Castan Centre puts students and research in the heart of human rights challenges
This year was a busy year for the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law with so many human rights challenges domestically and in a complex and factious world. These challenges presented opportunities for the Castan Centre to be at the forefront of human rights scholarship and public policy through our academic work directed to advancing human rights being respected, protected and fulfilled.
We continued to deliver strong research publications and policy work, offer vital contributions to the public debate on human rights law, and hold our regular public events to engage the community in human rights. We were delighted to welcome new colleagues to broaden the Castan Centre’s expertise and to continue the ongoing leadership of our Director Professor Melissa Castan as we look ahead to a future where human rights expertise will be more in demand to meet the challenges we face locally, nationally and globally.
Castan Centre's Human rights research and engagement
In 2023, the Castan Centre continued to highlight our academics’ important human rights research, law reform and public policy engagement.
Our academics published high quality scholarship in a range of areas including the rights of First Nations peoples, the rights of migrants, the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, human rights accountability, the human rights impacts of climate change and economic social and cultural rights
Building on our academic research and expertise, the Castan Centre was able to make a number of submissions to United Nations bodies and Australian review and accountability bodies. These included submissions to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, the United Kingdom Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum, and the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights.
Castan Centre Research Fellow Scott Walker, Deputy Director Associate Professor Ronli Sifris and Castan Centre Director Melissa Castan.
Particular highlights include a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights’ Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Framework and subsequently giving evidence before the Committee, and a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs’ Inquiry into the Application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and being called to give evidence before that Committee.
Castan Centre academics also advanced research impact and understanding through public engagement on a range of human rights topics, including the constitutional referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, LGBTQIA+ rights, reproductive rights, and human rights and climate change.
Castan Centre's Human rights education
The Castan Centre is committed to shaping and equipping the human rights leaders of the future.
In 2023, Castan Centre Academic Members taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses on various human rights topics ranging from introductory units to units focussed on specific human rights issues, such as refugee rights, Indigenous rights, discrimination law and human rights advocacy.
The Castan Centre also provided a range of opportunities for students to study applied human rights issues. This includes the Castan Centre Human Rights Clinic, Internships and the Winter Vacation Research Scholarship Program. In 2023, we held the Castan Centre Voice to Parliament Clinic which gave law students with an interest in social justice and human rights a unique opportunity to be part of educating and engaging the public on the Voice referendum, and giving them the freedom to design their own projects.
'Ask Us First' - by students in the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law Voice to Parliament Clinic.
We also have a strong cohort of PhD candidates completing innovative and impactful research into human rights law and policy. We are delighted that in 2023, three Castan Centre PhD Affiliates were conferred PhDs.
Dr Leavides Cabarrubias’ thesis is entitled ‘Locating Women’s Right to Food in Development Work: A Critical Examination of the Asian Development Bank’s Policies and Practices’. Her research is concerned with the integration of gender equality and human rights framework in the policies and practices of international finance institutions.
Dr Christopher Yaw Nyinevi’s thesis is entitled ‘The Liability of Foreign Investors to Project Affected Local Communities in International Law’. His research develops a legal theory by which foreign investors may be held accountable under international law for investment-related injuries to host state communities.
Dr Anubhav Dutt Tiwari’s thesis is entitled ‘Law and Dignity for Refugees in India: Examining the Rule of the Supreme Court’. Anubhav’s research focuses on the dignity of refugees in India, looking at the role that this concept plays in the human rights decisions of India’s Supreme Court.
The Castan Centre’s academic members are keen to speak to prospective PhD candidates about their research projects and plans.
- As well as our focus on educating students, the Castan Centre also continued to engage the public in our work and discussions on topical human rights issues. These included:
The Castan Centre’s public education campaign around the Voice referendum, which included a dedicated webpage with resources and a significant number of public engagements undertaken by the Castan Centre Director and Academic Members. - A webinar event on the legal and constitutional issues surrounding the Voice referendum, which was subsequently broadcast on ABC Radio National Big Ideas to its local and global audience.
- The Annual Castan Centre for Human Rights Law Conference brought together academics, advocates and human rights practitioners from across Australia to hear from world-leading experts. Our 2023 conference included keynote addresses from Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM (President of the Australian Human Rights Commission) and Dr Alice Edwards (United Nations Special Rapporteur). Our 2024 conference will be held on 19 July 2024 - save the date now and keep an eye out for registrations.
What is the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law
The Castan Centre for Human RIghts Law, based in the Monash University Faculty of law, is a research, education and policy centre which aims to create a more just world where human rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled to allow all people to flourish in freedom and dignity.
Our Director, Professor Melissa Castan, has worked at the Castan Centre since its establishment. Our Deputy Director is Associate Professor Ronli Sifris, and we are supported by a range of academic experts in human rights and public law matters.
The Castan Centre was founded in 2000 and was named in honour of Australian barrister and human rights advocate Ron Castan AM QC. Ron played a leading role in some of Australia’s most important cases, including the Mabo Case, which led to the recognition of the land rights of First Nations peoples in Australian law.
The Castan Centre has a long history of defending and promoting the realisation of human rights in Australia. In 2023, we continue to use our human rights expertise to help create a more just world where human rights are respected and protected.
How you can get involved in the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law
We are continuing to foster Ron Castan AM QC’s legacy of passion for human rights advocacy through our research, teaching, policy and action to create important and lasting change.
If you are interested in supporting the Castan Centre as a donor you can donate here, or you can contact the Director, Professor Melissa Castan, on melissa.castan@monash.edu or 03 9905 3327.
If you are interested in learning more about philanthropic and sponsorship partnerships with the Castan Centre, you can contact emily.collard@monash.edu.
To keep up to date with our events and work, follow the Castan Centre on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook. You can also explore our work through the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law website.