Editors --- "Mentions" [2000] AltLawJl 8; (2000) 25(1) Alternative Law Journal 23

• MENTIONS
• PUBLICATIONS
• 'It's not easy walkin' in there' - Aboriginal Reconciliation: Towards Practical and Culturally Respectful Solutions
• Hot Topics: New Release 'Your Lawyer and You'
• TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN

MENTIONS

PUBLICATIONS

'It's not easy walkin' in there' - Aboriginal Reconciliation: Towards Practical and Culturally Respectful Solutions

This report by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (Melbourne Archdiocese) was funded by Caritas Australia and prepared with the re­ sources of the Commission and the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry.

The report is a collection of conversations about reconciliation recorded with Victorian Aboriginal people. The Commission produced the report in the interests of improving awareness of Aboriginal experience, circum­ stances and culture.

It is available from the CCJD&P: tel [phone] fax [phone]

Hot Topics: New Release 'Your Lawyer and You'

Hot Topic No. 25 from the Legal Information Access Centre deals with how we need and use the legal profes­ sion, how it operates, professional responsibility issues, costs and charges, and complaints against the profession. The subject is covered from a NSW perspective.

LIAC is a joint initiative of the State Library of NSW and the Law Foundation of NSW.

Contact: tel [phone]

fax [phone]

email: [e-mail]

TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN

The work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has for some time included a focus on the trafficking of women. Trafficking, and related prac­ tices such as forced prostitution, debt bondage, and forced labour violate the most basic rights to which all persons are entitled. Unfortunately these prac­ tices are widespread throughout the world.

The Asia-Pacific region has long been a focus for trafficking. Extreme poverty and the promise of foreign dollars fuel trafficking industries throughout this area. Australia is a destination for trafficked women, but is also a source of demand. Australian men are common purchasers of the services of trafficked women in the Asia-Pacific region.

In an attempt to facilitate international co-operation on the issue of trafficking, the High Commissioner for Human Rights has proposed to establish a network of focal points throughout the world, largely through the already-established network of national human rights institutions. The role of individual focal points is to establish information-sharing networks in their own country, and to pass this information on to the office of the High Commissioner. A longer term goal is to work with the focal points in developing practical guide­ lines which could assist national commissions integrate the issue of trafficking, and broader concerns relating to the human rights of women, into their programs and methods of work.

The Australian Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission is participating in the focal point system. Sabina Lauber, also the Acting Director of the Sex Discrimination Unit, has been selected to be the local contact for the UN focal point on trafficking in women. She is currently establishing a network of interested individuals and groups, and is gathering information to forward to the Office of the High Commissioner. If you are interested in more information about the focal point system, please contact:

Sabina Lauber

Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission tel [phone] email: [e-mail]