Here are some of the top human rights new stories from the past week -
Australian government accused of hypocrisy over its position on Stern Hu trial in light of secrecy provisions in Australia’s national security legislation:
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/terrorcase-lawyer-attacks-government-20100325-qzvt.html
Declaration of Inconsistent Interpretation made by the Victorian Court of Appeal:
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/drugs-law-at-odds-with-rights-charter-judges-20100326-r084.html
Our law enforcers must be blind to race: up to 100 Victorian police officers under investigation over racist email:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/contributors/our-law-enforcers-must-be-blind-to-race-20100325-qyfe.html
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott softens on same-sex unions:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/abbott-softens-on-samesex-unions-20100325-qzvy.html
Leader of Close the Gap campaign says progress on reducing Indigenous disadvantage has been made in the past few years:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/25/2855520.htm
Immigration Minister Chris Evans says Opposition whips up community anxieties over asylum seekers, but he would not demonize refugees for political advantage:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/opposition-fearmongering-on-refugees-says-evans-20100325-qzvx.html
People smugglers might take advantage, but we have a responsibility to refugees:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/more-arrivals-inevitable-20100324-qwme.html
Human rights being trampled in Australia, says former WA premier Geoff Gallop:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/human-rights-being-trampled-in-australia-says-former-wa-premier-geoff-gallop/story-e6freonf-1225842505709
Rights response is this: the final say lies with the elected:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/legal-affairs/rights-response-is-this-the-final-say-lies-with-the-elected/story-e6frg97x-1225842554203
Parliament has last say on rights: a human rights act would preserve and strengthen Australia’s democratic institutions:
http://www.hrlrc.org.au/files/AFR-Parliament-Has-Last-Say-on-Rights.pdf
$1.2 million federal government funding for The Big Issue to employ up to 90 homeless, mentally ill and disadvantaged women in a ‘safe’ office environment:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/funds-boost-a-big-issue-for-magazine-20100325-qzwb.html
