Australian Human Rights Commission
e-bulletin
May 2011
Welcome
Welcome to the May issue of the Australian Human Rights Commission's monthly e-bulletin, where we will keep you up-to-date with our latest programs, projects and news.
Please forward to friends and colleagues who have an interest in human rights and social justice issues.
In this e-bulletin
- Spaces filling fast for major human rights event
- More protections needed for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people
- Defence Review
- Don’t stand by, stand up!
- See below for more...
Spaces filling fast for major human rights event
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More than 1000 people have already registered for the upcoming Human Rights 2011 event being held in Sydney on Monday, 23 May.
The UN High Commissioner For Human Rights, Her Excellency Navi Pillay, will be the guest of honour at this free public event being hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Human Rights 2011 will be facilitated by popular TV broadcaster Indira Naidoo and will include a special performance by one of Australia’s leading dance companies, Bangarra Dance Theatre.
Commission President Catherine Branson QC said Human Rights 2011 will be one of the High Commissioner’s only public events during her official Australian visit.
“Those interested in human rights issues will have the opportunity to hear first-hand from leading human rights advocates in a lively and interactive panel discussion involving the High Commissioner and prominent and well-respected Australians such as the ‘father of reconciliation’, Patrick Dodson, and Director of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc, Paris Aristotle AM,” Ms Branson said.
“Discussion will focus on major human rights issues in Australia, including constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, asylum seeker policy, and international human rights issues.”
Human Rights 2011 will be held at the Sydney Town Hall, George Street, Sydney, on Monday 23 May 2011 at 5.00pm for 5.30pm - 7.00pm. Admission is free but it is essential to register.
Questions can also be asked of the Panel via the Commission’s website at http://www.humanrights.gov.au/hr2011/
More protections needed for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people
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A recent consultation undertaken by the Commission found broad support for federal laws protecting people from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity.
The Addressing sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity discrimination consultation report released earlier this month includes compelling evidence of the need for such laws.
“The Commission’s consultation revealed numerous and distressing stories of how people’s lives had been impacted and damaged by discrimination, violence or bullying on the basis of their sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity,” Commission President Catherine Branson said.
She said federal law protections would give access to legal remedies to people discriminated against because of their sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity and would also deliver broader positive social implications.
“Providing federal protections against this type of discrimination would be a significant symbolic gesture which would help to bring about attitudinal change and ultimately improve the day-to-day lives of many people of diverse sexual orientations and sex and/or gender identities,” she said.
Consultation participants also suggested that marriage equality would be an important step towards full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people in Australia.
The report is online: www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/lgbti/lgbticonsult/report/index.html
Defence Review
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The Australian Human Rights Commission has announced details of its Review into the Australian Defence Force.
The review will be a two stage process, beginning with the examination of the treatment of women in the Australian Defence Force Academy, followed by an assessment of the effectiveness of the Women’s Action Plan within the Australian Defence Force.
The methodology for the Review is currently being developed.
The Review is being conducted with the intention of reporting to the Minister before the end of the year.
The review panel will be led by the Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick.
Commissioner Broderick will be joined by a small team of people who have expertise in gender relations, cultural change in male-dominated organisations, residential colleges in educational settings, developing respect and responsibility strategies in elite male sport, command and control environments, and an understanding of the challenges for women in military and policing environments.
Details of other members of the review panel can be located at www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/media_releases/2011/35_11.html
Don’t stand by, stand up!
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Online youth mental health service, ReachOut.com, (a project of the youth organisation the Inspire Foundation) and the Commission have partnered together for a national campaign calling on young people aged 14 -25 to create an anti-bullying pledge that highlights the importance of the bystander in preventing bullying.
The ‘Don’t Stand By, Stand Up’ campaign encourages young people to stand up to bullies, stand up for their friends, and stand up for other young people who are being bullied by creating an anti-bullying pledge.
The campaign invites uploading anti-bullying messages to the ReachOut.com Facebook page http://apps.facebook.com/reachout-inspire/Version2/Gallery.aspx?id=ed5d6e54-c9ec-4b5c-9be4-2da268c11aab
Entries can be submitted as either an image or as words.
Pledges are then voted on, and the five entrants with the highest votes each win a $500 JB Hi-Fi voucher.
The entries may also be featured on ReachOut.com and the Commission’s promotional materials.
For further information please go to http://www.humanrights.gov.au/bullying/. The campaign will run until 3 June.
The Commission and ReachOut.com have also developed factsheets for young people on how to deal with bullying, information on young people’s rights, and links and numbers on where to find help. The fact sheets can be found at the above website.
Recent media releases
- Commission raises concerns about sending asylum seekers to Malaysia (9 May 2011)
- Sydney opportunity to hear first-hand from UN Human Rights Chief (6 May 2011)
- Federal protections needed against sexual orientation and sex/and or gender identity discrimination (4 May 2011)
- Details of Defence review announced (3 May 2011)
- Don’t Stand By, Stand Up (2 May 2011)
- Building changes mean those once locked out now have open doors (1 May 2011)
Recent speeches
- Celebration of the commencement of the Premises Standards
Graeme Innes AM, 2 May 2011 - A human rights-based approach to immigrant women’s issues
Hon Catherine Branson QC, 13 April 2011
Recent podcasts
Episode 8 2011 – Multiculturalism - (2 May) – Pino Migliorino
With half of Australians either born overseas or having at least one parent who was born overseas, Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. Yet, recent research indicates that around 85 per cent of people believe that racism is a current issue in Australia and around 20 per cent have experienced forms of race-hate talk. Race and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes is joined by Pino Migliorino, the chair of the Federation of Ethnic Community Councils of Australia, to discuss this issue.
Episode 7 - The Universal Periodic Review – (18 April) – Catherine Branson QC
The Universal Periodic Review is a new process undertaken by the United Nations Human Rights Council. It involves review of the human rights records of all 192 Member States once every four years. The ultimate aim of the Review is to improve the human rights situation in all countries and address human rights violations wherever they occur. Commission President, Catherine Branson discusses the process and its implications for Australia and other countries around the world, with Disability and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes.
Go to www.humanrights.gov.au/podcasts for audios and transcripts of all Pod Rights.
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/about/media/
