The age of criminal responsibility acts as the gateway to the criminal justice system – under a certain age you are kept out.
Most jurisdictions have this age barrier because it’s widely understood children…
Finally children's rights will be represented at the national level in Australia.
Flickr/vastateparksstaff
A national Children’s Commissioner to champion the rights of Australia’s young people was announced last week by the Gillard government.
The long overdue announcement is a welcome development and should…
Refugees can be detained indefinitely if they do not pass security clearance.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Last night, Lateline reported on a five-year-old refugee who faced the prospect of being separated from his father forever. His father had failed an ASIO security assessment, which under current policies…
Discrimination on the basis of irrelevant criminal records is rife in Australia.
Flickr/Waponi
Applying for a job is stressful enough, but if you have a criminal record, even if it’s not relevant to the job you’re applying for, it can be a nightmare.
Employers in Australia regularly discriminate…
Jose Maria Vasconcelos (or Taur Matan Ruak) is the new president of East Timor, but will he do more for the women in his country?
AAP/Antonio Dasiparu
The recent election of José Maria de Vasconcelos, or Taur Matan Ruak as he is known, to the Presidency of Timor-Leste is not good news for women in that country.
Adding yet another member of the male…
Intellectually disabled children who undergo the "Ashley procedure" are stunted to prevent the onset of puberty
flickr/visions by vicky
A growing number of parents are seeking the “Ashley Treatment,” a highly experimental medical intervention designed to arrest the physical and sexual development of severely disabled children. This invasive…
The government’s obligations to immigration detainees are very similar to those of prisoners.
AAP/Dean Lewins
A training manual instructing immigration detention centre guards to use force to incapacitate detainees was leaked this week. It included techniques to kick, punch and target pressure points on detainees…
The new Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon needs to commit to more serious reforms of human rights in Australia.
Flickr/Takver
While Australia makes much of its human rights standards in international dialogues, its own track record is variable to say the least – human rights concerns around the Northern Territory intervention…
The covers of two of the first editions of Tintin.
AAP
An upsurge of interest in Tintin, the cartoon boy reporter who was the creation of Belgian artist Hergé (1907-1983), has accompanied the release of the Tintin movie, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret…
Newly appointed Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon may be surprised to find the bill of rights she doesn't want is already in place.
AAP Image/Julian Smith
The new Commonwealth Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon has said that in her new role she would not push for a bill of rights to be included in the constitution. But many would be surprised to learn she doesn…
Occupy protestors have a right to protest; police powers to move them on from public spaces should be questioned.
RynChristophe/Youtube
When police removed a young woman’s “tent dress” this week at the Occupy Melbourne encampment, it was yet another controversial interaction between protesters and authorities.
As shown in the Occupy movement…
Indonesian police chief Timur Pradopo has dismissed payments from Freeport McMoran as "pocket money".
AFP/Bay Ismoyo
President Barack Obama is being urged to raise human rights abuses with the Indonesian President during his visit to Bali. Indonesia is a key ally of the US, now America’s security focus has shifted to…
Julia Gillard spoke to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa about allegations of human rights abuses at a pre-CHOGM summit.
AAP Image/Reuters/Daniel Munoz
CHOGM As the meeting between Commonwealth Heads of Government kicks off in Perth, a row is brewing over the idea for a new Commissioner on democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Holly Cullen from…
The conflict still looms large in Sri Lanka - half a million land mines are still scattered throughout the country, and there's a huge international effort to clear them.
AFP/Ishara S.Kodikara
CHOGM: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is among the Commonwealth leaders gathering in Perth this week. But his government is accused of committing war crimes against its own people. Ben Saul, Professor…
Tuvaluans' home and their human rights are threatened by climate change.
AAP
The Pacific Island State of Tuvalu recently reported that it had just days of water supply left for its population of 10,000.
The Government has declared a state of emergency and rationed each household…
US sailors load cluster bombs onto an aircraft before an attack on targets in Afghanistan.
AAP
Cluster bombs are currently the subject of considerable humanitarian concern internationally because of their indiscriminate effect.
Every year, thousands of civilians, many of them children, are killed…
Protestors outside the High Court during a previous hearing in Malaysian Solution case
AAP
The Gillard government’s refugee policy is in disarray after the full bench of the High Court today made permanent injunctions preventing the removal of asylum seekers to Malaysia.
The action was initially…
Australia dispersed refugees who were rescued by the Tampa, and its policies haven't improved.
AAP/Wallenius Wilhelmsen
The dramatic rescue of more than 400 asylum seekers by the Norwegian vessel, the Tampa, ten years ago set in train a series of events that has since caused immense suffering to so many. It is surely now…
