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Civil and Political Rights

Free and Equal: An Australian conversation on human rights

'Free and Equal' logo on top of a photo of a man looking out at mountains
What makes an effective system of human rights protection for 21st century Australia? What are we doing well and what steps do we still need to take?

Commission launches model for an Australian Human Rights Act

Australia is the only liberal democracy that does not have an act or charter of rights at the national level, and there are currently very few legal protections for the fundamental rights of Australians.

A National Human Rights Act for Australia

Date

Urgent action needed following termination of UN inspection

The Australian Human Rights Commission says an extraordinary decision to terminate a tour of Australian places of detention by United Nations inspectors reflects Australia’s fragmented approach to protecting the human rights of people in detention.

Human Rights Commissioner to raise juvenile and immigration detention concerns with UN torture committee in Geneva

Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner is set to appear before the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva next week to provide analysis of how Australia measures up against our obligations under the UN’s Convention Against Torture (CAT) and its associated Optional Protocol (OPCAT).

Human Rights Commission calls for urgent action to address fallout from suspension of UN SPT visit

The Australian Human Rights Commission is urging all Australian state and territory governments to fully commit to implementing an important human rights framework for people held in detention settings following the suspension of a tour of Australia by United Nations inspectors.

New report aims to help fast-track Australia’s OPCAT implementation process

A new report released today by the Australian Human Rights Commission outlines activities required to expedite Australia’s sluggish approach to implementing the United Nation’s Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

Informed by the Commission’s recent National OPCAT Symposium, the Road Map to OPCAT Compliance provides a clear pathway for governments across Australia to meet a looming deadline for OPCAT compliance.

Inquiry into the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and related bills (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights)

The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights in relation to its inquiry into the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 (Cth), Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021 (Cth), and the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 (Cth).

Embracing Cultural Diversity in Australia – Alice Pung

Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture 

29 October 2021

Embracing Cultural Diversity in Australia

Alice Pung

Inquiry into the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Integrity of Elections) Bill 2021

The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee with respect to the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Integrity of Elections) Bill 2021.  This submission is made only in relation to Schedule 2 of the Bill relating to voter identification.