Amnesty International Australia calls for human rights safeguards as NSW Armed Response Command begins operations

1 November 2026

As the NSW Police Armed Response Command begins operations today, Amnesty International Australia has raised serious concerns about the increasing militarisation of policing and called for robust safeguards to protect human rights, particularly the right to peaceful protest.

Andrew Witheford, Strategic Campaigner at Amnesty International Australia, said:

"Everyone has the right to live free from violence and fear, and governments have a responsibility to protect communities from serious threats.

"However, the introduction of heavily armed police patrols across Sydney raises serious questions about the increasing militarisation of policing and the safeguards in place to protect human rights.

"Any expansion of police powers and capabilities must be accompanied by clear, publicly accessible rules, robust independent oversight and accountability. The use of force by police must always comply with international human rights standards, including the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality.

"We are particularly concerned about the possibility of heavily armed officers being deployed at peaceful protests. People must be able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of intimidation or excessive force.

"The NSW Government must provide clear assurances that the Armed Response Command will not be used to intimidate or suppress peaceful protest, and ensure its operations are subject to rigorous human rights safeguards and independent scrutiny.

"Community safety and the protection of fundamental human rights must go hand in hand."

Background

The NSW Police Armed Response Command (ARC) commenced operations on 1 November 2026, following its establishment in response to the December 2025 Bondi terrorist attack. The unit will see specially trained officers carrying rifles patrol public spaces, major events and places of worship across Sydney.

While NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has said he does not expect the unit to be deployed at protests, NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley has refused to rule out its deployment at demonstrations and confirmed the government would not introduce regulations restricting where the command can operate.