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Asylum Seekers and Refugees
10 October 2014Opinion pieceMagna Carta shelters asylum-seekers
NEXT year is the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, signed reluctantly by King John at the demand of his rebellious barons in 1215. Buried in the middle of this foundational document of English constitutional law — setting out the single measure for wine and ale and the rights of widows on the death of their husband — are these words: “No freeman is to be taken or imprisoned or disseised… -
Rights and Freedoms
2 September 2019Media ReleaseCommissioners call for compassionate approach for Tamil family
Australian Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell and Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow have today written to Minister David Coleman, calling for an urgent and compassionate resolution for the Tamil family detained in immigration detention on Christmas Island. “Given their connection to Australia, showing compassion and allowing the family to stay together in the only community the… -
19 July 2013Project
Immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees
The Commission seeks to ensure that the human rights of all people held in immigration detention in Australia are protected. The Commission has focused its recent immigration detention work on the conditions and treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and children, because they have specific vulnerabilities and are given special protections under international law. What’s new? Asylum seekers … -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
8 November 2013Project
Transfer of asylum seekers to third countries
Learn how the Australian government introduced third-country processing for asylum seekers who came to Australia by boat without a valid visa in 2012. -
Education25 February 2015Webpage
Face the facts: Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Statistics from 2014 Back to main Face the Facts page All people are entitled to protection of their human rights, including the right to seek asylum, regardless of how or where they arrive in Australia. Australia has ratified the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 1951. This Convention defines who is a refugee, sets out the basic rights that countries should guarantee to refugees… -
Commission – General
12 April 2013Opinion pieceTime for rethink on asylum seeker treatment
I am gravely concerned that Australia's practices in relation to asylum seekers risk serious breaches of fundamental rights and freedoms under the human rights treaties by which Australia is bound. -
Commission – General
17 January 2019Media Release
Finalists for 2018 Government Award revealed
Four finalists have been selected from a diverse range of nominations for the 2018 Human Rights Awards’ Government Award. This year marks the first time our Awards recognise Government as a stand-alone category. “There are many Government groups and individuals helping others overcome discrimination and isolation and building tolerance and respect in the community and further afield,” said … -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
26 July 2019Publication
Ms BK, Ms CO and Mr DE on behalf of themselves and their families v Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Home Affairs)
The Australian Human Rights Commission has conducted an inquiry into three complaints arising from the practice of the Australian Government of sending to Nauru families with young children who arrived in Australia seeking asylum. -
14 December 2012Book page
Human Rights Publications
Reports on complaints of discrimination on the grounds of sexual preference, criminal record and trade union activity are available on our discrimination in employment and occupation page. -
Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Speech
Echoes of breaking glass: reflections on Kristallnacht
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY We know the basic facts of Kristallnacht. On the 9th and 10th of November 1938, mobs attacked Jews in Germany and neighbouring states. They did so freely; without restraint. Many Jews were killed, many more were injured, and many more than that were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Jewish businesses were destroyed; schools and cemeteries vandalised. Over 1000 … -
Rights and Freedoms
18 November 2020Webpage
What human rights are at particular risk of being restricted during a pandemic?
Learn how human rights were restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic and how vulnerable people and groups were subjected to more human rights incursions. -
14 December 2012Book page
Questions and Answers About Refugees & Asylum Seekers
According to the United Nations Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (also called the Refugee Convention), a refugee is someone who is outside their own country and cannot return due to a well-founded fear of persecution because of their: -
Education14 December 2012Webpage
Human Rights Explained: Human Rights Origins
Explore the origins of human rights, tracing their roots through ancient societies, religions, and philosophies, and understand their enduring impact on modern laws and values. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
"Asylum Seekers": Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2002)
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Worimi people who are the traditional owners of this land and a timely reminder that we are all immigrants to this vast continent. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageExpert Panel on Asylum Seekers (2012)
Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers Australian Human Rights Commission Submission 20 July 2012 Download in PDF [370 KB] Download in Word [250 KB] -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
17 April 2013Publication
Tell Me About: Bridging Visas for Asylum Seekers
1. What are bridging visas? Bridging visas are temporary visas which allow people to legally reside in the Australian community while they are applying for a longer term visa, appealing a decision relating to their visa, or making arrangements to leave Australia. Bridging visas can be granted to different groups of people, including asylum seekers who are seeking protection as refugees in… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
8 July 2013Webpage
Transfer of asylum seekers to third countries page
back to immigration detention, asylum seekers and refugees In August 2012 the Australian Government introduced a third country processing regime for asylum seekers who come to Australia by boat, without a valid visa. There are many aspects of this regime which may lead to breaches of Australia’s human rights obligations. On this page: • What is the third country processing regime? • What is… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
The Admission and Exclusion of Asylum Seekers Conference
I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, and pay my respects to their elders. -
14 December 2012Book page
Community arrangements -asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of Australia’s introduction of mandatory immigration detention and the eighteenth anniversary of the system of mandatory, indefinite immigration detention. In the current context, it is apt to recall that mandatory detention was introduced in reaction to the arrival of asylum seekers by boat, with concerns about a potential ‘influx’… -
14 December 2012Book page
Community arrangements asylum seekers, refugees + stateless persons
“In Australia, if you have a pet, you take your pet out at least once a week. I haven’t had an excursion in the two years I’ve been in detention ... I don’t even know what Australians look like.”