Writing for Human Rights Essay Competition 2010

Castan Centre Congratulates 2010 Essay Competition Winners

The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law in conjunction with Monash University Law School, would like to congratulate Anna Gruen from Melbourne Girls Grammar School, winner of its 2010 Writing for Human Rights Essay Competition.

The competition was open to all Victorian Years 10, 11 and 12 students, who were asked to write on the topic "Criminals don't deserve the same human rights as everyone else".   There was a fantastic response to the competition, with 219 entries, highlighting how interested today's youth are in both human rights and controversial public issues.

Anna argued that Criminal's rights should only be restricted in so far as to punish them and protect society. Otherwise, their rights should be the same as everyone else. In particular, she noted that their rights to education should be protected to assist in positive rehabilitation and integration back into society once their sentence has been served. Anna's essay balanced the rights of the public to safety and security with the basic human rights afforded to all people including criminals. She was presented with her $1,200 prize by Castan Centre Deputy Director, Melissa Castan and Joh Kirby, Executive Director Victoria Law Foundation during the Monash Law School's 2010 Great Law Week Debate. 

Place-getters and recipients of special commendation awards were also presented with their prizes. Second prize and $800 went to Tim Gibson from Woodleigh School, recipient of a certificate of commendation in last year's competition. In his essay, Tim used a hypothetical narrative to add a human dimension to the essay topic.  His critique of the criminal justice system and the impact the removal of criminal's rights led him to the conclusion that criminals are human and entitled to the same human rights as everyone else.  Emily Rutherford from Buckley Park College received third prize and $400.  Emily argued that human rights belong to everyone in society and the fact that a person has committed a crime is not in itself a reason to take away their human rights. She argued that the severity of the crime should dictate the consequences and in some cases the restriction of human rights will be necessary. Emily also argued that restricting criminals' ability to vote was an unnecessary removal of basic human rights. Due to the high quality of the submissions received, six Certificates of Commendations were awarded. The recipients were Yini Chong of Melbourne Girls Grammar School, Virginia Holdenson also of Melbourne Girls Grammar School, Naomi Ipsen of GippsTAFE, Mikaela Bott of Kyabram P-12 College, Tom Posa of Melbourne High School and Jessica Hart of Mount Lilydale Mercy College.

Melbourne Girls Grammar School also received the Schools Prize for the overall quality of its submissions and $2000. Lilydale High School placed second in the Schools Prize and received a certificate of commendation.

The Castan Centre, in conjunction with the Monash University Law School, would like to thank all of those students and schools who contributed to the great success of the fourth annual Writing for Human Rights Essay Competition. We hope that schools will continue to encourage their students to enter this important competition as it expands and we look forward to seeing this year's entrants further involved in human rights in the years to come.

Read Anna Gruen's winning essay here
Read Tim Gibson's second place essay here
Read Emily Rutherford's third place essay here

Victoria Law Foundation

Victoria Law Foundation is an independent, community benefit organisation making law accessible. Each year it awards cash grants and in-kind support for innovative projects.

This competition has been supported with a General Grant from the Victoria Law Foundation – www.victorialaw.org.au

Resources

2010 Essay Competition Teacher's Information Kit
2010 Curriculum mapping guide

Previous Essay Competition Winners

2009 Essay Competition
2007 Essay Competition
2006 Essay Competition