Weapon sales to Israel
A just and lasting peace in the conflict between Israel and Palestine will not be possible if the tools of violence continue to fuel war, and murder and terrorize civilians. To our shame, Australia has not prohibited the sale of weapons and ammunition to Israel, and has exported $10 million worth over the last 5 years. Play your part to prevent Australia fueling military and civilian violence, and promote peace.
#June2024
World Day of Prayer action for Palestinians
The World Day of Prayer takes place on 1 March. Each year, a different country is chosen to be prayed for. For 2024, Palestine is the country selected. While the World Day of Prayer has passed, the issues raised by the World Council of Churches in choosing Palestine as the focus country remain. Help us to uphold human rights, peace and justice.
#Feb2024
Gaza war
The war in Gaza is not a war between Israelis and Palestinians. Instead, it is a conflict between those on both sides who believe a future can be built on mass murder and bloodshed and those who believe that meaningful peace can only be achieved through negotiation and the renouncing of violence. Help urge that the Australian Government do all it can to see an end to the killing and to support the protection of non-combatants on both sides of the war. The Australian Government should seek to align itself with people who are seeking a just and lasting peace.
#Nov2023
Human Rights Abuses in Myanmar
Since the 2021 coup by the military dictatorship, human rights abuses have increased against the people of Myanmar. Help us ask the Australian government to clarify its position in recognising the government in exile, the National Unity Government, and to take steps to expand sanctions against those responsible for the ongoing tyranny in Myanmar.
#Oct2022
Murders in Israel
On 11 May 2022, Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aklen, aged 51, was shot dead and another journalist, Ali al-Samoudi, was wounded while covering a raid by Israeli soldiers in the Jenin refugee camp. In May 2021, Israeli forces bombed media outlets in Gaza, killing two journalists and wounding approximately 100. Help us advocate for independent investigation and accountability for these and other murders.
#June2022
Murders in the Philippines
Church leaders and members continue to be targeted for extrajudicial executions in the Philippines for opposing tyranny, and the arbitrary excise of power for greed. Recent examples are the attempt on the life of a local major and church member who challenged a quarrying project and the construction of a mega-dam. Stand with our church partners and add your voice to theirs.
#April2022
Israeli Settler Violence
In a changing world going deeper into conflict, upholding domestic and international law is now ever more important. Human rights breaches continue to occur in Israel without the State exercising its responsibilities for the just rule of law. Help us express deep concern over evidence of those breaches, and pursue peace and justice in Israel.
#Feb2022
Solidarity with West Papua Churches
The Uniting Church stands in solidarity with its Papua partner churches who continue to face political and non-political arbitrary arrests as the police restrict their freedom of peaceful assembly and other civil-political rights. Other human rights organisations continue to raise concerns about particular incidences of arrests and killings, as does the United Nations. Help us advocate to have Papua human rights violations investigated, and support Indigenous West Papuan leaders.
#Oct2021
Discrimination Against Migrants with Disability
The Uniting Church has a vision for an Australia inclusive of people with disabilities, and this must also include migrants to become true. Visas can be denied because a person has a disability despite a Royal Commission recommending the Australian Government should change laws to eliminate or minimise this practice. Help show we are a country that respects and protects the rights of people with disabilities.
#August2024
Slavery and IUU in seafood imports
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) seafood production is a crucial contributor to global overfishing. It threatens marine ecosystems, puts food security and regional stability at risk, and is linked to human rights violations and organised crime. Help create a sustainable and slavery free industry.
#Feb2024
Human Rights Abuses in West Papua
Indonesian security forces continue to use extreme violence in the form of murder, torture and forced disappearances as key tools in the suppression and control of West Papuans. Ongoing reliance on these tools means the Indonesian Government has increased its military presence in the region. Help us to find justice for the oppressed, and have the Australian Government speak in support of human rights in West Papua.
#Oct2022
Christian Prisoners of Conscience in the Philippines
Church people in the Philippines who stand up for social justice, human rights and protection of the environment continue to be targeted by the security forces for harassment and intimidation. As a result, a number continue to be prisoners of conscience. Help us stand with those who put their own lives at risk for the sake of others.
#June2022
The Unfinished Struggle to End Slavery
Modern slavery remains a significant global problem. One example is the Australian Strategic Policy Institute report which revealed that at least 27 factories in nine Chinese provinces had used labour since 2017. Those factories claim to be part of the supply chain of more than 80 global brands. Help us advocate for measures to addressing the importation of all goods and services produced by modern slavery wherever they originate from, not just China.
#April2021
Corporate Tax avoidance in Developing Counties
Take action to express concern at the impact tax avoidance by multinational corporations has on the wellbeing of people in developing countries, especially as the impact of the COVID-19 crisis is hitting developing countries.
#July2020
Church People Murdered and Harassed in the Philippines
Murders of church people have occurred in the Duterte Administration’s ‘drug war’, which has seen thousands of extrajudicial executions. Those responsible for the murders of church people, human rights defenders, environmentalists, and social justice advocates are very rarely held to account. Help us take action to make it clear murders, intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders are unacceptable and those responsible will be held to account.
#October2020
Sanctioning Israeli Murderers
The Gaza war is being used as a pretense for further encroachment into the West Bank by Israeli settlers onto Palestinian land. Since the Hamas attack on 7 Oct 2003, at least 1,208 Palestinians have been forced to leave their homes in the West Bank due to Settler violence, military restrictions and extra judicial killings by Israeli soldiers. Help us seek justice, for without justice there can be no lasting peace.
#April2024
Addressing Dirty Money at Home
When money that is supposed to build hospitals to buy medical equipment is used to buy real estate in Cairns or Brisbane, people die. And, quite frankly, those who turn a blind eye to this are as guilty as the offenders. Help us put a stop Australia’s complicity in being used a haven to benefit and protect those who commit human rights abuses.
#Sept2023
Vaccine Support for Developing Countries
The search for a Covid vaccine showed the world could mobilise in times of great need. However, its distribution was not equitable and have left many developing countries behind. We cannot all be safe until everyone is safe, because without global vaccine coverage the risk of virus mutation increases. Help us commit the Australian Government to fairer vaccine accessibility.
#Feb2022
Rohingya Refugees Moved to Bhasan Char
In December 2020 the Government of Bangladesh began transferring Rohingya refugees to the island of Bhasan Char, a place vulnerable to cyclones and prone to flooding. There are reports transferred refugees have had their freedom of movement restricted, mobile phones confiscated, and are being subject to abuse. Help us raise concerns over Bangladesh’s plans to relocate up to 100,000 Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char.
#February2021
Building a Just Peace to the Israel – Palestine Conflict
Help us campaign on cases where Israeli soldiers or police have murdered Palestinian civilians and have not been brought to justice. These soldiers and police are very rarely held to account in any way for their actions by the Israeli authorities.
#August2020
Protecting Environmental Activism in Cambodia
As part of our work on climate change, the JIM cluster believes it is vital that we seek the
protection of people who are standing up against environmental destruction. We will be inviting you to take action in support of such people. The following action focuses on seeing the protection of environmental defenders in Cambodia.
#May2020
Church People Severely Harassed in the Philippines
Church members in the Philippines involved in the social justice mission of the Christian faith continue to face severe harassment and threat under the Duterte Administration. They are often falsely accused of being part of the armed communist opposition forces. This includes police planting guns and grenades at their homes to justify arrests.
#June 2021