By Peter Burdon. This article is part of our August theme, which focuses on the environment and human rights. Read more articles on this theme. There is a long history in environmental studies of locating and developing methods to combat the “root causes” of the current environmental crisis. Canadian philosopher John Livingston explains this approach, noting: “Oil […]
By Bridget Lewis. This article is part of our August theme, which focuses on the environment and human rights. Read more articles on this theme. The idea of a human right to an environment of a particular quality has gained traction over recent years with academics and NGOs alike. It has been employed to bolster demands for […]
Between 1952 and 1963 the British Government performed nuclear weapons tests at Maralinga and Emu Field in South Australia and Monte Bello Islands off the coast of Western Australia. A total of twelve major nuclear tests were performed, and up to 700 minor ‘dirty’ trials were also conducted. Many Aboriginal people and nuclear veterans […]
4 August 2012 Native Title win in Queensland The Federal Court of Australia has recognised the Djungan people’s native title rights 17 years after the first claim was lodged. Jim Archer lodged the first of four claims with his brothers in 1995. The Archers have lived on the land their whole lives. “We decided to […]
By Tanja Kovac. This article is part of our July focus on the rights of children and youth. Read our Editorial for more on this theme. Tanja Kovac, the National Coordinator of the Human Rights are Aussie Rules Program (HRAR), writes about the development of a National Civics and Citizenship Curriculum that is currently underway for Australian schools. […]
By Michelle Sowey. This article is part of our July focus on the rights of children and youth. Read our Editorial for more on this theme. Some years ago, in a paper on human rights education, Jim Ife observed: The idea of human rights is far from non-problematic; it is highly contested, and so human rights education needs […]
By Chris Varney. This article is part of our July focus on the rights of children and youth. Read our Editorial for more on this theme. “I have never felt like I meant much,” said a 17-year-old in a rural homeless shelter. “The violence in my childhood has led to me having schizophrenia,” said an 18-year-old in […]
The age at which a child can be held responsible for criminal acts and dealt with within the criminal justice system varies enormously around the world. This is partly a reflection of the fact that systems for dealing with young offenders differ significantly. Some countries adopt a welfare-based approach where children are not punished for […]
By Holly Kendall. This article is part of our July focus on the rights of children and youth. Read our Editorial for more on this theme. You take a picture of yourself in your underwear and send it to your boyfriend or girlfriend. Your phone beeps. You pick it up. You’ve just been sent pictures of topless girls. […]
By Emma Breheny. This article is part of our July focus on the rights of children and youth. Read our Editorial for more on this theme. Diversion is one of many sentencing options available in Victoria’s criminal justice system. It aims to direct people away from formal involvement with this system in recognition of the fact that this […]
By Marisa McCague, Meredith Fordyce and Kathryn Finemore. This article is part of our July focus on the rights of children and youth. Read our Editorial for more on this theme. Recently a mother tried to enroll her child at her local primary school. The Principal took it upon himself to ring the Principal of the local Special […]
By John Tobin. This article is part of our July focus on the rights of children and youth. Read our Editorial for more on this theme. For many of you reading this article the answer to this question may well be obvious – of course children’s rights matter. But is this view universally held within Australia or indeed […]