people, said Amnesty International today. ... Indigenous people, who are already massively over-represented in WA’s prisons, will be further disadvantaged by these laws, which tighten the existing mandatory sentencing arrangements for non-violent home burglaries and introduce additional mandatory sentences for aggravated home burglaries, which will apply to 16 and 17 year-olds as well as adults. ... "

- Action

Amnesty International Australia: Tweet against mandatory sentencing for kids
http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/comments/37904/
3 Sep 15: "After months of debates and stalling, the WA Government has passed a bill to extend mandatory sentencing for 16 and 17-year-olds. It feels like a kick in the guts that this bill has passed -- especially as it went unopposed by WA Labor who "unequivocally" oppose mandatory sentencing.* It will further disadvantage Indigenous young people who are already over-represented in WA’s prisons. While this isn't the outcome we wanted, we did make an impact. ... Join us in Tweeting and Facebooking WA Members of Parliament to let them know we’re disappointed in their decision. ... "

- Background

Amnesty International Australia: Indigenous Peoples' Rights
http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/

WGAR Background to Suicide and Self-harm in First Nations Communities
https://indymedia.org.au/2014/12/24/wgar-background-to-suicide-and-self-...
(last updated: 12 September 2015)

WGAR Background: Justice Reinvestment, Aboriginal imprisonment and Aboriginal deaths in custody
https://indymedia.org.au/2014/12/24/wgar-background-justice-reinvestment...
(last updated: 13 September 2015)

- Crisis Support - Talk to Someone - 24-hours/day 7-days/week:

Emergency:
For immediate assistance when life may be in danger
Call 000
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/emergency

Lifeline's 24/7 hotline
13 11 14
Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention services
https://www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help/

Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
Twenty-four hours a day seven days a week
The Suicide Call Back Service provides free nationwide professional telephone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide.
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/

Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636
Depression. Anxiety.
Talk it through with us, day or night
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-immediate-support

Useful national contact numbers - Suicide Prevention Crisis Contacts
http://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Suicide_Pr...

Mens Line
1300 78 99 78
MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men
http://www.mensline.org.au/

Kids Help Line
1800 55 1800
aged 5 - 25 yrs
http://www.kidshelp.com.au/

- - -

WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)