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Rights and Freedoms
3 May 2024Opinion pieceWe need debate on sensible limits on free speech
When president Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the 1941 State of the Union address he spoke of four essential human freedoms people “everywhere in the world” ought to enjoy. The very first of these was freedom of speech and expression. Free speech was listed first because it is the bedrock of democracy. Salman Rushdie famously described it as “the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is… -
Rights and Freedoms
15 November 2019Opinion piece
Freedom of speech and Annika Smethurst
Opinion piece by Commission President Rosalind Croucher published in the Australian newspaper The raids on the home of News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst and the offices of the ABC have highlighted the vulnerability of press freedom in Australia compared to other similar liberal democracies. The offences being investigated, as set out in the relevant warrants, included alleged offences by… -
Rights and Freedoms
19 February 2025News story
Explainer: New national and NSW hate crime laws
The Australian Government and NSW Government recently updated their hate crime laws. This explainer is designed to help readers better understand these changes and the potential human rights implications. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Project
Let's talk about rights - Human Rights Act for Australia
The Australian Human Rights Commission supports a Human Rights Act for Australia. -
Rights and Freedoms
19 December 2019Speech
Human Rights Awards - Keynote speech 2019
Human Rights Awards Keynote Speech delivered by Commission President, Prof. Rosalind Croucher AM, at the Human Rights Awards, held at the Fullerton Hotel, Sydney. Check Against Delivery Thank you for that warm welcome to country. I pay my respects to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation—the traditional custodians of this land—to their elders, past and present, and to the future generations… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Project
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
13 May 2022Speech
Whither human rights and freedoms protections in Australia?
As I reflect on the past two years, it is clear that the pandemic has brought a renewed national focus on the importance of centralising considering rights and freedoms during times of crisis — a greater ‘rights consciousness’. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Project
Climate Change and Human Rights
Climate change and human rights Why are human rights relevant to climate change? Which human rights are affected by climate change? How do climate change policies impact on human rights? Why should climate change policies incorporate human rights principles? Past projects and publications Why are human rights relevant to climate change? Governments have traditionally approached climate… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Project
Freedom of Religion and Belief
Freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right protected by a number of international treaties and declarations, including article 18(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This right encompasses freedom of thought on all matters and the freedom to manifest religion and belief individually or with others, in public or in private. -
Rights and Freedoms
20 May 2024Media Release
Rights-based solutions to critical social issues set to take centre stage at landmark forum in Sydney
With a plethora of issues currently impacting significantly on the rights of people across Australia, an upcoming landmark national conference during the Vivid Sydney festival is set to explore a range of new approaches to protecting and promoting human rights in Australia. Concerns about racism and freedom of speech stemming from the impact of the war in Gaza; Australia’s domestic violence,…