Kellie Tranter

In the lead up to the Federal election both of the major political parties are once again encouraging Australians to disengage from humanity and look suspiciously upon asylum seekers and refugees. And both then deny all responsibility for setting a mood that permits widespread acceptance of the peremptory expulsion or indefinite incarceration of those who [...]

By Kellie Tranter and Aloysia Brooks* In their recent report “Globalising Torture”, the Open Society Justice identifies Australia as one foreign government that aids the United States in its “torture program”. The report confirms, as has long been known, that diplomatic assurances of humane treatment are insufficient to prevent grave human rights violations, and that [...]

Eritrea is one of the world’s poorest countries. The International Monetary Fund considers it a potential ‘Heavily Indebted Poor Country’, notwithstanding its natural resources endowment which includes gold, silver, copper, zinc and potash. Human Rights Watch recently released a report ‘Hear No Evil – Forced Labour and Corporate Responsibility in Eritrea’s Mining Sector’ which outlines [...]

Last week the UN granted the Palestinians non-member State observer status.  Australia abstained from the vote.  Israel reportedly retaliated against the UN vote by approving the construction of 3000 new settler homes, dealing a heavy blow to the prospects of resumed peace talks. Australia’s position might be about taking a pragmatic rather than a principled [...]

Please accept my apologies for not being able to join you to mark this important occasion.  I have so much admiration and respect for your unwavering support for this issue. My thoughts go to Christine Assange, John Shipton and family.  Another Christmas looms without their son, brother, father and friend.  Words seem inadequate.  Thoughts and [...]

The death of Roberto Laudisio is another tragic addition to the list of Taser related deaths in this country. Amnesty International has calculated that at least 500 people in the United States have died since 2001 after being shocked with Tasers, either during their arrest or while in jail. But just as the NSW State [...]