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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?

Inspection report: “serious concerns” at Yongah Hill Detention Centre

An inspection report by the Australian Human Rights Commission has found that a high-security immigration detention centre in Western Australia was, in part, “no longer fit for purpose”, and raised serious concerns over safety conditions and the level of care for detainees and staff. 

Full program revealed for landmark gathering of Australian Human Rights Act supporters

Content type: Media Release
Published:

Leading human rights advocates from across Australia and around the world are set to give a massive boost to efforts to introduce an Australian Human Rights Act at a historic forum in June during the Vivid Sydney festival.

The final line-up of speakers has just been announced with more than 60 eminent experts, thought leaders, social justice advocates and community heroes set to provide a lively and inspirational blend of views, insights and perspectives at the two-day event.

Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024

The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in relation to its inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Removals and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (Cth).

Michael Kirby on board for historic human rights forum

Content type: Media Release
Published:

Esteemed international jurist, human rights advocate and former Australian High Court judge Michael Kirby is one of several new speakers and panellists who have been announced as participants in the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference during this year’s Vivid Sydney festival. 

Waleed Aly joins line-up for landmark human rights forum

Content type: Media Release
Published:

Presenter, journalist and academic Waleed Aly is among a raft of talent who have just been announced as speakers and panellists for the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference during this year’s Vivid Sydney festival. 

Mr Aly will join the line-up for the Rights On Time show on the evening of Thursday 6 June in the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom where he’ll panel through time with ‘sleek geek’ Adam Spencer and some of Australia’s favourite legal eagles, rights advocates, and comedy stars as they try to save the future from rights gone wrong.

Historic forum to build momentum for Australian Human Rights Act

Content type: Media Release
Published:

Revitalising Australia’s human rights framework – including efforts to introduce an Australian Human Rights Act – will be the focus of a landmark conference in June during the Vivid Sydney festival.

Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference will take place over 6 and 7 June at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney and will include 12 engaging sessions and events featuring a diverse line-up of more than 50 eminent experts, thought leaders, social justice advocates and community heroes.

Review of ASIO's compulsory questioning powers

The Australian Human Rights Commission (Commission) makes this submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) in relation to its Review into Division 3 of Part III of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979.

Commission welcomes new Race Discrimination Commissioner

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the appointment of Giridharan Sivaraman as the new Race Discrimination Commissioner.

“We are very excited by this appointment. On behalf of the Commission, I would like to warmly welcome Giridharan Sivaraman to the role of Race Discrimination Commissioner,” said Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM.

Statement on the ruling of the International Court of Justice 26 January 2024

Content type: Media Release
Published:

The Australian Human Rights Commission reiterates our calls for: 

  • human rights to be respected for Palestinians and Israelis; 
  • the need to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law; and 
  • the rights to protest, freedom of assembly and association.

Following the interim ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 26 January, we join calls for: