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
February 9, 2026 at 9:51 PM
This is an extremely dark moment for Australian democracy. Protest blanket banned in Australia’s most iconic city & police assaulting protesters with impunity. Aussies pride themselves on ballot box participation but voting is only one part of a democracy and in Australia the other parts are failing
Shared with us from Sydney happening now. He had his hands up.
February 9, 2026 at 10:05 PM
This is an extremely dark moment for Australian democracy. Protest blanket banned in Australia’s most iconic city & police assaulting protesters with impunity. Aussies pride themselves on ballot box participation but voting is only one part of a democracy and in Australia the other parts are failing
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Was great to be out this morning at the Asylum Seeker Centre in Newtown cleaning up their beautiful welcoming mural. Lovely community action, sharing care and time together. Sweaty solidarity!
January 31, 2026 at 6:51 AM
Was great to be out this morning at the Asylum Seeker Centre in Newtown cleaning up their beautiful welcoming mural. Lovely community action, sharing care and time together. Sweaty solidarity!
Reposted by Mark Johnson
I didn't say it. The Germans did.
January 23, 2026 at 8:42 PM
I didn't say it. The Germans did.
As with all things Starmer-Government related, their response to Trump’s aggressive threats has been nothing short of pathetic.
Europe is waking up and other world leaders like Macron and Carney show how supine the current UK Government really is.
Europe is waking up and other world leaders like Macron and Carney show how supine the current UK Government really is.
January 21, 2026 at 11:24 AM
As with all things Starmer-Government related, their response to Trump’s aggressive threats has been nothing short of pathetic.
Europe is waking up and other world leaders like Macron and Carney show how supine the current UK Government really is.
Europe is waking up and other world leaders like Macron and Carney show how supine the current UK Government really is.
Reposted by Mark Johnson
This is our colonial legacy. The links we have built around the world. English-speaking people all over the world that know us.
Like it or not, that is a rational & reasonable reason for why some people believe their best option to rebuild a life from scratch is the UK. #r4today
Like it or not, that is a rational & reasonable reason for why some people believe their best option to rebuild a life from scratch is the UK. #r4today
January 21, 2026 at 8:48 AM
This is our colonial legacy. The links we have built around the world. English-speaking people all over the world that know us.
Like it or not, that is a rational & reasonable reason for why some people believe their best option to rebuild a life from scratch is the UK. #r4today
Like it or not, that is a rational & reasonable reason for why some people believe their best option to rebuild a life from scratch is the UK. #r4today
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Asylum seeker interviewed on #r4today explains in excellent English that he has grown up his entire life believing that the UK is a safe place that respects & protects people.
He's even an Arsenal fan. He knows our culture. Not French culture, Greek, or Bulgarian culture. Ours.
He's even an Arsenal fan. He knows our culture. Not French culture, Greek, or Bulgarian culture. Ours.
January 21, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Asylum seeker interviewed on #r4today explains in excellent English that he has grown up his entire life believing that the UK is a safe place that respects & protects people.
He's even an Arsenal fan. He knows our culture. Not French culture, Greek, or Bulgarian culture. Ours.
He's even an Arsenal fan. He knows our culture. Not French culture, Greek, or Bulgarian culture. Ours.
The Aus Gvt's new "Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bills" are staggering in their scope. They will change the nature of Australian society for better (gun control) and worse (executive powers to cancel visas) but what is remarkable is how rushed and entirely under-scrutinised they are.
January 21, 2026 at 2:53 AM
The Aus Gvt's new "Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bills" are staggering in their scope. They will change the nature of Australian society for better (gun control) and worse (executive powers to cancel visas) but what is remarkable is how rushed and entirely under-scrutinised they are.
Reposted by Mark Johnson
“Leave Greenland alone!”
Heckler interrupts Star-Spangled Banner at NBA game in London, wins cheers from crowd. (Video via Reddit)
Heckler interrupts Star-Spangled Banner at NBA game in London, wins cheers from crowd. (Video via Reddit)
January 19, 2026 at 12:00 AM
“Leave Greenland alone!”
Heckler interrupts Star-Spangled Banner at NBA game in London, wins cheers from crowd. (Video via Reddit)
Heckler interrupts Star-Spangled Banner at NBA game in London, wins cheers from crowd. (Video via Reddit)
Reposted by Mark Johnson
The American-led world order established harmony among the great powers within it, and left those outside it relatively isolated and insecure, Robert Kagan argues—and all of that is now ending. theatln.tc/BSP4k9xD
January 18, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The American-led world order established harmony among the great powers within it, and left those outside it relatively isolated and insecure, Robert Kagan argues—and all of that is now ending. theatln.tc/BSP4k9xD
Reposted by Mark Johnson
“Saving lives is not a crime.”
After a seven-year legal ordeal, a court on the Greek island of Lesbos has acquitted all 24 defendants who had been baselessly charged with felonies for saving lives at sea.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4pMoOdR
After a seven-year legal ordeal, a court on the Greek island of Lesbos has acquitted all 24 defendants who had been baselessly charged with felonies for saving lives at sea.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4pMoOdR
January 15, 2026 at 9:23 PM
“Saving lives is not a crime.”
After a seven-year legal ordeal, a court on the Greek island of Lesbos has acquitted all 24 defendants who had been baselessly charged with felonies for saving lives at sea.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4pMoOdR
After a seven-year legal ordeal, a court on the Greek island of Lesbos has acquitted all 24 defendants who had been baselessly charged with felonies for saving lives at sea.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4pMoOdR
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Torture. Ill-treatment. A breach on international obligations.
It’s time to end Australia's cruel detention policies and deliver justice, protection, and dignity for people seeking asylum.
Read more on the findings of the the UN committee against torture via The Guardian: https://loom.ly/9GgdLjA
It’s time to end Australia's cruel detention policies and deliver justice, protection, and dignity for people seeking asylum.
Read more on the findings of the the UN committee against torture via The Guardian: https://loom.ly/9GgdLjA
January 15, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Torture. Ill-treatment. A breach on international obligations.
It’s time to end Australia's cruel detention policies and deliver justice, protection, and dignity for people seeking asylum.
Read more on the findings of the the UN committee against torture via The Guardian: https://loom.ly/9GgdLjA
It’s time to end Australia's cruel detention policies and deliver justice, protection, and dignity for people seeking asylum.
Read more on the findings of the the UN committee against torture via The Guardian: https://loom.ly/9GgdLjA
Reposted by Mark Johnson
This U-turn proves beyond all doubt that Labour announced their digital ID card scheme without a clue on how they would go about implementing it. Now is surely the moment for ministers to drop the proposals entirely and use the funds for something more useful.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government drops plans for mandatory digital ID to work in UK
There will still be digital checks on those starting a new job, but people will not need to hold a digital ID.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 11:03 AM
This U-turn proves beyond all doubt that Labour announced their digital ID card scheme without a clue on how they would go about implementing it. Now is surely the moment for ministers to drop the proposals entirely and use the funds for something more useful.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Mark Johnson
🎉 HUGE WIN: the Government has dropped plans for mandatory digital ID.
We've maintained from the start that any digital ID system should be voluntary and focus on helping people access vital services, rather than digitally excluding them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We've maintained from the start that any digital ID system should be voluntary and focus on helping people access vital services, rather than digitally excluding them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government drops plans for mandatory digital ID to work in UK
There will still be digital checks on those starting a new job, but people will not need to hold a digital ID.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 11:07 AM
🎉 HUGE WIN: the Government has dropped plans for mandatory digital ID.
We've maintained from the start that any digital ID system should be voluntary and focus on helping people access vital services, rather than digitally excluding them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We've maintained from the start that any digital ID system should be voluntary and focus on helping people access vital services, rather than digitally excluding them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Keir Starmer has reportedly scrapped plans for a compulsory digital identity scheme for workers following opposition to the idea from across the political divide
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Compulsory digital ID plan axed as Labour performs another U-turn, reports say
New identity verification scheme aimed at deterring illegal migration is reportedly to become optional
www.independent.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Keir Starmer has reportedly scrapped plans for a compulsory digital identity scheme for workers following opposition to the idea from across the political divide
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Minneapolis, Minnesota is under Trump regime occupation; at least 3,000 regime forces are terrorizing the city, raiding homes door to door without warrants, and grabbing people and children off the street based on their skin colour. No sign of the Minnesota National Guard.
January 12, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Minneapolis, Minnesota is under Trump regime occupation; at least 3,000 regime forces are terrorizing the city, raiding homes door to door without warrants, and grabbing people and children off the street based on their skin colour. No sign of the Minnesota National Guard.
Wonderful writing as always by the BBC’s Jeremy Bowen - www.bbc.com/news/article...
Bowen: Trump risks pushing world back to age of empires
Donald Trump wants and needs quick victories. Taking Maduro is the decisive win he has craved, writes Jeremy Bowen.
www.bbc.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Wonderful writing as always by the BBC’s Jeremy Bowen - www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Renee Good, a citizen & mother was shot 3 times in the head, on camera, by a masked gang. She is smeared by Trump & MAGA lunatics.
May she rest in peace & her family find comfort.
Frankly the only surprise is it took this long.
Farage wants “ICE style raids” in the UK. #r4today
May she rest in peace & her family find comfort.
Frankly the only surprise is it took this long.
Farage wants “ICE style raids” in the UK. #r4today
January 8, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Renee Good, a citizen & mother was shot 3 times in the head, on camera, by a masked gang. She is smeared by Trump & MAGA lunatics.
May she rest in peace & her family find comfort.
Frankly the only surprise is it took this long.
Farage wants “ICE style raids” in the UK. #r4today
May she rest in peace & her family find comfort.
Frankly the only surprise is it took this long.
Farage wants “ICE style raids” in the UK. #r4today
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Poverty is not accidental - it's enforced by policy.
Many people seeking asylum are denied work, support, and certainty.
This is a systemic failure and it must change.
Read our report on this failure of fairness and why we must fix the safety net: https://loom.ly/57QzZIw
Many people seeking asylum are denied work, support, and certainty.
This is a systemic failure and it must change.
Read our report on this failure of fairness and why we must fix the safety net: https://loom.ly/57QzZIw
January 8, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Poverty is not accidental - it's enforced by policy.
Many people seeking asylum are denied work, support, and certainty.
This is a systemic failure and it must change.
Read our report on this failure of fairness and why we must fix the safety net: https://loom.ly/57QzZIw
Many people seeking asylum are denied work, support, and certainty.
This is a systemic failure and it must change.
Read our report on this failure of fairness and why we must fix the safety net: https://loom.ly/57QzZIw
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Is the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme facilitating modern slavery?
@mhharrington.bsky.social speaks to experts, community leaders & ni-Vanuatu former PALM workers in the first episode of this four-part mini-series on the guestworker scheme. #auspol
🎧 theaus.in/4sr1vbV
@mhharrington.bsky.social speaks to experts, community leaders & ni-Vanuatu former PALM workers in the first episode of this four-part mini-series on the guestworker scheme. #auspol
🎧 theaus.in/4sr1vbV
January 6, 2026 at 5:02 AM
Is the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme facilitating modern slavery?
@mhharrington.bsky.social speaks to experts, community leaders & ni-Vanuatu former PALM workers in the first episode of this four-part mini-series on the guestworker scheme. #auspol
🎧 theaus.in/4sr1vbV
@mhharrington.bsky.social speaks to experts, community leaders & ni-Vanuatu former PALM workers in the first episode of this four-part mini-series on the guestworker scheme. #auspol
🎧 theaus.in/4sr1vbV
Reposted by Mark Johnson
ICYMI: This week we marked Human Rights Day.
Australians helped write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but today our country's treatment of people seeking asylum tells a very different story.
It’s time to course-correct.
Read our Advocacy Lead's latest blog 👉 https://loom.ly/Iw1u8pw
Australians helped write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but today our country's treatment of people seeking asylum tells a very different story.
It’s time to course-correct.
Read our Advocacy Lead's latest blog 👉 https://loom.ly/Iw1u8pw
Human Rights Day 2025: Course correcting Australia’s human rights legacy - ASC
Written by Mark Johnson, Advocacy Lead at Asylum Seekers Centre
asylumseekerscentre.org.au
December 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
ICYMI: This week we marked Human Rights Day.
Australians helped write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but today our country's treatment of people seeking asylum tells a very different story.
It’s time to course-correct.
Read our Advocacy Lead's latest blog 👉 https://loom.ly/Iw1u8pw
Australians helped write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but today our country's treatment of people seeking asylum tells a very different story.
It’s time to course-correct.
Read our Advocacy Lead's latest blog 👉 https://loom.ly/Iw1u8pw
Reposted by Mark Johnson
The “Edward Crabtree” hoax wasn’t just a lie. It was a test case of how quickly AI swallows its own tail during a crisis, writes Cam Wilson.
Bondi lie peddled by Elon Musk's AI chatbot shows the future of our AI-poisoned information ecosystem
In the hours after the Bondi Beach mass shooting, AI misinformation began to eat its own tail, with Musk's X bot absorbed and regurgitated in record time.
www.crikey.com.au
December 16, 2025 at 4:34 AM
The “Edward Crabtree” hoax wasn’t just a lie. It was a test case of how quickly AI swallows its own tail during a crisis, writes Cam Wilson.
On this #HumanRightsDay, some thoughts on Australia's historic human rights legacy and where more can be done to protect the rights of people seeking asylum for the @ascsyd.bsky.social blog.
asylumseekerscentre.org.au/human-rights...
asylumseekerscentre.org.au/human-rights...
Human Rights Day 2025: Course correcting Australia’s human rights legacy - ASC
Written by Mark Johnson, Advocacy Lead at Asylum Seekers Centre
asylumseekerscentre.org.au
December 10, 2025 at 5:47 AM
On this #HumanRightsDay, some thoughts on Australia's historic human rights legacy and where more can be done to protect the rights of people seeking asylum for the @ascsyd.bsky.social blog.
asylumseekerscentre.org.au/human-rights...
asylumseekerscentre.org.au/human-rights...
Reposted by Mark Johnson
Last night @davidpocock.bsky.social and I read onto the Hansard an interview by the President of Nauru that the Albanese Government has been desperately trying to keep secret.
It shows Nauru plans to send refugees to places they fled. No wonder the secrecy.
It shows Nauru plans to send refugees to places they fled. No wonder the secrecy.
November 24, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Last night @davidpocock.bsky.social and I read onto the Hansard an interview by the President of Nauru that the Albanese Government has been desperately trying to keep secret.
It shows Nauru plans to send refugees to places they fled. No wonder the secrecy.
It shows Nauru plans to send refugees to places they fled. No wonder the secrecy.
"'Immediate pause' urged on 'secret' Nauru deal, after speech sparks safety concerns"
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
'Immediate pause' urged on 'secret' Nauru deal, after speech sparks safety concerns
A translation of remarks by the president of Nauru has sparked safety concerns for people being deported to the Pacific nation.
www.sbs.com.au
November 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
"'Immediate pause' urged on 'secret' Nauru deal, after speech sparks safety concerns"
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...