Australian Federal Court recognizes Native Title Claim to Perth

The decision of the Australian Federal Court in Bennell v State of Western Australia [2006] FCA 1243 (19 September 2006) recognizing Native Title to portions of Perth, is now online at http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/federal_ct/2006/1243.html. This victory for the Noongar people in a Native Title or Titles (Validation) and Native Title (Effect of Past Acts) Act 1995 action, is causing widespread reaction in Australia.

Report: Czechs, others sterilize Gypsies

Report: Czechs, others sterilize Gypsies A new draft UN report and rights activists say a Soviet-era campaign to sterilize Romany women continues. By Jeffrey White | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

OSTRAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC – It is only after a male visitor leaves the room that Helena Gorolova, standing next to her husband, lowers her voice and says, "as a woman I feel worthless." Ms. Gorolova cannot have any more children. Sixteen years ago, she says, doctors at a hospital here sterilized her while she gave birth to her second son by caesarean section. In the throes of labor they had her sign a form authorizing the sterilization, but did not explain what it was. "They said, 'You have to sign this or you will die,' " says Gorolova. "At that time I would have signed my own death sentence, I was in such pain. I had no idea what the word [sterilization] meant. I signed something, but I didn't know what it was." Continued at http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0906/p07s02-woeu. html?s=hns