Anzac Day Reflection 2021

Anzac Day, War Commemoration, , ,
Jennifer Newman – click to enlarge

This year’s Anzac Day Reflection was held in Richardson’s Lookout – Marrickville Peace Park.

The occasion offered participants an opportunity to remember the loss of Australian servicemen and women in WW1 and subsequent wars, along with the physical harm and psychological trauma suffered by others that served, as well as the grief endured by their families.

As the name suggests, however, Anzac Day Reflections aim to do more than recognise Australian casualties resulting from military service in foreign lands. In the spirit of genuine remembrance, they offer participants the opportunity to ask some hard questions, such as how our nation became involved in these wars, what purposes were actually being served, and what mistakes were made in prolonging hostilities. Continue reading Anzac Day Reflection 2021 →

Indigenous Voice To Parliament Under Threat

Aboriginal Affairs, ,
Source: insidestory.org.au

On 30 October 2020, Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians, announced the beginning of the Indigenous Voice Co-Design Process.

Following this announcement, the Federal government launched stage two of the co-design process by releasing the Indigenous Voice Co-Design Process Interim Report (Interim Report) on 9 January 2021 and initiating a four-month consultation process.

Individuals, communities and organisations have been encouraged to provide feedback either by completing a survey or by making a formal submission. Submissions close on 31 March 2021 and the survey will close at the end of the engagement period on 9 May 2021.

Continue reading Indigenous Voice To Parliament Under Threat →

Sydney remembrance of Iraq invasion

Iraq War,
Click to enlarge

March 20th, 2021, is the 18th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. That invasion was unnecessary, illegal and contrary to the UN Charter – yet Australia joined it. The outcome was the destabilisation of the Middle East that continues to this day.

Marrickville Peace Group has called a rally to demonstrate the fact that it has not forgotten (and will not forget) what was a shameful day.

Join the rally from 2.00pm, Saturday March 20, 2021 in Town Hall Square, Sydney.

Celebration of Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty’s entry into force

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The Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) entered into force on January 22, 2021.  Antoinette Riley (pictured holding the Nobel Peace Prize medal awarded to International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) in 2017) was amongst members of MPG who attended an event to celebrate the occasion in Martin Place (Sydney). They heard Gem Romuld (Director of ICAN Australia) who explained that the event in Sydney was just one of more than 150 similar events taking place around the globe.

Continue reading Celebration of Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty’s entry into force →

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons enters into force on January 22, 2021!

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The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) enters into force on Friday January 22, 2021.

So far the TPNW has gained 86 signatories and been ratified by 52 nations. The Treaty required a total of 50 ratifications before coming into force. The current list of signatories and ratifications can be viewed here.

To celebrate this historic achievement, a number of events are being organised in Australia and around the world.

Continue reading Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons enters into force on January 22, 2021! →

Inner West Council calls on Morrison government to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, ,

At its last online meeting for the year on December 8, 2020, the Inner West Council endorsed the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons’ Cities Appeal.

MPG congratulates Council for endorsing ICAN’s Cities Appeal.

The global Cities Appeal states:

Our city/town is deeply concerned about the grave threat that nuclear weapons pose to communities throughout the world. We firmly believe that our residents have the right to live in a world free from this threat. Any use of nuclear weapons, whether deliberate or accidental, would have catastrophic, far-reaching and long-lasting consequences for people and the environment.

Continue reading Inner West Council calls on Morrison government to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons →

Inquiry into War Crimes in Afghanistan

Independent and Peaceful Australia Network, War Crimes

The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) has welcomed the announcement that a special investigator will be appointed to probe allegations of war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan and prosecute any criminal misconduct. This follows a four-year inquiry into possible breaches of law between 2005 and 2016.

In its media release, IPAN’s spokesperson, Dr Alison Broinowski, called on this process to be public and transparent and not determined behind closed doors.  The media release also called on the following measures to be adopted:

Continue reading Inquiry into War Crimes in Afghanistan →

UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons hits 50 ratifications!

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,
Photo: ICAN. Click to enlarge.

On October 24, 2020, the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (the Treaty) reached the required 50 states parties for its entry into force, after Honduras ratified it just one day after Jamaica and Nauru submitted their ratifications. The Treaty will enter into force on January 22, 2021, instituting a ban on nuclear weapons, 75 years after their first use.

This milestone means the Treaty will become international law on January 22, 2021, increasing pressure on nuclear armed states and other countries to support the treaty. The treaty now has 84 signatories and 50 states parties.

Continue reading UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons hits 50 ratifications! →

Defence Legislation Amendment (Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies) Bill 2020

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A controversial Bill entitled the Defence Legislation Amendment (Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies) Bill 2020, is to be debated in the Senate.

According to lawyer Kelly Tranter, if the legislation is enacted it would authorise the use of foreign military and police forces and would give them the same immunity from legal liabilities as Australian forces. Tranter writes: “The use of a foreign army or militarised police force should not be allowed at all, and certainly not without the safeguard of citizens’ rights of access to courts.”1

Continue reading Defence Legislation Amendment (Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies) Bill 2020 →

UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – only 4 ratifications to go!

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,
Photo: ICAN. Click to enlarge.

Malaysia has become the 46th nation to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Foreign Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, signed the instrument of ratification on behalf of Malaysia on 30 September 2020. It was deposited with the United Nations later that day. Just four more ratifications are now needed to bring the treaty into force.

In a video address played at the signing ceremony in the nation’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, to mark the occasion, Hishammuddin Hussein expressed concern that the nuclear-weapon states have been regressing in the area of disarmament.

Continue reading UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – only 4 ratifications to go! →

International Day of Peace 2020 – Shaping Peace Together

International Day of Peace,

The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.

The 2020 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Shaping Peace Together”. Celebrate the day and stand together with the UN against attempts to use the COVID-19 pandemic to promote discrimination or hatred. Join one of the following events to help shape peace together.

Refer to details of the Sydney celebration and the Melbourne online event below.

SYDNEY CELEBRATION – 20 September, 2pm to 4pm

Raising Peace Event
When: Sunday 20 September, 2pm to 4pm
Time: 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Where: 107 Project, 107 Redfern St, Redfern 2016

Continue reading International Day of Peace 2020 – Shaping Peace Together →

UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – only 6 ratifications to go!

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, ,

A total of 44 states are now parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (also known as the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty) which was adopted by the United Nations on July 7, 2017. This landmark treaty prohibits nuclear weapons and establishes a legal framework for their elimination. It will enter into force after 50 states have signed and ratified the treaty.

The latest endorsements of the treaty coincided with the 75th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9 in 1945. To mark Hiroshima Day, Ireland, Nigeria and Niue ratified the treaty on August 6, while the Caribbean state of Saint Kitts and Nevis has moved to do the same this Nagasaki Day. Continue reading UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – only 6 ratifications to go! →

Does the government now attach greater significance to preparations for war than it does to seeking peaceful co-existence?

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Photo: The Canberra Times – Australian FA-18F Super Hornet. Click to enlarge.

That is the question MPG has put to the Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds, in a letter.

MPG’s letter points to the fact that Australia has ignored the UN Secretary General’s call for a global ceasefire, by announcing an additional $270 billion expenditure on defence. Meanwhile it also ignores the risk of Covid-19 infection by hosting US marines in Darwin and by joining the RIMPAC naval exercises off the coast of Hawaii.

All of these points support the contention that the Australian government is more intent on preparing for war, than it is on maintaining peace. It is a sorry state of affairs. The full text of the letter can be read here.