Maverick US historian and pacifist Howard Zinn died suddenly in January, aged 87. He was an inspiring, indefatigable human rights activist best known as author of A People's History of the United States. (His endorsement graces the cover of New Internationalist's No-Nonsense Guides.)
When asked in a recent interview, Zinn said he would like to […]
Key nuclear states Israel, North Korea, India & Pakistan remain non-signatories to the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). What is your government's current position on the treaty and issues under review?
The next review conference will be held at the UN in New York City in May next year. This Japanese call from arms […]
To quote a press release issued today on behalf of those presently involved in this anti-war protest in northern Australia:
Christian Activists enter restricted military area during live-fire exercises
Four nonviolent Christian activists have entered the Shoalwater Bay Training Area this morning to stop the Talisman Saber exercises. Calling themselves 'the Bonhoeffer 4' after Kevin Rudd’s […]
Before dawn on 28 June, Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya (left) was 'pulled from his bed' in the presidential palace and forced into exile in Costa Rica, still in his pyjamas.
That afternoon Roberto Micheletti, of the same party as Zelaya (the PLH), was sworn in for a 7-month term as caretaker President, with elections due on […]
When people like Desmond Tutu describe the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as apartheid, it's not mere hyperbole.
Israel's self-proclaimed 'policy of separation' seeks to segregate Palestinians and Jews in the West Bank, writes Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard.
Apartheid is an Afrikaans word meaning literally, separateness. It's hard to see how Israel's policy […]
The Australian Government today gave its formal support to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma (pictured right), called it a "giant step":
"another milestone in the new partnership forged between Indigenous peoples and governments in February last year with the National Apology to […]
The awarding of the highest US civilian honour, the Medal of Freedom, to former Australian Prime Minister John Howard this month (left) was staggering to human rights activists familiar with his record.
Even more galling was the same award given to Colombia's President Álvaro Uribe.
The Presidential Medal is intended to recognise an "especially meritorious contribution" to […]
Last week 66 nations at the UN General Assembly adopted a landmark statement affirming the equal rights of all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It was the first time the UN body has formally dealt with the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.
In debate prior to the vote, […]
There have been prisoners-of-war (POWs) as long as there has been war, but international recognition of their right to protection from abuse is much more recent.
The Red Cross has counted over 500 recorded texts attempting to regulate hostilities prior to modern laws of war. The Chinese, […]
Last month at the UN General Assembly, rock legend Bono lamented that for ten years he has begged the G8 for US$25 billion to relieve hunger and disease in Africa, with limited success. Suddenly, the United States has $700 billion to spend on Wall Street.
Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz estimates that the US bailout package […]