Opinion – Page 48

Interview with Meg Lanning – Australian Cricketer

By Tara Imrie. This interview is part of our March 2013 focus on Sport and Human Rights.  Right Now spoke with Meg Lanning, an Australian Cricketer. She has been in the Australian team since 2011, winning the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and 50-over World Cup in India. Right Now: What inspired you to […]

Interview with Natalie Medhurst – Australian Netballer

This article is part of our March theme, Sport and Human Rights. It’s also part of a series of articles looking specifically at the role of women in sport. Natalie Medhurst is the Goal Attack for the Australian Diamonds and Queensland Firebirds. Natalie has won numerous world championships and Commonwealth Games medals with the Diamonds […]

A Multi-Faith Society: The Pathway to Harmony

By Hsin-Yi Lo. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights. Article 18, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in […]

Party or Protest? Mardi Gras (Forum)

By Sienna Merope This Saturday, Sydney will celebrate a dazzling spectacle: the annual Mardi Gras parade. Since its beginnings as a protest march in 1978, the Mardi Gras has been a symbol of the fight against oppression, a celebration of diversity and a platform to raise the visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQI community. However, […]

Are Christians right to exclude others?

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. 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 […]

Genesis 1:26-28 and Environmental Rights

By Liz Jakimow. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights. Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild […]

Why do Muslims hate freedom of speech?

By Mohamad Tabbaa. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights. “Why do Muslims hate freedom of speech?” This question is becoming increasingly common in many parts of the world, and has been raised recently in Australia in regards to the anti-Muslim film of 2012. It is now again […]

The Challenge of Regulating Religious Freedom in Indonesia

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, […]