Refine results
-
31 January 2013Webpage
2011 Human Rights Medal and Awards Winners
2011 Finalists Human rights medal (sponsored by rio tinto) Ron Merkel QC For 40 years, Ron Merkel has devoted himself to access to justice for people who are marginalised and disadvantaged, having a long and outstanding commitment to the promotion and advancement of human rights as a legal practitioner. He is widely recognised as one of Australia's leading public and administrative law -
14 December 2012Book page
Bringing them Home - Appendix 5
Established Aborigines Protection Board. Its functions include submitting proposals to the Governor relating to the care custody or education of the children of `Aboriginals' and exercising a general supervision and care over all matters affecting the interests and welfare of the `Aboriginals'. -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Appendix 2
The following is a selection of extracts from these stories.[1] The stories demonstrate the compound effect of discrimination against same-sex families in the area of financial and work-related entitlements. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageSubmission to the Clarke Inquiry on the Case of Dr Mohamed Haneef (2008)
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (‘HREOC’) makes this submission to the Clarke Inquiry, which has been established to inquire into the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef. This inquiry raises important issues of law and practice and HREOC welcomes the opportunity to make a submission. -
14 December 2012Book page
4 The use of wrist x-ray analysis
This chapter considers some of the Commonwealth’s practices regarding the use of wrist x-ray analysis as a means of assessing chronological age for the purposes of criminal prosecution. It highlights situations where the reliance on wrist x-rays as evidence of age was contrary to stated Australian Government policy; or where it contributed to individuals who were in fact children, or who… -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Commission submissions: Mulrunji
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (‘the Commission’) seeks leave to appear in this inquest pursuant to s 36(1)(c) of the Coroners Act 2003 (Qld) (‘the Coroners Act’). -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
National Human Rights Consultation - Appendix 4
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.[13] -
Legal
14 December 2012Speech
Response to Lord Bingham’s speech: “Do Human Rights Acts Make a Difference?” - David Kinley
Conspicuously active in retirement! Perhaps most notably his Grotius Lecture in London last month in which he raised serious doubts as to the legality under international law of Britain’s invasion of Iraq. This is hardly the path of a man seeking a quiet retirement. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Removal of Mandatory Minimum Penalties) Bill 2012
The Commission supports the repeal from the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (Migration Act) of the mandatory minimum penalties currently applicable to the aggravated offence of people smuggling. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech“Child Migrants and Human Rights in our Time”: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2005)
I should add, at this point, that my work over the past few years and my inquiry on children in immigration detention (CIDI), in Australia, the report of which "A last resort?" was tabled in the Australian Federal parliament in May of 2004, has made me even more keenly aware of the fragility of child asylum seekers. But more on that later! -
Rights and Freedoms
22 January 2014Opinion piece
Freedoms versus anti-discrimination laws? A false debate
Responsibility, anti-discrimination laws, human rights and freedoms - these words have been at the center of an ideological debate about how to protect fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom from detention without trial. But if we are serious about securing these fundamental freedoms in Australian law, we must legislate to protect them, just as… -
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
8 April 2015Speech
Launch of the Rights & Responsibilities Consultation 2014 Report
Thank you for coming. It's a great pleasure to launch the report from our Rights and Responsibilities Consultation. Like my Commissioner colleagues, the role of Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner is to look at systemic public policy issues. No Commissioner investigates complaints from the public. That is the role of the President. On my arrival the President and I divided policy -
Commission – General
14 December 2012WebpageConvention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women - Human rights at your fingertips - Human rights at your fingertips
On 18 December 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It entered into force as an international treaty on 3 September 1981 after the twentieth country had ratified it. By the tenth anniversary of the Convention in 1989, almost one hundred nations have agreed to be bound by its provisions. -
14 December 2012Book page
Encourage. Support. Act! - Introduction
Learn about bystander approaches to stop sexual harassment in the workplace. Bystanders can help by raising awareness and can intervene to prevent harm. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
National Security Information Legislation Amendment Bill 2005
At the hearing held 13 April 2005, the Commission took a number of questions on notice. I am advised that the answers to the Honourable Senators’ questions are as set out below. -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2002: Summary of the Validation & Confirmation of Extinguishment Provisions in the NTA
In the High Court’s formulation of native title in Mabo (No 2), [1] delivered on 3 June 1992, it was made clear that in the past, governments could validly grant interests in land that would extinguish native title. These grants could be made without payment of compensation to native title holders. [2] At least that was as far as the common law was concerned. The Court did not need to… -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechHuman rights for people with intellectual disabilities in Australia: where to from here?
I will not speak in detail about human rights conventions and disability because this topic is addressed by my co-speaker in this session, Karl Lachwitz. I will say though that international human rights law and human rights debate has not yet acknowledged adequately or sufficiently clearly that people with a disability are part of what the "human" in human rights means. Equally, there… -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010
The Australian Human Rights Commission makes this submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
Site navigation
By way of preamble, it is clear the current climate of terrorism obviously requires governments to put in place measures that can effectively deal with a serious terrorist threat or event as soon as it is detected. Parliament cannot wait until potential dangers eventuate. It is understandable – indeed it is necessary in advance - to put in place measures that can deal with the worst case…