Australia has an often overlooked key role to play in drawing military ruled Myanmar out of its isolation, and is well placed to play a prominent supporting position in international efforts to engage the SPDC.

We write to you about the human rights and political situation in Burma and possible changes to Australia’s policy. As the United States government concludes its review of Burma policy, we believe it is an opportune moment for other key states such as Australia to also take stock of their approach to Burma and recalibrate policies accordingly.

Human Rights Watch sent a letter to newly elected Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd regarding Australian foreign policy with regard to Burma, China, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea and Australian domestic policy on counter-terrorism, refugees, indigenous Australians, and same-sex relationships.

Newly elected Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should make human rights a priority for the new government’s policies at home and abroad, Human Rights Watch said in a letter today.

Scientists and other delegates meeting July 22-25 at the 4th International AIDS Society Conference in Sydney should focus their attention on how human rights abuses against people living with HIV undermine the impact of scientific advances against AIDS, Human Rights Watch said today.

I write with regard to the report of Australia’s Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) on discrimination against same-sex couples, Same-Sex: Same Entitlements. I urge you to express your public support for the report’s recommendations, and work to eliminate all forms of discrimination in law and policy that endanger families formed by lesbian and gay couples.

Australia’s government should amend laws that discriminate against same-sex couples, which the government’s human rights commission documented last week in a landmark report, Human Rights Watch said today.

I write with regard to the report of Australia’s Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) on discrimination against same-sex couples, Same-Sex: Same Entitlements. We urge you to express your public support for the report’s recommendations, and work to eliminate all forms of discrimination in law and policy that endanger families formed by lesbian and gay couples.