Religion – Page 5

Are Christians right to exclude others?

By Liz Jakimow

By Liz Jakimow. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights. A new bill by the Australian Labor Party will give religious organisations in Australia the right to discriminate against those who might cause “injury to the religious sensitivities of adherents of that religion.” It seems that the press wanted to present […]

Human rights and religion – where does the balance lie?

By Rachel Ball

By Rachel Ball. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights.  The recent release of the Federal Government’s draft Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill (HRAD) has reignited Australian debate about human rights, religion and the law. The current controversy is around the permanent exceptions in the HRAD which allow religious bodies to discriminate ‘to […]

The Challenge of Regulating Religious Freedom in Indonesia

By Melissa Crouch

Dr Melissa Crouch. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights. In September 2012, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (known as “SBY”) made an announcement to the United Nations to urge the international community to adopt an international instrument banning blasphemy and protecting religion. This came as a surprise to many because, […]

Religion-State relations in Australia

By Denise Meyerson

By Professor Denise Meyerson. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights.  There are a variety of constitutional models governing the relations between the state and religion. These range from atheist states at one end of the spectrum to outright theocracies at the other. In between the two extremes, the extent of […]

Children’s rights versus freedom of religion – the sanctity of the confessional seal

By Professor Sarah Joseph

By Professor Sarah Joseph. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights.  In response to the ongoing cascade of accusations and evidence of systemic and decades long child abuse, the federal government finally announced a Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse in November 2012. One possible recommendation is already being mooted, […]

Woman wearing red hijab

Musings on the Hijab

By Zoya Patel

By Zoya Patel. This piece is part of our September focus on Women’s Rights. See all of this month’s articles here. This article originally appeared on Zoya’s blog, The Coconut Chronicles. One topic I’ve always been a bit shy of writing about when it comes to cultural differences is the hijab. The hijab is essentially […]

Muslims protest in Sydney over "Innocence of Muslims" film posted on Youtube

Why the Left has Trouble Talking About Islam

By David Donaldson

By David Donaldson. This piece originally appeared on David’s blog here. Walking around inner-suburban Melbourne recently, I came across the latest Socialist Alternative poster, taped sturdily to a power pole outside a pub: “Why the left must support the Muslim protesters”. How ridiculous, I think to myself. I’m reminded of the argument Zionists like to throw at white […]

Anti-racism, traditional Indigenous law and religious vilification laws: the human rights wrap up

By Eva Csik

Australia’s Anti-Racism Strategy is launched Led by the Australian Human Rights Commission, Australia’s National Anti- Racism Strategy, Racism, it stops with me, was launched last week calling on all Australians to say no to racism. The strategy “sets out a three year plan for Government to work with community partners to combat racism across schools […]