Human Rights?

There are many reasons as to why a child might suicide. There are also reasons why most won't. What the AHRC seems unaware of is the damage it does to children when it fails to advocate for cultural assets. Church, state, family and fellowship are support networks to children. Free speech supports such assets.
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May 5 2014

Welcome Welcome to the Australian Human Rights Commission e-bulletin. Published fortnightly, this e-bulletin keeps you up-to-date with our programs, projects and news.         In this e-bulletin Children’s Commissioner examines suicidal behaviour Commission response to Racial Discrimination Act proposal The ANZAC spirit and human rights Commission guidance on use of mobility scooters Rights Talk proposes freedom from corruption Giveaway: free movie tickets See below for more...       Children’s Commissioner examines suicidal behaviour The National Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, has called for submissions on self-harm and suicidal behaviour among children and young people. “This examination will look into why children engage in intentional-self harm and suicidal behaviour, as well the barriers which prevent them from seeking help. I urge interested individuals, government, private, and non-government organisations, to make submissions on the key issues,” said Commissioner Mitchell (pictured). To make a submission, go to www.humanrights.gov.au/ssh-in-children. Submissions close on 2 June 2014. Commission response to Racial Discrimination Act proposal The Australian Human Rights Commission has advised the Attorney-General not to proceed with proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act. The Commission said any proposal to amend the law should involve extensive public consultation, particularly with those communities whose members are most vulnerable to racial discrimination. “In its current form, the Racial Discrimination Act as applied by the courts and administered by the Australian Human Rights Commission has successfully resolved hundreds of complaints about racial hatred over the past two decades,” said Commission President, Professor Gillian Triggs. The Commission noted several concerns in its submission to the Attorney-General’s Department. These include the narrow definition of vilification; the limited definition of intimidation; and the breadth of the suggested exemption. The Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson, contributed to the Commission’s submission. Commissioner Wilson also provided additional comment. The ANZAC spirit and human rights The Australian Human Rights Commission, in partnership with the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, marked the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I by hosting a panel discussion that examined the impact of war on our thinking about rights and freedoms. Speakers included the Hon Elizabeth Evatt AC, Lieutenant General David Morrison AO, Dr Damian Powell from the University of Melbourne, the Chief Commissioner of Human Rights Commission of New Zealand David Rutherford, and the Chief Executive of Australian Red Cross, Robert Tickner. Professor Joan Beaumont, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, School of International Political and Strategic Studies, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, facilitated the half-day forum. A video recording of the talk is available on the Commission's YouTube channel. Commission guidance on use of mobility scooters The Commission is developing an advisory note on the use of mobility scooters at the request of the NSW RSL & Services Clubs Association. The advisory note will provide some guidance on the use of mobility scooters in and around club premises. It could also form the basis of an industry standard. The note’s development is also supported by Clubs NSW, Leagues Clubs Australia, and Bowls NSW. Representatives from the disability sector will also participate. The scoping paper for the advisory note is available here.  Please send comments todisabdis@humanrights.gov.au by 9 May.  RightsTalk proposes freedom from corruption In the latest of the Commission’s RightsTalk series, Chair in Human Rights Law at the University of Sydney, Professor David Kinley, argued that corruption often has an “enormous and malign influence on just about every aspect of a society’s existence, and on the daily lives of its people.” Professor Kinley painted a picture of global corruption that has reached staggering proportions. As a result, governments have been compromised, the law perverted, and human rights trampled – in the public and private spheres of wealthy states as well as poorer ones. He said the human rights work that has been undertaken in this field has focused almost exclusively on the detrimental impact corruption has on existing human rights. Thus far, the UN has not considered establishing a right to freedom from corruption. A video recording of the talk is available on the Commission's YouTube channel. The Hon Fred Chaney AO will deliver the Commission’s next RightsTalk on 20 May. Mr Chaney will talk about advancing Aboriginal social and economic rights through effective governance of governments. More details here. Giveaway: free movie tickets Two free double passes provided by the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival are available for a screening of Everyday Rebellion on Wednesday 28 May in Sydney. The double passes will go to the first two people to RSVP to communications@humanrights.gov.au Recent media releases Application for exemption from Disability Discrimination Act 1992 for Business Services Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT) 29 April 2014 Commission provides submission on Exposure Draft 29 April 2014 National Children’s Commissioner to examine intentional self-harm and suicidal behaviour in children22 April 2014 Overwhelming majority reject change to racial vilification law 14 April 2014 Paralympic Gold Medalist and Guide Dog Fall From Train 14 April 2014 Raising the pension age will not work until you ensure the opportunity for older people to keep working11 April 2014 Football and cricket codes tackle homophobia in sport 9 April 2014 Recent submissions Amendments to Part IIA, Racial Discrimination Act 1975 - 28 April 2014 Freedom of Speech (repeal of s.18C) Bill 2014 - response by Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson - 28 April 2014 Recent speeches Moral imagination Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination Commissioner, 17 April 2014 Racism is a moral issue Speech to Society of Australasian Social Psychologists Conference, Canberra, Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination Commissioner, 11 April 2014 The freedom wars and the future of human rights in Australia Address to the National Press Club, Canberra, Professor Gillian Triggs, President, 9 April 2014 SDA Amendments Australian Public Service Human Rights Network, Tim Wilson, Human Rights Commissioner, 7 April 2014 Get involved - upcoming events For the latest media releases, speeches, opinion pieces, go to the media centre on the Commission’s website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/news and for events go to www.humanrights.gov.au/get-involved/events-list.