Justice News
Upholding Human Rights
On the occasion of its inaugural Assembly in 1977, the Uniting Church in Australia issued a Statement to the Nation. This Statement contains the Church’s promise to actively participate in Australian society and engage in public debate and the beliefs and commitments on which it would base such engagement:'We affirm our eagerness to uphold basic Christian values and principles, such as the importance of every human being, the need for integrity in public life, the proclamation of truth and justice, the rights for each citizen to participate in decision-making in the community, religious liberty and personal dignity, and a concern for the welfare of the whole human race.'
The Church’s commitment to human rights is most fully expressed in the 2006 Uniting Church in Australia statement, Dignity in Humanity: Recognising Christ in Every Person.
This statement commits the Church to respect and uphold human rights, and to critically evaluate Government policy in light of the international human rights instruments and Australia’s human rights commitments. It encourages agencies and other groups within the Church to advocate for social policy and legislative outcomes consistent with Australia's international human rights obligations. In addition, the statement calls on the Australian Government to develop and promote human rights education and commits the Uniting Church National Assembly to promote awareness and understanding of human rights through existing and future programs.
What's new
Australia’s human rights performance was recently put under scrutiny at a new United Nations Human Rights Council process known as the Universal Periodic Review
145 recommendations were made by other countries to improve human rights protections in Australia, amongst them addressing racism, the rights of Indigenous people, introducing a Human Rights Act and overturning the mandatory detention of asylum seekers.
Click here to find out more about the UPR process, the Government’s response and UnitingJustice’s work in this area.
Church takes the lead on human rights education (13 Dec 2010): The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) has been granted funds from the federal government to educate church members on human rights as part of the Australia’s Human Rights Framework – Education Grants program.
Click here to read more
An Australian Human Rights Act
Christmas Island chaplaincy: a light in the darkness
Christmas Island is a tiny speck in the Indian Ocean, yet it will seem vast compared to some of the tight spaces Rev Christine Senini worked in. And she won’t have to sleep in a bunk bed.
The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev. Alistair Macrae has added his name to the list of prominent Australians calling for reform to our asylum seeker policies. UnitingJustice has continually advocated for a more compassionate approach to these vulnerable members of our society.
UnitingJustice and the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has joined the chorus of voices calling for Constitutional recognition of the unique contribution that First Peoples have made to this country. Amendments to the Australian Constitution should also include removal of racist and discriminatory language and clauses. The open letter was accompanied by a submission to the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition made by UnitingJustice.
UJA Reference Committee member, Professor John Langmore, discusses the political momentum behind and the public benefits of introducing a financial transactions tax.
Rethink Refugees - watch UJA National Director, Rev. Elenie Poulos, reflecting on her work in refugee advocacy as part of Amnesty's information campaign
Preamble posters and Covenanting resources
Download or print your own here.
Position Vacant: Senior Media Officer
The Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia seeks to appoint an experienced media professional to the role of Senior Media Officer. Read more...
Churches solid on poker machine reform
The major Christian churches in Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to the Government’s proposed poker machine reform this morning in the face of Catholic priest Father Chris Riley’s apparent support for the inaccurate, well-funded industry campaign. Read more...