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BACKGROUNDER:
All human beings are born free and equal in
dignity and rights. (Article 1 UNDHR)
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth
without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language,
religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property,
birth or other status. (Article 2 UNDHR)
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Civil
groups to challenge ASEAN leaders on human rights
Despite threats aired by the government that no group will be allowed to hold
rallies when the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) leaders meet
next week in Cebu City for their annual three-day summit, militant groups from
various Southeast Asian countries are to challenge regional leaders over human
rights where their "record is dismal." The
Daily Tribune,
2nd December 2006
Thousands flee Myanmar army attacks: rights group
Thousands
of civilians have been forced to flee their homes and trek for days
after attacks by the army in military-run Myanmar's
Karen state, Human Rights Watch said Thursday. The New York-based
watchdog said it had received reports that 200 people seeking refuge
from fighting had reached the Thai border, while 3,000 were still
making the dangerous journey, often without adequate food. The
News, 1st December 2006
Top UN human rights body to hold session on Darfur
The
United Nations' top human rights body agreed on Thursday
to hold a special session next month to investigate violations in
Sudan's Darfur region. The call for the meeting, to begin December
11 or 12, was backed by at least 28 of the 47 member states of the
Human Rights Council, which has focused heavily on the Arab-Israeli
conflict since it was created in May. Reuters
AlertNet,
30th November 2006
Archbishop Tutu to Lead UN Human Rights Investigation into
Gaza Killings
Former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond
Tutu, is set to lead a United Nations Human Rights Council fact-finding
mission into Israeli military operations in Gaza. The mission was
established following the killings of 19 Palestinian civilians in
the town of Beit Hanoun in early November. Christian
Today,
30th November 2006
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The Arts and Human Rights
Artist
and activist sometimes stand up against the establishment to say
what needs to be said in the name of humanity. Art communicates across
boundaries of geography, politics, gender and race. Human rights
too, cross all divides and belong to every individual on the planet.
Amnesty
Magazine, July-August 2006
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Linking Human Rights
and Development
"Human rights, governance and development
are intertwined. When policymakers promote equity (human rights
policies designed to ensure equality of opportunity and, to the
extent possible, avoid extreme inequalities in outcomes) they contribute
both to development and economic growth. Moreover, when policymakers
in the industrialised world mainstream human rights into their
development policies, they are ensuring that their human rights,
development and trade strategies are consistent and cost-effective." Susan
Ariel Aaronson TomPaine.com, 1st December 2006
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Faith Doing Justice
This recently
launched website offers a plain-English introduction to Catholic
teaching on issues of justice in society. You can start by exploring
key principles, particular issues, or what's on.
Subscribe to a free monthly electronic newsletter to keep up to date
on issues, activities and new resources. Join an email-based forum
to explore with others how Catholic Social Teaching can inform our
positions and actions.
www.faithdoingjustice.com.au/index.php
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God in Tibet
This week in Australia we mark Human Rights Week. One important
factor within human rights is religious freedom, and one country that
has received a lot of attention in regard to human rights is Tibet. This
film looks at the south-west corner of Tibet, known as the "roof-of-the-world".
Geographically isolated, a unique culture and tradition of Catholicism
has survived, exceptional to Buddhist Tibet and the present communist
rule.
Film screens on Catholic Church TV, Aurora
Channel, Foxtel Digital
at: 8:00 am on 11 December; 7:30 pm on 14 December; 1:30 am and 1:30
pm on 15 December; 1:30pm on 16 December. |
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"Where, after all, do universal
human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close
and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet
they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he
lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or
office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman,
and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without
discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have
little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold
them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger
world." Eleanor Roosevelt
PLEASE NOTE: LINKS TO EXTERNAL WEBSITES ARE NOT NECESSARILY
ENDORSED BY CARITAS AUSTRALIA.
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On behalf of all the staff at Caritas Australia, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting OzSpirit throughout the year, and wish you a safe and happy Christmas.
Anna Orchard – Co-ordinator OzSpirit |
Take Action:
Whoever you are, there is something you can do to stop
human rights abuses. Take action for human rights. Make your
actions count today.
Click here
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Philippines
Typhoon: Caritas Australia responds
Caritas Australia is accepting donations to assist those affected by Typhoon
Durian which hit the Philippines on Thursday night.
The typhoon caused rivers of mud and volcanic ash to flow into
central Philippine villages near Mayon volcano, burying houses
and blocking transportation routes. Flash flooding is also a problem,
as the typhoon drove rain and winds of up 160 kilometres per hour
across the region.
Bringing
Human Rights to the heart of Kenya: An interview with Scott
Martin
Australian born, but now living and working in Kenya, Scott
Martin has a love and passion for Kenyan people and the country
which overflows as he talks. It is a passion that he also carries
into his work which includes working with African partners to address
issues of justice and human rights.
World
AIDS Day 2006 - Living with Dignity
Today 40 million people live with HIV, the virus
that causes AIDS. 95% of those with HIV live in poor countries.
With appropriate nutrition, life saving ant-retro viral drug
(ARV therapy) and opportunities for work, they are able to
live a dignified life. Caritas Australia is providing dignity
to people affected by HIV/AIDS by providing food, ARVs and
work opportunities through 15 initiatives in 13 countries.
Peace is Possible: Caritas supports International Day
of Solidarity with Palestinian People
On this solemn day
of commemoration, our global Caritas Confederation seizes this opportunity
to express again our solidarity with the Palestinian people. We offer
our thoughts and prayers for a just and durable peace for all those
in the Holy Land - Palestinians,
Israelis, Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
PLEASE NOTE: LINKS TO EXTERNAL WEBSITES ARE NOT NECESSARILY ENDORSED BY CARITAS AUSTRALIA. |
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