The January 2009 edition of the Human Rights Law Resource Centre Bulletin includes:

• An opinion piece by Andrew Hudson of Human Rights First on the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders  
• News about the UN Human Rights Committee’s forthcoming review of Australia, the adoption of an historic Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and a recent high-level meeting regarding human rights, climate change and the environment  
• Updates on a National Charters of Rights, including information about the National Human Rights Consultation, and a series of case studies released by the Centre on how Charters of Rights can address disadvantage and promote dignity
• Updates on the Victorian Charter of Rights, including the release of Department of Justice Guidelines on the Charter, the exemption of parole boards from the Charter, and an analysis of recent Statements of Compatibility 
• Victorian Charter case notes, including in relation to the operation of the interpretative provision (Court of Appeal), unreasonable delay in criminal proceedings (Supreme Court), equality and non-discrimination (VCAT) and eviction from public housing (VCAT)
  [Note: All Victorian case notes published in the Bulletin are also published on the Centre's searchable database within 5 days of publication of the Bulletin]
• Comparative law case notes on significant recent human rights decisions from the UK (scope of the right to life and positive obligation to protect lives of hospital patients; investigation of near deaths in custody; right to family life and protection of children; homelessness and discrimination) and the European Court of Human Rights (right to adequate health care in detention; DNA testing and the right to privacy; right to a fair trial and adequate access to pre-trial legal assistance)
  [Note: All comparative case notes published in the Bulletin are also published on the Centre's searchable database within 5 days of publication of the Bulletin]  
• Information about the Centre’s policy work, including in relation to Australia’s role in promoting human rights in the Asia-Pacific, ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and an overhaul of the Sex Discrimination Act  
• Updates on the Centre’s casework and litigation, including a victory for Victorians with autism, and improved care for children with acquired brain injuries  
• Details of forthcoming human rights seminars and events, including major HRLRC seminars for 2009  
• Information about useful human rights resources, including a new guide for business on human rights, and gift subscriptions to the Alternative Law Journal  
• Updates on major international human rights developments from our foreign correspondent in Geneva, Claire Mahon (Coordinator of the Project on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights)  
• ‘If I were Attorney-General’ by Dr Ben Saul, Director of the Sydney Centre for International and Global Law and Coordinator of the Master of International Law Program at Sydney Law School

Found in HRLRC E-Bulletin, Past Issues, Publications & Resources