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Immigration detention centre in dusty field
Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Immigration detention and human rights

The human rights of people who are in immigration detention are of special concern to the Commission. Liberty is a fundamental human right, recognised in major human rights instruments to which Australia is a party.

Angelina and baby
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Close the Gap: Indigenous Health Campaign

Working together to achieve health and life expectation equality for Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The Declaration is the most comprehensive tool we have available to advance and protect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I use the Declaration as my guide as Social Justice Commissioner.
:	The	Fighting	Gunditjmara	Warrior.	Photograph	by	Tim	Kanoa	(2014).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Social Justice and Native Title Reports

Learn how the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act has meant there is no longer a legal requirement for an annual Social Justice and Native Title Report.
Bringing Them Home - interactive educational resource
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Bringing Them Home - interactive educational resource

Bringing them Home was the name given to the final report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now called the Australian Human Rights Commission). The National...
sunset tree
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Indigenous Property Rights

Background In May 2015, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda and the then Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson co-convened an Indigenous Leaders Roundtable on economic development and property rights on Yawuru country in Broome, Western Australia (Broome...
Hunting Wanuway, image (c)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Native Title

Native title is a property right which reflects a relationship to land which is the very foundation of Indigenous religion, culture and well-being. The non-discriminatory protection of native title is a recognised human right.
40,000 is a long time - mural at Redfern, NSW
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

The Declaration dialogues

If we are serious about implementing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, an overarching policy framework based on human rights standards is essential to ensuring a holistic approach that addresses the needs and priorities identified by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples...
Apology Project
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Bringing them home: anniversary

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, The Hon Jenny Macklin MP, launched the Australian Human Rights Commission's ‘Us Taken-Away Kids’ magazine in Sydney on 11 December 2007.
Aboriginal flag flying in city
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

NILAC: National Indigenous Legal Advocacy Courses

The NILAC courses were transferred to Tranby - the National Indigenous Adult Education and Training Centre. Contact Tranby for more information on these courses.
Rural human rights
Rights and Freedoms

The Human Rights of Rural Australians

Every person in Australia, regardless of who they are or where they live, is entitled to respect for and protection of their human rights. People living in remote, rural and regional Australia often find it harder to fully enjoy their human rights because of their location.
Homeless man sleeping (c) Sonny Harlow
Rights and Freedoms

Housing, homelessness and human rights

People experiencing homelessness face violations of a wide range of human rights. Access to safe and secure housing is one of the most basic human rights. However, homelessness is not just about housing.