Australia

An Indonesian lawyer describes how unsophisticated villagers with hard lives became even harder lives when they believed sophisticated lies

Lisa Hiariej
Almost all Australians don’t have any sympathy for those perceived as people smugglers. I do not blame Australians for that because they don’t know the real story about why they end up in Australian Waters. I believe that Australian people only know from the media or hear from radio about what the journalists write and say.

The story behind the children accused as smugglers of boat people who were and are in adult gaols in Australia by an Indonesian lawyer

Indonesian laywer, Lisa Hiariej
In late December 2011, I visited some very young men held (in fact they were minors) detained at Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney and to be arrested on the charge of people- smuggling. Their stories provide a brief background of how and why they were crewing boats which ended up in Australian waters.

Two brothers attempt suicide within 12 hours and AVS officers not called in

Gerry Georgatos
Western Australia’s Greenough Prison has at this time no Aboriginal Visitors Scheme (AVS) according to AVS officer Joyce Capewell and confirmed by the Department of Corrective Services (DCS). In February, two young Aboriginal brothers, around 20 years of age, attempted suicide by hanging, were found in their cells and cut down - such is the despair in Greenough Prison which Mrs Capewell describes. The AVS officers were not allowed to assist the brothers.

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WA's first Aboriginal school principal ostracised by the Department of Education

Gerry Georgatos
Margie Webb was West Australia’s first Aboriginal female school principal – appointed in 1991 to Glen Hill Primary school. In 2000 Mrs Webb caused a storm by taking on the Department of Education on grounds of discrimination. Once again Mrs Webb is standing solid in her drive to see Indigenous languages at Derby High School. However, Derby High School is refusing to include Indigenous languages under the ‘Languages other than English’ program. LOTE is a requirement, and currently Mrs Webb says there is no LOTE at Derby.

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WGAR News: "To make Native Title meaningful government must ...Drop proof of ownership" NIT

Newsletter date: 11 June 2012

Contents:
* NIT: To make Native Title meaningful government must ...Drop proof of ownership
* Michael Anderson: Mabo Judges Perverted The Course Of Justice
* Congress: Keep door open for more substantial Native Title reform
* Mick Gooda: Native title reform could go closer to fulfilling Mabo's legacy
* Greens Rachel Siewert: Onus of proof omission a native title letdown
* The Wire: Native Title reform fails to make key change to law
* Mabo and Native Title News

See it to believe it: 3 minute video clip - two human rights activists charged for singing Christmas Carols

Human Rights belong to everyone

Our justice system struggles to find the time to prosecute major criminality however has the time to persecute ordinary folk in the business of awareness-raising

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkxqt456sqw

Rally outside the Perth Magistrate Court on June 28

Expose about two pro-Palestine activists facing court on June 28, 2012 in Perth, Australia.

Miranda Wood and Alex Bainbridge were charged with trespass for singing modified Christmas carols in December 2011. They face a two day trial beginning 28 June 2012.

Background to support for the Yolngu statement and opposition to the 'Stronger Futures' laws

Last updated: 8 July 2013

Contents:

* Yolngu Nations Assembly Statements and Media Releases

* Compilations calling for:
support for the Yolngu statement of 24 April 2012 and
the abandonment of the Stronger Futures laws

* Supportive Statements, Media Releases and News (14 March 2012 - 8 July 2013)

* YOLNGU NATIONS ASSEMBLY STATEMENTS AND MEDIA RELEASES:

WGAR News: Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement concerning 'Stronger Futures' laws and NT policies (4 May 12)

WGAR News: Even more organisations state support for the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement

Newsletter date: 10 June 2012

Contents:
* ARDS welcomes the Yolngu Nations Assembly’s decision to reject the federal government’s Stronger Futures Bill
* CORE supports the Yolngu Nations Assembly Statement and calls on all Senators to vote against the Stronger Futures Bills
* UNOH: A statement of support for Yolngu Nations Assembly’s rejection of 'Stronger Futures' Bills
* HRLC Statement in support of the Yolnu Nations Assembly Statement
* ACSJC: "An alternative to the 'Stronger Futures' legislation must be found"
* Women’s Web Statement re Stronger Futures Legislation

From the cradle to the grave one injustice after another - Rex Bellotti Jr

Gerry Georgatos
Three and half years have passed since a police-four-wheel-drive struck down 15 year old Rex Bellotti Jr, dragging him underneath the undercarriage of the vehicle, nearly amputing his right leg at the knee which hung on by torn tendons.

The WA Police have languished in their duty to settle the insurance pay out to the Bellotti family who are now bitterly in debt to meet the costs of convalescence for their eldest child, and as they watch the trauma of being blind-sided by the WA Police impact upon their five other children.

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Human Rights Alliance media release - The Australian Government is lying - they told me they knew, and face to face

The piecemeal release of a score of Indonesian children from adult prisons is not enough

Another four children have been released from Australian adult prisons, following the three children released several weeks back, and therefore they were wrongly convicted. It is good they are going home to their families.