The transformation and expansion of racial hatred laws
Australia’s rapidly expanding hate laws raise concerns about subjectivity, constitutional limits and the challenges of enforcement across jurisdictions.
Out on a limb: Australia’s troubling exceptionalism on human rights
Australia is the only democratic country without a comprehensive national human rights law. Even non-democratic nations have a charter or bill of rights, excepting only…
Tough work at the coalface of change
Human rights defenders across the world are fighting for gender equality.
Private sponsorship of refugees and humanitarian entrants: risks and rewards for Australia*
A newly established Community Support Programme will enable communities, businesses and individuals to propose refugees and humanitarian entrants for resettlement to Australia.
Refugee assistance blitz: a race to bridge the access to justice gap
The gap in access to justice for people seeking asylum has become substantial. By SIMON BRUCK and NICOLE D’SOUZA.
People of great courage: the battle to stop state-sanctioned, pre-meditated killing
Barrister Julian McMahon is best known for his work with Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran. These Australians were two of eight people executed on an…
What will the UN torture treaty mean for Australia?
Australia will ratify the UN’s Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by December 2017 and…
The profession’s global voice comes to Sydney
As the International Bar Association prepares to hold its annual conference in Sydney in October 2017, IBA President Martin Solc and Deputy Executive Director Tim…
Human rights in South Africa, two decades after democracy
Progress has been made but much is yet to be done 20 years after historic changes in South Africa.
Ambassadors for abolition: ending the death penalty in our region
3 February 2017 marked 50 years since the last person was executed in Australia. Since then the Australian Government’s commitment to the abolition of the…
The AHRC and the Racial Discrimination Act: setting the record straight
Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Southphommasane says there is a need for clearer public understanding of the Race Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). By TIM SOUTHPHOMMASANE.