Seminars and Events
Increasing awareness of human rights strengthens and invigorates efforts for change. One of our most important programs is our annual series of public lectures, workshops and roundtables featuring experts from Australia and overseas. Papers, audio and video recordings of our public lectures are posted below.
2023
Talking about the Voice: A conversation without the noise
An informed and informative panel discussion about the issues surrounding the Voice to Parliament and the upcoming Referendum.
6 September 2023
Meet the author - Melissa Castan and Lynette Russell
Melissa Castan and Lynette Russell in conversation with Kim Rubenstein on their new book, Time to Listen. An Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
30 August 2023
ESJ Week: Looking beyond the Voice to Parliament Referendum
Join Rueben Berg, Co-Chair of the First People’s Assembly of Victoria, Professor Melissa Castan, Director, Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and other panellists for an informed discussion on the future of the Voice to Parliament and the referendum campaign.
15 August 2023
Monash Speaker Series: The Voice to Parliament
In recognition of this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’, Monash University invites you to be part of a discussion about the Voice to Parliament, including how it will affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and what it means for non-Indigenous Australians, the wider Australian community as a whole.
25 May 2023
The Castan Centre and King & Wood Mallesons Annual Lecture
The 2023 Castan Centre for Human Rights Law annual lecture in conjunction with King & Wood Mallesons will be presented with a keynote address by Adjunct Professor Muriel Bamblett Hon DLittSW AO on the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.
Please note: This is an in-person-only event. The presentation will not be recorded.
9 May 2023
Disability, Access to Justice and Accessible Legal Information
In this talk, Professor Rosie Harding will draw on qualitative empirical research interviews with disabled people, supporters, and health and social care professionals on their experiences of supporting everyday legally relevant decisions. A joint event hosted by the Australian Centre for Justice Innovation and the Castan Centre for Human Rights.
29 March 2023
2022
1 December 2022
There's never been a better time: Enhancing the protection of human rights in Australia
Prof Paula Gerber and Prof Michael Mintrom in a conversation with ABC Radio presenter, Paul Barclay about human rights in Australia
4 August 2022
Mabo+30: Contemporary Perspectives on Justice for Nations
Join the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law to recognise 30 years since the Mabo No 2 decision in the High Court of Australia
2 June 2022
2 June 2022
World Health Day 2022 webinar: No mental health without planetary health
This World Health Day, join Monash University and Beyond Blue as we explore the less-understood, but critical consequences of climate change, and what we can do to manage our mental health. Speakers include Grant Blashki, Jane Fisher, Melissa Castan and Fiona Charlson
7 April 2022
Beyond CEDAW's first four decades: Harnessing progress and countering regression
Join this International Women's Day webinar, hosted by the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law
8 March 2022
Public Law in the Classroom Workshop 2022
The workshop is organised by the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law at UNSW, the Public Law and Policy Research Unit at the University of Adelaide and the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University. The past seven workshops have been a great success, each attracting around 70 public law teachers from across the country and internationally.
10 February 2022
2021
The Castan Centre and King & Wood Mallesons Annual Lecture
Keynote address by The Hon. Justice Brian J Preston FRSN SC, Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales who will speak on 'Recent Trends in Climate Litigation and Human Rights'.
9 December 2021
Beyond Commercial Careers
The Public Interest Law Careers Guide is an online resource, and this free launch will be interactive, with the chance for you to hear from a panel of young professionals working in areas such as human rights and government.
5 October 2021
Australia's Legal Obligation to Protect Afghan Interpreters
Join this webinar on the treatment of Afghan interpreters and Australia's legal obligation to protect those who have helped Australia. This event is being co-hosted with the Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies and Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union
31 August 2021
The nature of conflict: Is International Law Working
Join this Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and the Centre for Gender, Peace and Security event focussing on Conflict and International Law
12 August 2021
Emerging Developments in Anti-Vilification and Hate Speech Law in Australia and New Zealand
This event is presented by the Castan Centre and the University of Auckland Centre for Human Rights Law
7 July 2021
Women and International Peace and Security in Afghanistan
Join the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and the Centre for Gender, Peace and Security event focussing on Women in Afghanistan
24 June 2021
The Human Rights of Older Persons in Aged Care
The Castan Centre is co-hosting this Monash Law Change Makers Thought Leadership Series event.
8 June 2021
Charting a better recovery
This webinar is a partnership of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and the Human Rights Law Centre
20 May 2021
The UN Commission on Human Rights: 'A Very Great Enterprise'
Book launch of Dr John Pace's book. Seminar Topic: Has the UN Human Rights Council lived up to the promise? Is it time to move on?'
18 May 2021
Closing the Gap
Our distinguished Monash panelists will join Professor Jacinta Elston, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), to discuss the Closing the Gap targets and the progress being made to date.
18 March 2021
Report Launch: Migrant precariousness in the time of COVID-19
During this launch, the authors of the report will discuss the significance of the sudden economic and social crisis, the vulnerabilities of migrants in the labour market and the need for policy responses that both recognise Australia’s human rights obligations and target the intersecting causes of migrants’ precariousness.
16 February 2021
2020
Launch of the Castan Centre's report 'Use of Force in Detention and Other Closed Environments'
A panel of experts from various sectors where use of force is applied, who will discuss the report's findings from the perspective of their respective sectors. Panellists include Deborah Glass OBE, Victorian Ombudsman
19 November 2020
Housing, Homelessness and Human Rights in Australia
This event is being presented by the Castan Centre and Better Governance and Policy of Monash University
9 November 2020
The Castan Centre and King & Wood Mallesons Annual Lecture
Keynote address by Professor Megan Davis, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous and Professor of Law at UNSW, and member of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Professor Davis will talk on a subject related to the human rights of Indigenous peoples
27 October 2020
Beyond Commercial Careers: Public Interest Law Career Guide Launch
The Public Interest Law Careers Guide is an online resource, and this free launch will be interactive, with the chance for you to hear from a panel of young professionals working in areas such as human rights and government.
9 September 2020
Protecting Rights in the Pandemic Seminar Series
Presented by the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and the Transnational Criminal Law Group, Monash Law, every Wednesday in July
1, 8, 15, 20 July
Book launch: Law Making and Human Rights
Join us in launching Law Making and Human Rights: Executive and Parliamentary Scrutiny Across Australian Jurisdictions, with speakers The Hon. Jill Hennessey MP, Attorney-General of Victoria and Professor the Hon. Marilyn Warren AC QC, Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Following Feeling: The Emotional Politics of LGBTI Rights and Law Reform
Public lecture with Dr Senthorun Raj of Keele University
11 March 2020
2019
2019 Castan Centre Annual Lecture - A journalist's defence of trial procedures
The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law / King & Wood Mallesons Annual Lecture, Louise Milligan, Journalist for Four Corners
11 December 2019
Lawless: A lawyer's unrelenting fight for justice in one of the world's most dangerous places
An author talk by Kimberley Motley
26 August 2019
The possibilities and limits of protest
A roundtable to launch the Monash University Law Review: Special Issue on the Law of Protest
20 August 2019
Apartheid guns and money: A tale of global profit
Public lecture with Hennie van Vuuren director of Open Secrets
21 May 2019
Social Norms, Soft Law, Hard Law: The Evolution of Business and Human Rights
Public lecture with John Ruggie, Berthold Beitz Professor in Human Rights and International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
30 April 2019
The UN Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities: the presumption of capacity and other implementation dilemmas
Round table event with Professor Gerard Quinn of National University of Ireland, co-hosted with Liberty Victoria and Deakin University
4 March 2019
2018
Building the Campaign for an Australian Charter of Human Rights
Panel event co-hosted with Human Rights Law Centre
10 December 2018
2018 Castan Centre Annual Lecture - The journal towards treaty
The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law / King & Wood Mallesons Annual Lecture, Jill Gallagher AO, Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner
4 October 2018
Keep kids out: Preventing detention of refugee and migrant children in Australia
Panel event co-hosted with End Child Detention Coalition Australia.
4 September 2018
Fundraising film event: RBG
Join us for this special screening that is an unashamed valentine to the legendary Ruth Badger Ginsburg, a justice of the US Supreme Court. With unprecedented access, the all female filmmakers explore how her early legal battles whilst working for the ACLU changed the course of history for women in America.
11 August 2018
Disability in Victorian Schools - Special Launch of a Landmark new report
You are invited to the launch of Improving Educational Outcomes for Children with Disability in Victoria, a new report by the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University. The report was funded with a grant from the Victorian Legal Services Board.
29 June 2018
Kenneth Roth - Addressing The Populist Challenge to Human Rights
Join Human Rights Watch’s executive director, Kenneth Roth, as he discusses standing up for human rights in the age of populist leaders. He will consider human rights under the Trump presidency, the ongoing violations of the laws of war in Syria and Yemen, and the global challenge of refugees and mass displacement, as well as Human Rights Watch’s work in Australia.
Christie Weeramantry Tribute
In this special event to honour the life of Emeritus Professor Christie Weeramantry AM, Professor Tony Anghie will delve into the themes of Christie’s jurisprudence and his larger vision of the world as they developed from his time as a lawyer and Judge in Sri Lanka, through his years at Monash University to his work on the International Court of Justice.
2017
Preventing abuse in detention with stronger monitoring
This panel of internationally renowned experts will look at the challenges facing Australia in the coming years. The event is a must for anyone working in or with any sector that may detain people.
2017 Castan Centre Annual Lecture - The UN Human Rights Council
Australia is likely to be elected soon to the UN Human Rights Council. What can Australia play on the Council and what problems will it confront?
David Coltart: The Struggle Continues - 50 Years of Struggle in Zimbabwe
The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and the Australian Academy of Law invite you to join David Coltart in his Melbourne book launch of: The struggle continues 50 years of tyranny in Zimbabwe.
Human Rights Translated 2.0
The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and the UN Global Compact Network Australia invite you to the launch of Human Rights Translated 2.0: A Business Reference Guide.
20 June 2017
American Indian Tribal Nations and the Transition from Obama to Trump
This event will explore the changing landscape of American Indian rights in the US from wins such as the Obama order to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline, to federal American Indian policy under Trump.
8 June 2017
Playing God: The Immigration Minister's Unrestrained Power
This event will explore the increase in the discretionary powers of the Immigration Minister, and the effect of such powers on the rights and freedoms of vulnerable peoples.
4 May 2017
7th Annual Human Rights Tertiary Teachers Workshop 2017
This workshop will bring together those engaged in teaching human rights in tertiary institutions around the country and from further afield, to share ideas about how teachers teach, and how students learn, in the area of human rights
14 February 2017
2016
Fundraising film event: Prison Songs
Prison Songs is a groundbreaking documentary that gives voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are impacted by the criminal justice system
24 November 2016
Literacy and Human Rights
This presentation seeks to establish the link between literacy and the ability of individuals and groups to protect their human and civil rights
12 October 2016
Peering through human rights-tinted glasses
The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law / King & Wood Mallesons Annual Lecture, Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
7 October 2016
Public interest law careers guide launch
The Progressive Law Careers Guide is an online resource, and this free launch will be interactive, with the chance for you to hear from a panel of young professionals working in areas such as human rights and government.
5 October 2016
Philippines' 'War on drugs'
Join Human Rights Watch Philippines Researcher, Carlos Conde, as he discusses the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines, and why the Philippines government should publicly denounce unlawful killings and reiterate support for the rule of law. This event is being co-hosted with Human Rights Watch
16 September 2016
Can human rights and mandated medical treatment co-exist?
This public event will examine the complicated issue of how, if at all, human rights considerations such as freedom, respect, equality and dignity could be upheld in situations where the law mandates intrusive and coercive medical treatment.
31 August 2016
The refugee, the person behind the mask: Human rights and security in the battering waves
Solon Solomon, King's College London Dickson Poon School of Law
5 July 2016
Fundraising film event: Chasing Asylum
Chasing Asylum exposes the real impact of Australia’s offshore detention policies and explores how 'The Lucky Country' became one where leaders choose detention over compassion and governments deprive the desperate of their basic human rights.
1 June 2016
An evening with Edward Snowden
Think Inc., in conjunction with the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law presents Edward Snowden
22 May 2016
US Migrant Interdiction and the Detention of Refugees in Guantanāmo Bay
Dr Azadeh Dastyari book launch
17 May 2016
Intimidation and repression in Uganda
Co-hosted with Human Rights Watch, Maria Burnett of Human Rights Watch and Nicholas Opiyo of Chapter Four Uganda
19 April 2016
Science: how do we ensure it helps us without harming us?
Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Professor Therese Murphy, Queen's University Belfast
9 March 2016
Maritime Boundaries in the Timor Sea: Perspectives in International Law
This one-day public seminar will examine the ongoing dispute over maritime boundaries between Australia and Timor-Leste. Panelists will include invited experts in international law, and representatives of the governments of Australia and Timor-Leste
15 February 2016
2015
Human Rights experts
29 October 2015
9 October 2015
3 September 2015
Professor Olivier De Schutter was the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food from 2008-2014. He is now a member of the UN Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, which monitors and supervises the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights 1966
23 June 2015
An evening with Dr Cornel West
Think Inc., in conjunction with the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law presents Dr Cornel West.
12 June 2015
Proof of Birth Book Launch
Melissa Canstan and Paula Gerber book launch.
28 May 2015
On the Front Line of Humanitarian Crises: Libya, Central Africa Republic and Syria
The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and Human Rights Watch presents Father Bernard Kinvi and Peter Bouckaert.
27 April 2015
Racialised Policing: from Ferguson to Flemington
The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and Flemington and Kensington Legal Centre presents the public forum.
25 March 2015
Rights in a Crowded Classroom
This panel event was co-hosted with the Australian Human Rights Commission
11 March 2015
"Addressing the Phenomenon of "Foreign fighters"
Andrew Clapham is Professor of Public International Law at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva.
5 February 2015
2014
Symposium on Australia Achieving Universal Birth Registration
The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, Plan International Australia and UNICEF Australia are delighted to invite you to this important symposium on Achieving Universal Birth Registration in Australia.
"Let people be who they are: LGBTI rights are human rights"
Professor Michael O'Flaherty has been the Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland, Galway since February 2013. Previously, he was Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission until November 2013.
20 November 2014
Prison Overcrowding and Human rights
The use of imprisonment always poses challenges for the protection of prisoners' human rights in prison. Come along to this event to hear the speakers talk about the current levels of overcrowding heighten those challenges and introduce new risks to prisoners.
6 November 2014
2014 Castan Centre Biannual Gala Dinner
The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law invites you to its biennial human rights gala. This dinner is a vital fundraiser for the Centre's many policy, public education and research programs. We hope that you will join us for a celebratory evening on Albert Park Lake with Australia's growing human rights community.
23 October 2014
Arthur, Martha and everyone else: equality now for intersex, trans and gender diverse people
Many hurdles remain for Australia's intersex, trans and gender diverse communities. Come along to this important event to hear about how some of these obstacles are being overcome, as well as the biggest ones that remain in the ongoing battle for true equality.
7 October 2014
'Nothing About Us Without Us': National Responses to the CRPD Six Years On
The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law / King & Wood Mallesons Annual Lecture Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Monash Law Faculty
Professor Emeritus Ron McCallum AO.
22 August 2014
Your Fatwa does not apply here: Untold stories from the fight against Muslim fundamentalism
Karima Bennoune is professor at the University of California, she has served on the Executive Council of the American Society of International Law and is a former Amnesty International Legal Adviser. Currently, she sits on the Board of the Network of Women Living Under Muslim Law.
28 May 2014
Afghanistan at a crossroads
As Afghanistan stands at a crossroads, what role should Australia play in promoting and protecting women's rights?
16 May 2014
Hate speech laws: What they should and shouldn't try to do
Professor Gavin Phillipson has held a Chair in Law at the University of Durham since January 2007 and is a qualified solicitor
23 April 2014
Being social: The human right against social deprivation
Kimberley Brownlee an Associate Professor of Legal and Moral Philosophy at the University of Warwick. Prior to this, she was a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester.
16 April 2014
A Special Castan Centre Event: Freedom Forum
This forum will look at what freedom means in Australia, how it can be better protected and whether existing laws really do limit our freedoms
9 April 2014
Surveillance and the Right to Privacy in a Digital Age
Kenneth Roth is the executive director of Human Rights Watch, one of the world's leading international human rights organizations, which operates in more than 90 countries.
2 April 2014
Enforced Disappearances in Asia: the case of Sombath Somphone
Shui Meng Ng, the wife of Sombath Somphone, will talk about Sombath Somphone, the man and his work, what could have caused his disappearance, and the impact this incident has on Lao society, and especially on Lao civil society development.
6 March 2014
2013
Human Rights and Business: Why human rights matter to successful businesses
Annual lecture by Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission
22 November 2013
Marriage equality in Australia. Where to from here?
The Hon. Adam Bandt MP, Federal Member for Melbourne and Rodney Croome, National Director of Australian Marriage Equality
24 October 2013
The Rights of Athletes
Brendan Schwab is the Director of International Player Relations
23 September 2013
Do we need a human rights body for the Asia-Pacific? Lessons from around the globe
Professor Dinah Shelton, Commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, George Washington University Law School
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
12 September 2013
Public Interest Law Careers Guide launch
The Public Interest Law Careers guide is an online resource funded by the Victoria Law Foundation, the guide presents dozens of Victorian organisations for you to consider, plus testimonials from people who've made a career in public interest law work. Speakers at the launch included Jill Prior, of Victoria Aboriginal Legal Service, Felicity Milner of Environment Defenders Office and Clare Bradin a legal and policy officer at the Supreme Court of Victoria
20 August 2013
The International Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Australian Leadership, Australian Research
Mr Noel Campbell is Assistant Secretary, International Organisations Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Dr Sharon Pickering is a Professor of Criminology and Australian Research Council Future Fellow on Border Policing at Monash University in Melbourne Australia. Dr Ronli Sifris is a lecturer at Monash University's Faculty of Law and an Associate of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law. Dr Lesley Pruitt is a McKenzie Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne
15 August 2013
Prisoners and Human Rights - the potential and the reality
Dr Kim Pate is the Executive Director of Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies and a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. Debbie Kilroy, is the CEO of Sisters Inside which is an independent community organization which advocates for the human rights of criminalized women. Dr Bronwyn Naylor is an Associate Professor in the Law Faculty at Monash University
8 August 2013
ASIO's Catch 22: Asylum in limbo
Matthew Albert is a Melbourne barrister who has represented a number of refugees and asylum seekers in the federal courts. Jane Dixon SC is the President of Liberty Victoria, one of Australia's leading civil liberties organisations. Dr Patrick Emerton is a Senior Lecturer in the Monash Faculty of Law and an Associate of the Castan Centre
17 June 2013
Sudan - 10 years after
Professor Alex Bellamy of Griffith University explores if the Australian government has a role in this crisis and if it can use its seat in the UN Security Council to keep Darfur high on the agenda and to pressure the Sudanese Government into stopping its human rights abuses against the people of Darfur, Nuba Mountains and the Blue Nile
30 May 2013
Forced Labour and Human Trafficking: the Criminalisation of Labour Exploitation
Jennifer Burn is director of Anti-Slavery Australia, an associate professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Technology, Sydney, lawyer and migration agent. Susan Kneebone is a leading internationally renowned scholar on human trafficking, forced migration and refugee law. Professor Kneebone has taken a leading role in introducing research on refugee law and human trafficking issues into her faculty
17 May 2013
Children's Ground: A model that could end inter-generational poverty in Australia
Rosemary Addis is a Social Innovation Strategist for the Ausralian Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations. Jane Vadiveloo is the Children's Ground founding CEO, which was established to model a new approach to working with communities experiencing the greatest disadvantage in Australia and globally.
19 March 2013
Rainbows in the Court Room. How the Law Can Protect Our Environment
David Ritter is the CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Australia and formerly one of Australia's leading native title lawyers.
12 March 2013
Seeking security: Refugee policy in a time of complexity and change
Associate Professor Harry Minas is the Director for the Centre for International Mental Health of the Melbourne School of Population Health at the University of Melbourne, and Alex Pagliaro is the refugee campaigner for Amnesty International Australia
13 February 2013
2012
Where Liberty Lies: Civil Society and Individual Rights in America's "War on Terror" after 9/11
Professor David Cole, Georgetown Law is a professor at Georgetown University Law Center, a volunteer attorney for the Center for Constitutional Rights, the legal affairs correspondent for The Nation, and a regular contributor to the New York Review of Books
18 December 2012
'The People Smuggler': Ali Al Jenabi - 'Villain or Hero'
Robin de Crespigny has spent three years working with Ali Al Jenabi to write his story. She is a film maker and lives in Sydney. 'The People Smuggler' is her first book
22 November 2012
2012 Castan Centre Dinner
This dinner is a vital fundraiser for the Centre's many policy, public education and research programs. The keynote speaker was Dan Mori, LtCol, US Marine Corps (Ret.) from Shine Lawyers, Melbourne.
25 October 2012
Symposium on Australia's Implementation of The Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
This symposium drew together experts to consider different dimensions of the United Nations Declaration, and its impact within the Australian legal and political landscape
21 September 2012
Paris Aristotle AM, member of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, on the Panel's report and its implications
Paris Aristotle discussed the report of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers in conversation with Michael Gordon, the National Affairs Editor of The Age
5 September 2012
Executive Supremacy? Are governments now more powerful than parliaments?
Governments must be accountable if citizens are to properly participate in democracy. Speakers of this forum discussed the increasing tendency of governments to act as though they are more powerful than the parliaments from which they are drawn in order to avoid publicly disclosing information
9 August 2012
The Success and Challenges of Transitional Justice in Sierra Leone
Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai presented on the political, sociological as well as legal successes and challenges of the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Special Court for Sierra Leone, he also discussed the ramifications of setting up those two mechanisms simultaneously and the financial implication of setting up the court
1 August 2012
The role of the right to food in combating global hungerProfessor Olivier De Schutter, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food
19 June 2012
The Legacy of the Mabo Case: Indigenous land justice in Australia
Professor Marcia Langton presented on the economic outcomes of Mabo, and Bryan Keon-Kohen presented on the legal ramifications of the case.
12 June 2012
The Impact of Mental Impairment Legislation for People with Cognitive Impairment: The Aboriginal Disability Justice Campaign
This forum explored the human rights and legal issues for people with a psychiatric disability and cognitive impairment (intellectual disability / acquired brain injury) who come before the courts and are assessed as having a mental impairment and then found unfit to plead.
30 May 2012
Human rights, protest and police surveillance: a forum on intelligence gathering and monitoring of public protest
This forum brings together experts in law, human rights and surveillance powers to collect and retain footage of peple at protests in relations to a 2010 climate change protest at Hazelwood Power Station in the Latrobe Valley
17 May 2012
Global Poverty Project - 1.4 Billion Reasons. This special presentation by the Global Poverty Project will explore the issue of extreme poverty, and the barriers we face in bringing about its end. It is recommended for anyone interested in learning more about ending extreme poverty in our lifetime.
1 May 2012
Symposium - Recent developments concerning the Convention on the Rights of the Child
This informative and thought-provoking event will bring together some of Australia's leading child rights advocates, academics and organisations. It will be an invaluable occasion for those working or studying in the area, as well as anyone with an interest in children's rights.
24 April 2012
Nonviolent resistance in the Middle EastDr Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics and International Studies, University of San Francisco
19 March 2012
The Relevance of the Convention Against Torture in Preventing and Redressing Violence Against Women
Claudio Grossman, Chair, United Nations Committee Against Torture and Fiona McCormack, CEO, Domestic Violence Victoria
22 February 2012
Aid and Accountability: Safeguarding Rights in High-Risk Development Projects
Bridges Across Borders Cambodia (BABC) will present the findings of its forthcoming report, DERAILED, A Study on the Resettlement Impacts of the Rehabilitation of the Cambodian Railway
13 February 2012
2011
Are States meeting their responsibilities to trafficked persons?
Annual Lecture by Ms Joy Ezeilo, United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
28 November 2011
Momcilovic v R: The High Court's Views on the Constitutionality and Operation of the Victorian Charter
Panelists James Stellios of ANU College of Law and Dr Julie Debeljak of the Castan Centre
10 October 2011
The High Court and Refugee Policy: Implications and International ComparisonsPanelists Dr Susan Kneebone, Maria O'Sullivan and Professor James Walter
14 September 2011
Religion and Society in Indonesia after the Cikeusik MurdersPanelists Professor Dr Dadang Kahmad, Professor Dr Asep Saepul Muhtadi and Mr Hendar Riyadi
29 August 2011
The Victorian Charter of Fundamental Rights: a case of inappropriate transplants?
Dr Angela Ward of the Bar Council, Law Library of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
18 August 2011
Victor's Justice: Selecting the Targets of International Tribunals
Professor William A. Schabas, Director Irish Centre for Human Rights and Chair in Human Rights Law, National University of Ireland, Galway
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
1 June 2011
Western Sahara: Living Dangerously Under Moroccan Occupation
Aicha Dahane is an International Officer of the Forum for the Future for Saharawi Women (Western Sahara). Dr Benjamin MacQueen is the Deputy Director of the Global Terrorism Research Centre at Monash University
10 May 2011
Perspectives on the International Intervention in Libya
Panelists Professor Donald R Rothwell, Associate Professor Gideon Boas and Jeff Sparrow.
20 April 2011
Will the Revolution be Tweeted? The Role of Social Media in Promoting and Protecting Human Rights
Panelists Sarah Joseph, Sam McLean, Jonathan Green and Alex Pagliaro discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of social media to promote and protect human rights
5 April 2011
Business and Human Rights at Home and Abroad: an Update on the Work of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Business and Human Rights
Vanessa Zimmerman, Legal Advisor to Professor John Ruggie the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Business and Human Rights
1 April 2011
International Humanitarian Law and the Young Lawyer
Career forum with students who undertook internships at international criminal tribunals
16 March 2011
Preying on the Poor: "Vulture Funds", Foreign Debt and Human Rights in Developing Countries
Dr Cephas Lumina is the UN Independent Expert on the Effects of Foreign Debt and other Related Financial Obligations on Human Rights
10 February 2011
2010
Money and Politics: Why it Matters to Human Rights
Dr Joo-Cheong Tham is a Senior Lecturer at the Melbourne Law School. Sam Mclean is the Communications and Campaigns Director at GetUp.org.au
4 November 2010
Victorian State Election Human Rights ForumHuman rights forum with Shadow Victorian Attorney-General and Liberal Member for the State seat of Box Hill Robert Clark MP and Greens candidate for the State seat of Melbourne Brian Walters SC. Moderated by Damien Carrick presenter of The Law Report on ABC Radio National
9 September 2010
A matter of leadership: the AFL on the field and in the community
Annual Lecture by Andrew Demetriou the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Football League
17 August 2010
The rise and rise of targeted assassinations, and the implications for international law
Professor Philip Alston is UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Special Adviser to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Millennium Development Goals
19 May 2010
Geeks versus gag orders: has censorship been privatised?
Julian Assange is an activist, journalist, and the editor of WikiLeaks.com13 May 2010
R v Momcilovic: Human Rights Victory or Individual Injustice?
Michael Croucher, a member of the Victorian Bar and represented Vera Momcilovic
28 April 2010
How gender can affect progress towards the UN's Millennium Development Goals
Nana Oye Lithur, Chief Executive Director, Human Rights Advocacy Centre, Gana
14 April
Human Rights in South Africa Today
George Bizos SC, one of South Africa's leading human rights lawyers
5 March 2010
Iran: Between the Sovereignty of God and Sovereignty of People
Professor Amin Saikal, Director, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University
17 February 2010
Out to Sea: Refugee Policy Under the Rudd Government
Jessie Taylor, Melbourne lawyer and refugee advocate
11 February 2010
2009
The ICJ in the contemporary world of Human Rights
Dame Rosalyn Higgins DBE QC, Retired President of the International Court of Justice
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
8 December
Indigenous Birth Registration and Birth Certificates Symposium
Organised by Dr Paula Gerber and Ms Melissa Castan
1 December 2009
A human rights roadmap: Has the constitutional protection of economic, social and cultural rights worked in South Africa?
Professor Hugh Corder, Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town
4 November
The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Can Australians learn from Maori experiences or are we following completely separate paths?
Nin Tomas, Auckland University
29 October
War reporting, international humanitarian law and the legacy of Balibo
Tony Maniaty, journalist, author and consultant on the movie Balibo
15 October
Native Title for Sale
David Ritter, Indigenous rights lawyer
21 September
Responding to Genocide
Annual Lecture by Justice Thomas Buergenthal
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
27 August
China's Treatment of its Uighur Minority
Ms Rebiya Kadeer, Leader of the World Uighur Congress
7 August
2008
What Does the US Election Signify?
Mr Waleed Aly, School of Political and Social Inquiry, Monash University.
18 November
How human are Indigenous people in human right discourse?
Professor Marcia Langton, Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies, University of Melbourne
Co-hosted with Mallesons Stephen Jaques
22 October
A Unique Insight into East Timor
Kirsty Sword Gusmão
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow9 September
Habeas Corpus, Procedural Rights, and Fundamental Law
Professor Larry May, Washington University, St Louis, USA
4 September 2008
The Great Enterprise
Annual Lecture by Mr John Pace, Chief of the UN Human Rights Office in Iraq from 2004-2006.
22 August 2008
DRIP Symposium
The Castan Centre proudly hosted five leading commentators on International and Australian Indigenous Affairs, discussing the impact of the recent United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
20 August 2008
Subverting Law and Liberty? The House of Lords, Control Orders and the UK Human Rights Act
Dr Joo-Cheong Tham, Senior Lecturer, University of Melbourne Law School
5 August 2008
A published article on which his lecture was based.
A Journey into Zimbabwe: Defining moments in a period of change
Dominik Vukovic
23 July 2008
Incentives for Pharmaceutical Research - Must they exclude the global poor from advanced medicines?
Professor Thomas Pogge, Columbia University and Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, Australian National University
1 April 2008
Powerpoint presentation
An essay that overlaps the above topic
Professor Pogge's website: http:// www.patent2.org/
2007
The right to be cold: Global warming and human rights
Mr Martin Wagner, Managing Attorney, Earthjustice
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
Human Trafficking Forum: The Reality in Australia
Co-hosted with the Young Lawyers' Section, Law Institute of Victoria
Speakers: Jennifer Burn, University of Technology Sydney; Judge Michael McInerney, County Court; Marie Segrave, Monash University; Christine Carolan, The Australian Catholic Religious Against Human Trafficking; and Sharon Watts, Department of Immigration and Citizenship
12 December 2007
Habeas Corpus and Guantanamo Bay
Professor Timothy Endicott, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Oxford
12 November 2007
Is the Common Law still relevant for Indigenous Australians? A Canadian Perspective
Professor Brad Morse, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
16 October 2007
Unfinished Business: Women's Rights in Afghanistan
Dr Sima Samar, Chairperson, Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission
and UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Sudan
1 October 2007
Dr Simar is in Australia as a guest of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Refugees, Asylum Seekers and the Rule of Law
Roundtable, Monash University Law Chambers
11 August 2007
The Charter of Human Rights and the European Experience
Rabinder Singh QC, London Bar
'The Impact of the Human Rights Act in the UK'Dr Angela Ward, London Bar
'The Impact of EU membership on fundamental rights protection in the UK'2 August 2007
The Middle Way: A peaceful approach to resolving conflict
Annual Lecture by His Holiness The Dalai Lama
8 June 2007
Co-hosted with Australia Tibet Council
Ethical Minefields in Acting for the Tobacco Industry
Jonathan Liberman, Director of Law and Regulation, VicHealth Centre for Tobacco Control, Cancer Council of Victoria
29 March 2007
The Insidious Erosion of the Prohibition of Torture
Sir Nigel Rodley, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex
26 February 2007
The End of Poverty
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute, Columbia University
7 February 2007
Human Rights Challenges in Trying Grave Crimes
Judge Howard Morrison QC OBE, International Criminal Law Expert
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
2006
Effective Leadership and Development in Indigenous Communities
Dr Manley Begay Jr, Director, Native Nations Institute, University of Arizona
23 October 2006
The Ideology of Native Title
David Ritter, Law Faculty, University of Western Australia
18 October 2006
Human Rights in the Pacific: A study in Symbolic Interactionism
Annual Lecture by Dr Shaista Shameem, Director, Fiji Human Rights Commission
6 October 2006
The Responsibility of States for Violations of Human Rights by TNCs Overseas
Professor Robert McCorquodale, Head of the Law School, University of Nottingham
13 September 2006
A Bill of Rights in an Age of FearDon Chipp Colloquium
25 August 2006
A Bill of Rights in an Age of Fear
Professor Conor Gearty, Rausing Director, Centre for the Study of Human Rights
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
11 May 2006
Professor Gearty's paper delivered at the Australian Human Rights Centre Annual Public Lecture
Boatloads of Extinguishment Forum
Julian Burnside QC and David Manne, Victorian Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre
5 May 2006
David Manne paper
The Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health: Opportunities and Challenges
Professor Paul Hunt, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health
1 May 2006
Corruption as a Human Rights Issue in South Asia: Law, development and Governance
Mr Raj Kumar, School of Law, City of University of Hong Kong
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
30 March 2014
The Significance of Mabo for Australia and the World
Public lecture by Professor Peter H Russell, University of Toronto, Canada
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
7 March 2006
2005
Multiculturalism and 'the war on terror'
Public lecture by Mr Petro Georgiou MP
18 October 2005
Suing into Submission: Using Litigation to Quell Dissent
Public lecture by Mr Brian Walters, SC, President of Liberty Victoria and Vice-President of Free Speech Victoria.
9 August 2005
Under Siege: Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Zimbabwe
Annual lecture by Mr David Coltart, Shadow Minister for Justice, Zimbabwe
27 July 2005
David Coltart information page
Transcript of 2005 Gerard Brennan speech delivered at Bond University
Same Sex Marriage Forum
Speakers:
Mr Grevis Beard, Senior Complaints Officer for the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria.
Associate Professor Kristen Walker, Associate Professor of Law, University of Melbourne and Barrister. Professor Raimond Gaita, Professor of Moral Philosophy at King's College University of London and Professor of Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University.
26 May 2005
In Defence of Defence
Phoebe Knowles, Legal Assistant to a Defence Lead Counsel at the Special Court for Sierra Leone from June - December 2004.
14 April 2005
2004
Promoting Human Rights in Hostile Environments: Fighting for Labour & Human Rights in Colombia
Alirio Uribe Munoz, Collective Lawyers JAR
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
13 October 2004
The UN Commission on Human Rights & Australia
Ambassador Mike Smith, Chairman of the UN Commission on Human Rights
2 September 2004
East Timor, a UN success model in Nation-building?
Annual Lecture by Dr Jose Ramos Horta, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Democratic Republic of East Timor
13 August 2004
The Role of Human Rights in Corporate Social Responsibility
Public lecture by Sune Skadegaard Thorsen, Partner, Skadegaard Thorsen Law Firm, Denmark
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
7 July 2004
A fair place in our own country: Indigenous Australians, Land Rights and the Australian Economy
Public lecture by Noel Pearson, Team Leader of the Cape York Partnerships initiative
2 June 2004
The Development of International Indigenous Rights
Public lecture by Professor Erica-Irene Daes, currently United Nations Special Rapporteur on Permanent Sovereignty Over Natural Resources. Professor Daes was the Chair and Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations from 1984-2002.
27 May 2004
Business and Human Rights
Public lecture by Professor David Weissbrodt, University of Minnesota, USA
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
3 May 2004
Paper based on article in 97 AJIL 901 (2003)
Children in Immigration Detention: the policy, the practice and the prognosis – workshop
2 April 2004
Speakers:
Dr Sev Ozdowski, Human Rights Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Julian Burnside QC
Paris Aristotle, Director, Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture
Dr Susan Kneebone, Monash University
Adiva Sifris, Monash University
Tania Penovic, Monash University
*Some papers from this workshop were subsequently published in the Alternative Law Journal Vol 29 No 5 October 2004*
2003
The Islamic Perspective of the War on Terror and Current Indonesian Responses
Dr Jawahir Thontowi, Dean, Faculty of Law, Universitas Islam, Yogyarkarta, Indonesia
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
Protecting Human Rights: Parliament v The Courts
Public debate - speakers Senator Marise Payne, Chair, Human Rights Sub Committee Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade; and Tony Pagone QC.
12 November 2003
The Role of the UN After Iraq: International Security and Human Rights
Third Annual Castan Centre Lecture, by Kevin Rudd MP, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
25 August 2003
Human Rights in an Age of Terrorism
Public Lecture by Ivan Shearer, Challis Professor of International Law, University of Sydney
3 June 2003
When All Else Fails: The Practicalities of Seeking Protection of Human Rights Under International Treaties
Public Lecture by Nicholas Poynder, Barrister, New South Wales
8 April 2003
The International Criminal Court: Instrument of Peace or Punishment?
Public Lecture by Cherie Booth QC, Matrix Chambers, UK
16 April 2003
How Humanitarian is Australia's Humanitarian Program? The Case of Stateless Asylum Seekers
Speakers: Associate Professor Susan Kneebone, Faculty of Law, Monash University, Hoi Trinh, Refugee Lawyer, Vietnamese Community of Australia and Julian Burnside QC, Barrister; Patron for Australians for Just Refugee Programs
12 March 2003
Corporations, Human Rights and Transnational Litigation
Public Lecture by Richard Meeran, Leigh Day & Co, UK
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
29 January 2003
2002
Holding Multinational Corporations Responsible for Human Rights Abuses
Occasional Lecture by Justine Nolan, Director, Workers Rights Program at the Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights in New York.
5 September 2002
Mabo: Ten Years On: Small Step or Giant Leap?
Second Annual Castan Centre Lecture, by Senator Aden Ridgeway, Deputy Leader, Australian Democrats 3
June 2002
Globalization and the New Economy: Implications for Labour Law
Public Lecture by Professor Harry Arthurs, Osgoode Hall, Law School, York University, Toronto.
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
27 March 2002
The Practical Implementation of Australia's International Human Rights Policy: a view from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Occasional Lecture by Eric Van Der Wal, Director, Human Rights and Indigenous Issues Section, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
10 April 2002
US Military Tribunals – Measured Response or Overreaction?
Occasional Lecture by Donald P. Arnavas, Attorney and Law Professor, Washington D.C.
18 April 2002
Reflections on the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa
Occasional Lecture by Brendon Christian, Provincial Co-ordinator, AIDS Legal Network of South Africa.
24 April 2002
2001
The Human Rights Act 1998
Professor Keith Ewing, King's College, London, United Kingdom
A Holding Redlich Distinguished Visiting Fellow
The Refugees Convention 50 Years On: Globalisation and International Law - workshop
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Refugee Convention
8 - 9 June 2001
Fighting the Death Penalty
Occasional Lecture by Clive Stafford Smith OBE, Director, Louisiana Crisis Assistance Centre, New Orleans
16 May 2001
Human Rights in Regulating the Global Economy
Inaugural Annual Castan Centre Lecture, by Professor Philip Alston of the European University Institute, Florence
28 March 2001
2000
Making a Real Difference to Human Rights
Public forum - speaker The Hon Alexander Downer, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs; respondent Dennis Grant, Bureau Chief, SBS TV.
20 November 2000
Launch of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law
Speaker: The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC, CMG
31 October 2000