Here is a selection of this week’s top Australian human rights news stories:
- A leading QC has raised concerns about the extent of CCTV surveillance and intrusions on privacy: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/being-watched-constantly-is-too-high-a-price-for-safety-20100704-zvqr.html
- A Federal Court ruling which overturned an extradition order for a suspected war criminal has been criticized by human rights groups: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/03/2943924.htm
- The Australian Government welcomes the establishment of UN Women, a new agency which will enhance global efforts to promote gender equality and empowerment: http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100703.html
- A number of Labor MPs have supported gay marriage equality, citing it as a matter of human rights and social justice: http://www.theage.com.au/national/labor-in-gay-marriage-clash-20100706-zz26.html
- The Government and the Opposition release new asylum seeker policies (http://www.theage.com.au/national/battle-lines-drawn-on-boats-20100706-zz1l.html and http://www.theage.com.au/national/gillard-in-retreat-on-timor-20100708-102ab.html), amidst concern that the proposed approaches are incompatible with fundamental human rights obligations: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/gillards-missing-the-boat-on-asylum-20100706-zyvb.html
- Media reports that 120 to 150 asylum seekers are being detained in a state of limbo because the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is unable to decide whether they are security threats raises concerns about the arbitrary powers held by ASIO: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2947513.htm
- A human rights-based approach to tackling homelessness would empower vulnerable people and address systemic problems: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2945277.htm
- The family of a 15 year old boy shot dead by police want to ensure that their privacy is respected, while concerns are raised about the appropriateness of police investigating police-related deaths: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/7925899/cassidys-family-try-to-suppress-details
