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ALHR Newsletters → 2010 → September → 07
ALHR - Post Federal-Election Blues? Check out what's on this week in Vic
07/09/2010
Greetings all
The end of the Federal election does not mean the end of human rights; ALHR will be making sure they remain on top of Australia's political agenda.
This update includes a number of upcoming Victorian events and a few reminders:
1. Victorian Women Lawyers - 2010 Lesbia Harford Oration - Do We Measure Up? Protecting Womens Rights in Australia;
2. Castan Centre for Human Rights - Victorian State Election Human Rights Forum;
3. PEN Melbourne - An Open Conversation with Feith Cetin;
4. Amnesty International Australia - Defend Three Freedoms in Burma Event;
5. HRLRC Seminar - The Sacred and the Secular: The Same-Sex Marriage Case with Albie Sachs;
6. Reminder - United Nations of Australia Media Peace Award;
7. Reminder - Project Respect The Kids Are All Right Movie Fundraiser;
8. Reminder - ALHR and Aussies Against Capital Punishment End Capital Punishment Day Dinner.
1. Victorian Women Lawyers - 2010 Lesbia Harford Oration - Do We Measure Up Protecting Womens Rights in Australia?
Victorian Women Lawyers (VWL) and PILCH invites you to the 2010 Lesbia Harford Oration this Wednesday, 8 September 2010.
Lesbia Harford is recognised as a pioneer of women in the legal profession and was a champion of workers rights. The Lesbia Harford Oration honours Lesbia's achievements with a presentation by eminent speakers on issues of importance for women. Join Dr Cassandra Goldie (ACOSS), Prof Andrew Byrnes (University of NSW), Michelle Deshong (CEDAW NGO delegate), and Sally Moyle (Office for Women) as they explore whether or not Australia is meeting its domestic and international obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill womens rights.
The panel discussion will be informed by the reviews of Australias human rights obligations by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Human Rights Council.
The Oration will be presented in question and answer format with Simone Cusack of PILCH moderating the discussion.
Panelists will take questions from the floor and on notice. Therefore, if you have a particular question for our panel, please let the panel know.
* Where: Blake Dawson Waldron, Level 26, 181 William Street, Melbourne;
* When: Wednesday, 8 September 2010; 6.00 - 8.00 pm;
* Cost: Free for VWL Members; $20 for non-members (includes drinks and canapes);
* To register, email [email protected]; telephone (03) 9607 9390; or fax: (03) 9607 9404.
2. Castan Centre for Human Rights Victorian State Election Human Rights Forum
This Thursday, 9 September 2010, the Castan Centre for Human Rights is hosting a free forum in the lead up to the Victorian State election on 27 November 2010.
Representatives of the Liberal Party and the Greens will answer questions from Damien Carrick (presenter The Law Report, ABC Radio National) about their parties policies that impact on human rights.
Participants include: Robert Clark MP, Shadow Victorian Attorney-General and Liberal Member for the State seat of Box Hill; Brian Walters SC, Greens candidate for the State seat of Melbourne.
Attorney-General Rob Hulls MP was invited to attend but withdrew due to other commitments. The Government declined to nominate an alternative to represent the Labor Party.
The event is free and open to the public, but spaces are limited so RSVP is essential.
* When: Thursday, 9 September 2010; 6.00 - 7.00 pm;
* Where: Telstra Corporate Centre Theatrette, Level 1, 242 Exhibition Street, Melbourne;
* RSVP: by email to [email protected], or telephone Janice Hugo on (03) 9905 3327.
3. PEN Melbourne - An Open Conversation with Fethiye Cetin
This Sunday, 12 September 2010, Melbourne PEN warmly invites you to attend and participate in reflection and conversation in small groups, with one another, and with Fethiye Cetin.
About Fethiye Cetin:
Cetin discovered that her Turkish Muslim grandmother was born an Armenian Christian and was a child survivor of the Armenian genocide in 1915. She was forcibly taken by the Turkish gendarme captain who went on to adopt her. Cetin will reflect on her grandmothers story and what it means in her life and in her work as a writer and human rights lawyer in Turkey.
Cetin will also talk about her work as lawyer for Hrant Dink during his life and after his murder. Dink was a Turkish-Armenian journalist, human rights campaigner and editor-inchief of the bi-lingual Agos newspaper in Istanbul. He was assassinated in Istanbul on 19 January 2007.
Dink is one of the 50 emblematic cases in International PENs campaign Because Writers Speak Their Mind - acknowledging 50 years of advocacy of the Writers in Prison Committee.
Cetin's story will resonate with all Australians concerned for human rights and committed to the power of telling and sharing stories as a basis for understanding and justice.
Facilitated by Arnold Zable and Jackie Mansourian.
* When: Sunday, 12 September 2010; 6.30 - 8.30 pm;
* Where: Auditorium, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne;
* Attendance is free. However, donations are welcome and will be given to the Hrant Dink Foundation;
* Contact/RSVP: [email protected].
4. Amnesty International Australia Defend Three Freedoms in Burma Event
Amnesty International Australia (AIA) are holding an event to mark the anniversary of the arrest of two political prisoners that are the Inner South Group's case files: Myo Min Zaw and Ko Aye Aung. AIA will also be holding a debate about the wider implications of the upcoming Victorian State election on all prisoners of conscience and the political situation in Burma in general.
Speakers include: Garry Woodard, former Australian Ambassador to Burma; Myint Myint San, Burmese refugee and spokesperson for Burma Campaign Australia.
* When: Tuesday, 14 September 2010; 6.30 - 8.30 pm;
* Where: 40 Grattan Street, Prahran, VIC 3181;
* RSVP by 10 September 2010;
* Contact: [email protected], or call Emily on 0431 423 442.
5. Reminder: Human Rights Law Resource Centre The Sacred and the Secular: The Same-Sex Marriage Case Seminar with Justice Albie Sachs, former Judge of South African Constitutional Court
The Human Rights Law Resource Centre presents The Sacred and the Secular: The Same-Sex Marriages Case with Albie Sachs, Former Judge of the South African Constitutional Court.
* When: Monday, 20 September 2010; 5.45 for 6.00 pm;
* Where: DLA Phillips Fox, Level 21, 140 William Street, Melbourne;
* Cost: $30 Full; $15 concession/full-time student;
* RSVP: By 13 September 2010 (numbers are limited).
About Albie Sachs:
Albie Sachs was appointed by Nelson Mandela as an inaugural judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, from which he retired in 2009. Sachs was a member of the National Executive of the ANC and played a crucial role in South Africas transition to democracy, including through the drafting of the South African Bill of Rights.
In 1988, while in exile in Mozambique, Sachs was badly injured by a car bomb placed by South African security agents, losing an arm and the sight of an eye.
As a judge of the Constitutional Court, Sachs was responsible for many landmark human rights judgments, including in relation to equality, non-discrimination and social and economic rights.
In 1991, Sachs won the Alan Paton Award for his book Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter. Sachs is also author of Justice in South Africa (1974), The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs (1966), Sexism and the Law (1979) and The Free Diary of Albie Sachs (2004). Sachs most recent book, The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law, will be launched at this seminar.
Albie Sachs is visiting Australia to deliver the University of New South Wales Law Faculty Annual Hal Wootten Lecture.
6. Reminder - United Nations of Australia Media Peace Award
Journalists, producers and photojournalists whose works address human rights, social justice and humanitarian issues are encouraged to nominate now for the 2010 United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) Media Peace Awards.
The Major Award categories include:
- Best Print: News; Feature;
- Best Television (sponsored by SBS): News;
- Current Affairs; and Feature/Documentary;
- Best Online;
- Best Radio; and
- Best Photojournalism.
There are also the following Special Award Categories:
- Promotion of Aboriginal Reconciliation (Sponsored by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs);
- Promotion of Multicultural Issues (Sponsored by the Victorian Multicultural Commission & Australian Multicultural Foundation);
- Increasing Awareness and Understanding of Women's Rights and Issues (Sponsored by the Office of Women's Policy);
- Promotion of Positive images of the Older Person (Sponsored by the Office of Senior Victorians);
- Increasing Awareness and Understanding of Children's Rights and Issues (Sponsored by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development).
Winners of the 2010 Media Peace Awards will be announced at an Awards Presentation Dinner at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne, on Friday 22 October 2010. All are invited to attend this event to celebrate the outstanding achievements of this years winners and finalists.
* The deadline for entries is 5.00pm, this Friday, 10 September 2010;
* For information and entry forms, telephone Catherine Sutherland on (03) 9670 7878, or email [email protected].
7. Reminder - Project Respect The Kids Are All Right Movie Fundraiser
Want to see a film that will make you laugh til you cry and feel good about supporting a great cause at the same time? If so, Project Respect invites you to join it at 6.30pm next Wednesday, 15 September for free nibbles and drinks at bar prices, followed by a fundraiser screening of 'The Kids Are All Right' at 7.00 pm.
Note: Tickets cannot be purchased on the night and must be pre-purchased. Cost is $25 Full price; $18 concession. You can purchase tickets three ways:
(1) Over the phone using a credit card by calling Project Respect on (03) 9416 3401;
(2) By attending Project Respect's offices in person at 126 Moore Street, Fitzroy;
(3) By electronic transfer directly into Project Respect's bank account. If you choose this option, please include your full name and the word 'Film'. Please also email [email protected] to let Project Respect know you've done this and confirm ticket numbers. Tickets can then be collected from Project Respect on the night.
Project Respects bank details are:
- Bank: Fitzroy and Carlton Community Credit Co-op;
- BSB: 803226;
- A/c No: 5531 (four digits only).
* When: Wednesday, 14 September 2010; 6.30 for 7.00;
* Where: Nova Cinemas, Carlton;
* Contact: Project Respect on (03) 9416 3401, or by email to [email protected].
8. Reminder - ALHR and Aussies Against Capital Punishment End Capital Punishment Day Dinner
A quick reminder that the Qld Committee of ALHR has combined with Aussies Against Capital Punishment (AACP) to bring David Marr to Brisbane for World Day Against the Death Penalty. David will speak at a dinner jointly hosted by ALHR and AACP at the Rydges South Bank Hotel, 9 Glenelg Street, Brisbane on 8 October 2010.
AACP was set up by Lee and Chris Rush, the parents of Australian, Scott Rush, who is facing capital punishment in Indonesia.
The evening will provide an excellent forum and opportunity to network with other ALHR members and professionals who are active and interested in human rights law and practise.
* For tickets and information email Jaime Nuich at [email protected], or Riley Power at [email protected].
Remember to keep checking our website (www.alhr.asn.au) for regular updates on upcoming events and activities.
Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to play a more active role in ALHR.
Yours always in human rights
Lily Tsen (0414 77 5167, [email protected]) and Mandy Lister (0407 023 053, [email protected])
[Victorian Co-Convenors]
The end of the Federal election does not mean the end of human rights; ALHR will be making sure they remain on top of Australia's political agenda.
This update includes a number of upcoming Victorian events and a few reminders:
1. Victorian Women Lawyers - 2010 Lesbia Harford Oration - Do We Measure Up? Protecting Womens Rights in Australia;
2. Castan Centre for Human Rights - Victorian State Election Human Rights Forum;
3. PEN Melbourne - An Open Conversation with Feith Cetin;
4. Amnesty International Australia - Defend Three Freedoms in Burma Event;
5. HRLRC Seminar - The Sacred and the Secular: The Same-Sex Marriage Case with Albie Sachs;
6. Reminder - United Nations of Australia Media Peace Award;
7. Reminder - Project Respect The Kids Are All Right Movie Fundraiser;
8. Reminder - ALHR and Aussies Against Capital Punishment End Capital Punishment Day Dinner.
1. Victorian Women Lawyers - 2010 Lesbia Harford Oration - Do We Measure Up Protecting Womens Rights in Australia?
Victorian Women Lawyers (VWL) and PILCH invites you to the 2010 Lesbia Harford Oration this Wednesday, 8 September 2010.
Lesbia Harford is recognised as a pioneer of women in the legal profession and was a champion of workers rights. The Lesbia Harford Oration honours Lesbia's achievements with a presentation by eminent speakers on issues of importance for women. Join Dr Cassandra Goldie (ACOSS), Prof Andrew Byrnes (University of NSW), Michelle Deshong (CEDAW NGO delegate), and Sally Moyle (Office for Women) as they explore whether or not Australia is meeting its domestic and international obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill womens rights.
The panel discussion will be informed by the reviews of Australias human rights obligations by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Human Rights Council.
The Oration will be presented in question and answer format with Simone Cusack of PILCH moderating the discussion.
Panelists will take questions from the floor and on notice. Therefore, if you have a particular question for our panel, please let the panel know.
* Where: Blake Dawson Waldron, Level 26, 181 William Street, Melbourne;
* When: Wednesday, 8 September 2010; 6.00 - 8.00 pm;
* Cost: Free for VWL Members; $20 for non-members (includes drinks and canapes);
* To register, email [email protected]; telephone (03) 9607 9390; or fax: (03) 9607 9404.
2. Castan Centre for Human Rights Victorian State Election Human Rights Forum
This Thursday, 9 September 2010, the Castan Centre for Human Rights is hosting a free forum in the lead up to the Victorian State election on 27 November 2010.
Representatives of the Liberal Party and the Greens will answer questions from Damien Carrick (presenter The Law Report, ABC Radio National) about their parties policies that impact on human rights.
Participants include: Robert Clark MP, Shadow Victorian Attorney-General and Liberal Member for the State seat of Box Hill; Brian Walters SC, Greens candidate for the State seat of Melbourne.
Attorney-General Rob Hulls MP was invited to attend but withdrew due to other commitments. The Government declined to nominate an alternative to represent the Labor Party.
The event is free and open to the public, but spaces are limited so RSVP is essential.
* When: Thursday, 9 September 2010; 6.00 - 7.00 pm;
* Where: Telstra Corporate Centre Theatrette, Level 1, 242 Exhibition Street, Melbourne;
* RSVP: by email to [email protected], or telephone Janice Hugo on (03) 9905 3327.
3. PEN Melbourne - An Open Conversation with Fethiye Cetin
This Sunday, 12 September 2010, Melbourne PEN warmly invites you to attend and participate in reflection and conversation in small groups, with one another, and with Fethiye Cetin.
About Fethiye Cetin:
Cetin discovered that her Turkish Muslim grandmother was born an Armenian Christian and was a child survivor of the Armenian genocide in 1915. She was forcibly taken by the Turkish gendarme captain who went on to adopt her. Cetin will reflect on her grandmothers story and what it means in her life and in her work as a writer and human rights lawyer in Turkey.
Cetin will also talk about her work as lawyer for Hrant Dink during his life and after his murder. Dink was a Turkish-Armenian journalist, human rights campaigner and editor-inchief of the bi-lingual Agos newspaper in Istanbul. He was assassinated in Istanbul on 19 January 2007.
Dink is one of the 50 emblematic cases in International PENs campaign Because Writers Speak Their Mind - acknowledging 50 years of advocacy of the Writers in Prison Committee.
Cetin's story will resonate with all Australians concerned for human rights and committed to the power of telling and sharing stories as a basis for understanding and justice.
Facilitated by Arnold Zable and Jackie Mansourian.
* When: Sunday, 12 September 2010; 6.30 - 8.30 pm;
* Where: Auditorium, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne;
* Attendance is free. However, donations are welcome and will be given to the Hrant Dink Foundation;
* Contact/RSVP: [email protected].
4. Amnesty International Australia Defend Three Freedoms in Burma Event
Amnesty International Australia (AIA) are holding an event to mark the anniversary of the arrest of two political prisoners that are the Inner South Group's case files: Myo Min Zaw and Ko Aye Aung. AIA will also be holding a debate about the wider implications of the upcoming Victorian State election on all prisoners of conscience and the political situation in Burma in general.
Speakers include: Garry Woodard, former Australian Ambassador to Burma; Myint Myint San, Burmese refugee and spokesperson for Burma Campaign Australia.
* When: Tuesday, 14 September 2010; 6.30 - 8.30 pm;
* Where: 40 Grattan Street, Prahran, VIC 3181;
* RSVP by 10 September 2010;
* Contact: [email protected], or call Emily on 0431 423 442.
5. Reminder: Human Rights Law Resource Centre The Sacred and the Secular: The Same-Sex Marriage Case Seminar with Justice Albie Sachs, former Judge of South African Constitutional Court
The Human Rights Law Resource Centre presents The Sacred and the Secular: The Same-Sex Marriages Case with Albie Sachs, Former Judge of the South African Constitutional Court.
* When: Monday, 20 September 2010; 5.45 for 6.00 pm;
* Where: DLA Phillips Fox, Level 21, 140 William Street, Melbourne;
* Cost: $30 Full; $15 concession/full-time student;
* RSVP: By 13 September 2010 (numbers are limited).
About Albie Sachs:
Albie Sachs was appointed by Nelson Mandela as an inaugural judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, from which he retired in 2009. Sachs was a member of the National Executive of the ANC and played a crucial role in South Africas transition to democracy, including through the drafting of the South African Bill of Rights.
In 1988, while in exile in Mozambique, Sachs was badly injured by a car bomb placed by South African security agents, losing an arm and the sight of an eye.
As a judge of the Constitutional Court, Sachs was responsible for many landmark human rights judgments, including in relation to equality, non-discrimination and social and economic rights.
In 1991, Sachs won the Alan Paton Award for his book Soft Vengeance of a Freedom Fighter. Sachs is also author of Justice in South Africa (1974), The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs (1966), Sexism and the Law (1979) and The Free Diary of Albie Sachs (2004). Sachs most recent book, The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law, will be launched at this seminar.
Albie Sachs is visiting Australia to deliver the University of New South Wales Law Faculty Annual Hal Wootten Lecture.
6. Reminder - United Nations of Australia Media Peace Award
Journalists, producers and photojournalists whose works address human rights, social justice and humanitarian issues are encouraged to nominate now for the 2010 United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA) Media Peace Awards.
The Major Award categories include:
- Best Print: News; Feature;
- Best Television (sponsored by SBS): News;
- Current Affairs; and Feature/Documentary;
- Best Online;
- Best Radio; and
- Best Photojournalism.
There are also the following Special Award Categories:
- Promotion of Aboriginal Reconciliation (Sponsored by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs);
- Promotion of Multicultural Issues (Sponsored by the Victorian Multicultural Commission & Australian Multicultural Foundation);
- Increasing Awareness and Understanding of Women's Rights and Issues (Sponsored by the Office of Women's Policy);
- Promotion of Positive images of the Older Person (Sponsored by the Office of Senior Victorians);
- Increasing Awareness and Understanding of Children's Rights and Issues (Sponsored by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development).
Winners of the 2010 Media Peace Awards will be announced at an Awards Presentation Dinner at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne, on Friday 22 October 2010. All are invited to attend this event to celebrate the outstanding achievements of this years winners and finalists.
* The deadline for entries is 5.00pm, this Friday, 10 September 2010;
* For information and entry forms, telephone Catherine Sutherland on (03) 9670 7878, or email [email protected].
7. Reminder - Project Respect The Kids Are All Right Movie Fundraiser
Want to see a film that will make you laugh til you cry and feel good about supporting a great cause at the same time? If so, Project Respect invites you to join it at 6.30pm next Wednesday, 15 September for free nibbles and drinks at bar prices, followed by a fundraiser screening of 'The Kids Are All Right' at 7.00 pm.
Note: Tickets cannot be purchased on the night and must be pre-purchased. Cost is $25 Full price; $18 concession. You can purchase tickets three ways:
(1) Over the phone using a credit card by calling Project Respect on (03) 9416 3401;
(2) By attending Project Respect's offices in person at 126 Moore Street, Fitzroy;
(3) By electronic transfer directly into Project Respect's bank account. If you choose this option, please include your full name and the word 'Film'. Please also email [email protected] to let Project Respect know you've done this and confirm ticket numbers. Tickets can then be collected from Project Respect on the night.
Project Respects bank details are:
- Bank: Fitzroy and Carlton Community Credit Co-op;
- BSB: 803226;
- A/c No: 5531 (four digits only).
* When: Wednesday, 14 September 2010; 6.30 for 7.00;
* Where: Nova Cinemas, Carlton;
* Contact: Project Respect on (03) 9416 3401, or by email to [email protected].
8. Reminder - ALHR and Aussies Against Capital Punishment End Capital Punishment Day Dinner
A quick reminder that the Qld Committee of ALHR has combined with Aussies Against Capital Punishment (AACP) to bring David Marr to Brisbane for World Day Against the Death Penalty. David will speak at a dinner jointly hosted by ALHR and AACP at the Rydges South Bank Hotel, 9 Glenelg Street, Brisbane on 8 October 2010.
AACP was set up by Lee and Chris Rush, the parents of Australian, Scott Rush, who is facing capital punishment in Indonesia.
The evening will provide an excellent forum and opportunity to network with other ALHR members and professionals who are active and interested in human rights law and practise.
* For tickets and information email Jaime Nuich at [email protected], or Riley Power at [email protected].
Remember to keep checking our website (www.alhr.asn.au) for regular updates on upcoming events and activities.
Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to play a more active role in ALHR.
Yours always in human rights
Lily Tsen (0414 77 5167, [email protected]) and Mandy Lister (0407 023 053, [email protected])
[Victorian Co-Convenors]