Edition 145 • January 2019
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LOOKING BACK / HRLC's 2018 Annual report
We ended the year proud of our achievements and with renewed resolve to tackle the work that remains unfinished, and in particular ensuring safety and freedom for every single one of the 1,100 innocent people still held on Manus and Nauru after five long years. Have a look what you helped us achieve.
NOWHERE TO TURN / Addressing Australian corporate abuses overseas
Communities and workers harmed by the activities of Australian multinationals overseas often have nowhere to turn. Our new report highlights the urgent need for better accountability for Australian corporate abuses beyond our borders.
MODERN SLAVERY LAW / New Modern Slavery law needs teeth to stop abuses
New laws which will increase the scrutiny of forced labour in Australian companies' supply chains have passed in the Parliament, but they still need teeth.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE LAWS / NT Government says 'yes' to equality for LGBTI Territorians
The Northern Territory Parliament passed new birth certificate laws, taking a significant step towards the equality of LGBTI people. Trans Territorians will finally be recognised as who they are.
DISTRESSING, DEGRADING AND HIGH-RISK / Woman forced to give birth alone in a prison cell
WA's Independent Inspector of Custodial Services released a damning report into the circumstances surrounding a young Aboriginal woman who gave birth alone in a prison cell.
HUMAN RIGHTS ACT / Simple fixes can strengthen Queensland's human rights law
Queensland's proposed Human Rights Act marks great progress in the protection of human rights and the values that we all hold dear. However, a few gaps still need to be addressed. Our submission on improvements to the Act is now available online.
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY / Royal Commission into Victoria Police scandal welcome, but lawyers and experts call for immediate reforms
The Andrews Government must take more action, beyond the Royal Commission into police misconduct, by establishing an independent police complaints unit within IBAC.
WOMEN IMPRISONMENT / Increase in women imprisonment more than double the rate of men - new stats reveal
States and territories are imprisoning women at an alarmingly and rapidly increasing rate. If this issue remains unaddressed, the country could be mindlessly hurtling towards a mass-imprisonment crisis.
WATCH / The campaign for an Australian Charter of Human Rights
On Human Rights Day, our Tom Clarke facilitated a public panel discussion with GetUp’s Shen Narayanasamy, the Castan Centre’s Julie Debeljak, and our Lee Carnie about the need for a Charter of Rights and how together, we can make it a reality.
OPINION / We need a Charter of Rights to hold politicians to account
Our politicians have shown time and time again that they cannot always be trusted to put the interests of human beings before their own political survival. It’s time for an Australian Charter of Human Rights, writes our Lee Carnie.
OPINION / Australia is finally having a moral awakening on refugee policy
After almost six years of unmitigated cruelty to innocent people, Australia is finally rediscovering its moral compass. There’s a palpable sense that this has all gone too far, for too long, writes our Daniel Webb.
OPINION / When justice is hijacked, we all lose
Our justice system is supposed to represent the best of us: principled, fair, equal and incorruptible. But 2018 has exposed a chasm between what is officially said, and what is officially done, writes our Ruth Barson.
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS / Abortion is decriminalised in Queensland: spotlight turns to SA and NSW
All women in Australia should have the right and freedom to make decisions about their own bodies and determine what is right for their lives. SA and NSW criminal abortion laws do not reflect this and are seriously outdated.
HANDS OFF OUR CHARITIES / Strengthened charity advocacy laws pass after year of consultation
The electoral funding bill has finally passed after a year-long consultation. What was initially a flawed proposal, has now undergone major improvements which will protect charities and community groups.
PROTEST RIGHTS / Report highlights the need for better protection of protest rights in Australia
We should all be able to freely to gather together and speak out about the issues we care about, in Australia. Our rights to protest and free speech should not be undermined by governments.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REVIEW / Australia needs to legislate for equality not religious exceptionalism
Attempts to protect religious freedom should not undermine the right to equality for other groups in society.
THANK YOU / Human Rights Week Appeal
The team at the Human Rights Law Centre would like to sincerely thank all of our supporters and appeal sponsors, who helped us raise over $200,000 during our Human Rights Week Appeal. Our work eliminates inequality and injustice, and builds a society grounded in compassion, dignity and fairness. We would not be able to achieve our impact without this support. Thank you!
STAFF NEWS / Introducing Alice Drury
Alice Drury has joined the team as a lawyer working to protect and defend democratic freedoms. Prior to joining the HRLC, Alice was the Legal Director of GetUp.
STAFF NEWS / Introducing Monique Hurley
Monique Hurley has joined the team as a lawyer to work across a number of areas including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights. Monique was previously working at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA).
AUSTRALIAN CASE SUMMARIES
Victorian Supreme Court finds Charter does not protect right to wear nikab in Court
The Queen v Chaarani (Ruling 1) [2018] VSC 387 (16 July 2018)
INTERNATIONAL CASE SUMMARIES
Interception of communications is consistent with human rights, European Court of Human Rights rules
Centrum för Rättvisa v Sweden (Application no 35252/08) (19 June 2018)
Supreme Court of Canada rules use of psychological risk assessment tools on Indigenous offenders illegal
Ewert v Canada, 2018 SCC 30 (13 June 2018)
UK High Court finds BBC broadcast breaches Cliff Richard's right to privacy
Sir Cliff Richard OBE v The British Broadcasting Corporation; The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police [2018] EWHC 1837 (Ch)
NOTICE BOARD
EVENT / Better Together 2019 National LGBTIQ+ Conference
Date: 11-12 January 2019 at Aerial UTS Function Centre, Ultimo
The Equality Project is holding its annual conference which aims to explore current issues facing the LGBTIQ+ movement, bringing together voices from indigenous communities, people with a disability, the Deaf community, as well as multicultural and multi-faith communities.
JOB / Target seat campaigners at GetUp Australia
GetUp Australia is looking to fill a mix of Target Seat Campaigner roles to join their Federal Election efforts in Sydney and Melbourne. Application deadline: 29 January
JOB / Director/Principal Solicitor at Prisoners' Legal Service
Prisoners' Legal Service (Brisbane and Gold Coast) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced leader to fill the position of Director/Principal Solicitor. Application deadline: 21 January
JOB / Head of Strategic Communication at Grata Fund
Grata Fund (Sydney) is seeking a full-time Head of Strategic Communications, who will be working in collaboration with the Executive Director and Head of Strategic Litigation. Application deadline: 29 January
JOB / Managing Lawyer — Kununurra at Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced lawyer to join the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia team as managing lawyer at the Kununurra office. No application deadline but apply as soon as possible.
JOB / International Service for Human Rights
The International Service for Human Rights, an independent, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights, is looking to fill a number of positions based in Geneva.
This edition of Rights Agenda is sponsored by
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Human Rights Law Centre
Level 17, 461 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
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