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Rights and Freedoms

Human Rights and the War against Terrorism (2003)

"A system of tyranny, the most galling, the most horrible, the most undisguised in all its parts and attributes that has stained the page of history or disgraced the annals of the world." British Prime Minister William Pitt, 10 November 1797, speech to the House of Commons concerning France under the government of the Directory.

Category, Opinion
Rights and Freedoms

Human rights issues for young refugees and asylum seekers

The globalisation of the world economy, including much improved communication and transportation, has increased flows of people across borders. This includes the movement of children, both with their family and unaccompanied. Separated children crossing borders may be refugees, humanitarian asylum seekers, trafficked girls who will be forced to work as prostitutes, or simply children lost in the aftermath of war. So today, children can literally travel across the world undetected and unprotected. And Australia, as part of this global system, has its share of these children.

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Lawasia Conference

In the contemporary world, and particularly amongst developed economies, many of us believed that the culture of civil liberties, freedoms and non-discrimination are reasonably well established and these precepts have clear links to innovation, creativity and the broader concepts of economic productivity and a well functioning civil society. Indeed, I believe that many of us had come to accept and expect this to be the situation, and that conferences like the one we attend here today could be built on this very premise.

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Rural health: A human right for rural people: Chris Sidoti (1999)

Over the past year I have travelled to about 30 communities in all States and Territories from large regional cities like Cairns and Bunbury to small towns like Bourke and Peterborough, to remote communities like Papunya and Yuendumu. Wherever I have gone I've heard of the hard work and commitment of rural nurses in their local communities.

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Centrelink’s compliance program

1. Introduction The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee (the Committee) regarding its inquiry into ‘Centrelink’s compliance program’. This inquiry follows a previous report of the...

Category, Submission
Rights and Freedoms

GLBTI Human Rights Conference: Issues in the Asia Pacific Region

Many communities use sport as a way to build peer friendships, and enjoy favourite activities in an atmosphere which is safe and supportive. Some years ago- too many sadly- I enjoyed a bi-annual Australian cricket carnival played between teams of people who were blind or had low vision. This is exactly what is happening at these games, and I trust that the links and friendships built through the activities will be positive and long-standing ones, as they were for me.

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Children and the Law: Issues in the Asia Pacific Region

Salutation Firstly I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we stand and by so doing remind ourselves that Australia’s cultural traditions stretch back many thousands of years.

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Introducing human rights law: Chris Sidoti (1997)

International law deals with many matters of importance to everyday life: access to the water of rivers for navigation, irrigation and drinking; transport by sea and air; environmental protection; the arrest and extradition of those accused or convicted of crimes. International law provides protection in international life and locally.

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

"The rights of the child and international human rights law"

This morning I am going to talk to you about unaccompanied child migrants in the wider context of current world trends. In so doing, I have taken full account of the lessons to be learned from the experiences of the victims of British child migration schemes.

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Waverley Council's Refugee Week: Dr Sev Ozdowski (2002)

It is my pleasure to acknowledge the presence of Cr Paul Pearce, Mayor of Waverley, Councillors and staff of the Waverley Council, Mr Howard Glenn, National Director of Australians for Just Refugee Programs, our excellent performers and last but not least volunteers who have made tonight's celebrations possible. Ladies and Gentleman, all.

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Religious Freedom Bills second exposure draft

1. Introduction On 27 September 2019, the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) made a submission to the Attorney-General’s Department in relation to the first exposure draft of a package of three draft Bills that the Department described collectively as the ‘Religious Freedom Bills...

Category, Submission