human rights

The Guardian • human rights

Abolish The Monarchy Melbourne/Naarm Rally September 2022. Issue #2153

Kumanjayi Walker’s death a powerful call for justice reform

Australian Human Rights Commission Coronial findings on Kumanjayi Walker’s death a powerful call for justice reform. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner,...

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Issue #1983

Temporary victory won against “offensive” Texas abortion law

Delivering a temporary victory to fighters for women’s reproductive health, US District Judge Robert Pitman ordered an immediate injunction against Texas’s latest abortion restrictions –...

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Palestine logo Issue #2159

Welcoming Australia’s recognition of the State of Palestine

The General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific welcomes the principled decision announced by the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime...

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Francesca Albanese. Issue #2180

UN defends Albanese

The United Nations has stepped up its support for the world body’s special rapporteur on Palestine who is facing calls to resign. UN Human Rights...

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Half the Sky column logo Issue #2095

HALF OF THE SKY

In a landmark victory for the working class, a group of Swiss women, united under the banner of KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz (Senior Women for Climate Protection)...

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Issue #2042

Immigration re-detention raids

Having introduced laws to over-turn the legal decision last December that saw 163 people released from immigration detention, the government has begun re-detaining people. It...

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Quill and ink . Issue #2061

LETTER

Housing: a human right Re: “The Housing Crisis” (Guardian #2059 3rd July 2023) Dear comrade editor, Thank you, Denis Doherty, for your insightful article on...

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Gardi Sugdub, Panama, in 2019. Issue #2104

Guna People of Panama

Climate change in the Caribbean has now forced the Islanders of Gardi Sugdub (Crab Island) to move due to rising sea levels. The residents’ houses...

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Bernardo Arévalo (centre) 2024 presidential inauguration in Guatemala. Issue #2101

Guatemala: can Arévalo improve human rights and corruption issues?

Recent human rights reports on Guatemala show a worrying trend in corruption and violence, despite the Movimiento Semilla (Seed Movement) government’s anti-corruption platform. An Amnesty...

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Global briefs Issue #2061

GLOBAL BRIEFS

BRITAIN: The number of construction workers killed in site accidents rose sharply from 29 to 45 last year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has...

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Issue #2075

Freedom for Palestine: Naarm / Melbourne

On Sunday 15th October, thousands of Victorians from all walks of life gathered in front of the State Library of Victoria in one of the...

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Half the Sky column logo Issue #2147

HALF THE SKY

‘Disposable people’ Tabitha Lean is a Gunditjmara woman and abolitionist from South Australia who has been criminalised by the so-called ‘justice’ system. Tabitha spoke at...

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Issue #2039

The right to protest should be law

Human rights and freedom are very popular terms at the moment, and it’s not hard to guess who is accused of violating them in Australian...

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Global briefs Issue #2114

GLOBAL BRIEFS

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Hundreds of Dominicans demonstrated in front of the National Palace, Santo Domingo, demanding improvements to the Criminal Code. The protesters wanted a modern...

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Global briefs Issue #2109

GLOBAL BRIEFS

USA: Postal workers are involved in the nation’s largest contract battle, as the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) fights for an improved collective bargaining agreement...

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Trump on phone. Issue #2147

Trump uses ‘sliver’ to get past the law

President Donald Trump has turned over to the Department of Defence the Roosevelt Reservation to be used as a military base. This sliver of federal...

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Half the Sky column logo Issue #2153

HALF THE SKY

Last month the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released a report outlining urgent reforms with the aim of addressing workplace sexual harassment. The Speaking from...

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Global briefs Issue #2150

GLOBAL BRIEFS

COLOMBIA: President Gustavo Petro has reaffirmed the need for his proposed referendum on labour and social reforms, emphasising that peace in Colombia cannot be achieved...

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Issue #1978

Aged care workers expose industry’s dirty secrets

After years of Federal Government inaction on aged care, aged care workers are speaking out to expose the daily understaffing and safety risks facing older Australians across the country.

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Shared future for mankind. Issue #2102

China’s ‘Shared future for humankind’

For over a decade the People’s Republic of China has established the policy framework “Shared Future for Humankind” (literally in Chinese, 훙잚 츱頓 묾谿竟, rénlèi...

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youth behind fence Issue #2098

UK Rwanda scheme copies Australian failure

The UK has begun mass arrests of migrants in preparation for Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda deportation scheme. The UK Home Office, which manages immigration, has released...

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Nicaragua stamp Issue #2155

46th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution

2025 marks the 46th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua. On 19 July 1979 the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) overthrew the brutal US-backed,...

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Global briefs Issue #2180

GLOBAL BRIEFS

UN: United Nations experts on human rights issued a joint statement on 12 February condemning the Executive Order signed by US President Trump on 29...

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Global briefs Issue #2091

GLOBAL BRIEFS

YEMEN: Massive protests for Palestine continue across Yemen. Friday rallies attract millions of participants who march for Gaza. Last Friday was no exception – demonstrators...

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Issue #2023

DINGO

In July, the second asylum boat turn-back to Sri Lanka under the Albanese Labor government highlighted the fundamental breach of human rights involved in such...

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Issue #2039

US imperialism and the gangs of LA

By November 2022 over 58,000 people, accused of having gang affiliations had been arrested in El Salvador, filling up its already overcrowded prisons. Most arrests...

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Richard Titelius at the meeting. Issue #2147

International Meeting in Solidarity with Cuba, anti-imperialism and against the resurgence of fascism

After celebrating May Day in Revolution Square, international delegates from 269 organisations representing 39 countries gathered to show their support to the Cuban people, the...

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Global briefs Issue #2188

GLOBAL BRIEFS

JAPAN: The Japanese government has amended its arms export regulations (see “Japan scraps lethal weapons export ban” this issue). “A decision was made to amend...

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Issue #2192

West Papua: 8 dead in latest attack

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) says that it carried out a successful “cleansing operation” against “soldiers/police officers” posing as illegal gold miners on...

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Greenville, NC Police Department. Issue #2064

The Police-Industrial-Complex

US citizens believe they have the right to representative democracy, freedom of speech, religious worship, a free press, and equality before the law with a...

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Issue #1978

McCarthyism on the rise in Australian universities

In Australia’s latest self-sabotaging attack on China, the Morrison government has released a proposal that targets students and academics at Australian universities

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Spy. Issue #2048

ASIO powers revisited

In 2002 legislation introduced by the Howard Coalition government represented the most dangerous offensive against civil liberties and democratic rights yet seen in Australia. The...

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Coup of 11 September 1973. Bombing of La Moneda (presidential palace). Issue #2208

September 11 Chile coup commemoration marred by violence

The commemoration of the victims of the 11 September Coup in Chile has been marred by state violence. The important day commemorates the violent overthrow...

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Nicolás Maduro Issue #2208

Nicolás Maduro is innocent

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is innocent. This is a statement of law and fact. Maduro has not been convicted of any crime. He has pleaded...

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Issue #2038

Every child

Every child has the right to a high-quality education, delivered by qualified and professional teachers in their local neighbourhood. It is Australia’s public education system...

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Issue #2028

Health care is a human right

Reports of emergency patients waiting up to thirty-six hours or more to be off-loaded from ambulances at public hospital emergency departments (EDs) are indicative of...

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Issue #2027

Landmark UN decision highlights Australia’s climate injustice

In news that will surprise no one, a United Nations Committee has found the former Coalition government to have violated the human rights of Torres...

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Violet CoCo at a climate rally, Adelaide, 2023. Issue #2194

An interview with Violet CoCo

Interviewer: Royce Kurmelovs Royce Kurmelovs: Can you explain a little about what happened? Violet CoCo: Yeah, so recently I was a part of the Freedom...

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Issue #2196

China’s action plan for human rights

China has released their fifth National Human Rights Action Plan covering 2026-2030. Released at opening of the 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance, this...

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Rally outside of Parliament. Issue #2090

Marcos Jr. addresses Parliament amid protests

The president of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr addressed parliament on 29 February 2024. Coming a week before the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit,...

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Global Sumud Flotilla Issue #2194

Testaments to crimes

Australian survivors detained after participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla in solidarity with the Palestinians, say their ordeal extended beyond detention by Israel, alleging violence...

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Parliament House. Issue #2089

Contact: Sr Patricia Fox Phone: 0423 233 152 Email: australia-chrp@proton.me The House of Representatives & The Senate, Australian Parliament, Canberra, ACT. Open Letter 29 February...

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Issue #2152

ISDS: Trade in corporate power

One of Clive Palmer’s companies is suing the Australian government for $300 billion over the West Australian government’s refusal to grant an iron ore mining...

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Issue #2076

DINGO

Thick smoke enveloped extensive areas of the Brazilian Amazon as the region grapples with a surge in wildfires and a historic drought. In Manaus, a...

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Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Issue #2102

Statements from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

The International Court of Justice The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) affirmed that what media reports and press investigations revealed about the...

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US soldier in Shoalwater Bay during Talisman Sabre 2011. Issue #2159

We say ‘human rights,’ they say ‘tourists’

The Communist Party in Sydney has been campaigning for the NSW government to ban Israeli arms corporations from exhibiting their wares at the Indo Pacific...

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Issue #2132

Unite for rights

Reactionaries don’t need to be popular to stay in power – they just need to keep us distracted. While the cost-of-living spirals, wages stagnate, and...

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Penny Wong. Issue #2092

Open letter to Foreign Minister Penny Wong

Senator the Hon. Penny Wong Minister for Foreign Affairs PO Box 6100 Senate Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Re: Urgent call to Act against genocide....

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International Peace Day, Walyalup/Fremantle WA, September 2025. Issue #2210

WA ‘a US military outpost’

AUKUS is going to be huge for our state and WA Labor has just rolled out a red carpet. They don’t question anything that the...

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Issue #2198

Government falls short on human rights

The Australian Human Rights Commission has expressed concern about a lack of commitment by the Australian government to address some key failings identified in a...

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Child on swing living with disability. Issue #2074

Respect my ability

It took years of struggle by disability advocacy groups and PWD (people with disabilities) and their supporters before the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect...

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Issue #2123

DINGO

PM Anthony Albanese has rejected accusations from Beijing that his country is “plagued by systemic racism and hate crimes.” Beijing spoke out after an Australian...

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Issue #2075

DINGO

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows almost 40 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds reported experiencing a mental health disorder within the past...

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Rally for Palestine. Issue #2076

Communist Party of Australia members show up for Palestine

Naarm/Melbourne Over 15,000 people attended a rally and march under the slogan Free Gaza. On a show of hands, this was the first Palestinian solidarity...

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homeless sleeping on the street Issue #2147

Homelessness in Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast

Human rights lawyers are challenging the City of Moreton Bay Council in northern Brisbane over the eviction and destruction of homeless camps on public land....

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Issue #2139

Australia: An Unofficial History

Australia: An Unofficial History is an uncomfortable watch in an important way. This may seem odd for a documentary series which presents itself as a...

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Issue #2194

DINGO

In an Australian first, the Federal Court last month accepted an application by a UN Special Rapporteur to make submissions in the Australian Conservation Foundation’s...

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Rally for Palestine, Gadigal/Sydney, August 2025. Issue #2207

Independents propose ‘Red Lines’ laws

Independent Members and Senators have introduced a package of private bills jointly into both houses of parliament that would bring Australia’s domestic legislation into line...

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Male youth depressed. Issue #2122

Queensland Youth Crime: Election mythology and ‘copaganda’

Youth crime ‘crisis’ stories have dominated headlines and debates ahead of the Queensland state election. Liberal National Party (LNP) leader Crisafulli has pushed the slogan...

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Issue #2190

DINGO

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) says it is aware of a recent ABC report which exposed ‘Aussie Gigs’ as a sham booking agency...

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Rally for Palestine in Perth. Issue #2076

Criminal Israel

Israel is carrying out collective punishment, committing the most barbarous and cruel atrocities on an unarmed civilian population who are confined to a small area...

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Behind bars in prison. Issue #2202

Victoria erodes human rights in prisons

The Victorian government has passed a Bill in the Lower House which strips away one of the most basic human rights for people in Victorian...

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Incarceration, man behind bars. Issue #2162

A safer Northern Territory?

It has now been one year since the Country Liberal Party (CLP) returned to power in the Northern Territory. They promised to make communities safer,...

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Issue #2072

What’s housing for?

The Victorian Labor government has announced a big housing plan. Around ten thousand people will be moved from their homes – with no consultation, and...

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Issue #2170

Weaponising poverty

New legislation gives the government the power to cancel a person’s benefit because the police recommend it if there is a warrant for that person’s...

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Rally in support of Palestine, Perth. Issue #2156

‘Gaza is starving’

Between early March and mid-May, for 80 consecutive days, Israel prevented any aid entering the Gaza Strip, in a calculated move to push the population...

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Issue #2147

EDITORIAL

What’s housing for? Is it for: a) making yourself wealthy? b) Making someone else wealthy? c) Living in? This sounds like a silly question, but...

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Construction worker. Issue #2204

Victoria’s Ben Carroll set to shred workers’ rights

The Victorian Ben Carroll Labor government is continuing with its attempt to shred workers rights to freedom of association with the  Associations Incorporation Reform Amendment...

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Anangu school children from the Fregon community relax before performing their welcoming dance for visiting students. Issue #2192

UN raises ‘grave concerns’ about Indigenous children

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s Commissioners for First Peoples’ rights, children and racism are calling on all Australian governments to address racism in Australia’s criminal...

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Issue #2162

EDITORIAL

It’s a war that started recently, but really it’s been going on for a long time. It’s appalling, but it’s so constant that people not...

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Hannah at the CPA 10th Congress, 2005. Issue #2164

CPA General Secretary/President honoured in NSW Parliament

Thursday, 11th September 2025 Today I would like to honour the extraordinary life of Dr Hannah Middleton who passed away on 12 June this year....

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Indigenous rally Boorloo/Perth. Issue #2163

Anti-racism: the people stand up

Thousands of Australians marched in support of Indigenous sovereignty and against racism on Saturday 13 September. Thousands who already march every week to protest against...

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Save Medicare from privatisation. Issue #2168

Healthcare a human right

Australia now has an increasingly US-style, two-tier health system – a private one with massive co-payments that offers genuine primary and other health care and...

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Rally for Palestine in Boorloo/Perth March 2025. Issue #2164

Gaza: “The world must act NOW!”

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, to the 60th session of the...

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Issue #2170

EDITORIAL

There’s a lot of bad news out there. This paper often tries to shine a light on bad news not reported elsewhere. This editorial is...

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