Projects

Rights and Freedoms

Australia's Third Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a peer-review dialogue undertaken by the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council and all 192 Member States of the UN. Every five years, the UPR considers the progress of every country in the realisation of all human rights. It identifies human rights...

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.

Business and Human Rights

Bringing a gender lens to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

In light of the unique and disproportionate ways that business-related human rights abuses are experienced by women and girls, in 2017 the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights (Working Group) launched a project considering the gender dimension of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and...

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

Review of Universal Periodic Review commitments by Australia

What is the UPR and why does it matter | Commitments made at Australia's first UPR appearance | Review of commitments | Comments What is the UPR and why does it matter The Universal Periodic Review is a process undertaken by the United Nations Human Rights Council. It involves review of the human...

LGBTIQ+

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Equality

Do you think you have been discriminated against in employment for reasons relating to your sexuality? See our Complaints page for information on how to make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Rights and Freedoms

Corporate Social Responsibility

The Australian Human Rights Commission has developed four short fact sheets to help Australian companies meet their responsibility to respect the human rights of those people impacted by their activities.

CERD

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 1966 (CERD) (the Convention) was one of the first human rights treaties to be adopted by the United Nations. More than 156 countries (four-fifths of the membership of the UN) have ratified the Convention; including Australia...

Rights and Freedoms

Right to vote

The right to vote is not enjoyed equally by all Australians A healthy democracy makes sure that all members of the community have equal access to the political process. Australia is a democratic nation where governments are elected by popular vote. However, even though almost all Australians over 18...