630

NETHERLANDS: Left win, as the Dutch vote 'no'

Harry Huijsmans, Amsterdam A resounding 62% of Dutch voters rejected the European Constitution in the May 31 referendum, with a turnout of 63% of those eligible to vote. This margin — even greater than the May 29 vote in France, where 55% voted

Trial raises more questions about SIEV X

Sarah Stephen A Brisbane Supreme Court jury convicted 38-year-old Iraqi Khaleed Shnayf Daoed on June 8 on a charge of assisting people smuggler Abu Quassey in an attempt in October 2001 to bring asylum seekers to Australia on the boat later known

INDONESIA: Spy agency implicated in activist's murder

James Balowski, Jakarta Although no-one has been charged with last year's murder of Indonesia's foremost human rights activist, Munir Said Thalib, evidence is mounting that the prime suspect in the case, Garuda Airlines pilot Pollycarpus Budihari

POLAND: Queer movement claims victory

Karol Florek & Steph Mawson, Warsaw On June 11, 5000 protesters took part in an act of civil disobedience in support of gay and lesbian rights. The march's successful execution was a decisive victory in defence of civil rights and democracy; given

June 30 protests 'first step to oust Howard'

Jim McIlroy, Brisbane Queensland unions are well under way with plans for a mass mobilisation of members on June 30 against the Coalition government's new anti-union laws. Transport Workers Union secretary Hughie Williams told Green Left Weekly

BRITAIN: War payments denied because of race

Hundreds of British prisoners held by the Japanese during World War II were denied compensation by the British government because of their race, the June 14 British Guardian reported. A 2001 secret government document written by a senior Ministry of

UNITED STATES: Six out 10 voters want Iraq withdrawal

Doug Lorimer Six out of 10 US voters want Washington to withdraw some or all of its troops from Iraq, according to a Gallup opinion poll taken on June 6-8. Almost 28% want all US troops to be withdrawn immediately. The US currently has about

Socialist activists camp

BRISBANE — On June 3-5, 30 people attended the "Rage against the regime" socialist activist camp at the Maranatha camp site in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Organised by the Brisbane branch of the socialist youth organisation Resistance, the camp

Union demands IR pledge from Beazley

SYDNEY — The NSW branch of the National Union of Workers (NUW) has called on the Labor Party to commit to a reversal of PM John Howard's industrial relations agenda should it win office in 2007. In a June 15 media statement, NUW state secretary

LATIN AMERICA: Washington loses - again

Stuart Munckton Washington's increasing isolation in the Americas — its own backyard — was dramatically illustrated at the 35th general assembly of the Organization of American States, held June 5-7 at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After failing

Racists to set up 'hit-list' website

PERTH — The anti-racism group Fight Dem Back! announced on June 9 that it uncovered evidence that white supremacists plan to set up a "hit list" website called Redwatch Downunder. The site will feature names, photographs, home and work addresses,

Larry Kirwan and Black 47 rock hard against the war

Green Suede ShoesBy Larry KirwanThunder's Mouth Press, 2005 BY BILL NEVINS Larry Kirwan despises US President George Bush's war policy. "Our troops have been betrayed by a bunch of grasping politicians who have cast them into this morally