Some human rights and other news links [Note: Content Warning - reader discretion is advised!] and thoughts - Saturday 17th December, 2022

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, wear a face mask in public if prudent to do so, and follow informed medical advice.

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; links behind hard paywalls have a [$]; 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.

• right wing extremists (R) in Brazil have (AJ) attempted (TG) a violent (DW) insurrection;   an assessment of the actions needed to address far right wing extremism (TC) - see also this (TND) and this (Star) - and of the risks (DW) in Germany (DW), including in their judiciary (DW);   a Reuters special investigation reports witnesses claiming that the “Nigerian Army massacred children in war on insurgents” (R);   some thoughts of mine on the corporation-person divide and overlap;   how and when the corporate takeover of US politics began (YT - RR) - see also this (TND);   the major problem of nightsky light pollution (TG);   the risks associated with a new form of machine learning (TND);   claims (TND) of a major (TG) break through in nuclear fusion (DW) (which, to be clear, uses hydrogen, not uranium, and does not create a radioactive residue in the approach tested, which uses laser initiation - thermonuclear bombs use nuclear fission to initiate a fusion explosion, and thus are different);   “why the future is unravelling - why the three pillars of modernity are breaking — and sending the world hurtling backwards” (M);   “the pandemic showed us that poverty is a policy choice – we must do better” (TG);  
  
• on the CLIMATE CRISIS (noting the UNFCCC) and ENVIRONMENT (noting multiple  international agreements): 
• states everywhere are getting tougher on (DW) climate crisis protestors - see also here, from Australia (TG) (showing the gross irresponsibility, dereliction of duty, and incompetence of such states);   big business may be forced to disclose efforts to address the climate crisis (TG);   86% of Australia’s coal is exported, as well as 75% of our gas (social media, citing this [may change]);   a call for Indigenous leadership (TC);   hydrogen trains in Germany (DW);   where the best wind and solar sites are (TC);   more on a recent fusion energy breakthrough (TC);   “electricity generated by burning native Australian timber no longer classified as renewable energy” (TG);   “Canadian government pledges $864 million for Indigenous-led conservation” (NIT);   profits by fossils (TG);  
  
• dugongs in East Africa are endangered (ABC), as are eels in Europe (TG);   biopiracy (F24);   “UN honours pioneering initiatives to restore ecosystems worldwide” (UN);  
  
• climate / environmental issues have also occurred in:   USA (TG),   Tanzania (TG);
  
  
• 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: 
• owing to a lack of normal supplies used elsewhere, the ending of the zero COVID policy in China is leading to a surge in cases (TG);  
  
  
• on NATURAL and OTHER DISASTERS (noting Article 1(3) of the UN Charter): 
  
• a list of emergency hotspots (DW);   an explosion has destroyed a block of flats in the (ABC) UK (TND);   risk of famine is growing in Haiti (UN) - see also this, on violence (ICG);   floods and landslides in the DRC (TG), landslide in Malaysia (TG), and ongoing (TG) problems from floods (ABC) in Australia - see also this abuse (TG);   drought in Somalia (UN);   a fireworks display went wrong and injured people in Australia (TND);   tornadoes in the USA (CNN);   the UN has adopted an automatic exemption of humanitarian aid from sanctions (LFB);  
  
  
• 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:   concerns that fascist groups may be preparing for sabotage in Baltic and other NATO states (TG);   Russia is short of artillery shells (TG);   Ukraine is shooting down Russian drones (TG);  
  
• on the nuclear (weapons and power) situations:   “the likelihood of Russian President Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons in his war in Ukraine has declined in response to international pressure, German Chancellor ... said” (EU Reporter);  
• on human rights in the region and globally:   the freed Russian weapons dealer has joined an ultranationalist party (TG); 
  
• internationally:   sanctions are working (TG);  
   
• on INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (noting the UN Charter [particularly Chapters VI and VII] and numerous  international  treaties): 
• in a statement of the obvious, “Saudi foreign minister [said] 'All bets off' if Iran gets nuclear weapon” (R);   the USA is concerned at growing ties between Russia and Iran (DW);   an assessment of the change of balance of power in the Baltic away from Russia if Sweden joins NATO (YT) - and if Finland joins, it will have to change its nuclear policies (BAS);   the problem of diplomats getting away with non-diplomatic crimes (ABC);   Australia wants Japan added to AUKUS (ABC);   an assessment of the alignment between China and Saudi Arabia (CNN);   Taiwan is concerned it may lose its “silicon chip shield” (CNN);   post POTUS45, the USA is trying to rebuild ties with Africa (AA);   an opinion that the evidence shows mainland China is not planning to attach Taiwan (WotR);   a call for the AU to be permanently added to the G20 (WP [$]);   “Gulf of Guinea countries agree to stop illegal Chinese fishing” (VoA);  
  
• noting particularly Chapters VI and VII of the UN Charter, the 1928 Pact of Paris used in post-WW2 trials, the "laws" of war and IHL and Article 20 of the ICCPR on WAR / CONFLICT:   11,000 children have been killed or injured by the war in Yemen (UN);   the DRC has criticised what it calls “Rwanda’s expansionist tendencies” (MSN);   Chinese and Indian troops have clashed violently on the Tibet-India border (F24);   a call for war torts (compensation) for civilians harmed by war (WotR);
   
• on CORRUPTION (noting international  agreements and monitoring), MISGOVERNANCE, MAL-/MIS-/NON-FEASANCE, MISCONDUCT and THREATS TO DEMOCRACY/FREEDOM: 
• “former prime minister Scott Morrison sought to be sworn in as treasurer so he could hold foreign investment powers” (TND) - and on his inept appearance before the Royal Commission, see here (TND), here (TND), and here (TG);   “RoboDebt victim breaks down at royal commission while recalling 'intrusion' of 'rude' human services staff” (ABC);   The Grotesque Big Twit has attacked a crucial public health official who tried to save lives from COVID in the USA - and TGD people (F24);   “the [former neoliberal] Australian government had multiple chances to press ‘stop’ on robodebt – but didn’t” (TG);   Australia is worst in the world on data security (TND);   concern that AI is stealing IP (TG);   a US Supreme Court has shown his moral unfitness for their position (M);  
  
• a former NSW police decision to clear a former Commissioner of wrongdoing over gambling shares has been reversed (ABC);   a thirty year sentence has been handed down to a former WA police office who drugged, raped and abused 13 women - 12 while serving (TG);   “a serving NSW police officer has told an inquiry into hate crimes against members of the LGBTIQ community that a bias crime unit within the force was not popular internally and was largely shut out of a review of suspected gay-hate deaths” (SMH);   concerns about ongoing privacy abuses by my home state’s police (ABC);   in the US state of “Louisiana officers charged in Black motorist's death, which was earlier blamed on a car crash” (ABC);   a NT police officer's racist texts will be investigated (SBS);  
  
• concerns around past/current/potential corruption/misgovernance also in   Europe (F24) - see also this (P),   Australia (TND),   Australia (TG),   Australia (TA),   financial services industry (TC);
  
  
• on DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE (noting Article 25 of the ICCPR and monitoring  projects): 
• globally:   Japan has taken action against cults (DW);   demands for new elections in Bangladesh (AJ);   the Biden government has been praised for its supportive actions on journalism, but pressure is growing for that to extend to ending the chase after the controversial Julian Assange (TG);   a US DINO (Democrat in name only) showed herself to be that by leaving the Democrats (TG);   Irish people are burning peat to save on energy costs (TG);   protests against the next stage of the power grab by Tunisia's head of state (NA);   extensive and major problems with Nigeria's new digital voting records (BBC);    the importance of journalists not damaging their credibility (TC);   the number of journalists killed or imprisoned has increased (DW);   “'warm banks' emerge in Britain as temperatures plummet” (DW);   a call for leaders in South Sudan to stop the violence and allow democracy (TG);  
  
• in Australia:   an assessment of how out of touch conservative parties are with young people (ABC);   “energy users and ex-ACCC boss praise government for staring down ‘bullies of the gas industry’” (TG);   any proposal to compensate (TG) coal companies will be opposed (ABC) - see also my thoughts here - but energy caps have been agreed (TND);   mental health support has been dangerously and excessively cut (TND) back (TC);   “more than 100 economists and tax experts have published an open letter calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to reconsider the Stage 3 tax cuts for high income earners, labelling the tax cuts as economically unaffordable and unfair” (The Australia Institute) - but see also this (TG);   “an Indigenous Voice to Parliament will not give ‘special rights’ or create a veto” (TC);   “'politicised' Administrative Appeals Tribunal abolished, after attorney-general declares its reputation ruined” (ABC);  
  
• suppression of dissent / media in   Twitter (The Hindu);
  democracy is also at risk in   Hong (ABC) Kong (TG),   Kosovo (DW) - see also here (R),   Bangladesh (HRW),   Peru (DW) - see also this (TG) and this (TG),   Tunisia (DW),   Türkiye (TG); 
  
  
• on HUMAN RIGHTS (noting the various rights and treaties summarised here, IHL, Article 5 of the Rome Statute founding the ICC): 
• as someone who has an Uncle who was a member of the police, - feared every report of a bank robbery when I was in primary school because my father was a bank manager, was in a building that was shaken by the Russell St bomb, remembers the communal fear when two young police were murdered here, and had a family member who was murdered, I deplore this event, and grieve for those affected:   six people have been killed (TND) in regional Queensland, including (TG) two police officers who were ambushed (the 2^nd fatal ambush in five years) by shooters (ABC) - see also this (on the conspiracy links of one of the shooters) (TG),   this (on increased anti-police sentiment globally - to which I would point out the actions done by police, such killing Mr George Floyd, that have contributed to that, but I also acknowledge the problem of anti-lockdown fantasists and right wing extremists) (TC),   this assessment of the dangers of policing here and elsewhere (TC),   the extremists uploaded a video and doxxed serving officers (TND), and this (TND);  
  
• on the protests in Iran:   Iran has murdered by hanging another protestor (F24) who was alleged to have killed two security members (TG);  
  
• on the FIFA-supported sportswashing by Qatar of its human rights abuses:   “Qatar World Cup whistleblower was tortured, claims family” (TG);   human rights may now be worse in Qatar (PVG);  
  
• a video by a Guatemalan who was released in response to a letter writing campaign by Amnesty International (YT - AI);    the US judicial system had been warned of the dangers of a mass gun murderer beforehand (TG);   “South Sudanese community leaders say suicide among young people is 'out of control' ” (ABC);   interracial and same sex/gender marriages in the USA are now protected (TG);  
  
• human rights are at risk or abuses have also occurred in:   Kenya (TG);
  
  
• noting the GENOCIDE  Convention:   a call for Syria’s al Assad to be overthrown and put on trial (GW);   an atrocity alert for Nigeria, Burma, and Ethiopia (GCR2P);   
  
  
• noting the conventions and the Global Compact on REFUGEES:   another report states the EU’s border force is responsible for sending refugees to abuse (HRW);   digital surveillance of refugees (CSIS);   hardline policies do not work (TG);  
  more refugee issues:   Zambia (DW),   Chad (TG);
  
  
• noting the Yogyakarta Principles on LGBTIQ+ PEOPLE:   after a Youth Pride event in my home state was cancelled in response to threats from far right violent extremists, LGBTIQA+ people and allies turned up anyway and drowned out the five haters who did turn up - one of whom was arrested (QN);   the origin point of one of the vile anti-TGD myths (blog);  
  more LGBTIQA+ issues:   Scotland (good news) (BBC);
  
  
• noting ICERD and DRIP on RACISM:   rural tribes in India are being excluded from government services (DW);   “ ‘toxic rhetoric’: marriage equality plebiscite offers ugly lessons for Indigenous voice to parliament referendum” (TG);   a dual name post processing centre (NIT) - see also this digital names database project (NIT);   a National Indigenous Times exclusive reports that the superintendent of a controversial youth detention centre has been moved on;   ““peacebuilding” isn’t protecting DRC’s minorities” (MRG);   “Victorian Indigenous leader calls for urgent changes to child protection and justice systems” (TG);   “Aboriginal people have spent centuries building in the Darling River. Now there are plans to demolish these important structures” (TC);   a “short stay facility planned for Aboriginal people visiting [a WA city] for business, cultural and family reasons” (NIT);   “SA Police criticised for leaving Aboriginal man's body uncovered for hours in front of family” (ABC);   an apology to the stolen generations from my home state (TG);  
  more racism issues:   Pamiri in Tajikistan (MRG),   UK (TG) - see also this (TG),   Australia (good news) (TG);
  
  
• noting CEDAW on SEXISM:    “the dangers of putting on an extraverted persona for introverted women leaders” (LinkedIn);   “a widening gender rage gap? No wonder: women have a lot to feel angry about” (TG);   staggering incompetence and sexist/misogynist bias by scientists meant snake genitalia were misdescribed (TG);   a personal experience of the devastation caused by NDAs (TG);  
  more sexism issues:   a tech company (TG);
  
  
• noting the laws listed here, the conventions listed here, and principles discussed here, here, here, here, and here, on the RIGHTS OF ANIMALS:   a partial critique of the loss of a live-export animal transport (ABC);   “a South Australian truck driver has been charged with multiple animal cruelty offences after he allegedly ran over and killed dozens of goats in north west NSW” (TND);   
  
  
• noting the CRC on CHILDREN:   “how [school] bullying can be invisible to adults” (TC);  
  
  
• noting the CRPD on PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:   “Lismore's new cafe a space for the Deaf community and hearing people to 'come together'” (ABC);   the documentation of a traditional Indigenous sign language (TC);   “Dylan Alcott issues passionate defence of the NDIS at the disability royal commission” (ABC);   “unregistered NDIS providers are in the firing line – but lots of participants have good reasons for using them” (TC);  
  
  
• noting Articles 6 (1), 7, and 8 (see here) of the ICESCR,   Article 5 (e) (i) (ii) (see here and here) of the ICERD,   Article 11 (1) (a - c) of the CEDAW,   and   Article 27 (1) of the CRPD on WORK and FAVOURABLE WORK CONDITIONS:   Germany is showing abysmal ignorance of the battering working people take by pushing for later retirement (DW);  
  
  
• 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:    as a Qld local Council becomes a matchmaker between renters and vacant properties - to the benefit of all (ABC), a social housing tenant in NSW has been forced to stay in unhygienic and unsafe conditions or be made homeless (ABC);  
  
  
• the need for contrarians (Aeon);
  

(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:   Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project - ACLED;   Aeon Magazine - Aeon;   Africa Centre for Strategic Studies - ACSS;   Africa News - AN;   Al Jazeera - AJ;   Amnesty International - AI;   Associated Press - AP;   Australian Associated Press - AAP;   Australian Broadcasting Corporation - ABC;   Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility - ACCR;   Australian Independent Media Network - AIMN;   Australian Unions - AU;   Barrons;   Bellingcat (B);   Bloomberg - BB;   Brisbane Times - BT;   British Broadcasting Commission - BBC;   Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists - BAS;   Cable News Network - CNN;   Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - CBC;   Centre for Strategic and International Studies - CSIS;   Committee to Protect Journalists - CPJ;   Context - CT;   the (US) Council on Foreign Relations (CFR);   Crikey - C [$];   Dabanga Sudan - DS;   Deutsche Welle - DW;   European Union - EU;   Forbes - F;   Foreign Policy - FP;   France 24 - F24;   Freedom House - FH;   Genocide Watch - GW;   Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect - GCR2P;   Globe Echo - GE;   HumAngle - HmA;   Human Rights Law Centre - HRLC;   Human Rights Watch - HRW;   Independent Australia - IA;   International Crisis Group - ICG;   Just Equal - JE;   Lawfare Blog - LFB;   Lowy Institute - The Interpreter - Lowy;   Mail & Guardian - MG;   mainstream media - MSM;   Medium - M;   Michael West (news media platform) - MW;   Minority Rights Group - MRG;   Mirage News - MN;   Nation Africa - NA;   National Indigenous Television - NITV;   National Indigenous Times - NIT;   New York Times - NYT [$];   News24;   North Africa Post - NAP;   Openly - Op;   Out in Perth - OiP;   Pearls and Irritations - PnI;   Political Violence at a Glance - PVG;   Politico - P;   Premium Times Nigeria - PT;   Q News - QN;   Quartz - Q;   Radio France International - rfi;   Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE);   Reuters - R;   Robert Reich - RR;   (Bruce) Schneier - Sch;   Special Broadcasting Service - SBS;   Star Observer - Star;   Sudan Tribune - ST;   Sydney Morning Herald - SMH;   The Age - TA;   The Big Smoke (TBS);   The East African - TEA;   The Guardian - TG;   The (Nigerian) Guardian - TG-N;   The Monthly - TM;   The National Tribune - tNT;   The New Daily - TND;   The Saturday Paper - TSP;   The Sentry - TS;   The Shot - TS;   Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA;   United Nations - UN;   Voice of America - VoA;   Wall Street Journal - WSJ [$];   War on the Rocks - WotR;   Washington Post - WP [$];   Wikipedia - WP;   Yahoo News - Yahoo; YouTube - YT.  

Finally, remember: in general, we need to be more human being rather than human doing.