By Dr Jason Taliadoros. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights. To readers of this journal, and perhaps for most people, the terms “human rights” and “religion” on the one hand and “human rights” and “pre-modernity” on the other, could be described as oxymorons rather than as companions. I would […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
By Tim Costello. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights. Join Right Now in an interactive online discussion with World Vision Australia CEO Tim Costello on Tuesday 19 February 2013, from 12.00 to 1.00 pm. Tim will be online to respond to your comments and questions in the ‘comments’ section of […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]