Projects

Rights and Freedoms

Australia's Third Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

Learn about how every five years, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) considers the progress of every country in the realisation of all human rights.

Rights and Freedoms

OPCAT: Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture

(OPCAT) is an international agreement aimed at preventing torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Children's Rights

Reporting to the United Nations on Children's Rights

In September 2019, Australia appeared before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. This UN Committee monitors Australia’s progress in fulfilling its obligations under: • the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) • the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the...

Rights and Freedoms

Free and Equal Conference

The Free and Equal conference was the centrepiece of a national conversation and once-in-a-decade event. The conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on Tuesday 8 October 2019.

Disability Rights

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability The Australian government announced the establishment of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) on 5 April 2019. This was in...

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Constitution reform to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the nations Constitution

The last few years have seen a growing feeling that the Constitution needs to be brought up to date to reflect the reality of Australia in the 21st century.

International

HRTC highlights newsletter - April 2016

Working internationally to advance human rights Welcome Welcome to the first bi-annual newsletter for the Human Rights Technical Cooperation (HRTC) Programs. HRTC Highlights is a new initiative that will provide you with updates from our international human rights activities. This edition highlights...

Sex Discrimination

Violence against women

Violence against women continues to be one of the most prevalent human rights abuses in Australia, and around the world.

Children's Rights

Child friendly version of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’s Concluding Observations

In 2012, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, which monitors how Australia meets its obligations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, issued its Concluding Observations on Australia’s progress. During 2014, the National Children's Commissioner worked with UNICEF...

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention - Index

National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention 2014. Hearing transcripts, submissions and expert reports now available.

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Transfer of asylum seekers to third countries

Learn how the Australian government introduced third-country processing for asylum seekers who came to Australia by boat without a valid visa in 2012.

Rights and Freedoms

Human rights and the Internet

The Internet provides unparalleled opportunities for the promotion and advancement of certain rights