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Close-up of a tall metal fence topped with coiled barbed wire, set against a pale sky, creating a sense of security or restriction.
Rights and Freedoms

OPCAT: Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture

Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) is an international agreement aimed at preventing...
Two children with arms raised stand outside at sunset, silhouetted against an orange and blue sky. Geometric blue and green shapes line the left edge of the image.
Rights and Freedoms

Free and Equal Conference

It is time for us to talk about the Australia that we want to live in, and how we want our rights and freedoms protected. There are great opportunities ahead for human rights protection in Australia, but also great challenges. How do we balance competing rights in a complex legal landscape? How do...
Rights and Freedoms

Federal Discrimination Law 2016

Federal Discrimination Law is produced by the Commission’s legal section and provides an overview of the federal unlawful discrimination laws and examines the significant issues that have arisen in the federal unlawful discrimination cases. It also contains comprehensive tables of damages awards...
A man in a dark suit and tie stands at a podium, smiling, with a purple backdrop displaying National Press Club of Australia in repeated text. Two microphones are visible in front of him.
Rights and Freedoms

Religious Freedom Roundtable

In 2014, former Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson MP conducted a national consultation on rights and responsibilities. The outcomes from this consultation are outlined in the Rights and Responsibilities Consultation Report 2015. The importance of, and threats to, religious freedom was...
Illustrated banner reads The Story of Our Freedom, by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Cartoon characters on both sides depict justice, protest, and historical scenes. Two buttons say Read the Story and Watch the Video.
Rights and Freedoms

Magna Carta: The Story of Our Freedom

To mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the Australian Human Rights Commission has created a series of online educational resources which explore the evolution of human rights since 1215 and the impact that Magna Carta has had on our human rights and freedoms in Australia. The digital...
Text graphic with the words rights & responsibilities 2014 in modern, black and blue font. A thin line extends from the word responsibilities underlining the year 2014.
Rights and Freedoms

Rights & Responsibilities 2014

In 2014, former Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson MP conducted a national consultation about how well Australia protects people's rights and freedoms.
Free Speech 2014 event logo with sponsor logos: AIMIA Digital Policy Group, Australian Government Attorney-General's Department, Law Council of Australia, and Sky News.
Rights and Freedoms

Free Speech 2014

The Commission hosted a one-day symposium on free speech on Thursday 7th August 2014.
A stained glass window displays symbols of various religions, including a Christian cross, Buddhist wheel, Islamic crescent and star, Taoist yin-yang, Jewish Star of David, Hindu Om, and a flaming chalice.
Rights and Freedoms

Freedom of Religion and Belief

News: 1 September 2015 - Religious Freedom Roundtable announced. Introduction | More detail on Article 18 | Project: Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century | Publications | Speeches | Comments Introduction The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is recognised in Article...
A laptop with various white digital and technology icons flowing upward from the screen on a blue background, representing internet connectivity and digital communication.
Rights and Freedoms

Human rights and the Internet

The Internet provides unparalleled opportunities for the promotion and advancement of certain rights
A smiling person wearing glasses, a green feather boa, and holding a sign stands among a crowd at a pride event. People around wave rainbow flags and colorful decorations are visible in the background.
Rights and Freedoms

Right to freedom of information, opinion and expression

Introduction This page provides access to a range of Commission work regarding the right to freedom of information, opinion and expression. More resources are available on our Human Rights: Right by Right page for freedom of information, opinion and expression, including the Human Rights Committee's...
Illustration of raised hands, a flying dove with an olive branch, and the quote All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Additional text about acting in a spirit of brotherhood appears below.
Rights and Freedoms

Rights and freedoms - right by right

As part of the development of our new website we are developing pages on human rights scrutiny by reference to each area of rights and obligations set out in the main human rights treaties which have been developed by the international community and adopted by Australia in the years since the...
White gas mask icon on a black square background, showing eye openings and a circular filter with holes in the center.
Rights and Freedoms

Counter-terrorism and human rights

Since the events in the United States on 11 September 2001, the Australian Government has introduced more than 40 new counter-terrorism laws. Amongst other things, these laws have created:
Rights and Freedoms

Corporate Social Responsibility

Business and human rights What's new? Four fact sheets to help make human rights part of your core business. 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...
Rights and Freedoms

Prisoners Rights

Prisoners, just like all other people, are entitled to enjoy their human rights. Prisoners can make complaints to the Commission about human rights breaches and discrimination that occurs in prison.