Activist Rights

International solidarity activists

Estimated reading: 2 minutes

Activists in “Australia” provide much needed support and solidarity to social change, pro-democracy and justice movements around the world.

Solidarity movements and organisations in “Australia” have played valuable roles supporting the of independence of East Timor, the end of the apartheid regime in South Africa, the end of the Marcos regime in the Philippines, and ending French nuclear testing in the Pacific.

Solidarity movements may be focusing on regions, particular countries, or particular human rights abuses.

Many solidarity groups focus on human rights, democracy, anti-war, or national independence and are in direct or indirect contact with a wide range of international organisations and networks.

One of the most important legal changes to potentially affect solidarity activists is the controversial powers of the Australian Government to ban or ‘proscribe’ overseas organisations under the counter-terrorism laws.

‘Counter-terrorism’ laws give the federal government extensive power to ban organisations on the grounds that they are terrorist organisations. Once an organisation has been banned by the government, many sorts of dealings with the organisation or its assets become criminal offences.

The number of organisations which are liable to be banned is very great, and includes a wide range of activist, national liberation and solidarity organisations.

Also see the Impact of counter-terrorism laws section.

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