INDIGENOUS RIGHTS / Coroner to ask whether racism played a role in Tanya Day’s death

In a landmark decision, the Coroner in the inquest into Yorta Yorta woman Tanya Day’s death in police custody has agreed to look at whether systemic racism played a role in Ms Day’s treatment and ultimate death.

REFUGEE RIGHTS / Cruel anniversary

Last week marked six years of suffering for around 800 men and women still detained indefinitely by the Morrison Government on Manus Island and Nauru.

OPINION / Three ways we can halt the explosion in prisoner numbers

Legal Director Ruth Barson wrote for The Age on the Victorian Government's sky-rocketing imprisonment rates.

BIG WIN / Queensland Government must commit to never hold children in police watch houses again

After months of public pressure, and spurred on by our threat of imminent court action, the Queensland Government announced they will move kids out of police watch houses “as soon as is humanly possible”. This is a big win for children's rights – but the Government must ensure it never happens again.

DEMOCRATIC FREEDOMS / Australian Government must repeal laws that strip citizenship from dual nationals

The Australian Government should repeal laws that strip Australian dual nationals of their citizenship and place them at risk of the statelessness, family separation and indefinite detention

MENTAL HEALTH / People struggling with mental illness overrepresented in Victoria’s prisons

People experiencing mental illness are being criminalised rather than supported in the community. Read about our submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

SIX YEARS TOO LONG / Six years after Manus Island decision, we must end the suffering

6 years, 2191 days, 3 million minutes and counting. Our Executive Director Hugh de Kretser wrote for the Herald Sun that it's time to end the suffering for 800 women and men still held on Nauru and Manus Island.

PRISONER RIGHTS / UN anti-torture experts to visit Australia and shine a light on abuse in places of detention

The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture announced they will visit Australia to shine a light on abuses in places of detention, including adult prisons, youth prisons, police lock-ups and immigration detention facilities.

AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS / Congratulations to our Australia Day Honours recipients

We would like to congratulate the outstanding members of the Human Rights Law Centre community who have been recognised and awarded in the 2019 Australia Day Honours.

UNITED NATIONS / Former Manus detainee addresses the UN to call for freedom

Legal Director Edwina MacDonald attended the 41st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to monitor the Australian Government's time on the Council. Abdul Aziz Muhamat also addressed the Council to highlight the plight of over 800 people still held on Nauru and Manus Island.

CASE SUMMARIES

Australian High Court recognises significance of cultural and spiritual loss in native title decision

Northern Territory v Mr A. Griffiths (deceased) and Lorraine Jones on behalf of the Ngaliwurru and Nungali Peoples [2019] HCA 7

European Court of Human Rights holds UK's "Extremism Database" falls foul of privacy and data retention laws

Catt v The United Kingdom (Case No. 43514/15), European Court of Human Rights, 24 January 2019

NOTICE BOARD

WORK WITH US / Legal Director – Refugee Rights – Human Rights Law Centre

We're recruiting for a Legal Director to lead our work advancing the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum. Applications close Thursday 8 August.

BOOK LAUNCH / The Business of Human Rights with author Alex Newton

RMIT Law, in partnership with the Human Rights Law Centre, invites you to the Melbourne launch of The Business of Human Rights by Alex Newton on Thursday 30 July.

JOB / Communications and Engagement Manager – Justice Connect

The Communications and Engagement Manager will play a critical role in maturing Justice Connect's approach to strategic communication and engagement

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Aunty Tanya Day: systemic racism to be examined in inquest

Ruth Barson spoke with NITV about why it's important that systemic racism is examined in the inquiry into Tanya Day's death in custody.

Lee Carnie on The Drum

Lee Carnie appeared on ABC’s The Drum, where they discussed Jacqui Lambi's tax cut deal, deeming rates and the international refugee crisis.

ParentsNext: woman caring for sister's seven children had payments cut off

Edwina MacDonald spoke to The Guardian about the Australian Government's ParentsNext program.

The problem isn't Paladin, it’s offshore detention

Keren Adams spoke to SBS News about Paladin's contract extension to run security services on Manus Island.

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