HRLC Executive Director Hugh de Kretser say that we can cut the shocking Indigenous imprisonment rate, here's how...
Read MoreThe ‘Freedom Flotilla to West Papua’ is the latest example in a long tradition of Australians taking a stand for democracy and justice in Indonesia. It's time that our politicians followed suit writes the HRLC’s Tom Clarke.
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The Director of Human Right Watch in Australia, Elaine Pearson, questions the effectiveness of 'quiet diplomacy' and urges Australia to find its voice on human rights.
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A stronger, better resourced and human rights compliant parole board would better for community safety, writes the HRLC's Executive Director Hugh de Kretser and Professor Arie Freiberg.
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Bob Carr has indicated that a tougher assessment regime for asylum seekers is on the way. Forget the rhetoric, what we need is a fair, thorough and objective process, writes Daniel Webb, a Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre.
Read MoreA draconian bill passed by the Nigerian House of Representatives is yet another example of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity that is widespread and invidious throughout the world. If enacted, the bill will criminalise same-sex relationships and the ‘aiding or abetting’ of same-sex relationships. It would also forbid the formation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) groups, and even criticism against the bill itself.
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Legal action in the Nauruan Supreme Court highlights Australia's attempts to hide behind the sovereignty of our former colonies writes the HRLC's Daniel Webb.
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The UN human rights system comprises several bodies which periodically make recommendations to States to assist them in implementing their international human rights obligations. Whilst these conclusions and recommendations are known by different names - UN treaty bodies produce 'concluding observations and views', Special Procedures issue 'recommendations', and Universal Periodic Review 'outcomes' — they are known collectively as 'UN recommendations'. Effective follow-up by civil society is vital to ensuring that these UN recommendations are implemented and lead to an improvement of the human rights situation on the ground.
This paper considers ways in which NGOs may use follow-up strategies and initiatives to contribute to the implementation of UN recommendations at the national level.
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What has been lost in the current debate about the Government's draft Anti-Discrimination Bill are the numerous benefits of the proposed law, writes the HRLC's Anna Brown.
Read MoreOn Human Rights Day, the HRLC's Phil Lynch reflects on the movement's wins, losses and lessons from the last decade.
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The HRLC's Tom Clarke looks at the signs that Australian politicians are becoming increasingly concerned with the human rights situation in West Papua.
Read MoreThe human rights movement has brought down dictators, changed government policies and practices, won new international standards to address egregious abuses, and transformed public debate in order to bring human rights issues squarely onto the global agenda. Yet the human rights literature rarely examines the advocacy strategies that have been successful in protecting and promoting human rights.
Read MoreHRLC equality law expert Rachel Ball joins with investment banker and business leader Simon McKeon AO in analysing the government's proposed Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012.
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The safety of Tasers has been overstated; they can actually be lethal, and mustn't be misused as a weapon of first choice, writes Anna Brown for the ABC's The Drum.
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Australia should commit to using its seat on the UN Security Council to promote and protect human rights around the world writes the HRLC's Phil Lynch.
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As the State Coroner, Mary Jerram, begins her inquest into the death of the Brazilian student Roberto Curti, we need to ask ourselves if the investigation into his death was flawed from the outset.
Read MoreIt’s time to get real on what the new offshore processing regime means for children seeking international protection write Katie O’Byrne and Jason Pobjoy.
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Kwementyaye Briscoe died at the Alice Springs watch house in January 2012 after being detained for drunkenness. The coroner found that, while in custody, Mr Briscoe was denied basic and necessary medical treatment, dragged and treated with “undue vigour”. Another young Aboriginal man died in the same watch house in 2009.
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Australia should take a number of steps to ensure that our security cooperation with Indonesia does not in any way aid operations which may lead to human rights violations, writes the HRLC's Phil Lynch.
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By repeatedly defying UN treaty body rulings, Australia is undermining human rights and the rule of law writes the HRLC’s Phil Lynch.
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