UNITED NATIONS / Turnbull Government promises to respect human rights findings

It was encouraging to hear the Australian Government promise to strengthen the UN system and to start respecting human rights findings. However, just saying you respect human rights doesn’t make it true. We need action, not words.

UNITED NATIONS / Australia loses its voice as UN hears of ethnic cleansing in Myanmar

The failure to follow the USA, the UK, and others at the UN in condemning Myanmar's ethnic cleansing is yet another example of the Australian Government losing its voice when the country in question has some connection with its own refugee policies.

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS / Government called out for lack of action on corporate accountability

The Australian Government urgently needs to put in place better oversight of companies’ operations overseas and improve ways for people to raise concerns and seek justice here in Australia.

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS / Australian Mining Company defends Eritrea at UN

Why is an Australian company doing PR for one of the world's most repressive regimes? Eritrea is notorious for its widespread use of forced labour, yet an Australian mining company has taken the extraordinary step of appearing with the regime to help it defend its actions.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION / Time's up on exemptions to discriminate

Australians believe we should treat people fairly and equally. The idea that religious service providers and schools, which receive millions in taxpayer funding, can impose their beliefs on others in housing, healthcare, or education is out of step with modern community values.

TRANS RIGHTS / Queensland to make marriage equality a reality for trans community

The Queensland Government will allow people to stay married to the person they love when they change the gender marker on their birth certificate. People shouldn't be forced to choose between love and living their true lives.

DON DALE / Turnbull Government needs to show leadership

It's well and truly time we closed the dark chapter of Don Dale and funded the creation of safe, home-like facilities built for children. The Turnbull Government should be doing everything it can to help kids get their lives back on track.

YOUTH JUSTICE / Andrews Government is failing children in youth justice

Isolating children in prison cells, with virtually no human contact, is cruel and harmful. Solitary confinement has no place in a modern and fair youth justice system. The Andrews Government needs to ban this archaic practice.

EXPLAINER / What’s wrong with the Turnbull Government’s electoral reforms?

The Turnbull Government’s proposed laws will lock charity and community groups out of public policy debates. Find out what it will mean in this explainer.

DEMOCRACY / More needed to fix the Government’s excessive secrecy laws

The Attorney-General's amendments to the Government's proposed secrecy laws are welcome, but not enough. When whistleblowers expose government wrongdoing, we should thank them, not expose them to 20 year jail sentences.

Victorian Charter case finds human rights violated when prison prevented delivery of a book

Minogue v Dougherty [2017] VSC 724

High Court of Australia finds that reckless infliction of STI can constitute malicious infliction of grievous bodily harm

Aubrey v The Queen [2017] HCA 18 (10 May 2017)

European Court of Human Rights upholds the right to freedom of expression on the Internet

Tamiz v the United Kingdom (Application no. 3877/14) [2017] ECHR (12 October 2017)

South African High Court finds corporal punishment of children unconstitutional

YG v S (A263/2016) [2017] ZAGPJHC 290; 2018 (1) SACR 64 (GJ) (19 October 2017)

New Zealand court finds risk of indefinite detention is a "compelling or extraordinary circumstance" in decision whether to extradite accused people smuggler to Australia

Maythem Kamil Radhi (Appellant) v The District Court of Manukau (The First Respondent) and The Commonwealth of Australia (The Second Respondent) [2017] NZSC 198

JOBS / Philanthropy Australia

Philanthropy Australia aims to represent, grow and inspire an effective and robust philanthropic sector for the community. They are looking to hire two roles, an Advocacy & Insight Manager and a Peer Networks Programs Executive.

JOB / Australian Human Rights Commission

The Australian Human Rights Commission is seeking a Project Officer to support the Human Rights Commissioner in undertaking a major project on human rights and technology.

JOB / Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch is seeking a qualified Officer to ensure the smooth and efficient running of HRW’s Sydney office in the Operations and Development and Outreach Departments.

JOB / Australian Council for International Development

ACFID, the peak body uniting Australian NGOs working in international aid and development, is seeking a Director of Policy and Advocacy to join the team in Canberra.

JOB / LGBTI Legal Service Inc

The LGBTI Legal Service Inc is a non-profit community-based legal service, who are currently looking for a Solicitor/Coordinator to join them in Brisbane.

NOMINATIONS / 2019 Global Pluralism Award

Know someone doing incredible work advancing respect for diversity and inclusion around the world? Nominate today for the 2019 Global Pluralism Award.

Will Australia follow the NT's promise to raise the age of criminal responsibility?

Ruth Barson says new ABS data, showing that more than three thousand children under 14 face court every year, speaks volumes about the “diabolical picture” of Australia’s outdated punitive youth justice system.

Australia pledges at UN to improve its 'human rights situation'

Daniel Webb tells The Guardian that after observing the human rights council session in Geneva, Australia’s well-intentioned pledge must be backed up by action.

Australia's human rights record under scrutiny as it sits on UN Human Rights Council for first time

Daniel Webb speaks to ABC Radio National about the baggage Australia is saddled with as it takes its seat on the UN Human Rights Council for the first time.

'I am profoundly unsettled': inside the hidden world of gay conversion therapy

Anna Brown tells The Sydney Morning Herald that, while some countries have sought to ban conversion therapy, such legislation might not capture the less formalised types of practices that are prevalent in Australia.