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Rights and Freedoms
14 April 2023Media ReleaseCommission welcomes banning of spit hoods by AFP
A decision by the Australian Federal Police to end the use of spit hoods has been welcomed by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Today the AFP announced the AFP and ACT police will no longer use spit hoods, and instead the AFP will provide ‘alternative equipment and implement procedures to better protect officers from spitting and biting.’ The decision follows a review initiated last… -
Commission – General
9 December 2022News story
Outstanding advocates celebrated in 2022 Human Rights Awards
An Australian not-for-profit organisation Mahboba’s Promise has won the prestigious Human Rights Medal in the 2022 Human Rights Awards. Mahboba Rawi and Nawid Cina received the accolade at a ceremony hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission Friday, 9 December. Other awards went to Caroline Cecile Fletcher (Young People’s Award), Scientia Professor Jane McAdam (Law Award), and Hotel… -
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… -
22 February 2024Webpage
Free + Equal Human Rights Conference
Hear from Australia's leading human rights advocates about how a Human Rights Act will put all our rights in one place and create a common tool for justice for people in Australia. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
8 July 2019SpeechGBK Symposium on Regional Autonomy and Independence Gur A Baradharaw Kod (GBK) Torres Strait Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander Corporation
Introduction Thank you Milton for your words of welcome. Thank you also for the blessings for a fruitful day of sharing through listening to each other and hearing each other’s’ words. Jalangurru Mani ngarri balanggarri. Yaningi warangira ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Kaurareg yani U. Balanggarri wadjirragali jarraa nhingi – gamali ngindaji yawu muwayi nyirrami ngarri thangani. Ngalabani… -
Rights and Freedoms
8 October 2019Speech
UN Human Rights Commissioner speaks out
Australian Human Rights Commission conference Free and Equal: An Australian Conversation on Human Rights Statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 8 October 2019 President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Rosalind Croucher and fellow Commissioners Mr Les Malezer, Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Members of Parliament and… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
4 April 2023PublicationAustralia’s international obligations
Australia is obliged under international law to protect the human rights of all asylum seekers and refugees, regardless of how or where they arrive. -
Race Discrimination
16 November 2021Media ReleaseNew guidelines to address spectator racism in sport
A new set of guidelines will help Australian sports organisations act effectively and consistently in responding to incidents of spectator racism and preventing racism from occurring at sporting events. Major professional sports organisations including the AFL, Cricket Australia, NRL, Tennis Australia, and some of the nation’s largest stadiums have already endorsed the guidelines, and more… -
Sex Discrimination
14 March 2019Speech63rd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
Australian & Canadian government & Australian Human Rights Commission side event: Sexual harassment in the workplace – a global perspective Monday 11 March, 1.15pm – 2.30pm Location: Conference Room 11, UN Headquarters Keynote address – Kate Jenkins, Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Ishaani’s story Ishaani is a migrant worker. She is a young woman who came to Australia from… -
Sex Discrimination
5 March 2021Media Release
Statement on Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
As Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner, I welcome today’s announcement from Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham. I acknowledge the importance and urgency of this Independent Review (Review) into the workplaces of Parliamentarians and their staff, established by the Federal Government, in consultation with the Presiding Officers, the Opposition, minor parties and independents. The… -
Commission – General
7 April 2022News story
Statement on international accreditation of the Australian Human Rights Commission
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s status as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) has been reviewed by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) – the international standards body. This review, conducted every five years, considers whether the Commission continues to meet the UN Principles on National Institutions (commonly known as the Paris Principles),… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
7 May 2021Media Release
Kimberley Aboriginal Women develop regional action plan
This week 100 women, including 85 Kimberley Aboriginal women, gathered for a three-day roundtable to commence development of a regional action plan and establish the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council. The roundtable, held from May 4-6, 2021, was convened in response to the landmark Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) report released by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioner… -
Technology and Human Rights
24 August 2023Opinion pieceWhy Misinformation Bill risks Freedoms it Aims to Protect
Learn more about the federal government’s proposed Communications Legislation Amendment (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill. -
Business and Human Rights
30 November 2022SpeechExecutive discretion in a time of COVID-19
Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have required very quick action by governments. But those responses have also involved significant limitations on people’s rights and freedoms, especially freedom of movement, and implemented through executive power often with limited parliamentary involvement. -
Commission – General
6 May 2020E-bulletin (Monthly)
Community update: COVID-19 (May 2020)
Stay safe. Stay connected. Stay informed. -
Rights and Freedoms
18 November 2022Speech
Housing and human rights - rights where it matters
Sandy Duncanson Memorial Lecture Housing and human rights – rights where it matters Hobart, 11 October 2022 Abstract Homelessness can happen to anyone. People with disability are at an increased risk and they are joined by a growing invisible cohort of older women. COVID-19 was a trigger for state governments to find shelter for people living rough, illustrating that solutions to… -
Commission – General
2 March 2021E-bulletin (Monthly)
March ebulletin
News and updates from the Australian Human Rights Commission -
Commission – General
10 December 2020Media Release
Rosemary Kayess gives 2020 Human Rights Oration
Leading disability rights advocate Rosemary Kayess will give the 2020 Human Rights Day Oration today. Last year’s Human Rights Medal winner, and a contributor to the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Rosemary Kayess will discuss the social transformation of CRPD and the impact it has had on the community as well as her work with the Disability… -
Commission – General
7 September 2020E-bulletin (Monthly)
September ebulletin
However, given the extraordinary circumstances of 2020 we believe a new and different approach is needed to celebrate the many human rights heroes who have emerged this year. -
Commission – General
1 August 2022Media Release
Commission urges passage of new Bill to strengthen integrity
The Australian Human Rights Commission is urging all federal parliamentarians to support the passage of the new Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Bill 2022. Commission President, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, has welcomed the introduction to Parliament of the new Bill by Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP, last week. The…