Some human rights and other news links and thoughts

Black Lives Matter! Be Anti-Racist, Anti-Sexist, and Actively Inclusive in ALL Areas.
The Climate Crisis is real, urgent and existential!

The Pandemic is Real, and Vaccinations save lives. Stay safe - wash your hands, practice social distancing and wear a face mask in public, and follow informed medical advice - and be considerate towards those at risk or in situations of vulnerability (including economic) while the COVID-19 pandemic is a problem.

Some mostly human rights (including significant, relevant links in other fields - such as geopolitics, democracy, or authoritarianism) links (note: the source of news items [but not reference links] is in brackets after each item - normal rules around abbreviations will apply, and abbreviations are listed at the end of this post; also, comments by me are in purple). 

Note: CONTENT WARNING - some of this content is about upsetting, disturbing or triggering events & attitudes. Seek competent help - including professional - if you need it. Content shown in green (which may be only part of a news story) is about what is generally considered “good news”, but personal history may still make such events triggering. Reader caution is recommended.

• on the CLIMATE CRISIS (noting the UNFCCC) and ENVIRONMENT (noting multiple  international agreements): 
• an outstanding, union-led example of Just Transition from WA, where mines were not privatised (TND);   “climate change is white colonisation of the atmosphere. It’s time to tackle this entrenched racism” (TC);   we have TWENTY SEVEN coal mine projects applications (TG) under consideration - from the neolib nitwits era, but are the ALP up to the task of saying no? ... that they're talking about us becoming a renewables (TC) superpower (TND) is encouraging;   home buybacks could be cheaper than raising a dam in NSW (TG);   dredging of wetlands in South Sudan will be stopped to allow an assessment of environmental and social impact (AP);   a town will now seek to climate proof its water supply after losing it as a result of floods (TG);   “the US and Australia have stressed the importance of breaking the near-complete reliance on China for zero emissions technology supplies while signing a new agreement that promises to accelerate the development of climate solutions” (TG);   “Labor’s renewable target is much more ambitious than it seems. We need the best bang-for-buck policy responses” (TC);   “we actually already have good international laws regulating ships that plastics overboard. We are just not enforcing them properly” (TC);   the demand for firewood is devastating forests in the DRC (NYT);   legal action against a company for allegedly greenwashing (Law.com);   corporate funding is being sought for a forest in Malaysia’s capital (TRF);   a critique of claims around “renewable gas” (TG);   progressive voters in the USA want more done on the climate crisis (TG);   “Labor will make substantial changes to a committee responsible for ensuring the integrity of the national carbon credit system after overseeing the departure of three members appointed by the Coalition” (TG);  
  
  
• climate / environmental issues have occurred in:   heatwaves;
  
  
• on the COVID-19 PANDEMIC (noting WHO advice, Article 12 of the ICESCR, and public emergency provisions of the ICCPR and the ICESCR) and other health matters: 
• more on the failure to take the current COVID-19 situation properly (TND) - and the AMA is warning do not rule out mask mandates (TND) ... which is being ignored by my home state (TND) as we deal with the denialist legacy (TC) of Morrison’s stupidity, but National Cabinet will be reconvened on this matter (TG);   “health experts say COVID-19 complacency has restricted freedoms of the immunocompromised and elderly” (ABC);   calls to keep financial support for those with COVID (TND);   some thoughts on why we are ignoring the ongoing and worsening nature of the COVID pandemic (M);  
   
  
• on Rashist  Putin and his cronies’ ILLEGAL (it is contrary to Chapters VI and VII of the UN Charter  and international law [and the 1928 Pact of Paris which was successfully used in post-WW2 trials], and possibly includes conduct contrary to the "laws" of war and international humanitarian law (IHL)) INVASION of UKRAINE: 
• on military matters:   international training is aiding Ukraine with replacement of troop losses (TG);   Iran will resupply Russia with drones (TG);   commentary on Ukraine’s need for patience when planning and preparing for counterstrikes (TG);  
  
• on human rights in the region and globally:   Putin has been lying (DW) about Russian attacks;  the lack of attention to the human rights disaster in Yemen (PnI);   Russia’s use of the USSR’s anti-imperialist legacy, patronage, and fused military and non-military actions to push out others and grow its influence in Africa (PVG);  Ukrainian civilians are being forcibly disappeared to Russia (HRW);   Polish activists are helping Ukrainian refugees access abortions, despite Poland’s backward ban (TRF);  
  
• inside Russia:   Russia has shut down civil society (UN) and used its anti-LGBTIQA+ laws to silence journalists (TRF) who criticise its invasion of Ukraine;  
• internationally:   Ukraine is restoring Danube River ports in an attempt to get grain out to the world (TG) - see also this (DW) on talks to enable grain exports, and this (DW) and this (TG) on alternative grains than wheat (these would take to plant and grow, so are not a viable alternative right now);  
   
• on INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (noting the UN Charter [particularly Chapters VI and VII] and numerous  international  treaties): 
• a speculation (LFB) as to what Canada’s risk assessment of the USA could be;   one nation has withdrawn (TG) from the Pacific forum over concerns Micronesia is not being adequately considered - see also this (TG) and this (TND);   the DRC is now a member of the EAC (TEA);   now that the national neolib nitwits are no longer in power, the Solomon Islands has returned to seeing Australia as its security partner of choice (TG);   ahead of US President Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia, a warning that human rights concerns extend beyond the Saudi crown prince to transnational repression (P) - see also this (HRW); 
   
•  on CORRUPTION (noting international  agreements and monitoring) and MISGOVERNANCE: 
• major concerns are being alleged (TG) about a ride sharing company - the whistleblower’s story is here (TG);   “capitalist thugs” (RR);   a call for the ending of a case - described as contrary to Australian values (TC) - against a whistleblower’s lawyer to be followed up by quashing the whistleblower’s conviction (TG);   a “rural banking scandal” in China (F24);  
   
• on DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE (noting Article 25 of the ICCPR and monitoring  projects): 
• globally:   violent (DW) protests (DW) after a crisis (DW) that has been growing for months (years or even decades, when discrimination against minorities is considered [TC]) have led to Sri Lanka’s president agreeing (TG) to step down and a State (DW) of Emergency (TND);   the history of political violence in Japan, and role that being able to grandstand views in trials has (TC);   China has been accused (F24) of trying to stop an expat dissident from standing for election in the USA;   as “more practices from [the] Al Bashir era [reappear] in Sudan” (ST)   and   concerns grow over Russia’s notorious mercenaries meddling in (read that as: attempting to stop) Sudan’s attempt to transition to democracy (ST),  distrust of Sudan’s military is leading to protests calling for democracy continuing (DW);   “the liberal justices’ scorching dissent ... send [a] stark warning about increasingly radical [US supreme] court abandoning long-held principles” (TG);   democracy building in the USA (WP) as evidence emerges that former #45 has tried to interfere with witnesses (CNN) and that the insurrection was premeditated (TG) - and corroboration from a police officer of previously alleged aggressive behaviour by #45 (CNN) as the US Secret Service is found to have deleted evidence AFTER being asked to provide it (TG);   the UK could (TND) wind up with a non-white (F24) transphobe (M) in charge - as opposed to having a white transphobe in charge - see also this (TA);   governments based on caring about people are making a comeback (TC);   New Zealand's wellness budget shows what can be achieved (TC);   ““Generals always fight the last war” – and that could be the case with the world’s inflation hawks now. It’s not a good thing” (TND);   “boom in U.S. public banks aiming to stay local and play fair” (TRF);   Chad is planning on talks to resolve its crisis (AJ);  
  
  
• in Australia:   electoral reforms including spending limits and truth-in-advertising are being proposed (they’re not law yet - they haven’t even been introduced to Parliament as a Bill) (TG) - see also this (TND);   criticisms of “flat earth” thinking (TSP) in education and meddling with the teaching (TSP) history by the former national neolib nitwits - and a criticism of teacher bashing (TC) in the media;   a proposal will be made to improve protection for whistleblowers and make investigations easier for the new anti-corruption body (TG);   “richer schools’ students run faster: how the inequality in sport flows through to health” (TC);  
  
  
• democracy is also at risk in   Sri Lanka (DW),   Kenya (ACSS),   Ghana (TG); 
  
  
• on HUMAN RIGHTS (noting the various rights and treaties summarised here, IHL, Article 5 of the Rome Statute founding the ICC): 
• “‘You called us brothers’: Afghans who fought with Australian troops still live in fear of Taliban” (TG);   Russia has blocked aid to Syria (TG), but a compromise was found (UN);   criticism of the USA’s tokenistic reforms on guns (TG);   “Victoria’s move to restrict ‘silencing’ sexual harassment victims welcomed by unions and lawyers” (TG);   SA has delayed giving consent (which is required because of our constitutional monarchy)  to a law passed by Parliament to enable proper compensation for victims of sexual assault (ABC);   although the truce is still holding in Yemen, there are still problems getting aid in (UN);   an opinion that, although imperfect, the ICC is doing more good than its critics claim (TC);   a woman in Sudan may face the death penalty for alleged adultery (TG);   more border abuses of travellers in the USA (TG);   nations “should take concrete steps to demonstrate that justice for serious crimes matters, regardless of where abuses are committed and by whom” (HRW);   criticism of a social media platform's first human rights assessment (Tech Crunch);  
  
  
• human rights are at risk or abuses have occurred in:   Cuba (HRW),   Belarus (Radio Free Europe),   Russia (HRW),   Poland (HRW),   Egypt (HRW),   USA (TRF;
  
  
• violence in:   South Africa (CNN),   Brazil (TG);
  
  
• noting the GENOCIDE  Convention:   allegations that Türkiye, Syria, and Iraq failed to prevent and punish Da’esh’s genocide against the Yazidis (F);   this week’s atrocity alert (GCR2P);  
  
  
• noting Article 19 of the ICCPR on FREEDOM of POLITICAL EXPRESSION:   an opinion that the hostility against Julian Assange is classist (I consider this is a valid point, as is the early work done by Wikileaks, but I have concerns over the later releases - and grave concerns over some of the treatment dished out, but also ... what if the sexual assault complainant was genuine?) (AIM);   “the Economic Community of West African States’ court has declared as “illegal” the seven-month suspension of Twitter by Nigerian authorities last year” (AN);  
  
  
• noting the conventions and the Global Compact on REFUGEES:   asylum seekers in Indonesia are facing horrendous conditions (AIM);  
  
  
• noting the Yogyakarta Principles on LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE:   the UN Human Rights Council has renewed the mandate of the LGBTIQA+ (using a newer, shorter, less well-known acronym) expert - and specifically condemned anti-LGBTIQA+ laws (Yahoo);   Russia will extend its LGBTIQA-phobia (TRF);   social media is failing to look after LGBTIQA+ people (BB);   a US Senator has been told off by an expert for his transphobia (Yahoo);   11 of 12 complaints of transphobia in the media have been upheld (TG);  
  
  
• noting ICERD and DRIP on RACISM:   “Yoorrook: the fight for Victoria’s truth-telling commission to achieve its groundbreaking goals” (TG);   “the First Nations women fighting to reclaim childbirth to improve the health of women and children” (ABC);   “raising the age of criminal responsibility is only a first step. First Nations kids need cultural solutions” (TC);   a former sponsor of a sporting club redirected their funding to an anti-racism campaign in response to concerns about racism at the club - racism costs (TG) - see also this (ABC);   “South Africa ‘on the precipice of explosive xenophobic violence’” (UN);   “Victoria’s new Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People ... said the current child protection system was a legacy of the Stolen Generations which saw Aboriginal ways of parenting with wide support networks as flawed” (NIT);   the woman at the centre of a brutal murder of a black child in the 1950s has claimed grief - but not, IMO, been wholly honest nor taken responsibility (TG);   there is a backlog of native title claims (TC);  
  
  
• noting CEDAW on SEXISM:    misogyny and/or transphobia on social media has led to a US general being suspended (TG);   more (TG) (also here [TG]) on Qld. police’s incompetence (Brisbane Times) on domestic violence;   tokenistic inclusion of female “superheroes” in films (TC);   a human rights assessment of the violations of sex testing female athletes (HRW);   online abuse of female candidates in Kenya (TRF);   a ride sharing service is facing legal action from hundreds of women over a systemic failure to prevent violence (TG);   lower pay for women in health care (UN);  
  
  
• noting Article 17 of the ICCPR,   Article 16 of the CRC,   Article 22 of the CRPD,   and   Article 12 (1) of the DRIP on PRIVACY:   another privacy risk from tech (TG) - and see also this (CNN);   use of facial recognition by two major retailers is being investigated by the privacy commissioner (TND);   
  
  
• noting Articles 2 (1) (also noting this, this, this, and this), 3, 7, 14 (see here and here), 15, 16, and 26 of the ICCPR,   Articles 3, 5 (a), and 6 (see here and here) of the ICERD,   Articles 2, 12 (2), 37, 39, and 40 of the CRC,   Articles 5, 12, 13, and 14 of the CRPD,   and   Articles 1 - 2, 7 (2), 8 (2) (c), 9 - 10, 12 (2), 20 (2), 27, and 40 of the DRIP on the JUDICIARY / JUSTICE SYSTEM:   the inhumanity of the US prison system’s use of modern slavery (TG);   “Victoria’s highest court has delivered a withering assessment of the state’s mandatory sentencing regime, saying it required “judges to be instruments of injustice” and showed a “profound misunderstanding” of the community’s best interests” (TG);   
  
  
• noting the CRC on CHILDREN:   a list of child rights violators has some significant omissions (HRW);   CW - CSA the man who allegedly raped a girl in a US state - forcing her to travel to another state for an abortion - has been charged (TG);   
  
  
• noting the CRPD on PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:   “Indigenous boy featured in NDIS promotional material placed in state care after funding cut” (TG);   “not just ramps and doorways – disability housing is about choosing where, how and who you live with” (TC);   “half of Australian managers and human resources professionals say their organisation has never hired a person with disability and nearly one in 10 admit they wouldn’t want to in the future” (TG);   
  
  
• noting Article 6 (1) of the ICCPR,   Article 11 of the ICESCR,   Article 5 (e) (iii) (see here and here) of the ICERD,   Article 14 (2) (h) of the CEDAW,   Article 27 (3) of the CRC,   Article 28 of the CRPD,   and   Article 20 of the DRIP on FOOD, CLOTHING, and HOUSING:    the increasing difficulty of making ends meet (TG) - and rents are increasing (TG);   
   
• on NATURAL and OTHER DISASTERS (noting Article 1(3) of the UN Charter): 
• floods in South Asia (TG);   heatwaves in Europe (F24) - which have led to bushfires (F24) - and elsewhere (TG), including China (TG);  
   
• telecommunications companies will finally have to take action against scam text messages;

(Should you elect to write to your elected representatives or others on these matters, it may be useful to familiarise yourself with the links shown in blue - or to at least refer to them. Don't forget to CHECK whether your nation has RATIFIED the treaty concerned.)

Abbreviations:   Aeon Magazine - Aeon;   Africa Centre for Strategic Studies - ACSS;   Africa News - AN;   Al Jazeera - AJ;   Amnesty International - AI;   Associated Press - AP;   Australian Broadcasting Corporation - ABC;   Australian Independent Media Network - AIM;   Bloomberg - BB;   British Broadcasting Commission - BBC;   Cable News network - CNN;   Deutsche Welle - DW;   European Union - EU;   Forbes - F;   Foreign Policy - FP;   France 24 - F24;   Freedom House - FH;   Genocide Watch - GW;   Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect - GCR2P;   Human Rights Law Centre - HRLC;   Human Rights Watch - HRW;   International Crisis Group - ICG;   Lawfare Blog - LFB;   Lowy Institute - The Interpreter - Lowy;   Medium - M;   Mirage News - MN;   National Indigenous Times - NIT;   New York Times - NYT;   Pearls and Irritations - PnI;   Political Violence at a Glance - PVG;   Politico - P;   Radio France International - rfi;   Reuters - R;   Robert Reich - RR;   Special Broadcasting Service - SBS;   Sudan Tribune - ST;   Sydney Morning Herald - SMH;   The Age - TA;   The East African - TEA;   The Guardian - TG;   The New Daily - TND;   The Saturday Paper - TSP;   Thomson Reuters Foundation - TRF;   United Nations - UN;   Voice of America (VoA);   Washington Pot - WP;   Yahoo News - Yahoo; YouTube - YT;