The job of an international human rights lawyer isn't always battling for the angels. Sometimes it involves having to look out for the interests of devils, as Golriz Ghahraman did.
Read Morehuman rights
"Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts ... "
National apparently doesn't think gang members with criminal records are properly human. Or, rather, they don't deserve to be given the same rights that full humans possess.
Read MoreArthur Taylor wins again ...
... or, rather, the fellow prisoners who joined his application to have the legislative ban on prisoners voting declared inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act win again.
Read MoreA little something for the weekend (now with pictures!)
The Nation this weekend is telling the story of family carers of disabled adult relatives and the pretty shabby way they've been treated over the years. And it looks like Sam Lotu-liga just doesn't want to talk about that.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday June 24
US-China talks on trade, cybersecurity and climate change begin in Washington DC; UN opens human rights office in Seoul; suicide bomber kills 35 in Nigeria; nearly 1000 migrants picked up off Libyan coast in one day; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday March 20
New concerns for Syria; China dismisses any link between Uighur ethnic minority and missing Malaysian Airlines flight; Taiwanese activists break into parliament to protest trade deal with China; Ukraine's naval headquarters seized; Sri Lanka releases two human rights activists; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday February 19
Iran nuclear talks begin; China rejects UN criticism of its policy of sending North Korean defectors back home; antigovernment protests in Bangkok kill four; Pakistan suspends Taliban talks; US diplomats expelled from Venezuela; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday September 26
US and Iran step closer to peaceful resolution; Chinese legal activist goes missing on way to human rights training course; North Korea may be close to developing nuclear warhead to fit missile; mass starvation feared in Syria; former pope denies abuse cover-up; and more
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Silence of the lambs: freedom of speech in New Zealand
A steady erosion of human rights in New Zealand through legislation is being accompanied by Ministerial attempts to avoid searching scrutiny of these measures, and to silence dissenting voices.
Read MoreNature's rights ... left far behind
New Zealanders have been asked to think about our constitution - what it is that makes us or, as one judge described it, “the mirror of a nation’s soul”
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World News Brief, Thursday February 28
No breakthrough on Iran nuclear programme; prominent Chinese sign open letter urging government to ratify human rights treaty; Dennis Rodman and Harlem Globetrotters arrive in North Korea; six killed in suicide bomb in Mali; Chuck Hagel confirmed as US defense secretary; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday November 6
G20 officials focus on global economy; Chinese Communist Party investigates Premier Wen Jiabao's personal finances; South Korea shuts down two nuclear reactors; South Sudan expels UN human rights officer; protesters gather over Ukraine election; and more
Read MoreInvictus
Has the Attorney General (gasp!) made up his own mind about what the NZBORA means?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday September 12
UN human rights commissioner calls on international community to take "protective action" in Syria; China sends patrol boats to disputed territory in East China Sea; Chinese vice president misses third meeting with foreign dignitary in a week; Al Qaeda second-in-command reported killed in Yemen; Somalia elects new leader; and more
Read MoreAfghanistan – lest we forget
New Zealand troops could be out of Afghanistan next year – but are we stumbling out of one ill-considered international military commitment straight into another, and what happens to our reconstruction and development commitment to the country our troops are leaving?
Read MoreChina's Nobel Own-Goal
A clearly worried China has scored an own-goal with its ridiculous and abusive reaction to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to its national 'dissident' Liu Xiaobo. The embarrassment should last for some time.
Read MoreNorway's one-fingered salute to China
The Nobel Peace Prize committee awards this year's prize to a Chinese dissident, and China responds
Read MoreSelling arms to the Saudis: Obama's big sell-out
An emerging unholy alliance between Israel, Saudi Arabia and the US is a key driver behind potentially the biggest arms deal in US history
Read MoreClean drinking water is a basic human right
Is our government signalling a green light for the further privatisation of water services?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday June 15
Ethnic violence spreads in Kyrgyzstan; human rights groups urge international involvement in Kyrgyz crisis; Taiwanese company that makes iPads and iPhones will more than double wages; trouble in Iran one year after election; US finds minerals in Afghanistan
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