Human rights posting

It would be nice if the Australian Human Rights commission didn't abrogate its responsibility to the life and dignity of those she claims to represent. Drowning refugees that have been extorted by pirates is not how the refugee system is supposed to work. Protecting children from self harm is a worthy goal, except antecedent causes need to be addressed. Possibly by not killing family and throwing them into a financial hole through economic migration? - ed
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Share with friends   15 Jul 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 Australia’s obligation to asylum seekers Acting Disability Commissioner announces national forum Registrations open for Free Speech 2014 Symposium Nominate now for 2014 Human Rights Awards Protecting children from self-harm RightsTalk: Sanctioned violence – what does it do to our society? See below for more...   Australia’s obligation to asylum seekers The Australian Human Rights Commission has reiterated the fundamental human right to seek asylum from persecution. “It is indisputable that the right to seek and enjoy asylum applies to people regardless of their mode of arrival,” the Commission said in an online statement. “It would be a flagrant violation of international human rights and refugee law to return asylum seekers to their country of origin without conducting a fair and robust assessment of their claims. “The Australian Government must act consistently with the principle of non-refoulement by ensuring protection for asylum seekers from removal to a country where they face a real risk of significant harm.”    Acting Disability Commissioner announces national forum Commissioner Susan Ryan, who this week steps into the role of acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner, will hold a National Disability Forum to work out ways she can improve lives for Australians with disabilities. “I want to reinvigorate a national discussion and what better time to do this than now, as the Government considers significant changes to the welfare system, including the disability support pension,” Commissioner Ryan said. Read more…   Registrations open for Free Speech 2014 Symposium Registrations are now open for the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Free Speech 2014 Symposium, to be held on Thursday 7 August in Sydney. Federal Attorney-General George Brandis QC is the keynote speaker at the event. Other speakers include Commission President, Professor Gillian Triggs; Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson; the Australian Law Reform Commission President, Professor Rosalind Croucher; and Bret Walker SC from St James’ Hall Chambers. Read more…   Nominate now for 2014 Human Rights Awards Ian Thorpe, Eddie Mabo, Malcom Fraser and Sister Clare Condon are among a small but celebrated group of Australians who have received a Human Rights Medal for their outstanding contribution to human rights. Now it’s time to add to that list by nominating an inspiring individual or organisation for a 2014 Australian Human Rights Award. Nominations close on 12 September 2014. The awards will be presented on 10 December 2014 at a cocktail-style event at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Pictured is last year’s Young People’s Human Rights Medal winner, Mariah Kennedy. Ms Kennedy is a Young Ambassador for UNICEF and the author of the children’s book, Reaching Out, Messages of Hope. Details and nomination forms are online.   Protecting children from self-harm  The National Children’s Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, is examining how children and young people under 18 years can be better protected from intentional self-harm and suicidal behaviour. Commissioner Mitchell earlier this year called for written submissions on the issue, and has received 139 submissions to date. The Commissioner has conducted eight roundtables across the country and will hold a further four workshops in Melbourne, Perth, Darwin and Alice Springs. The Commissioner’s findings will be reported in the National Children’s Commissioner’s Statutory Report to Parliament, to be tabled by 4 December 2014.   RightsTalk: Sanctioned violence – what does it do to our society? 2013 Human Rights Medal winner Sister Clare Condon (pictured), will present the next RightsTalk at the Human Rights Commission. Sister Clare will reflect on what underlies violence in human relationships and our interactions with each another. Sister Clare is an educator, advocate and administrator with a strong focus on the needs of those most disadvantaged in society. Date: Wednesday 13 August 2014 Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm Location: Australian Human Rights Commission, Level 3, 175 Pitt Street, Sydney. Register here Other RightsTalks this month are Professor Henry Brodaty AO (19 August) and Andrew Penfold AM (27 August).   Recent media releases Acting Disability Commissioner starts today 14 July 2014 Free Speech Symposium to build alliance for reform 7 July 2014 Intergenerational negativity is inhibiting good economic results 4 July 2014   Recent speeches The Asianisation of Australia? Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination Commissioner, 10 July 2014   Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Council 3rd Year Celebrations Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, 4 July 2014   Social cohesion in a multicultural Australia: The importance of human rights Professor Gillian Triggs, President, 3 July 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.