Women

UN expert on trafficking in persons concludes first fact-finding mission to Australia (1 Dec 2011)

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, has concluded her country visit to Australia. Ms Ezeilo conducted her official visit from 17 to 30 November to examine the situation of trafficked individuals and anti-trafficking measures in the country. Ms Ezeilo is an independent expert mandated by [...]

Torture and Ill-Treatment: UN Committee against Torture review of Australia (12 Nov 2011)

Australia is scheduled to be reviewed by the UN Committee against Torture for its compliance with the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 2012-13. This page contains a summary of the HRLC’s key activities and developments in relation to this review.   HRLC outlines further issues for Australia [...]

Briefing Paper on Australia for UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons (9 Nov 2011)

The UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially in women and children, is scheduled to undertake a country mission to Australia in November 2011. In preparation for that mission, and at the request of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Human Rights Law Centre and Anti-Slavery Australia prepared a [...]

Protecting women and children from domestic violence (13 Sept 2011)

The Human Rights Law Centre has made a submission on proposed Victorian laws that would require adults who have custody or care for a child to take action if they believe the child is being abused (‘failure to protect laws’). The Centre is concerned about the impact of the proposed laws on women and children [...]

Government strengthens focus on human rights in Australia’s aid program but rejects a human rights-based approach to development (6 July 2011)

On 6 July 2011, the Foreign Minister announced a comprehensive new strategy for Australia’s aid and development program. The strategy was developed in response to the report of a major independent review of the effectiveness and efficiency of Australia’s program. Launching the strategy, Minister Rudd outlined that “the fundamental purpose of Australian aid is to [...]

Australia has Legal Obligation to Implement Key Human Rights Reforms (1 April 2011)

The Australian Government has a legal obligation to implement key human rights reforms, according to a new submission from the Human Rights Law Centre [submission and annexure]. The submission to the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department considers each of 145 recommendations made to Australia by the international community during Australia’s Universal Periodic Review before the UN Human [...]

Human Rights and Australian Foreign Policy: Recommendations for the Foreign Minister (29 March 2011)

On 24 March 2011, an NGO delegation comprising the Human Rights Law Centre, Amnesty International Australia, the Australian Council for International Development, the Australian Forum of Human Rights Organisations and the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action, met with the Foreign Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, to discuss human rights and Australian foreign policy. [...]

Women’s Rights: Submission to UN CESCR on Draft General Comment on Sexual and Reproductive Health (11 Nov 2010)

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is drafting a general comment on the right to sexual and reproductive health and has invited organisations to submit written contributions on this issue.  On 8 November 2010, the Human Rights Law Resource Centre made a Submission to UN CESCR on the Right to Sexual and Reproductive [...]

Gender and Age Equality: Submission to Inquiry into the Sex and Age Discrimination Legislation Amendment Bill (26 Oct 2010)

On 26 October 2010, the Human Rights Law Resource Centre made a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into the provisions of the Sex and Age Discrimination Legislation Amendment Bill 2010: Submission to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee dated 26 October 2010 Attachment A – Policy Paper on Promoting Equality [...]

Women’s Rights: Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women releases Concluding Observations on Australia (19 August 2010)

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has released its Concluding Observations following a review of Australia’s compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).     The Committee comments on a number of positive developments in Australia and welcomes the enactment of the Paid Parental [...]

Universal Periodic Review: Joint NGO Report on Australia (12 July 2010)

Australia is to be reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council through the Universal Periodic Review process in January 2011. A coalition of 68 NGOs - coordinated by the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, Kingsford Legal Centre and the National Association of Community Legal Centres - has submitted a 5 page Report to the UN Human Rights Council [...]

ICCPR: Update on Australia to Human Rights Committee (7 July 2010)

On 2 April 2009, the UN Human Rights Committee adopted Concluding Observations in respect of Australia’s compliance with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. On 6 July 2010, the Human Rights Law Resource Centre made a Follow-Up Submission on Implementation of the Human Rights Committee’s Concluding Observations on Australia.  The submission [...]

Women’s Rights: Submission on Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace (Oct 2009)

Earlier this year the Federal Minister for the Status of Women announced a Review of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace and Agency (EOWA) and its underlying legislation (EOWW Act).  The review comes at a time when indicators show a decline in women’s workplace equality.    Currently, only 8.3% of Board Directorships are held [...]

Women’s Rights: Australia Should Ratify OP-CEDAW – JSCOT Submission (Sept 2008)

The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was tabled in parliament on 26 August 2008. In our September 2008 Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, the Human Rights Law Resource Centre unreservedly supported Australia’s accession to the Optional Protocol.  In addition, the HRLRC emphasised [...]

Women’s Rights: Submission to Senate Review of Sex Discrimination Act (Aug 2008)

On 26 June 2008, the Senate referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee the matter of the effectiveness of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SDA) in eliminating discrimination and promoting gender equality. The Centre’s submission focuses on the extent to which the SDA implements the non-discrimination obligations contained in international human rights law. [...]

Women’s Rights: Submission to National Interest Analysis on Ratification of OP-CEDAW (June 2008)

In June 2008, the Human Rights Law Resource Centre made a Submission regarding Australia’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Optional Protocol). Australia has been a party to CEDAW since 1983.  CEDAW codifies women’s right to non-discrimination and equality with men. The Optional [...]

Women’s Rights: Family Violence Reforms (Oct 2007)

In conjunction with the Mallesons Human Rights Law Group, in Octover 2007 the Centre assisted the Federation of Community Legal Centres (Vic) to make a Submission to the Victorian Government regarding the draft Family Violence Bill 2007, which provides for the making of interim and final family violence orders. The submission recommends that the draft [...]