Does Australia need a human rights act?

Australia is the only Western democracy that doesn’t have a national Human Rights Act, but this may be about to change.

Facebook’s stance on human rights

The news that Facebook would launch a corporate human rights policy and fund human rights defenders facing online threat is welcome, but while it is a step in the right direction, the context of the decision should be examined.

Russia and China’s assault on international human rights

Russia and China have waged a decade-long campaign to dismantle the global human rights order, setting an example which despots and aspiring dictators around the world are only too happy to follow.

Ending sexual violence as a weapon of war

The 2018 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege in recognition of their personal struggles to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.

It’s time to close the gap for good

Christine Craik, President of The Australian Association of Social Workers, calls for significant and immediate action to address the entrenched inequality and disadvantage faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on National Close the Gap Day.

Human rights and ASEAN – A letter to the Prime Minister

Human Rights Watch has joined the Australia-ASEAN summit debate with a detailed and worrying report on human rights violations across the Southeast Asian countries despite their growing wealth and this direct appeal to Australia’s Prime Minister.

The heartbreak behind Australia’s first gay marriage

While Queensland’s first gay wedding was tinged with tragedy as well as triumph, the state is making further changes to the law to accommodate diversity.

Australia can drive change on the Human Rights Council

Australia is taking its turn on the Human Rights Council and should use its position to provide leadership and achieve the goals it professes belief in.