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Legal
14 December 2012WebpageAustralian Human Rights Commission Submission to the Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Immigration Detention Network (2011)
The Australian Government should implement reforms it announced in 2008 under which immigration detention is to be used as a last resort and for the shortest practicable period, people are to be detained in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual circumstances, and there is a presumption that people will be permitted to reside in the community unless they pose an… -
Rights and Freedoms
18 February 2015SpeechBeyond human rights to exercising freedoms
National Press Club, Wednesday, 18th February 2015 - Why freedom matters -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
59th Session of the Commission on Human Rights
Read a statement about the history of the Australian Human Rights Commission, which was presented at the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in 2003. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
13 October 2020Opinion pieceWho are we leaving behind?
In presenting last week’s Federal Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said, “we will get through this together.” Togetherness is an important value in Australia. It speaks to the basic liberal democratic principle that no-one in our community should be left behind. While much of last week’s Budget analysis focused on the details of tax breaks and tax cuts, at a basic level the Budget is also a… -
21 October 2022Webpage
Let's talk about refugees
Explore teaching resources about refugees, including what it means to seek asylum, what a migrant is and how you can support refugees in the community. -
Legal
30 January 2019Submission
Migration (Validation of Port Appointment) Bill 2018
1 Introduction 1. The Commission makes this submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee in relation to the Migration (Validation of Port Appointment) Bill 2018 (Cth) (the Bill) introduced by the Australian Government. 2 Summary 2. The Commission welcomes the opportunity to make a submission in relation to this Bill. 3. The Bill seeks to retrospectively… -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech"Other status": disability and human rights (2011)
Amnesty International conference: Human rights challenges and opportunities in the 21st century Brisbane 6 October 2011 Graeme Innes, Disability Discrimination Commissioner -
Rights and Freedoms
31 October 2013Speech
Social Inclusion and Human Rights in Australia
Chain Reaction Foundation Breakfast Cafe KPMG Level 15, 10 Shelley Street, SydneyTuesday 20 August 20137:45am (Check against delivery) Social Inclusion and Human Rights in Australia I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which we gather today. I pay my respects to your elders, past and present. Thank you KPMG and Paul Reid… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
"HUMAN RIGHTS: A REPORT CARD FOR AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA": DR SEV OZDOWSKI OAM (2004)
Firstly I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we stand and by so doing remind ourselves that Australia's cultural traditions stretch back many thousands of years. The acknowledgement also expresses our aspiration for a just and inclusive Australia for all. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechSpeeches by the Hon. Catherine Branson, President, Australian Human Rights Commission
The Hon Catherine Branson was President of the Australian Human Rights Commission from 7 August 2008 - 29 July 2012. Click here to access her biography. -
14 December 2012Book page
Community arrangements for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons - Some barriers to use of community arrangements
Despite the significant positive developments of the past two years, the Commission remains seriously concerned about some aspects of Australian law and policy on asylum seekers, refugees and immigration detention. The Commission is primarily concerned about the prolonged or indefinite detention and lack of durable solutions or substantive visa pathways for certain groups of people in immigration… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Publication
Annual Report 2008-2009: Australian Human Rights Commission
This is my first annual report as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. Since commencing my five-year term in October of last year, the people with whom I have met, the stories that I have listened to, and the community centres and immigration detention facilities that I have visited have strengthened my resolve to encourage a better understanding of the place of human rights in… -
Commission – General
4 November 2013Webpage
2015 Human Rights Medal and Awards Winners
The Human Rights Medal is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of human rights in Australia. The medal has a rich history of prestigious winners. -
31 January 2013Webpage
2008 Human Rights Medal and Awards Winners
Since 1987, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now known as the Australian Human Rights Commission) has recognised the often extraordinary contribution to Australian society of a wide variety of men and women committed to issues of human rights, social justice and equality through the annual Human Rights Medal and Awards. Each year we receive outstanding nominations for the… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
23 October 2019Publication
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. -
Commission – General
3 June 2020E-bulletin (Monthly)
Community update: COVID-19 (June 2020)
Commission News June 2020 Commissioner update COVID-19 Dear friends, The last few weeks have seen a gradual return to some of our pre-pandemic freedoms in many parts of Australia. While physical distancing remains a vital element to maintaining low infection rates, it is clear that we welcome the opportunity to visit loved ones, travel and socialise. The Lucky Country, a term used favourably… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
6 January 2016Project
Immigration detention and human rights
The human rights of people who are in immigration detention are of special concern to the Commission. Liberty is a fundamental human right, recognised in major human rights instruments to which Australia is a party. -
14 December 2012Book page
President's statement - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
By the time that this annual report is published, Professor Gillian Triggs will have succeeded me as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. I wish her well in her new role and trust that she will gain the enjoyment and satisfaction from leading the work of the Commission that I have done. -
14 December 2012Book page
Building understanding and respect for human rights - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
Our aim is to make this a reality. To that end we strive to build understanding in the Australian community about what human rights are and their relevance for everyday life. We have made good progress on our journey, but we know we have more work to do. -
14 December 2012Book page
DIAC Response to the 2010 Australian Human Rights Commission Report on Immigration Detention on Christmas Island
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) 2010 Report on Immigration Detention on Christmas Island.