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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… -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOCA: religious freedom
This is an information paper only. It is intended to provide general guidance. It is not a legally binding document and is not a substitute for independent legal advice. It is limited to the role and function of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission as contained in the legislation establishing the Commission. -
Rights and Freedoms
11 March 2015Opinion piece
Is freedom under pressure globally?
Behind human rights is the still revolutionary idea that every human being is free and equal, that individuals own their own bodies and should be free to pursue their lives, opportunities and enterprise. Human rights provide the foundation for our liberal democracy, our market economy and our civil society. It was the signing 800 years ago of the Magna Carta, or Great Charter of 1215, by… -
Rights and Freedoms
31 October 2013Speech
Freedom of Speech and giving offence: can a balance be struck?
Annual Kirby Lecture on International law: ANZSIL 2013 Thursday 4 July 20136:30 pm Finkel Theatre, John Curtin School of Medical Research,Garran Rd, Australian National University (Check against delivery) Freedom of Speech and giving offence: can a balance be struck? I was especially pleased to be invited to give this address as, throughout my career, I have been enriched by Michael Kirby’s … -
14 December 2012Book page
Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century - Discussion Paper (2008)
Submissions are invited on issues of Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century in Australia. In particular we are interested in your responses to any or all of the questions in the Discussion Paper, as well as any other issues of concern. -
Race Discrimination
14 December 2012Opinion pieceFreedom of speech should not trump the right to safety (2012)
Many people will be familiar with the recent “Aboriginal memes” page on a popular social media site, in which images of Aboriginal people were published with highly derogatory captions. -
Commission – General
23 May 2024Media ReleaseCommission welcomes new President
Commission welcomes new President, Hugh de Krester -
Rights and Freedoms
5 March 2013Opinion piece
Freedom of speech is not in danger in Australia (2013)
Freedom of speech is alive and well in Australia but, with respect to Voltaire, we will not defend to the death those who abuse this right by vilifying others in public on the ground of race. -
Technology and Human Rights
6 May 2024Opinion pieceProtecting Free Speech Doesn’t Mean Dismissing Online Safety
This opinion piece by Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay, appeared in The Australian on Monday 29 April 2024. When President Roosevelt gave the 1941 State of the Union Address he spoke of four essential human freedoms that 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… -
Rights and Freedoms
22 March 2024Speech
The AHRC’s model for a Human Rights Act for Australia
ANU and Amnesty International Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM FAAL FRSA FACLM(Hon) [ Check against delivery] I would like to begin by acknowledging the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, the traditional custodians of the land on which I am speaking today and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging and to any First Peoples attending. The Australian Human Rights Commission, as… -
Technology and Human Rights
31 May 2023News story
Social Media: A Tool for Foreign Interference
Learn about how foreign actors are using social media to interfere with Australia's national interest and threaten human rights online. -
Rights and Freedoms
1 May 2013Webpage
Permissible limitations on freedom to manifest religion or belief
Under article 18 of the ICCPR, any actions which fall within the four types of manifestation of belief (worship, observance, teaching and practice) can, in certain circumstances, be subject to limitation by the State. The freedom to manifest religion in sub-paragraph 18(1) is qualified by the limitations set out in sub-paragraph 18(3), including those which are ‘necessary to protect…the -
Technology and Human Rights
27 May 2024Submission
Adopting AI in Australia
Learn more about how Australia can adopt artificial intelligence safely and with respect for human rights. -
Rights and Freedoms
1 May 2013Webpage
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief
Learn how under human rights law, Australians are free to adopt a religion of their choice, individually or in community with others. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 March 2024Speech
Enhancing human rights in a post-COVID world
The catalyst of a pandemic Women in Property lunch Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM Acknowledgement Thank you to the Property Council for inviting me to speak to you today—and particularly Jane Fitzgerald whose idea it was. Let me begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and pay my respect to Elders, past,… -
Rights and Freedoms
9 April 2014Speech
The freedom wars and the future of human rights in Australia
Address to the National Press Club, Canberra -
Technology and Human Rights
23 August 2023News story
Countering Disinformation Online
Learn more about the difficulties in countering misinformation and disinformation without unduly restricting freedom of expression. -
Legal
22 March 2024SpeechProbate and Lunatics: A Curious Cameo of Supreme Court History
ANZOA meeting Perspectives on Fairness Meeting of the Minds Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission Acknowledgment I would like to begin my presentation by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land where I am delivering my presentation today, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to the elders, past, present and… -
Commission – General
14 March 2024Speech
Perspectives on Fairness
ANZOA meeting Meeting of the Minds Acknowledgment I would like to begin my presentation by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land where I am delivering my presentation today, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to the elders, past, present and emerging. I would like to thank Janine Young, Energy & Water Ombudsman, NSW and current Chair of ANZOA, for… -
Race Discrimination
14 December 2012Speech
Speech:Like oil and water? The intersection of freedom of religion and belief with human rights (2008)
Can I begin by thanking and acknowledging the Ngunnawal Peoples, the traditional owners of the land on which we are meeting and thank Aunty Agnes for her warm welcome.