As Julian Assange fights extradition to the U.S. while imprisoned in London’s Belmarsh high security prison, so too is Daniel Duggan fighting extradition to the US while imprisoned in Lithgow’s high security prison. Continue reading Daniel Duggan’s fight against extradition to the US
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A makeshift sit-in outside PM Anthony Albanese’s electoral office in Marrickville, has become a 24/7 protest action.
A visit to the sit-in on 6th March, found participants sitting on chairs with leaflets in hand, surrounded by placards and banners demanding an end to Israel’s genocide and 17-year-long illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip. Continue reading Sit-in continues outside PM Albanese’s electoral office in Marrickville
On Saturday 2nd March, over 100 people gathered in Katoomba to rally against Israel’s war on Gaza. Organised by the community action group, Mountains for Palestine, participants heard from a number of speakers covering various aspects of the conflict, as well as recent local actions aimed at protecting Palestinian life and rights in Gaza.
Proceedings began with the rally co-ordinator, Aaisha, providing an acknowledgment of country.
Minute’s silence
A minute’s silence was then held. As a preamble, Jenna from Mountains for Palestine explained that a minute’s silence was being observed “for all martyrs lost due to Israel’s occupation and genocide in Palestine.” Continue reading Katoomba rally calls for an end to Israel’s war crimes in Gaza
In an interview on 29th February 2024, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Michael Fakhri, provided a graphic account of how Israel’s war on Gaza is leading to catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation.
This interview follows a briefing on 27th February 2024 to the UN Security Council on food insecurity in Gaza. At this briefing, senior UN humanitarian officials warned that well over half a million Gazans are just a step away from famine. They warned that famine is “almost inevitable” unless aid can be scaled up immediately. Continue reading Israel’s war on Gaza leading to catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation
The extradition case of imprisoned WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange was heard last week at the British High Court of Justice in London.
In what is seen as a last-ditch attempt, Julian Assange’s lawyers are seeking permission from the High Court to challenge the extradition order signed by then UK home secretary Priti Patel in 2022.
At the conclusion of the two day hearing on 20th and 21st February 2024, judges Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Johnson, reserved their decision. A ruling is not expected to be handed down until next month at the earliest. Continue reading Julian Assange’s last-ditch attempt to avoid extradition to the US
Photo: Destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, Al Jazeera
On 26th January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an interim order in response to South Africa’s application, lodged on 29th December 2023, alleging violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The order handed down contained six provisional measures. The first of these measures stated: Continue reading Israel’s violation of the Genocide Convention continues unabated
During parliamentary proceedings yesterday, Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, successfully moved a motion calling on the House of Representatives to recognise “the importance of the UK and USA bringing the matter to a close so that Mr Assange can return home to his family in Australia.”1
To their shame, all Opposition members present, except for the Member for Bass, Bridget Archer, voted against the motion. Nevertheless, the vote marks an unprecedented show of political support for Julian Assange by the Federal Parliament. Continue reading Australian federal MPs express overwhelming support for Julian Assange – extradition appeal case to be heard on 20th and 21st Feb 2024
On 26th January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed down its report on South Africa’s allegation that Israel had committed genocidal acts in its war on Gaza. The ICJ found that South Africa’s claim had plausibility. The ICJ also found that Palestinians in Gaza were facing a humanitarian catastrophe as a result of Israel’s massive air and land assaults on the besieged enclave since 7th October 2023.
Accordingly, the ICJ’s interim order required Israel to comply with the 1948 Genocide Convention, permit the resumption of adequate supplies of humanitarian aid into Gaza and act against those who were propagating genocidal statements.
Israel’s allegations
Coinciding with the release of the ICJ’s interim order and summary report, Israeli authorities made public its allegation that several UNRWA employees – a total of 12 in number – had been involved in some form with Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on 7th October 2023. No evidence regarding these allegations was publicly forthcoming. Continue reading The Labor government must immediately resume its funding of UNRWA
Following public hearings held on 11th and 12th January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its order relating to the ‘Request for the indication of provisional measures’ by South Africa in the case concerning its Application on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel).
The International Court of Justice’s order which is immediately binding on Israel, contained six provisional measures. This compares to South Africa’s request for the ICJ to support nine provisional measures. Continue reading ICJ issues interim ruling in South Africa’s case against Israel for violations of the Genocide Convention
On 7th July 2017 an overwhelming majority of the world’s nations adopted a global agreement to ban nuclear weapons, known officially as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW or Treaty).
The TPNW entered into force on 22nd January 2021. As a result, the third anniversary of this landmark Treaty will be marked on 22nd January 2024.
The TPNW has become a key component of international law on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. It is effectively the only international agreement with the potential to rid the world of nuclear weapons and the catastrophic threat they pose to humanity and the environment. Continue reading ICAN & ACF sponsor nuclear ban treaty petition – still open
ICJ hearing: Blinne Ni Ghralaigh KC for South Africa. Press button to watch video..
On 28th December 2023, South Africa submitted an application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The application accuses Israel of crimes of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in breach of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (‘Genocide Convention’ or ‘Convention’).1
In its 84 page application, South Africa described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”. Continue reading South Africa presents case to ICJ on Israel’s genocide in Gaza
Numerous rallies around the country on Human Rights Day condemned Israel’s ongoing war on the Gaza Strip and renewed the call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
One of these rallies on 10th December 2023 was organised by the Blue Mountains Friends of Palestine (BMFoP) that took place in Katoomba. The event attracted around 80 people who initially assembled at the town’s old library site and later marched a short distance to Carrington Park. Continue reading Blue Mountains rally calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza – 10th Dec 2023
Many thousands gathered in Hyde Park, Sydney on Sunday 26th November to express their solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza that have suffered from Israel’s blockade, airstrikes and ground assaults since the attacks by Hamas on 7th October 2023.
At the time of the negotiated “pause” in Israel’s war on Gaza, the reported Palestinian death toll had exceeded 14,000, with 10,000 of these deaths comprising women and children. Continue reading Sydney rally calls for an immediate cessation to Israel’s war on Gaza – 26th Nov 2023
In her address to the National Press Club on 14th November 2023, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, described the international community as failing in its response to the Israel-Gaza war.
Francesca Albanese also criticised governments, including the Australian government, for having “amnesia”, “myopia” and “living in an alternative reality” when asked about its response to the war, as the death toll from the conflict exceeded 12,000 people.
She said the UN is experiencing its “most epic political and humanitarian failure since its creation”. Continue reading Francesca Albanese’s address to the National Press Club – International community, including Australia, is failing in its response to the Israel-Gaza war
In a statement issued on 2nd November 2023, seven UN Special Rapporteurs warned that time is running out to prevent genocide in Gaza and expressed deep frustration with Israel’s refusal to halt plans to decimate the besieged Gaza strip.
“We remain convinced that the Palestinian people are at grave risk of genocide,” the experts said. “The time for action is now. Israel’s allies also bear responsibility and must act now to prevent its disastrous course of action,” they said.
The experts expressed “deepening horror” about Israeli airstrikes against the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza since the night of Tuesday 31st October, which have reportedly killed and injured hundreds of Palestinians, calling it a brazen breach of international law.
The full statement by the Special Rapporteurs can be read here.