Edition 142 • August 2018 No Images? Click here HRLC JOBS / Join the Human Rights Law Centre team The Human Rights Law Centre believes in a future where human rights are universally understood, upheld and protected. We secure law and policy change that eliminates inequality, abuse and injustice and builds a society grounded in decency, compassion and respect. We are currently recruiting for two people to join our diverse team who have a strong, shared commitment to creating a better, fairer Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. LGBTI RIGHTS / #MyIDMyIdentity: New campaign for transgender equality goes liveA new nationwide campaign, "My ID, My Identity", is calling on states and territories to support trans and gender diverse people to be recognised as who they are. PRISONERS' RIGHTS / Reports find WA Government likely in breach of Torture ConventionHuman right lawyers are calling to categorically prohibit solitary confinement for children in the wake of a report on Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre. OPINION / Federal Government can't ignore LGTBIQ womens' rights For too many of us in the LGBTIQ community, we know what it feels like to be mistreated because of who we are or who we love. Marriage equality and the introduction of federal anti-discrimination protections for LGBTIQ people are positive steps forward that we should celebrate. But we have not achieved LGBTIQ equality. Australian governments have a responsibility under international law to better protect the fundamental human rights of LGBTIQ women and girls. REFUGEE RIGHTS / Death of Hamid Khazaei exposes politicisation of medical care in offshore detentionThe Queensland Coroner has found that the death of Hamid Khazaei, a 24 year old man indefinitely detained by the Australian Government on Manus Island was "preventable" and that if he was evacuated to Australia for medical treatment sooner, he would have survived. BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS / Qantas must not take part in forced removal of people who've sought asylumQantas' participation in the Australian government's refugee and asylum seeker policies is under increased scrutiny with a group of shareholders considering formal AGM action, following release of an expert statement signed by a number of individuals. YOUTH JUSTICE / Two years on from Don Dale exposé, NT children still being harmed This week marks the two year anniversary since the horrific images of child abuse in Don Dale youth prison were beamed across the nation, leading to the Northern Territory Royal Commission. Earlier this year, the Government promised to close Don Dale and within three months unveil plans for a new, child appropriate facility. However, there are still no plans on the table. LABOUR RIGHTS / Modern slavery bill lacks teethStronger oversight and compliance measures are needed to ensure the Australian Government's modern slavery legislation is effective in combating forced labour. UN / Australia urged to improve women's rightsThe Australian Government has been urged to improve its track record on women's rights by decriminalising abortion and ending offshore detention. DEMOCRATIC FREEDOMS / Australian Government’s national facial recognition regime needs to be overhauled The Australian Government’s proposed new facial recognition surveillance scheme is dangerously broad and creates serious risks of undermining the rights of ordinary people going about their daily lives, the Human Rights Law Centre told the Parliamentary intelligence and security committee in Canberra. HUMAN RIGHTS / Voting age should be lowered to 16Young people, who are most likely to feel the long-term effects of today's political decisions, should be allowed to vote from the age of 16, the Human Rights Law Centre said today in a submission to the Australian Parliament's electoral committee. LGBTI RIGHTS / Queensland legal service to clear unjust homosexual convictions launchedRighting the wrongs of Queensland's homophobic past: People who have convictions for historic consensual same-sex activity can now apply to have their criminal records removed through the LGBTI Legal Service. EVENT / Hugh de Kretser on why Australia needs a Charter of Human Rights Join our Executive Director, Hugh de Kretser, on 20 September at RMIT University where he will deliver the 2018 Higinbotham Lecture outlining why Australia needs a Charter of Human Rights and what you can do to create one. ABORTION RIGHTS / Time to bring Queensland’s abortion laws into the 21st CenturyThe Queensland Parliament should demonstrate its commitment to women’s health and equality by passing a bill that would update the state’s woefully outdated abortion laws. DEMOCRATIC FREEDOMS / Andrews Government rushes in dangerous and excessive anti-democratic lawsCommunity groups from across Victoria are calling for chilling new laws, that would restrict the ability of Victorians to freely spend time together, to be abandoned. INTERNATIONAL CASE SUMMARIESSwiss Court's refusal to hear torture compensation case not a breach of the right to a fair hearingNait-Liman v Switzerland (European Court of Human Rights, Grand Chamber, Application No. 51357/07, 15 March 2018) Unemployment benefits mistakenly paid by Croatian government do not have to be repaid Čakarević v Croatia (European Court of Human Rights, First Section, Application No. 48921/13, 26 April 2018) European Court of Human Rights upholds German anti-Nazi propaganda lawNix v Germany (European Court of Human Rights, Chamber, Application No. 35285/16, 13 March 2018) Canadian Supreme Court finds employment discrimination does not need to come from manager British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal v Schrenk [2017] 2 SCR 795 NOTICE BOARDOUTREACH / Human Rights WatchThe Development and Outreach Department of Human Rights Watch is seeking a highly qualified applicant for the position of Manager to support relationships with donors and represent the work of Human Rights Watch in Melbourne. VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT / Asylum Seeker Resource CentrePlay a lead role in developing and implementing initiatives for volunteers that strive for excellence across the organisation. Applications close 4 September. PROJECT OFFICER / Eastern Community Legal CentreSeeking a skilled professional to engage in community consultation and to coordinate the development and delivery of an elder abuse project. Applications close 9 September. COORDINATOR / North Australian Aboriginal Justice AgencyBe a part of one of Australia's most dynamic, diverse and challenging legal practices. NAAJA provides legal aid for Indigenous people in the Northern Territory, with offices in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Dream of Mandela inspires Indigenous justice campaignerIt's important that governments work with Aboriginal people and organisations in developing justice targets, Shahleena Musk told SBS News. Dutton says Australia won't 'surrender our sovereignty' by signing UN migration dealDaniel Webb spoke with The Guardian regarding Dutton's response to UN migration agreement. Five years in detention for Manus, Nauru refugeesDaniel Webb spoke to Ten Daily regarding the current refugee crisis in Manus and Nauru. Queensland nurses hail abortion clinic safe zonesThe values of 1899 should not limit a woman's right to access the healthcare they need in 2018, Adrianne Walters told Daily Mail.
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