Publications

2020

Rights and Freedoms

Freedom of Religion in Australia: a focus on serious harms (2020)

The right to freedom of religion is recognised in international human rights law and receives some protection in Australia’s federal, state and territory laws.

2020

Commission – General

Corporate Plan 2020 - 2021

Respect for human rights and freedoms is the cornerstone of a cohesive and peaceful society in which everyone can make a contribution and feel safe and included. This Corporate Plan shows how we achieve our purpose and promote an Australian society where human rights are enjoyed by everyone...

2020

Rights and Freedoms

Implementing OPCAT in Australia (2020)

The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) aims to improve how people’s human rights are protected when they are detained.

2020

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Close the Gap (2020)

We nurture our culture for our future, and our culture nurtures us. A report prepared by the Lowitja Institute for the Close the Gap Steering Committee | March 2020 Executive Summary With this report — We nurture our culture for our future, and our culture nurtures us — we have sought to reflect the...

2020

Sex Discrimination

Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report (2020)

Workplace sexual harassment is prevalent and pervasive: it occurs in every industry, in every location and at every level, in Australian workplaces.

2020

Sex Discrimination

Respect@Work: Community Guide to the Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report (2020)

Also available: Full Report A message from the Commissioner Australia was once at the forefront of tackling sexual harassment globally. Women’s organisations in Australia began to press for the legal and social recognition of sex discrimination in the early 1970s. This movement built on Australia’s...

2020

Rights and Freedoms

Mr Nauroze Anees v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Home Affairs)

Mr Nauroze Anees v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Home Affairs) [2019] AusHRC 133 Report into complaint of arbitrary detention and arbitrary interference with family

2020

Children's Rights

Children’s Rights Report 2019

The Children’s Rights Report 2019 — In Their Own Right tells the story of how well children’s rights are protected and promoted across Australia.

2020

Children's Rights

Child-friendly version of the Children’s Rights Report 2019

The report tells the Australian Government how it can do better in looking out for children and young people. This version is for children and young people.

2019

Rights and Freedoms

Human Rights and Technology: Discussion Paper (2019)

Also available: Executive Summary Download PDF | Download Word Commissioner’s foreword Foreword from the Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Edward Santow This Discussion Paper sets out the Australian Human Rights Commission’s preliminary views on protecting and promoting human rights amid the...

2019

Children's Rights

Children’s Rights in Australia: a scorecard

This scorecard tells the story of how well children’s rights are protected and promoted across Australia. It tells us where we are doing ok, where we should be doing much better, and where we do not yet know enough to make an assessment of our performance.

2019

Children's Rights

Australian and New Zealand Children's Commissioners and Guardians Communiqué: November 2019

The ANZCCG aims to promote and protect the safety, wellbeing and rights of children and young people in Australia and New Zealand

2019

Sex Discrimination

Everyone's Business: Sexual harassment of SDA members (2019)

The results of the 2019 Member Survey indicate that the majority of SDA members have experienced sexual harassment at some point in their lifetime.

2019

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Use of force in immigration detention

The issue of the use of force in immigration detention has been raised in a range of complaints against the Department of Home Affairs received by the Commission. This report deals thematically with 14 complaints.

2019

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Mr BP, Ms BQ and Miss BR v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Home Affairs) (2019)

Report into complaint of breach of non-refoulement obligations, arbitrary interference with family and failure to consider the best interests of the child