Watching Brief: Reflections on Human Rights, Law and Justice

Illustrating the importance of protecting human rights and maintaining the rule of law, this reference is a sensitive and intelligent defense of asylum seekers and refugees’ privileges. Clearly explaining the foundations of many of the key tenets of civil society, this resource reviews some of the world’s most famous trials whose outcomes have turned on prejudice, complacency, chance, or the tenacity and skill of advocates. Powerful and timely, this meditation on ethics also analyzes the impact of significant recent cases on contemporary Australian life, determining what ultimately constitutes a decent human society.

Julian Burnside is an Australian barrister specializing in commercial litigation. He is the president of Liberty Victoria and chairman of the Mietta Foundation. He is the author of From Nothing to Zero, Matilda and the Dragon, and Wordwatching.