Writer
Stuart Rees
Stuart Rees OAM is Professor Emeritus, Univ. of Sydney, recipient of the Jerusalem (Al Quds) Peace Prize and author of the recent Policy Press book ‘Cruelty or Humanity’.
-
Crafting a Republic: “Aprés Moi Le Deluge” an Elizabeth II legacy?
King Louis XV of France and Madame de Pompadour are reputed to have warned that across France after their deaths there would be life destroying floods of various kinds. By implication, these distant on-a pedestal characters were predicting that life after them could be far worse than when they reigned, so look back a little Continue reading »
-
Pakistan floods -The wealthy pollute the world and the poor suffer
Global capitalism is ‘a giant poverty producing machine, masterful in its methods of pitting the poor against the very poor or flinging crumbs to the wretched so that they dissipate their energy fighting one another.’ Continue reading »
-
Terrorist-preoccupied Israel issues latest license for thuggery
While the world was distracted by brutalities in Ukraine, Yemen, Myanmar, Somalia and by a threatening US, China conflict, Israeli forces raided the offices of six Palestinian human rights organisations, and after stealing equipment and documents, soldiers welded doors shut. Continue reading »
-
Peace with Justice: Lessons from the Anthropocene and for Ukraine
Imagining the arrival of peace with justice in Ukraine needs two caveats. In any peace negotiations, Ukrainian citizens’ judgements about the future should be a priority. Continue reading »
-
Uluru Statement and Makaratta message redefine sovereignty
There is a huge contrast between the notion sovereignty depicted in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and political leaders’ perception of this concept as a weapon. Uluru’s message forecasts hope through reciprocity and healing. Continue reading »
-
A Significant People’s Forum on Peace, not just in Ukraine
Citizens in Australia speak of peace and show how to reach that goal. They do not trust politicians stifled into thinking that security means militarism, or think tanks funded to promote the idea that national defence and arms industry interests are the same. Continue reading »
-
Menace from George Brandis: how to represent state interests not Julian Assange
Appearing on last Thursday’s ABC Q&A programme, George Brandis, former Attorney General and former Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, behaved as though Australian citizens should always be grateful for the way he would protect their interests. Continue reading »
-
The human catastrophe in Yemen. What a contrast to our media focus on Ukraine
In the last five years, an estimated 377,000 people have died in Yemen mostly from hunger, lack of health care and unsafe water. In Ukraine? Continue reading »
-
Superiority born from class: Lowy Institute’s Michael Fullilove on Julian Assange
Beware privileged people who have learned to speak with confidence yet appear blind to the benefits of social class. Beware powerful people who claim that democratic governments, in the US, UK, Australia, administer justice always according to some time-honoured principle about rules of law. Continue reading »
-
Preparations for war stifle advocacy for peace
When reporting on Russian atrocities, mainstream media have also been preoccupied with the supply of arms to Ukraine, with news of Finland and Sweden joining NATO and with fingers crossed forecasts of the defeat of Russia. In media minds and in academic circles, advocacy of peace finds little or no space. Continue reading »
-
Floods, mental health & love in Lismore
A principle known for centuries by Indigenous peoples, teaches that the health of the land affects the wellbeing of people, a principle familiar to citizens of Lismore in northern NSW. After catastrophic floods submerged homes and commercial properties, one thousand citizens still live in emergency accommodation and thousands more survive in homes where walls, ceilings Continue reading »
-
Opportunity for Albanese intervention to free Julian Assange. ‘It’s time.’
Across Australia, a hopeful Australian public are praising the Albanese government for showing a sense of justice in permitting the persecuted yet dignified Murugappan family to return to Biloela albeit only on bridging visas. It is rumoured that deliberations are underway to end the mind-boggling prosecution of Bernard Collaery. If that’s the case, Prime Minister Continue reading »
-
Scared to mention Palestinians lives and Israel brutalities: A challenge for new MPs
In six weeks of electioneering, and despite the election result, Australian politicians did not dare and appear unlikely to dare to condemn the Israeli government’s continued abuse of Palestinians. An Israeli sniper murdered the distinguished Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Israeli police attacked mourners at her funeral, but such brutalities make little impression on the Continue reading »
-
Peace scenarios for Ukraine via people’s tribunals
In November 1966, regarding the conduct of the Vietnam war, the philosopher, anti-war activist Bertrand Russell founded a People’s Tribunal to ‘inform public opinion and arouse opposition to war.’ Continue reading »
-
Election absentee: Who dares to mention socialism?
An election campaign in an apparently democratic society is affected by fear to mention the goals and benefits of socialism. Commentators censor themselves. The agenda offered to voters is controlled by a media obsessed with the image of two leaders. In addition, derision by a right wing press, bullying by shock jocks, basic ignorance of Continue reading »
-
Colonisation stifles Indigenous leaders: now Victor Yeimo in West Papua
Victor Yeimo, leader of the West Papuans’ struggles for freedom has been in prison since May 2021. The world needs to know. To argue for his interests, Australia needs to summon a touch of courage. Without persistent pressure on the Indonesian government to provide urgently needed medical treatment for Victor, he is likely to die Continue reading »
-
Reporting about Ukraine: peace difficult, war easy
In the grinding weeks of an Australian Federal election, something needs to happen to change the language, to prompt debate, to craft vision, and even generate excitement. That something could be the goal of peace with justice. Continue reading »
-
A sociology of Q&A: what is addressed, what is missed?
Branded as the occasion when the public asks questions and a panel of experts give answers, ABC televisions’ Q&A misses an opportunity to inform let alone inspire their audience. Continue reading »
-
To end war, a language of peace, for Ukraine and for Russia
Despite hatreds generated by aggression and slaughter, a ceasefire in Ukraine depends on respect for the dignity of all parties and on their potential to recognise a common humanity. Continue reading »
-
Truths lost in the lying pandemic
Cooperation to achieve peace depends on trust created by parties believing what is said, relying on assurances given and on promises made. Instead of trust bolstered by a search for truth, lying has become a political art, and conned citizens become become enthusiastic imitators. Continue reading »
-
Julian Assange v. Legal – political cruelty and cowardice
The UK High Court’s decision to not allow Julian Assange’s appeal against his extradition to the US is the latest chapter in years of powerful governments fascination with cruelty, each act contrived through legal antics labelled justice. Continue reading »
-
Searching for peace in Ukraine
Instead of searching for peace in Ukraine, western leaders and western news media have promoted US/European solidarity in opposition to Russian violence, a trend nurtured by enthusiasm for ways to arm Ukraine and punish Putin. Continue reading »
-
To challenge Putin avoid Australian aggression
Scott Morrison frothing about Putin can be replaced by some acknowledgement of our part in a world order gone wrong. Continue reading »
-
Dogmatists shouting freedom: significant lessons from John Stuart Mill
Democracy is eroded by selfish, untruthful, often violent individualism. Continue reading »
-
Election predictions: Mismatch between polls and pundits
Before voting in a May election, the public must expect commentator confusion, as in the contrast between predictions from polls and and the judgements of pundits. Continue reading »
-
Forget warfare obsession, give peace a chance in Ukraine
Australian election candidates should remind themselves that preparations for war contribute nothing to people’s mental or physical health. Continue reading »
-
Australia’s structural cruelty goes beyond refugee policy
Australia’s reprehensible treatment of refugees now goes beyond cruelty, and instead could be described as evil. Continue reading »
-
Sydney Festival boycott justified, despite repetitive protests of Israel lobby
Opposition to such a boycott depends on lies about a movement that rejects racism and violence and is based on principles of international law. Continue reading »
-
Bully boy tactics-Refugees, Christine Holgate and now Novak Djokovic.
Outsiders might think the accounts of long-term detainees refer to policies and conditions in Kazakhstan and Belarus not in alleged fair-go Australia. Continue reading »
-
Lessons on policy from a visionary public servant, and a thoughtful MP
The beginning of 2022 sees an urgent need for long-term thoughtfulness which diagnoses current threats to existence and creative ways to respond. Continue reading »
