Edmund Rice Justice Bulletin

With the increased fear of terrorism in recent years there is a concern that some fundamental rights of Australians are being eroded. Whilst recognizing the need to amend laws in the face of new and perceived threats, widespread unease exists in relation to the apparent disregard of the rights of some marginalized individuals and groups The continued detention of two Australians without charge in Guantanamo Bay is an example.

The Catholic Commission for Justice Development and Peace believes that there is an urgent need for the Australian community to recognize the plight of disadvantaged people and to demand that governments adhere to our universal rights, particularly regarding Australia's treatment of refugees and indigenous Australians, homeless people, people in poverty and people who have limited access to the law.

Accordingly the Commission has facilitated an annual audit which monitors Human Rights within Australia through the establishment of a register. The register takes individual reports from community legal centres, non-government organisations and the national media and analyses them in the light of the human rights conventions that Australia has ratified. The register can be accessed at the Archdiocese of Melbourne Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace website