World

Seattle protests spark debate

By Barry Sheppard SAN FRANCISCO — The Battle of Seattle, the days of protest in December against the World Trade Organisation, has focused many people's minds on global inequality and "corporate capitalism" and inspired many to join the struggle

Korean workers' record sit-in

By Jonathan Singer In the longest such dispute by an enterprise union in South Korea's history, a sit-in strike by members of the Sammi Specialty Steel Workers Union (SSSWU) has now past its 1100th day. The dispute began when Pohang Steel Company

Popularising Marxism in Indonesia

Popularising Marxism in Indonesia Since the coming to power of Indonesia's brutal New Order regime in 1965, discussion and dissemination of Marxist ideas has been banned in Indonesia. However, on November 20, 200 students and activists gathered at

NZ judge supports asylum seekers

NZ judge supports asylum seekers By Murray Addison AUCKLAND — Asylum seekers at Auckland's Mt Eden Prison have been released after a High Court judge told the Immigration Service on November 30 that the men may have been wrongly jailed. The 16

Scottish socialists see good growing weather

Scottish socialists see good growing weather Lisa Young and Pam Currie GLASGOW — The Scottish Socialist Party exploded onto the political scene in 1999. Tommy Sheridan's election to the Scottish parliament represents a major breakthrough for a

Conference discusses US role in Colombian conflict

Conference discusses US role in Colombian conflict By Jorge Jorquera QUITO, Ecuador — On November 25-26, more than 60 international delegates and 300 Ecuadoran human rights and social justice activists met here at the Conference for Peace and

Chile's social democracy struggling in election

Chile's social democracy struggling in election By Jorge Jorquera SANTIAGO — On December 12, Chileans will elect a new president. Extreme right-wing candidate Joaquim Lavin has been gaining ground on a campaign "for change"; Chileans are weary

Where now for Indonesia's democratic movement?

By James Balowski JAKARTA — Spending a day at the People's Democratic Party (PRD) headquarters in East Jakarta watching the stream of activists coming and going, it's easy to forget that just three years ago, the party was banned, its key leaders

Howard hides Timor horror

By Jon Land As investigations by both the United Nations and the Indonesian Human Rights Commission continue into the Indonesian military's involvement in the killing and destruction which took place in East Timor, the Howard government remains

Outcry over Palestinian Authority crackdown

By Adam Hanieh RAMALLAH — An outcry has arisen following the arrests of several prominent Palestinians living in the West Bank. The arrests came after they had issued a public statement which criticised corruption within the Palestinian

'Putinism' and the war in Chechnya

By Boris Kagarlitsky MOSCOW — While continuing its war in the Caucasus, Russia is due later in December to elect the national parliament. Few people show much interest in the elections. The numerous parties and blocs have had trouble scraping

London anti-WTO activists clash with police

By Jody Betzien LONDON — Around 3000 people rallied outside Euston railway station on November 30 as part of worldwide protests against the World Trade Organisation's agenda at its conference in Seattle, USA. The rally here was the culmination of