Human Rights in the Media: November – Mid-Week Review
Pia White looks into the media’s role in cultural shift, through the recent coverage of two pertinent human rights issues: asylum seekers and gender equality.
Law and Policy – Page 34
Fighting for justice and dignity: Interview with Behrouz Boochani
Right Now speaks to writer Behrouz Boochani about his call for a Royal Commission into Immigration Detention.
The long road to change
Michael Green tells the story of how a group of young African-Australians set about challenging institutional racism at Victoria Police.
Forging Links
In recent times, Victoria Police have faced multiple allegations of institutional racism. Sara Maher looks at Victoria Police’s response, and the effectiveness of community engagement.
Security vs human rights – lessons from Israel
Are “security” concerns enough to justify the Federal Government’s lack of transparency over asylum seekers? Marika Sosnowski looks at innovative decisions by the Israeli High Court that attempt to balance security and human rights as possible leads for Australia.
Scapegoating the “Bolt laws”: What media and politics missed
With the Coalition set to change racial discrimination laws, John Alizzi explains why the whole debate misses the mark.
Queensland Political Culture: Executive Dominance Trumps Civil Liberties
Queensland has over recent weeks passed a number of laws declaring guilt by association for those who are members of or associate with “criminal” bikie gangs. Kate Galloway looks at the culture of executive domination in politics in Queensland.
Human Rights in the Media & FLYBZ – Mid-Week Review
Pia White looks at media coverage of human rights during October through the monthly theme of ‘institutions’, and Sam Ryan reviews ‘Child Soldier’, the new song from hip-hop duo (and refugees from Burundi) featuring Paul Kelly.
Asylum Seekers Around the World – turning back the political tides
Kellie Tranter suggests WikiLeaks cables help to explain the rising global political tide against “illegal” asylum seekers.
Shedding Light on Closed Institutions: Why OPCAT is needed now more than ever
Rebecca Minty and Amy Rogers examine the implications of the Optional Protocal to the UN Conventional Against Torture OPCAT and call for Australia to ratify the treaty.
EDITORIAL – Institutions
This month Right Now will consider the responsibility of Australian institutions to uphold and respect human rights principles.
Smoking in Prisons: Whose Rights?
Banning smoking in prison seems to make sense – prison is punishment and smoking is unhealthy. Bronwyn Naylor exposes the flaws in this approach, and potential violation of prisoners’ rights.
Panic – Mid-Week Review
In Panic, David Marr chronicles the use of fear in recent years by Australian politicians and the media, and paints a grim picture of more to come, writes Sonia Nair.