FROM this week’s news ON: human rights and humanitarian aid [Note: Content Warning - links to distressing reports on this topic. Reader discretion is advised]

Note: CONTENT WARNING - some of this content is about upsetting, disturbing or triggering events & attitudes. Seek competent help - including professional - if you need it. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that linked articles may contains names and/or images of deceased people. READER CAUTION IS RECOMMENDED! For anyone distressed by anything in this post, or for any other reason considering seeking support, resources are available in Australia here, here, and here. In other nations, you will have to do an Internet search using terms such as “mental health support - <your nation>” (which, for instance, may lead to this, this, and this, in the USA, or this, this, and this, in France [biased towards English-language - my apologies]), or perhaps try https://www.befrienders.org/. 

Note: in my “from the news” posts, quotes are shown italicised and blue, my comments are in a different shade of blue, and “good” items are shown in green. I have loosely grouped the posts where such seemed reasonable, but that is subjective (i.e., my opinion - others are free to disagree), and challenging, as some posts belong in multiple “groups”.

Fromm this week’s news on human rights (note: I may continue to add links for a few days, possibly up to a week, after these are published), noting that many issues have probably not made it into the news that I see: 

• “Rising hunger: UN chief identifies wars, climate chaos as aggravating factors”   https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/02/1146492    

• “WHO: Coming Lean Season in Sudan Could Trigger Catastrophic Hunger”   https://www.voanews.com/a/who-coming-lean-season-in-sudan-could-trigger-catastrophic-hunger/7487064.html   “Unpacking Egypt’s vital aid role in Gaza and Sudan”   https://news.un.org/en/interview/2024/02/1146512      “Civilians suffer as ‘perfect storm’ of war, disease and displacement grips Sudan”   https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/02/1146502      “Sudan’s combat training camps for women • FRANCE 24 English”   https://youtu.be/wZcKiWpZHuw?si=iyqBRUj9vq-dOLm-   “As the war in Sudan wages on, raising fears of a widespread humanitarian crisis and famine, some women in the country are also taking up arms to defend themselves and their families, with some learning combat skills in hastily put together training camps.”   

• “Massive displacement as fighting surges in eastern DR Congo”   https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/02/1146552   

• in Ethiopia “News: Rights Commission prelim report confirms extrajudicial killing of dozens by security forces in Amhara state”   https://addisstandard.com/news-rights-commission-prelim-report-confirms-extrajudicial-killing-of-dozens-by-security-forces-in-amhara-state/    

• an Atrocity Alert for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, DR Congo and Venezuela   https://www.globalr2p.org/publications/atrocity-alert-no-382/  
  

• “Stabbed in front of her granddaughter, Vyleen White’s death sparks racial tension in Queensland | Queensland | The Guardian”   https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/10/vyleen-white-stabbing-death-granddaughter-racial-tension-queensland   Note that the family of this woman has appealed for no hate    

• “The government is well behind on Closing the Gap. This is why we needed a Voice to Parliament”   https://theconversation.com/the-government-is-well-behind-on-closing-the-gap-this-is-why-we-needed-a-voice-to-parliament-223309    “Closing the Gap: Anthony Albanese condemns ‘inexcusable’ findings on Indigenous disadvantage”   https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/13/closing-the-gap-report-anthony-albanese-findings-indigenous-disadvantage   “PM announces funding for jobs, communications and justice as damning report finds only four of 19 areas on track for improvement and four getting worse”   “Suicide on the rise among Indigenous Australians as government commits to lowering rate as part of Closing the Gap”   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-13/closing-the-gap-suicide-rate-increasing-indigenous-australians/103455164            “Even in post-referendum Australia, hope lives. But the stolen generations need more than hope”   https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/16/even-in-post-referendum-australia-hope-lives-but-the-stolen-generations-need-more-than-hope  
  

• “‘Incredibly disturbing’: calls for audit of out-of-home care providers after court hears Aboriginal baby’s aunt refused as carer due to same-sex relationship | Indigenous Australians | The Guardian”   https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/10/calls-for-audit-of-out-of-home-care-providers-after-aboriginal-babys-aunt-refused-as-carer-due-to-same-sex-relationship   This is utterly unacceptable - and has NO place in a publicly funded service   See also   “Apology anniversary to shine light on ongoing child removals”   https://nit.com.au/12-02-2024/9742/apology-anniversary-shines-light-on-ongoing-child-removals   “New commissioner will focus on vexed issue of Indigenous children in out-of-home care”   https://theconversation.com/new-commissioner-will-focus-on-vexed-issue-of-indigenous-children-in-out-of-home-care-223444         “Alcohol restrictions alone will not work, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services board warns”   https://nit.com.au/15-02-2024/9808/alcohol-restrictions-alone-will-not-work-kimberley-aboriginal-medical-services-warns  
  

• “NT Aboriginal Justice Agency returns fire at Canberra critics”   https://nit.com.au/14-02-2024/9789/naaja-defends-itself-from-calls-it-needs-to-be-shut-down   “... many of the criticisms of the legal service are “simply not true””   
  

• “Albanese government commits $707 million for 3,000 jobs for Indigenous people in remote Australia”   https://theconversation.com/albanese-government-commits-707-million-for-3-000-jobs-for-indigenous-people-in-remote-australia-223336         “Regional bank closures hit Indigenous communities hard, new report finds”   https://nit.com.au/15-02-2024/9810/regional-bank-closures-hit-indigenous-communities-hard  
  

• “No air conditioning in Unit 18 "isn't a major issue" Minister claims as Perth hits 40 degrees”   https://nit.com.au/09-02-2024/9727/isnt-a-major-issue-wa-police-minister-defends-no-air-con-in-unit-18-as-perth-boils   What a complete and utter load of rubbish. In my opinion, the Minister is either incompetent or peddling in LIFE-THREATENING misinformation   

• “Experts have developed new sun safety advice for diverse skin types. Here's what it says”   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-13/sun-safety-position-statement/103459156   Good. There was also a recent development aimed at addressing the error in oxygen measurement through darker skin colours  

• “How the Election of Barack Obama Changed Race Relations in America”   https://medium.com/illumination-curated/how-the-election-of-barack-obama-changed-race-relations-in-america-43d3ddf2597e   “Here is the fourth wave of white supremacy.   ...   It is now as acceptable to be openly racist as at any point in American History. I say that with a caveat because most of the open racism is conducted on the Internet, some anonymously and others in private groups ... Hate groups convene in the open ... Groups that once looked down on each other now come together in a common cause.   ...   Obama didn’t cause the racism; he exposed it.”   

• “Who can participate in the fight for minority and indigenous rights?”   https://minorityrights.org/who-can-participate-in-the-fight-for-minority-and-indigenous-rights/   On the importance of intersectionality  
  

• “The right-wing ‘union’ bringing anti-trans activists to Australia”   https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/2024/02/13/free-speech-union   “He has ‘joked’ on Twitter about running over counter-protesters and claimed that “almost every central trans figure is a nonce.”   ...   Linehan has also questioned the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and the existence of human-caused climate change.   ...   British columnist Toby Young founded the FSU to — in his words — fight against cancel culture and “digital McCarthyism”   He has espoused the positives of “progressive eugenics”    ...   A litany of research has shown that gender-affirming care — the medical and psychological healthcare for transgender people — improves the mental health and well-being of transgender and nonbinary children.   The Australian Medical Association “unequivocally” supports gender-affirming care for transgender people.”   Here we go again. Good comments from a trans activist about how to respond appropriately (peacefully, nonviolently, without any threatening behaviour) to these bigots  
  

• “In Kenya, women hold ‘Dark Valentine’ vigils to press for end to femicides | Women | Al Jazeera”   https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/2/14/in-kenya-women-hold-dark-valentine-vigils-to-press-for-end-to-femicides   “‘Dark Valentine’ day in Kenya, as nationwide vigils mark grim toll of murdered women and girls”   https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/feb/14/dark-valentine-day-in-kenya-as-nationwide-vigils-mark-grim-toll-of-murdered-women-and-girls  
  

• “Grassroots football club boycott cup tie over opponents’ ‘horrific misogyny’ | Football | The Guardian”   https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/feb/09/grassroots-football-club-boycotts-cup-tie-over-opponents-horrific-misogyny   It is pleasing that they made a stand, and staggering that this has not been noticed until now   “Model and influencer Morgan Riddle details stories of harassment at Super Bowl, causing panic attack - ABC News”   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-13/morgan-riddle-details-super-bowl-harassment/103459680   “Barnaby Joyce's drunken behaviour raises questions about political culture and double standards in Canberra - ABC News”   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-13/barnaby-joyce-drunk-video-who-gets-forgiven-politicians-canberra/103459208    “Lidia Thorpe calls for ‘sleazy’ MPs to be excluded from sitting weeks and fined for bad behaviour”   https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/15/lidia-thorpe-calls-for-sleazy-mps-to-be-excluded-from-sitting-weeks-and-fined-for-bad-behaviour   “Senator condemns two-year wait for parliament workplace enforcement body recommended in Jenkins review”  
  

• “Feminist narratives are being hijacked to market medical tests not backed by evidence”   https://theconversation.com/feminist-narratives-are-being-hijacked-to-market-medical-tests-not-backed-by-evidence-220282   

• “If the ABS guts Australia’s time use survey, women’s work will count for little”   https://theconversation.com/if-the-abs-guts-australias-time-use-survey-womens-work-will-count-for-little-223453  
  

• “An autistic boy faced terror charges unprecedented for an Australian child. How did it happen? | Australian police and policing | The Guardian”   https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/11/an-autistic-boy-faced-terror-charges-unprecedented-for-an-australian-child-how-did-it-happen   Read the article: while the police conduct is concerning, the child also made bad decisions   

• “New 'doxxing' laws to come after Jewish [social media] group leak | SBS News”   https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/new-doxxing-laws-to-come-after-jewish-whatsapp-group-leak/v1jvh2yyy   “What is doxing, and how can you protect yourself?”   https://theconversation.com/what-is-doxing-and-how-can-you-protect-yourself-223428   but there are also these opinions:   “Doxing or in the public interest? Free speech, ‘cancelling’ and the ethics of the _ _’ WhatsApp group leak”   https://theconversation.com/doxing-or-in-the-public-interest-free-speech-cancelling-and-the-ethics-of-the-_-_-whatsapp-group-leak-223323   and   “The _ WhatsApp leak was more whistleblowing than doxing. Here’s why”   https://theconversation.com/the-_-_-whatsapp-leak-was-more-whistleblowing-than-doxing-heres-why-223552   “Those who released the information say they scrubbed any details that could be used to track people down, such as phone numbers and email addresses. They also say no private photographs were released, nor any photos of children.   ...   This does not mean the leakers are immune to criticism, either. There were harms associated with their actions. Members of the WhatsApp chat have reported they have been subjected to harassment, including death threats. This includes some who were not actively participating in the chat, and have since disowned the group’s conversations.   This fallout can and should be pursued by authorities under current anti-harassment legislation”  
  

 

My links for activism post may aid any activism you may decide to do on any/all of these. If you do, don’t get too fixated on specific instances of problems - important though they may well be: take a moment to also consider the broader issues these incidents and groups of incidents may suggest/reveal.

 

Assumptions / basis 

In writing this, I have assumed / started from the following: 

• this blog states quite clearly that it is about political and human rights matters, including lived experience of problems, and thus I will assume readers are reasonable people who have noted the content warning in the post header;

Possible flaws 

Where I can, I will try to highlight possible flaws / issues you should consider:

• there may be flawed logical arguments in the above: to find out more about such flaws and thinking generally, I recommend Brendan  Myers’ free online course “Clear and Present Thinking”; 
  
• I could be wrong - so keep your thinking caps on, and make up your own minds for yourself.
  

 

If they are of any use of interest, the activism information links from my former news posts are available in this post. 

 

If you appreciated this post, please consider promoting it - there are some links below.

Remember: we need to be more human being rather than human doing, and all misgendering is an act of active transphobia/transmisia that puts trans+ lives at risk & accept that all insistence on the use of “trans” as a descriptor comes with commensurate use of “cis” as a descriptor to prevent “othering”.

Copyright © Kayleen White 2016-2024     NO AI   I do not consent to any machine learning aka Artificial Intelligence (AI), generative AI, large language model, machine learning, chatbot, or other automated analysis, generative process, or replication program to reproduce, mimic, remix, summarise, or otherwise  replicate any part of this post or other posts on this blog via any means. Typo’s may be inserrted deliberately to demonstrate this is not an AI product.     Otherwise, fair and reasonable use is accepted under Creative Commons 4.0 on an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike basis   https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/