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Amnesty International Report 2009: How did your nation do?

Get it here: The Amnesty International Report 2009: The State of the World's Human Rights

It's a sleek website that allows you to easily summarize rights issues by nation. As a Canadian, I peeked at what the report had on us:

Canada

Indigenous Peoples’ rights: we have issues of failing to resolve land claims.
Women’s rights: we have issues of a few too many missing indigenous women.
Counter-terror and security: unfair immigration certification, the treatment of Afghan battlefield detainees under our responsibility, contributing to the violation of rights regarding individuals tortured overseas, ...and Omar Khadr.
Refugees and asylum-seekers: a Federal court reversed a ruling suggesting that a Canada/U.S. agreement violates the rights of refugees (the Harper government wants to deport U.S. war resisters and their families).
Police and security forces: four people have died as a result of police Tasers.
Death penalty: Canada failed to make a decision on clemency regarding a Canadian man sentenced to death in the U.S. on the grounds that the U.S. is a democracy and is following the rule of law.

Okay, this kinda sucks, but I'm sure it's not nearly as bad as several other nations. I hope the Harper governement takes these issues into account. Well, actually, the way things are going, I hope these become election issues.

* * * * *

How "well" did your nation do this year?
Should governments take this report into consideration?
What is your perception of Amnesty International's influence worldwide?

Singapore

Repression of dissent
Defamation suits and restrictive measures continued against opposition activists, human rights defenders, foreign media and conscientious objectors. A climate of fear and self-censorship discouraged Singaporeans from fully participating in public affairs.

Freedom of expression and assembly
The government eased restrictions on public assembly (in one designated location), but continued imposing restrictions on media and peaceful demonstrations.

Migrants’ rights
Singapore failed to provide basic protection for foreign domestic workers, such as a standard number of working hours and rest days, minimum wage and access to employment benefits. The Employment of Foreign Workers Act continued to exclude domestic workers.

Detention without tria
Some 23 suspected Islamist militants remained detained under the ISA. There were continued concerns about the risk of torture and other ill-treatment following arrest. Five detainees were released on restriction orders.

Death penalty
At least five people convicted of murder faced imminent execution.

Freedom of religion
Twenty-six Jehovah’s Witnesses continued to be imprisoned for refusing compulsory military service. Five additional conscientious objectors were detained during the year.

I can tell you that some of this gets discussed in the local papers but not all of it. The government here stands by its actions and has the support of much of the populace. This is what happens when you provide a stable environment with relatively good prosperity for all citizens (especially when compared with what is happening in neighbouring countries).

whilst the UAE is much better than most arab countries, it still has a lot of issues it needs to work on.

ideally, id rather not give my opinion and give the link instead.

UAE | Amnesty International Report 2009

Findings: The People's Republic of China won't even let me see it. :)

Analysis: I fully support the honorable government of the PRC. :)

Aust. didn't seem to get any negatives.

However this may be because of the timeline.... The new govt has not been in power long enough to be properly judged on results and mistakes. Yet.

nimetic...

how did we not get any negatives? ive bolded my concerns.

in saying that, they get a lot more stars than where im currently living :D sure its nice place to live here, as long as you toe the line

Quote:

Indigenous Peoples’ rights
In February, the government made an historic apology to the “Stolen Generations” – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who as children were forcibly removed from their families. However, the government opposed compensation. The government pledged to “close the gap” between Indigenous Peoples and other Australians but opposed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Quote:

Australian law allowing pre-charge detention for terrorism suspects remained in force. The law remains incompatible with international law.

Quote:

Refugees and asylum-seekers
In August, the government finalized the abolition of Temporary Protection Visas for asylum-seekers.

In January, the government closed its offshore detention facility on the island nation of Nauru. In May, the UN Committee against Torture expressed concern that the detention facility on Christmas Island was still in use. Despite this, Australia began use of a new high security facility on the Island in December.

In July, the government announced that asylum-seekers would be temporarily detained for identity, health and security checks, but only those who posed a risk to society would remain in detention. At the end of the year, this commitment had not been implemented.

The report on the UK didnt seem to mention the alleged murder of Dr Kelly, so pretty hard to consider it seriously.