The return of four skulls of indigenous Ainu people from Australia to Japan in May 2023 sheds disturbing light on the history of the trade of human remains across national borders. It also highlights new international steps being taken to redress the wrongs of the past and return the dead to their homelands.

The upcoming Barbie movie is anticipated to take the box office by storm. Something as silly and innocent as a movie about dolls without reproductive organs shouldn’t offend anyone, but Vietnam is concerned that, in Barbieland, the ongoing South China Sea disputes appear to have been resolved in favour of China.

Following the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three major wars over 70 years. The use of communication technologies to exacerbate instability has altered the dynamics of the region's conflict in recent years.

The intentional persecution of Muslim minority groups in India has its origins in an exclusionist nationalist agenda held by the ruling party. The Citizenship Amendment Act is another blow to human rights as the world's largest democratic county continues to backtrack on liberal values.   

Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan was ousted in April 2022 after an orchestrated no-confidence motion was passed against him. Since then, he and his political party have been subjected to consistent and worsening state repressive attacks.

The case of Noura Al-Jazawi, a survivor of Assad’s torture and sexual violence, exemplifies why the international community needs to keep standing up for the people of Syria. It is time for states to voice their disapproval and put action to words. 

Despite the promises of Brexit, immigration is up in the United Kingdom (UK). The immigration debate is just getting started, with Australia’s former “stop the boats” campaign clear in the minds of many Europeans.

Denmark's social workers must walk a difficult line between providing rights and services for newcomers and upholding state legislation unfairly restricting immigration. Under the current government, further plans to alter immigration policy is poised to make the lives of many much more difficult. 

Clive Hildebrand AM FAIIA died on 25 June 2023. He served as AIIA national president from 2005 to 2010 and as president of AIIA Queensland from 2000 to 2004.

Dr John Hardy is an Assistant Professor of Homeland Security at Rabdan Academy, an Adjunct at Charles Sturt University and a Fellow of […]

This week in Australian foreign affairs: Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei visits Canberra; Australia-Brunei partnership elevated to Comprehensive Partnership; Wong announces appointment of five career public servants to lead Australian posts; additional $4.45 million in support for Sudan; and more.