21 June 2011 On Friday 17 June, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a historic resolution on the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender people that “seeks equal rights for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation.” The resolution passed following a tense debate and narrow vote, in which African states accused South Africa of breaking […]
DATE: 15 June 2011 The Victorian Equal Opportunity Amendment Bill passed the Upper House of the Victorian Parliament earlier this morning, following five hours of debate. The changes to the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act introduced by the Bailleu Government was defeated in parliament when Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge missed the vote, the first time […]
DATE: 15 June 2011 A recent Federal Court ruling has highlighted the lack of protection for students who have severe social and behaviourial disabilities. The Walker family sued the Victorian Department of Education for discriminating against their son who suffers from multiple disabilities including Aspergers Syndrome and dyslexia, but the court ruled in favour of […]
Read Part I of this article here. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? There are no easy solutions to the challenges that HIV/AIDS presents today to organised religion. Pessimists would say there are no solutions at all. The patriarchal organisation of religion, the vested interests, the ignorant literalism of scriptural interpretation, the anti-scientific attitude towards new knowledge, […]
Each week, teams of lawyers around the country visit soup kitchens, crisis shelters and other welfare agencies to provide advice and assistance to some of the 105,000 Australians who experience homelessness every night. While we can’t always find them a roof, we can help them address some of the other barriers they face. The reality […]
William A. Schabas is director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland, Galway, where he holds the chair in human rights law. He is also an Associate Professor at Middlesex University, in London, and an honorary professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in Beijing. He is currently […]
DATE: 26 May 2011 A High Court challenge could have a profound effect on the right to freedom of political communication, participation and association under the Australian constitution. The challenge brought forward by a Palm Island indigenous activist who was convicted of rioting after the death in custody of Cameron Doomadgee relates to a gag […]
DATE: 26 May 2011 The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, Navi Pillay has reiterated long-standing concerns by the international community that Australia’s mandatory immigration detention regime is in breach of Australia’s international human rights obligations and criticised racist and inhumane elements within Australia. In a press conference held yesterday, as part of a six-day visit […]
Kon Karapanagiotidis started the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) nearly ten years ago, on 8 June 2001, as a practical class project for his welfare studies students. From that little food bank in Footscray the ASRC has grown to provide 23 different services, including legal help, English classes and a health service. Right Now spoke […]
DATE: 13 MAY 2011 Amnesty International has criticized Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers and indigenous issues in its 2011 World Report, which has been released today. The chapter on Australia highlights the Federal government’s refugee policy and its impact on asylum seekers with mandatory, long term detention and poor conditions in detention facilities putting a large […]
DATE: 11 May 2011 The Gillard Government has announced additional funding to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) as part of the 2011-12 Budget. The total funding of $5.7 million will include the establishment of an Age Discrimination Commissioner and support team as well as $1.6 million over four years to restore the positions of […]
DATE: 6 MAY 2011 Yesterday, the Victorian Government introduced amendments to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 in parliament. These changes reduce the ability of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to “respond effectively to systematic discrimination.” The amendments maintain the Commission’s key functions on identifying and addressing discrimination including through education and dispute […]
