Our Work

Media Releases 

STATEMENT: Australia-Fiji Defence Treaty Underscores Urgent Need for Human Rights Vetting

STATEMENT: Australia-Fiji Defence Treaty Underscores Urgent Need for Human Rights Vetting

Jul 9, 2026

The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) notes the announcement this week of the new Australia-Fiji mutual defence treaty, known as the ‘Ocean of Peace Alliance’, alongside the broader ‘Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union’ economic partnership.
ACIJ is deeply concerned that this significantly expanded defence and security relationship with Fiji has been announced despite unresolved allegations of torture, ill-treatment and custodial violence committed by members of the Fijian military. These concerns are not abstract. ACIJ represents a Fijian torture survivor who was subject to torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by members of the Fijian military in Suva, Fiji.

MEDIA RELEASE: ACIJ welcomes AFP investigation into Israeli brutality against Australians, calls for structural investigation into Israel’s illegal naval blockade against Gaza

MEDIA RELEASE: ACIJ welcomes AFP investigation into Israeli brutality against Australians, calls for structural investigation into Israel’s illegal naval blockade against Gaza

Jun 16, 2026

The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) welcomes the Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation into  grave allegations of violence, sexual assault and other mistreatment by Israeli authorities against principled Australian humanitarian activists who recently participated in the Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla.  

STATEMENT: Australian Civil Society Statement in Support of Palestinian Rights Groups’ Court Case for Transparency Over Arms Exports to Israel

STATEMENT: Australian Civil Society Statement in Support of Palestinian Rights Groups’ Court Case for Transparency Over Arms Exports to Israel

May 29, 2026

We, the undersigned human rights, humanitarian and grassroots community organisations from across Australia, express our strong support for the application filed in the Federal Court by Palestinian human rights organisations seeking transparency from the Australian Government regarding Australian arms exports to Israel. This filing represents a critical effort to secure public accountability in the face of credible and ongoing concerns about the end use of Australian defence exports to Israel, and to determine whether Australia is complying with its obligations under domestic and international law. 

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Australian arms exports to Israel court hearing adjourned

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Australian arms exports to Israel court hearing adjourned

May 29, 2026

On 13 April 2026, Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) filed an application for preliminary discovery in the Federal Court of Australia to compel the Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, to release documents related to Australia’s arms exports to Israel.

A hearing was listed to be heard in the Federal Court of Australia on today, Friday 29 May at 2.15pm.

Today’s hearing has been adjourned by consent of all parties.

JOINT STATEMENT: Yazda and ACIJ Welcome Historic Crimes Against Humanity Charges for Australians’ Conduct Against Yazidi in Syria

JOINT STATEMENT: Yazda and ACIJ Welcome Historic Crimes Against Humanity Charges for Australians’ Conduct Against Yazidi in Syria

May 13, 2026

The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) and Yazda welcome the arrests of two Australian citizens on charges of crimes against humanity of enslavement related to conduct against the persecuted Yazidi community. The two individuals were arrested at Melbourne Airport on Thursday after returning to Australia from north-east Syria, where they had been detained for several years following the collapse of ISIL’s territorial control. It is the first time that any person has been charged with crimes against humanity offences under Australian law.

Share This