Mark Johnson
@markjohnson.bsky.social
Advocacy Lead at Asylum Seekers Centre Sydney | Human rights & civil liberties enthusiast | Brit in Australia | Views here are my own
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Sudan’s suffering cannot remain unseen.
In her article for Pearls & Irritations, Abang Anade Othow reflects on a lifetime shaped by war, displacement, and resilience.
Read the full piece and stand with Sudan.
https://loom.ly/eNsen1M
In her article for Pearls & Irritations, Abang Anade Othow reflects on a lifetime shaped by war, displacement, and resilience.
Read the full piece and stand with Sudan.
https://loom.ly/eNsen1M
Sudan cannot be an invisible tragedy
The end of violence must be a first step in the Sudan Civil War. And Australia has a key role to play.
johnmenadue.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Sudan’s suffering cannot remain unseen.
In her article for Pearls & Irritations, Abang Anade Othow reflects on a lifetime shaped by war, displacement, and resilience.
Read the full piece and stand with Sudan.
https://loom.ly/eNsen1M
In her article for Pearls & Irritations, Abang Anade Othow reflects on a lifetime shaped by war, displacement, and resilience.
Read the full piece and stand with Sudan.
https://loom.ly/eNsen1M
Reposted by Mark Johnson
In a system designed to crush people seeking asylum with cruelty, the Asylum Seekers Centre in Sydney pushes back with humanity and compassion.
Join us in rebuilding lives.
🔗 https://loom.ly/vy5fYVc
Join us in rebuilding lives.
🔗 https://loom.ly/vy5fYVc
November 18, 2025 at 11:09 PM
In a system designed to crush people seeking asylum with cruelty, the Asylum Seekers Centre in Sydney pushes back with humanity and compassion.
Join us in rebuilding lives.
🔗 https://loom.ly/vy5fYVc
Join us in rebuilding lives.
🔗 https://loom.ly/vy5fYVc
Imagine the levels of delusion needed to believe you are on the side of the good guys when you supported an administration into power who use undercover agents of the state to kidnap families on the street and deport them to human rights abuses in 3rd countries.
#ReclaimLoTR
#ReclaimLoTR
November 14, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Imagine the levels of delusion needed to believe you are on the side of the good guys when you supported an administration into power who use undercover agents of the state to kidnap families on the street and deport them to human rights abuses in 3rd countries.
#ReclaimLoTR
#ReclaimLoTR
Not content with tarnishing the UK’s standing on the international stage with Brexit, right wing vultures continue to circle the UK, desperate to rip up international law and smash up institutions like the BBC.
Destruction is the order of the day and the political class still dance to their tune.
Destruction is the order of the day and the political class still dance to their tune.
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Not content with tarnishing the UK’s standing on the international stage with Brexit, right wing vultures continue to circle the UK, desperate to rip up international law and smash up institutions like the BBC.
Destruction is the order of the day and the political class still dance to their tune.
Destruction is the order of the day and the political class still dance to their tune.
Reposted by Mark Johnson
🇦🇺 pays $1.5mil per person each year to detain people on Nauru.
During last Senate Estimates, I asked about links to organised crime and value for money, I was told there is no need for concern.
Now whistleblower evidence paints a very different picture.
www.smh.com.au/national/pou...
During last Senate Estimates, I asked about links to organised crime and value for money, I was told there is no need for concern.
Now whistleblower evidence paints a very different picture.
www.smh.com.au/national/pou...
‘Pouring money into a trough’: Senior public servant blows whistle on allegedly ‘corrupt’ millions
The Home Affairs assistant secretary claims money was spent on overinflated contracts or for services that were never provided.
www.smh.com.au
November 9, 2025 at 8:09 PM
🇦🇺 pays $1.5mil per person each year to detain people on Nauru.
During last Senate Estimates, I asked about links to organised crime and value for money, I was told there is no need for concern.
Now whistleblower evidence paints a very different picture.
www.smh.com.au/national/pou...
During last Senate Estimates, I asked about links to organised crime and value for money, I was told there is no need for concern.
Now whistleblower evidence paints a very different picture.
www.smh.com.au/national/pou...
Reposted by Mark Johnson
A high-ranking Home Affairs Dept official has blown whistle on what he says was corruption infecting the federal gov’s offshore detention regime, alleging was pressured to cover up suspected rorting so Australia could keep using Nauru as border security outpost.
www.theage.com.au/national/pou...
www.theage.com.au/national/pou...
‘Pouring money into a trough’: Senior public servant blows whistle on allegedly ‘corrupt’ millions
The former Home Affairs assistant secretary claims money was spent on overinflated contracts or for services that were never provided.
www.theage.com.au
November 9, 2025 at 11:26 AM
A high-ranking Home Affairs Dept official has blown whistle on what he says was corruption infecting the federal gov’s offshore detention regime, alleging was pressured to cover up suspected rorting so Australia could keep using Nauru as border security outpost.
www.theage.com.au/national/pou...
www.theage.com.au/national/pou...
The use of Nauru as a Pacific dumping ground for people seeking asylum is not just a story of human rights abuses but scandal layered over scandal, as two brave whistle-blowers have told @60minutes.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hvx...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hvx...
Unwanted ‘non-citizens’ deported to remote Pacific island | 60 Minutes Australia
YouTube video by 60 Minutes Australia
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:22 PM
The use of Nauru as a Pacific dumping ground for people seeking asylum is not just a story of human rights abuses but scandal layered over scandal, as two brave whistle-blowers have told @60minutes.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hvx...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hvx...
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Slashing foreign aid will lead to unrest, crises and threaten UK security, MPs warn government
Slashing foreign aid will lead to unrest, crises and threaten UK security, MPs warn government
The government's decision to slash foreign aid will lead to unrest, further crises and threaten UK security, a group of cross-party MPs has warned.
news.sky.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Slashing foreign aid will lead to unrest, crises and threaten UK security, MPs warn government
Reposted by Mark Johnson
We’re here in Canberra for two days to call for a safety net for people seeking asylum.
It’s time for fairness 📣 ⚖️
It’s time for fairness 📣 ⚖️
October 28, 2025 at 5:13 AM
We’re here in Canberra for two days to call for a safety net for people seeking asylum.
It’s time for fairness 📣 ⚖️
It’s time for fairness 📣 ⚖️
Reposted by Mark Johnson
This Anti-Poverty Week, we can’t ignore the quiet crisis happening in our own communities.
Our new report, Failure of Fairness, reveals the human cost of the winding back of the limited safety net for people seeking asylum over the past decade.
Read the full report: https://loom.ly/57QzZIw
Our new report, Failure of Fairness, reveals the human cost of the winding back of the limited safety net for people seeking asylum over the past decade.
Read the full report: https://loom.ly/57QzZIw
October 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
This Anti-Poverty Week, we can’t ignore the quiet crisis happening in our own communities.
Our new report, Failure of Fairness, reveals the human cost of the winding back of the limited safety net for people seeking asylum over the past decade.
Read the full report: https://loom.ly/57QzZIw
Our new report, Failure of Fairness, reveals the human cost of the winding back of the limited safety net for people seeking asylum over the past decade.
Read the full report: https://loom.ly/57QzZIw
It shouldn’t shock me but I keep wondering how some of these British right wing commentators can sleep at night as they whitewash and act as apologists for the Israeli Government’s war crimes from the last 2 years.
October 13, 2025 at 9:58 PM
It shouldn’t shock me but I keep wondering how some of these British right wing commentators can sleep at night as they whitewash and act as apologists for the Israeli Government’s war crimes from the last 2 years.
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Right now, people seeking asylum are being left behind, cut off from the basic support they need to survive.
This Anti-Poverty Week, let's put fairness into action and restore the safety net.
📢 Visit our campaign page and join the movement: https://asylumseekerscentre.org.au/fix-the-safety-net/
This Anti-Poverty Week, let's put fairness into action and restore the safety net.
📢 Visit our campaign page and join the movement: https://asylumseekerscentre.org.au/fix-the-safety-net/
October 13, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Right now, people seeking asylum are being left behind, cut off from the basic support they need to survive.
This Anti-Poverty Week, let's put fairness into action and restore the safety net.
📢 Visit our campaign page and join the movement: https://asylumseekerscentre.org.au/fix-the-safety-net/
This Anti-Poverty Week, let's put fairness into action and restore the safety net.
📢 Visit our campaign page and join the movement: https://asylumseekerscentre.org.au/fix-the-safety-net/
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Writing in the Scotsman this evening on Keir Starmer’s newly confirmed mandatory digital ID card scheme - and why I do not intend to go along with it.
Thread:
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Thread:
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Why I will rebel against Keir Starmer’s digital ID card – and so should you
The UK is not a ‘papers, please’ society and we must resist any attempts to change that
www.scotsman.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Writing in the Scotsman this evening on Keir Starmer’s newly confirmed mandatory digital ID card scheme - and why I do not intend to go along with it.
Thread:
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Thread:
www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...
Thank you for standing up for civil liberties and trying to ensure people are not digitally excluded @lisasmartmp.bsky.social @victoria-collins.bsky.social
Liberal Democrats cannot support mandatory digital IDs. People shouldn't be criminalised just because they don't want to hand over their private data.
September 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Thank you for standing up for civil liberties and trying to ensure people are not digitally excluded @lisasmartmp.bsky.social @victoria-collins.bsky.social
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Liberal Democrats cannot support mandatory digital IDs. People shouldn't be criminalised just because they don't want to hand over their private data.
September 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Liberal Democrats cannot support mandatory digital IDs. People shouldn't be criminalised just because they don't want to hand over their private data.
Reposted by Mark Johnson
I spoke this week at an event held by @bigbrotherwatch.bsky.social on their latest report on digital ID. Keir Starmer's government is reportedly aiming to introduce such a system - Big Brother Watch's report sets out the serious problems with digital ID for the UK, something liberals must resist.
September 25, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I spoke this week at an event held by @bigbrotherwatch.bsky.social on their latest report on digital ID. Keir Starmer's government is reportedly aiming to introduce such a system - Big Brother Watch's report sets out the serious problems with digital ID for the UK, something liberals must resist.
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Great thread from @markjohnson.bsky.social here. 👇🏻
There are huge risks to civil liberties with mandatory digital ID systems, and it would be irresponsible to build one when the threat of a Reform government is so real.
The @libdems.org.uk need to be firmly opposed if this is what Labour propose.
There are huge risks to civil liberties with mandatory digital ID systems, and it would be irresponsible to build one when the threat of a Reform government is so real.
The @libdems.org.uk need to be firmly opposed if this is what Labour propose.
🧵🔶
(Cross posted from X)
I joined @libdems.org.uk 10 years ago. I’ve worked for the party, campaigned for it and stood as a candidate. Turning on civil liberties and losing sight of the principles of promoting a free and open society would undermine the entire purpose of the Lib Dems for me.
(Cross posted from X)
I joined @libdems.org.uk 10 years ago. I’ve worked for the party, campaigned for it and stood as a candidate. Turning on civil liberties and losing sight of the principles of promoting a free and open society would undermine the entire purpose of the Lib Dems for me.
September 23, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Great thread from @markjohnson.bsky.social here. 👇🏻
There are huge risks to civil liberties with mandatory digital ID systems, and it would be irresponsible to build one when the threat of a Reform government is so real.
The @libdems.org.uk need to be firmly opposed if this is what Labour propose.
There are huge risks to civil liberties with mandatory digital ID systems, and it would be irresponsible to build one when the threat of a Reform government is so real.
The @libdems.org.uk need to be firmly opposed if this is what Labour propose.
🧵🔶
(Cross posted from X)
I joined @libdems.org.uk 10 years ago. I’ve worked for the party, campaigned for it and stood as a candidate. Turning on civil liberties and losing sight of the principles of promoting a free and open society would undermine the entire purpose of the Lib Dems for me.
(Cross posted from X)
I joined @libdems.org.uk 10 years ago. I’ve worked for the party, campaigned for it and stood as a candidate. Turning on civil liberties and losing sight of the principles of promoting a free and open society would undermine the entire purpose of the Lib Dems for me.
September 22, 2025 at 7:49 AM
🧵🔶
(Cross posted from X)
I joined @libdems.org.uk 10 years ago. I’ve worked for the party, campaigned for it and stood as a candidate. Turning on civil liberties and losing sight of the principles of promoting a free and open society would undermine the entire purpose of the Lib Dems for me.
(Cross posted from X)
I joined @libdems.org.uk 10 years ago. I’ve worked for the party, campaigned for it and stood as a candidate. Turning on civil liberties and losing sight of the principles of promoting a free and open society would undermine the entire purpose of the Lib Dems for me.
Reposted by Mark Johnson
The arrest of four people after this incident is an outrageous affront to the freedom of expression enjoyed by UK citizens. It is a human right we all enjoy and is protected in law.
1/2
1/2
September 18, 2025 at 9:14 AM
The arrest of four people after this incident is an outrageous affront to the freedom of expression enjoyed by UK citizens. It is a human right we all enjoy and is protected in law.
1/2
1/2
Reposted by Mark Johnson
NSW police have dropped all charges against Hannah Thomas, who was arrested and charged at a pro-Palestine protest in June www.theguardian.com/austral...
The former Greens candidate underwent two rounds of surgery to her right eye, with her lawyers alleging she was punched in the face by police
The former Greens candidate underwent two rounds of surgery to her right eye, with her lawyers alleging she was punched in the face by police
September 9, 2025 at 1:10 AM
NSW police have dropped all charges against Hannah Thomas, who was arrested and charged at a pro-Palestine protest in June www.theguardian.com/austral...
The former Greens candidate underwent two rounds of surgery to her right eye, with her lawyers alleging she was punched in the face by police
The former Greens candidate underwent two rounds of surgery to her right eye, with her lawyers alleging she was punched in the face by police
"Reform UK is not just riding high thanks to Farage’s shamelessness and skill. Amazingly, Labour is actively helping."
- great analysis from @johnharris1969.bsky.social as always
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
- great analysis from @johnharris1969.bsky.social as always
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Angela Rayner’s exit proves it. Unless Starmer is able to meet this moment, Reform is on the path to power | John Harris
The prime minister increasingly looks like a man next to a burning house, offering to buy a new bookcase and rug, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
September 8, 2025 at 6:27 AM
"Reform UK is not just riding high thanks to Farage’s shamelessness and skill. Amazingly, Labour is actively helping."
- great analysis from @johnharris1969.bsky.social as always
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
- great analysis from @johnharris1969.bsky.social as always
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Mark Johnson
3 years ago today I caught up with David McBride in Parliament to discuss his case - he still thought the system might be fair. Today he is still in prison in Canberra and whistleblower laws are still broken. A stain on this country.
September 8, 2025 at 6:01 AM
3 years ago today I caught up with David McBride in Parliament to discuss his case - he still thought the system might be fair. Today he is still in prison in Canberra and whistleblower laws are still broken. A stain on this country.
Reposted by Mark Johnson
The Albanese government's Anti-Fairness Bill, which will pave the way for mass deportations, has passed the Senate.
We are devastated and in disbelief.
https://loom.ly/2v-GSD8
We are devastated and in disbelief.
https://loom.ly/2v-GSD8
Statement on the passing of the Albanese Government's Anti-Fairness Bill - ASC
Today, the Asylum Seekers Centre stands in deep disbelief as we witness the Albanese government pass legislation that strips away the most basic legal
asylumseekerscentre.org.au
September 4, 2025 at 4:53 AM
The Albanese government's Anti-Fairness Bill, which will pave the way for mass deportations, has passed the Senate.
We are devastated and in disbelief.
https://loom.ly/2v-GSD8
We are devastated and in disbelief.
https://loom.ly/2v-GSD8
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Thank you again @davidshoebridge.bsky.social for representing the serious concerns of the community.
September 4, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Thank you again @davidshoebridge.bsky.social for representing the serious concerns of the community.
Up to 80,000 people in Australia may be affected by ‘sledgehammer’ powers to deport non-citizens to Nauru, lawyers warn
“The government desperately wants to avoid oversight because these changes are just so toxic” - @davidshoebridge.bsky.social 👏
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
“The government desperately wants to avoid oversight because these changes are just so toxic” - @davidshoebridge.bsky.social 👏
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Up to 80,000 people in Australia may be affected by ‘sledgehammer’ powers to deport noncitizens to Nauru, lawyers warn
Greens senator David Shoebridge accuses Tony Burke of ‘doing his Peter Dutton impression, dog-whistling and punching down on migrants’
www.theguardian.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Up to 80,000 people in Australia may be affected by ‘sledgehammer’ powers to deport non-citizens to Nauru, lawyers warn
“The government desperately wants to avoid oversight because these changes are just so toxic” - @davidshoebridge.bsky.social 👏
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
“The government desperately wants to avoid oversight because these changes are just so toxic” - @davidshoebridge.bsky.social 👏
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...