CORONIAL INQUEST /  Investigating the tragic death of refugee Omid Masoumali

It’s tragedies like this one that remind us why we must embrace compassion and decency and humanity — the very things that Omid was denied. Its a reminder of how the Australian Government has inflicted so much harm on people in offshore detention.

WOMEN'S OVER-IMPRISONMENT / Premier Andrews must act

Right now, hundreds of women are separated from their children and families and are behind bars. Most are mothers or survivors of violence. Premier Andrews could tomorrow stop our women’s prison population from sky-rocketing by changing bail laws so that they are fair and humane.

COMMUNITY FORUM / Why we need an Australian Charter of Rights

It was a shared love of protecting human rights that brought hundreds of people together from across regional Victoria, to spend their Valentine’s Day in a packed hall in Wangaratta to hear from Gillian Triggs, Teela Reid, and Fr Peter Macleod-Miller.

EQUALITY AUSTRALIA / Australia’s first national legal advocacy and campaigning NGO

For the last three years, the Human Rights Law Centre has been at the forefront of the fight for equality for LGBTIQ people through the work of Anna Brown and Lee Carnie. We're excited to be supporting the LGBTI Rights Unit in their next chapter.

AWARD WINNER / Abdul Aziz Muhamat wins Martin Ennals prize

"This award sheds light on the very cruel refugee policy of the Australian Government. It also brings international attention to the dangers and ill-treatment faced by refugees all over the world," said Abdul Aziz Muhamat.

MEDEVAC BILL / Watershed moment in politics and history

Earlier this month we witnessed politics at its best with MPs across the floor working together to ensure a humane solution for the medical emergency on Manus Island and Nauru.

SAVE THE DATE / Annual Human Rights Dinners

The Annual Human Rights Dinners bring together friends, colleagues and supporters from across the human rights, justice and philanthropic sectors to celebrate human rights progress. The Sydney dinner will be held on 3 May, and the Melbourne dinner on 24 May. We would love to see you there.

CONGRATULATIONS / This year's Victorian Bar pro bono awards

The Human Rights Law Centre couldn’t do what we do without the generous support of our pro bono partners. We'd like to congratulate the winners of this years Victorian Bar pro bono awards, which celebrate the significant pro bono contribution of Victorian barristers.

STAFF NEWS / Introducing Edwina MacDonald

Edwina MacDonald has joined the team as Director of Legal Advocacy in the Sydney office, leading on UN engagement. Prior to joining the HRLC, Edwina led the policy and advocacy work of the Australian Council of Social Service. 

STAFF NEWS / Introducing Katie Robertson

Katie Robertson has joined the team as Director of Legal Advocacy, leading the asylum seeker and refugee rights unit. Katie previously worked as a Senior Associate in Maurice Blackburn Lawyer’s Social Justice Practice.

Victorian Supreme Court holds electroconvulsive treatment ordered against patients’ wishes a breach of human rights

PBU & NJE v Mental Health Tribunal [2018] VSC 564 (1 November 2018)

Bakery's refusal to supply cake with messages supporting gay marriage not discriminatory, UK Supreme Court holds

Lee v Ashers Baking Company Ltd [2018] UKSC 49

US Supreme Court holds warrant is required for accessing location data

Carpenter v United States, S. Ct.  (22 June 2018)

Canadian Supreme Court upholds refusal of law school accreditation due to discriminatory policy

Law Society of British Columbia v Trinity Western University 2018 SCC 32 (15 June 2018); and Trinity Western University v Law Society of Upper Canada 2018 SCC 33 (15 June 2018)

JOB / Campaigns Advisor, Equality Australia

Equality Australia are looking for someone who has experience in digital campaigning, and is passionate about LGBTIQ+ rights. Applications close 6 March.

JOB / Director of Advocacy and Campaigns, ASRC

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is hiring a part-time Director of Advocacy and Campaigns, who will be responsible for the management of the ASRC’s Advocacy and Campaigns. Applications close 6 March.

JOB / Client Support Officer - Walking Alongside Program, Flemington & Kensington Community Legal Centre 

FlemKen CLC are seeking a skilled and committed youth worker knowledgeable about the experiences and needs of young people who are criminalised and racialised. Applications close 7 March.

JOB / Associate Counsel, World Bank

The World Bank are hiring an Associate Counsel who can apply rigorous analytical skills, work harmoniously in a team, and exercise good judgment. Applications close 15 March.

‘Vote for humanity’: Australian Parliament begins dismantling hard-line offshore policy for asylum seekers, The Washington Post

Senior lawyer, Freya Dinshaw, says there remains "an urgent medical crisis on Nauru and Manus" for adult asylum seekers.

Paladin controversy prompts renewed scrutiny of $591m Nauru deal, The Guardian

Director of legal advocacy, Keren Adams, says the Canstruct and Paladin cases raised serious questions about the department’s handling of the offshore detention contracts.

One in five parents had payments cut in first six months of new welfare program, The Guardian

Senior lawyer, Adrianne Walters, says our Government shouldn't threaten to leave new mums without money for food as part of the discriminatory ParentsNext program.

'The government is criminalising the very women it should support', The Age

Director of legal advocacy, Ruth Barson, says Victoria’s justice system is rife with unfairness and inequality.