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Commission – General
14 December 2012WebpageStatement by the Australian Human Rights Commission – UN Human Rights Council
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons on her mission to Australia in November 2011. -
14 December 2012Book page
4. Australia's Human Rights Obligations
The purpose of this chapter is to explain the relevance of international human rights law to children in Australia's immigration detention centres and to provide a quick reference point on the fundamental human rights principles that have influenced the approach of this Inquiry. This chapter also explains the role of United Nations (UN) guidelines in the Inquiry's analysis of Australia's human… -
Rights and Freedoms
1 May 2013Webpage1981-86 Human Rights Commission Annual Reports
Australia's first federal Human Rights Commission was established by the Fraser Government under the Human Rights Commission Act 1981. This Act included a sunset clause (section 36) under which the first Commission ceased operation in 1986. The first Commission was replaced by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now renamed as the Australian Human Rights Commission) in… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
In defence of human rights
I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional country of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and pay my respects to their elders past and present. -
14 December 2012Book page
Human Rights Act - Useful Links
Human Rights Act TV is website where young people can have their say about their human rights by making a submission online, by text message or by making a youtube clip. -
Rights and Freedoms
25 May 2013Project
Human rights and the Internet
The Internet provides unparalleled opportunities for the promotion and advancement of certain rights -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
13 September 2013Opinion pieceAustralia, Human Rights, Refugees and Asylum Seekers
A comment on the current human rights issues faced by Australia in the processing of refugees and asylum seekers -
14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 3: A human rights-based approach to lateral violence - Social Justice Report 2011
When we look at the many issues that face Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, it is easy to get paralysed by their complexity, entrenched nature and the sheer size of the challenge. But as an optimist, I believe that there is a lot that we can do to address these problems. There are many different tools available to suit the varying circumstances that face our diverse communities… -
Rights and Freedoms
18 May 2013Webpage
1981-86 Human Rights Commission Occasional Papers
These papers have been added to this site for research and historical purposes. Australia's first federal Human Rights Commission was established by the Fraser Government under the Human Rights Commission Act 1981. The first Commission was replaced by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now renamed as the Australian Human Rights Commission) in December 1986. The first… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
19 June 2013Speech
Australian Government’s third country processing regime & human rights
Explore a speech delivered by the former President of the Human Rights Commission, Professor Gillian Triggs, to the Refugee Advice and Casework Service. -
15 July 2014Book page
Chapter 5: Business and our human rights in the Declaration
5.1 Introduction The significant role of business to respect and support our human rights is increasingly being recognised. Although the protection of human rights remains the responsibility of government, business is realising that human rights are both relevant and fundamental to their operations. In many of the conversations I have had with business and community leaders across the… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Webpage
Universal Periodic Review on human rights - FAQ (2016)
back to UPR page The UPR is a unique process that involves the regular review of the human rights situation in each country in the world. The UPR provides two major opportunities for Australia: It allows the Australian community and Government to take stock of how well we are protecting and promoting the human rights of all people in Australia; and It permits the Australian Government to… -
Rights and Freedoms
13 May 2013Webpage
Scrutiny by human rights treaty bodies
Each of the main human rights treaties requires parties to submit regular reports to a specialist Committee on their implementation of their obligations. These Committees are composed of independent experts elected by the parties to the treaty. A number of eminent Australian experts have served on these Committees, including Professor Ivan Shearer (Member, Human RIghts Committee) Professor… -
8 December 2020Book page
Part 5: Thriving communities and sustainable economies
Discover how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls face barriers when accessing education and employment and how this is being addressed. -
14 December 2012Book page
A Report on Visits to Immigration Detention Facilities by the Human Rights Commissioner 2001
1.1 Background to this report 1.2 Compliance with human rights obligations 1.3 Conduct of visits 1.4 Overview of immigration detention facilities 1.5 Response by Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs -
Rights and Freedoms
9 July 2019Publication
Factsheet: Guide to the protections for freedom of religion (2019)
There are a number of protections for freedom of religion in Australian law. At the federal level, a person may make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission or to the Fair Work Commission about discrimination on the basis of religion that occurs in the context of employment. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
Human Rights in Contemporary Australia: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2001)
Despite its rather grand title, this presentation will be a relatively modest attempt to set out the key challenges for human rights in Australia as I see them at the outset of my term as Human Rights Commissioner. Let us begin with a quick survey of the state of human rights internationally and in Australia today. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President Speech: Conservation, Participation and Human Rights
First, may I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to their elders, both past and present. -
Rights and Freedoms
1 May 2013Publication
Human rights issues raised by the third country processing regime
The Commission recognises the importance of effective border management and recognises that Australia has a right as a sovereign State to exclude non-citizens from its territory. However, Australia also has international obligations in relation to asylum seekers who come here, including those who arrive by boat, which must be observed in its border management practices. This paper provides a… -
14 December 2012Book page
Human Rights Brief No. 4
Many fundamental freedoms are guaranteed by international human rights law. They include the freedoms of expression, movement and choice of residence, peaceful assembly and association, and the freedom to manifest one's religion or belief.