Howard, Bush and Mugabe: Fellow travellers

It couldn't be more damning - the Amnesty Intereportnational Report for 2007 joins John Howard, George Bush and Robert Mugabe, equally and as one, in their infraction of human rights.

As the ABC reports:

"Amnesty International has accused the Federal Government of fearmongering by portraying asylum seekers as a threat to national security.

This year Amnesty's annual report into global human rights abuses focuses on the politics of fear, and argues fear thrives on "myopic and cowardly leadership".

The Government is singled out for criticism for its portrayal of "asylum seekers in leaky boats" as a "refugee invasion", which Amnesty secretary-general Irene Khan says contributed to John Howard's election win in 2001.

Ms Khan says the new refugee exchange deal with the US proves the offshore processing centres have failed."

The SMH reports the Amnesty Report here. Amnesty International, and its Report, can be accessed here directly.

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Mahler's Prodigal Son

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