Recasting social work : human rights and political activism

The focus of my paper is on the social work response to the here and now, within the supposedly 'democratic' west, where the rhetoric of the rule of law is often misleading as it masks pernicious practices that take place under its aegis. I many countries mono-cultural doctrines are increasingly take old this results in tragic consequences for many groups, damage to the reputation of nations and denigration of the professions which implement the policies arising from such canons. In this way the professions, including social work, are both victim and perpetrator within the prevailing paradigms and frameworks. The example of social work resistance and political activism that I will be drawing on to illustrate a human rights challenge by social work is the People's Inquiry into (immigration) Detention, but it will take a little while to get there.