There is still a huge need for open dialogue on ‘taboo’ subjects and on the meaning of the ‘Samoan way of life’ (fa’asamoa) and ensuring women’s right to equality within the family. “This cannot happen without the leadership of government and other local stakeholders, including community and religious leaders, alongside women and men at all Read more
Legislation is being considered in the Cook Islands that could see sections removed from a 1969 Act that criminalise consensual sex between two men. The proposed Crimes Bill 2017 was presented after the Cook Islands Parliament established a committee to review public submissions about amending the Crimes Act. Some religious leaders are opposing the change. ”If Read more
Tonga’s Prime Minister says the ratification of the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has divided the nation. Mr ‘Akilisi Pohiva said local women’s groups would again be asked to carry out public consultations. Tonga has been preparing to ratify the convention since 2015. Last year Pohiva said the Read more
Pro-life doctors who conscientiously object to abortion are denied career choices. Doctors who refuse to take part in abortions are suffering increasingly from harassment and discrimination at work, the British Medical Association (BMA) has told MPs. Healthcare professionals are complaining to the union that they are facing pressure to take part in abortions and confronted Read more
A Tasmanian transgender activist has withdrawn her anti-discrimination case against the Catholic Church over a marriage booklet. Martine Delaney had complained to Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commission about a booklet produced by Australia’s Catholic bishops. The booklet, titled “Don’t Mess with Marriage”, was a pastoral letter from the bishops sparked by the same-sex marriage debate. Ms Delaney Read more
A motion in the Australian senate to protect the Catholic Church’s right to distribute its “Don’t mess with marriage” pamphlet has been blocked. Former Australian cabinet minister Senator Eric Abetz put up the motion in the senate on Thursday. This was on the same day as it was confirmed that Tasmania’s anti-discrimination commissioner is to conduct an Read more
A new study has concluded that New Zealand workplaces are more diverse and tolerant than their Aussie counterparts. The Randstad Workmonitor report found that more than three-quarters of Kiwi workers believe their company has an open and inclusive culture, while 88% of companies value diversity in the workplace. 9% of Kiwi workers said they had Read more
A Green politician has laid a complaint with Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner over a marriage booklet produced by Australia’s Catholic bishops. Martine Delaney has asked the commissioner’s office to investigate Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. At issue is the booklet “Don’t Mess with Marriage”, produced by the bishops earlier this year. Read more
A new report in the United Kingdom claims that Christians feel pressured to keep their faith hidden at work. A public consultation carried out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission also showed Christians are being mocked by colleagues for being bigoted. Christians are also discriminated against when it comes to wearing religious symbols, the Read more
Christians across the United States are mobilising after the city of Houston in Texas ordered five pastors to turn over their sermons. Houston’s city attorney issued subpoenas in response to a lawsuit related to the city’s new non-discrimination ordinance. The new law, which has yet to take effect, would, among other things, allow men who Read more