The NSW lower house has recently passed the Crimes Amendment (Zoe’s Law) Bill (No. 2) 2013 to amend the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). This version of Zoe’s Law establishes a separate offence for actions that cause serious harm to or the destruction of a foetus. There are a wide range of legitimate criticisms of Zoe’s Law that need examination before the Bill comes before the NSW upper house early next year.
Read MoreOver 1,000 children are still locked up. They are more in need of the attention of the Australian Human Rights Commission than a powerful commentator, writes the HRLC's Rachel Ball.
Read MoreCommonwealth Attorney-General George Brandis's reform of Australia's racial vilification laws needs to tread carefully writes HRLC's Hugh de Kretser.
Read MorePublic housing eviction decisions must be both fair and transparent writes Benedict Bartl, a solicitor with the Tenants’ Union of Tasmania.
Read MoreRecently, the Public Order Management Bill was passed into law, requiring Ugandans to get the permission of the police prior to holding a public meeting. Although the new Act has improved from former drafts of the legislation, the Act still allows the police discretion to refuse public meetings if the location is deemed inappropriate.
Read MoreLegal aid is a key part of ensuring people are equal before the law. We need to make sure it is available for all people who need it, not just those charged with serious crimes, writes the HRLC's Hugh de Kretser.
Read MoreFour years after the civil war ended, many Tamils have no expectation of peace or safety in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, writes Emily Howie, Director – Advocacy and Research at the Human Rights Law Centre.
Read MoreThe Human Rights Law Centre has produced a series of fact sheets that outline human rights obligations relevant to domestic violence.
Read MoreFirst visit to Jakarta presents the PM with an opportunity to show that he is a custodian of free speech writes the HRLC's Tom Clarke.
Read MoreHRLC 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreBob 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.
Read MoreLegal 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreThe HRLC's Tom Clarke looks at the signs that Australian politicians are becoming increasingly concerned with the human rights situation in West Papua.
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