The Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) has been accused of harassing left-wing activists under the pretext of national security concerns, Press TV<\/b> reports.\n<\/p>\n
The Australian rights campaigners say the spy agency has deliberately targeted small left-wing groups and their members in recent months.\n<\/p>\n
Sources say ASIO agents have also raided homes of several Palestinian activists and questioned them about their political activities and affiliations.\n<\/p>\n
Patrick Harrison, a pro-Palestinian activist has recently published his encounter with spy agents in the socialist newspaper, GreenLeft Weekly<\/i>.\n<\/p>\n
Human Rights groups say the Left in Australia is small and doesn\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t pose any security risk.\n<\/p>\n
Last week, the federal government announced possible plans to scale back some of ASIO’s powers, including detaining suspected terrorists for up to a week without charge and revoking penalties for praising acts of terrorism.\n<\/p>\n
This comes after two independent reports said the detaining period was a gross violation of civil liberties.\n<\/p>\n
ASIO is primarily responsible for protecting Australian citizens and the country itself from domestic security threats, such as terrorism, sabotage, and espionage.\n<\/p>\n
JR\/SS<\/p>\n