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Rights and Freedoms

Roles, responsibilities and challenges

The Australian Human Rights Commission—roles, responsibilities and challenges Supreme and Federal Court Judges’ Conference 2019 Hobart, 22 January 2019 Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM [Professor Croucher spoke to this paper] Introduction I begin my presentation by acknowledging the...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Encryption law falls short on rights safeguards

Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow warns significant threats to human rights remain despite some improvements to Australia’s encryption law. “Police and security agencies must be equipped with robust powers to protect our national security. However, these powers need independent oversight, to...

Category, News
Rights and Freedoms

Finalists announced – 2018 Human Rights Law Award

The five finalists for the 2018 Human Rights Awards’ Law Award have been selected, with two from Western Australia competing for the prize. “We have received the highest number of entries for the Law Award since the Human Rights Awards the awards began in 1987,” said Commission President, Professor...

Category, News
Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Urgent call for seriously ill Nauru children to be transferred

The Australian Human Rights Commission is calling on the Federal Government to urgently transfer any seriously unwell asylum seeker children – and their families – from Nauru to Australia. The Commission notes several recent cases where the Federal Court of Australia has consistently found the...

Category, News
Sex Discrimination

Sex Discrimination Commissioner delivers 2018 Pamela Denoon Lecture

2018 Pamela Denoon Lecture, ANU Monday 5th March 2018 Good evening. I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and paying my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. I would also like to acknowledge both the organisers of this event and the...

Category, Speech
Disability Rights

25 Years of the Disability Discrimination Act

The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Ms Catalina Devandas Aguilar, will be joining the Australian Human Rights Commission for a unique event to mark the 25th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DDA) on 1 March, 2018. The event – a panel...

Category, News
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Close the Gap Campaign welcomes extension of the Tackling Indigenous Smoking programs

The Close the Gap Campaign welcomes the new investment in the successful ‘National Tackling Indigenous Smoking’ (TIS) programs. The Federal Minister for Indigenous Health Ken Wyatt announced the Federal Government will provide a further $183.7 million to TIS over four years across its current 37...

Category, News
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Time to rebuild the structure of Closing the Gap

Australia is a long way short of closing the gap by 2030 and needs to rebuild the foundations of the strategy as a matter of urgency. The Close the Gap Campaign welcomes the news that there has been an improvement in several closing the gap targets, however, only meeting 3 out of 7 targets for such...

Category, News
Rights and Freedoms

Australia ratifies major anti-torture treaty OPCAT

Today Australia has taken the final step necessary to ratify and implement a major international treaty that combats torture and other forms of mistreatment. This is an opportunity to protect the rights of people who are detained in Australia for generations to come. The Australian Human Rights...

Category, News
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

IAHA National Conference

‘Culture, Relationships, Health: Human Rights in Practice’ Acknowledgements [Introduction in Bunuba] Yaningi warangira ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Whadjuk yani u. Balangarri wadjirragali jarra ningi – gamali ngindaji yau muwayi nyirrami ngarri thangani. Yaningi miya ngindaji Muwayi ingga...

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

National Stolen Generations reparations scheme needed

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO has called for a national reparations scheme for members of the Stolen Generations. “It’s been heartening to see a number of reparations schemes in states and territories around the country, but a national scheme is...

Category, News
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

2017 Narrm Oration

2017 Narrm Oration Resilience and Reconstruction: the agency of women in rebuilding strong families, communities and organisations The University of Melbourne June Oscar Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Australian Human Rights Commission Thursday 16 November 2017...

Category, Speech
Rights and Freedoms

Finalists announced – Individual Community Award

Five outstanding Australians have been named as finalists for the 2017 Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award. “There are so many individuals working tirelessly to improve human rights in our communities,” said President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Emeritus Professor...

Category, News
Commission – General

Finalists announced for Young People's Medal

A diverse range of finalists will be vying for the 2017 Young People’s Medal, with judges revealing their top five nominees. “I congratulate this outstanding group of young people for their dedication to advancing human rights,” said Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher. They...

Category, News

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