Human rights
What does the Trump presidency mean for Women, Peace and Security?
During his inauguration speech this week, President Trump notably redefined American gender policy. Within a few breaths, he also said he would “sign an order to stop our warriors…
Melting ice caps reveals the scourge of colonialism
The 20th century was a century of great disruption. An extended history of rampant land grabs and transfers of wealth by European imperial powers under the colonial system came to…
Southeast Asia’s death penalty laws: The ultimate political game
In April 2015, Mary Jane Veloso was moved to Nusa Kambangan, a maximum security prison island in Indonesia. The plan had been to execute her by firing squad with other death row…
Australia’s chance to align global efforts against “hostage diplomacy”
Last week the Australian Senate’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade handed down its report into the wrongful detention of Australian citizens overseas. A…
The declining fortunes of Afghanistan’s women
More than three years after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the rights of women and girls have plummeted in the country. While the international community has watched the…
Succumbing to the parochialism of the present
Prominent US commentator Fareed Zakaria made a bold claim over the weekend. “Taken together”, he said, pointing to spiralling tensions in the Middle East, a raging war in Ukraine,…
The rights-based priority in relations with Bangladesh
On Thursday, the Australian government donated $1.8 million to aid Bangladesh in the recovery from widespread flooding. It’s been a challenging time for the South Asian nation –…
Maid in Australia: When international relations and industrial law collide
Australia has seen two extraordinary cases brought before the courts in recent months that have tested the limits of diplomatic immunity. This is not the cliché of foreign envoys…
Hostage diplomacy: Fresh ideas to end a modern blight
The dramatic 24-person prisoner swap between Russia, the United States and a number of other countries this month drew the world’s attention again to the vexing issue of so-called…
Bangladesh: Finding justice and reconciliation
The pledge by Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff General Waker-uz-Zaman to hold “a trial for every killing” was an unrealistic commitment when delivering a national address…